2009-12-23 Guatamala, Tikal

2009-12-23 Guatamala
Well another great day of vacation today. Soak up early- 5 am to go to Tikal, this way we beat the tourist. We left in the dark and got there as the sun was rising. It was quite cold as the site was a a bit higher in elevation. We met our guide and the rest of the group and headed off into the jungle after a quick glance at the modeled Tikal. Our first stop was Temple IV and a long climb on wooden stairs. The fog was just lifting and we had very nice views of the other Temples poking out above the jungle. Not the best light but I did get some good photos. This was where the ending seen for Return of the Jedi was filmed for the ewalk scene. It was nice to climb stairs and not a steep temple side. Fromther we went to the Plaza de Grand piramide. We were not to climb this as somefell and died a few years ago. Still an impressive structure. From there we went tithe Plaza de Los 7 Temples. They were all arranged based in the solstice, equinox, and moon orientations that triangulated light into the center of the plaza need to better understand the physics/geometry behind this. This site was currently be restored and was covered in lots odlf scaffeling. From there we went to Temple V the biggest and baddest one to climb. Basically multiple ladders with a few platforms in-between. We were both a bit shaky but the view of the grand Plaza was amazing! I can only imagine what it looked like with no trees. We got some great picks and just hung out on top for a while. The architecture was impressive. A large central staircase with ramps on either side. The corners where built up with multiple stages( I think 9). After a slow climb back down we went into the grand plaza, amazing Temple I- Gran Jaguar on one end and Temple II on the other end Acropolis del Norte complex on one side and Acrpolis Central on the other side. Most of these structures had been well restored with Temple II tower being updated and covered in scaffeling. This ended the official tour and left us 2 hours to explore on our own. The tour guide w as personable and funny, but did not give us the detailed description we enjoy on a tour. Will just need to read more later. The only time so far I wish we had more info( the people staying next to us have been cramming what to do next all afternoon, I am just happy to be enjoying the present and not wording what to do next- 9 AM pick-up for the trip back to Belize.). We continued to e plore the Grand Plaza and then went back to go spend a bit more time at some of the sights we passed by quickly on the tour. We where both tired on the way home and enjoyed a nap In the crib, Wendi in bed, me on the hammack outside the room. After my short nap I headed down to the lake for a quick swim. It was cloth washing day so I had to get past the soapy section to swim. The water was warm and clear but the story of the fearsome fresh water crocodiles earlier in the day kept me close to shore and nervous. After a the swim I spent some more time in the hammock reading and enjoying the great weather. Got somemore great sunset photos and then headed out for a cervesa and food. Meet an interesting locals at the bar down the street, talked about 2012, everyone is obsses with it here. Escaped the bar and hit a new resturante for local food. We waited over 1 hour (a large party of teenage girls in fancy dresses came in and had called ahead) for mediocre food I ate Wendi's whole fish and she tried to eat my tri combo, fatty chicken, fatty beef, greasy rice and veggies. Came back and went to bed, glad the festival music was much quiter than the night before.