Flores, Tikal, San Miguel

It may take me a couple posts to get this thing up to date.  I always have the best intentions of posting more often but things keep getting in my way :)
Flores was a great little island town, very colonial and laid back.  We once again managed to meet some really cool friends in our hostel Los Amigos...one friend in particular named Sam from California.  His adventures would make even the homiest of homebodies jealous!  We happened to be travelling to the next few places together and got to know him pretty well (he took a dump in his tube while floating in Semuc Champey...sorry Sam!)  Los Amigos was a great little hostel with its own vegetarian restaurant and bar.  We hung out there quite a bit. 

Los Amigos

The island of Flores

Flores became our jumping off point to visit the ruins of Tikal...the Guatamalan equivalent of Chichen Itza.  We had to leave for the ruins at 5am in order to get there for a sunrise view and also when there are less people around.  Unfortunately we only encountered rain and lots of it.  We paid 150 quetzales (about $18) each for a ride there and back and a guide.  Entrance fee is another 150 quetzales...well worth the visit, however our guide was less than great.  Basically he just showed us around the place and talked for about 15 minutes of a 4 hour tour.  Lalo and I enjoyed ourselves regardless climbing towers IV and V and tromping forever in the rain and mud.  Temple V was by far the coolest only it involved 105 super steep steps to get to the top...and once you get to the top there is nothing keeping you from falling off the edge!  I have never known myself to be afraid of heights but that sure did it for me!  I found myself gripping the edge and walking VERY slowly!  Tikal has a very ancient vibe to it and you can't help but wonder who these people were that constucted these amazing cities! 

Temple V

Terribly scary steps (all 105)

As if walking through Tikal all day weren't enough, we met a guy who offered to take us to the city of San Miguel just across the lake from Flores for 50 quetzales.  We hiked all around the city and saw some amazing views of the island, a secluded beach, and climbed a tower with a 360 degree view.  We spent about 3 hours exploring and our tour ended with a beatiful rainbow over lake Peten Itza. 

San Miguel

Before we left Flores for our fabulous Lanquin/Semuc Champey visit we also visited the Grutas Actun-Can (caves).  I was totally frightened and pretty much from the moment we entered the cave I wanted to leave.  It may have been different if there were more people with us but it was just Lalo and I and he found it quite hilarious to scare me around every corner...I did not!  Luckily the caves were lit and fairly easy to maneuver...we went without a guide. 

Las Grutas

Very scary!

The last week or so has been filled with adventure, lots of exercise, and some pretty terrifying feats.  Although I have been pretty scared I have managed to come out of just about all of them saying to myself in the end...I can't believe I did that!  Guatamala has been full of adventure and true true natural beauty.  Never in my life have I seen such amazing natural vistas!  If only I could share it with all of you!

Adios...Besitos..Nos vemos pronto!