Mayan Jungle Ruins of Tikal

View from Temple IV
Originally uploaded by louise_parmenter

I needed something impressive to help take my mind off my heartbreak. And this was certainly it! The ruins of Tikal are in themselves stunning, but the jungle environment within which they lie, in my opinion, raises Tikal way above all other Mayan sites. As you walk around this enormous site, with its huge temples separated by jungle paths, you are literally surrounded on all sides by nature, and if you do not immediately see wildlife you are constantly aware of its presence; the howler monkeys have their name for a reason. To an unfamiliar ear the loud roaring of these primates, eerily echoing across the jungle could easily be mistaken for the roaring of a pack of jaguars. And the wonderful diversity of exotic birds in and around the sites was a real treat. I spotted two species of toucan, hundreds of parakeets, a strange peacock and a whole host of birds that I cannot name. And then there was the tarantula……. See my next boastful post for a good laugh or possibly a shock!

Here are the photos of Tikal and Flores, the attractive lake island where I was based near Tikal.

DISTANCE TRAVELLED (OVERLAND) SINCE USHUAIA: 33,340 KM