Day 6 - Tikal National Park

We had our first look at the Lodge surroundings this morning.  There are 2 lakes, one with crocodiles and our room is overlooking the other lake.

 
Morning view over the lake

We left the hotel at 8.00 for the drive to Tikal.  We had a stop at a small village where we were shown a relief map of the Tikal site.  We also saw how the original Chewing Gum was made from the Chewing Gum tree.  The Wrigley company sourced the gum from the tree but production was stopped in the 1970s and todays chewing gum is made artificially. We were also able to try some Allspice tea which was very pleasant.

 
Chewing Gum tree

 
Xylophone in the souvenir shop

 

We arrived at Tikal and were given a wristband to wear.  I am not sure why they do this but I suppose it allows the staff working there to spot anyone who hasnt paid to get in.

We first saw some Coyotes which were racoon type creatures that walk with their tails in the air.  There were a lot of them.  We also saw some wild pigs.

 
Coyete

 
 
Wild Pigs

Tikal is an ancient Maya settlement with temples and structures built in the 4 BC and abandoned in the 10th century.  The temples were built in the 1st century.  Tikal was rediscovered in the 1850s when it was completely covered by the jungle.   It was a 3km walk through quite dense jungle to Temple no 4 which is the highest at 65m and is in the West of the site.  We were allowed to climb to the top from where we had an incredible view over the tree top. 

 
Temple IV

 
View from Temple IV

 
View from Temple IV 

 
At the top of Temple IV

 

We then visited the main plaza where Temples 1 and 2 are situated facing North and South.  We had some free time here to look around.

 
Temple I



 
Temple II

 
Us at the top of Temple I

 
The Grand Plaza at Tikal

 
Coyote after left over food at restaurant


We did see quite a bit of wildlife including Spider Monkeys but it was difficult to photograph them.  We also saw Toucans and Red Lori Parrots which were extremely noisy.

 
Keel-billed Toucan

 
Spider Monkey (not a good photo)

 
Toucan

 
Vulture like bird - possibly a Black Vulture

 
Red Lori Parrot

 We arrived back at the lodge at about 3.30.  Paul was really tired so I went to explore the grounds by myself although regularly met others in our party doing the same.  There were plenty of birds around and also White Tailed Deer.

 
Black and White Warbler


 
Coati in hotel grounds

 
White Tailed Deer

 
Egrets flying over the lake at dusk

 
Moorhen type bird - possibly a Northern Jacana

 

 

The sunset was quite spectacular.

 



One of our group (Cathy) has a birthday today so we are all eating together at the lodge where she has organised a cake.  It will really be our last night together in Guatemala and Cathy and her husband Simon are returning to the UK on Thursday as they are doing this trip as an Add On after a tour of Colombia.


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