New Years

Stuck around Flores for the new year. Eating and drinking was done till midnight. Then the fireworks started. At 1:00 AM the 12 piece band started playing in the plaza. I lasted ti only 3 am or so. The band played till dawn. Was up at 8 and went to try to get a mini bus to Belize. The mini bus parking lot only had 3 mini buses going to different
locations. It took 2 hours to get the mini bus filled enough for the driver to leave for the border. Got to the border fast as there were not to many stops along the way. The Guatemalan immigration tried to charge me three dollars to leave the country. I disagreed and after standing there for half a minute he returned my passport stamped for departure. The first town in Belize was three kilometers so I walked. Then headed through town to get the bus. The bus was not leaving for an hour so I walked another kilometer to the Mayan ruin up the road. Everyone is talking to me in English it is strange. After the ferry ride I got a ride to the ruins a mile up the side road. They were small with one nice pyramid which I climbed in the rain. The rain makes the ruins slick. So caution is needed on the steps as there is no handrail. Giving up on waiting for the rain to slow I hiked out to
the ferry and the main road. Only after an hour a bus cam and got me to San Ignacio. Find a small family run hotel and the owner offer to drive me the mile and half to the ruins on the edge of town as evening approaches. They are still open and it is another smaller ruin. From the pyramid I cannot see through the trees. On the way down I slip and bounce down a number of steps. Only hurt my pride and It might be rough on the bus seat tomorrow.
Love and Kisses
Steve

Tikal

Tikal is one of the better known ruins and you can climb the pyramids. Much of the ruins you travel on jungle trails. Got a early start to beat the tour buses. It was raining with thick clouds. Climb my first pyramid but I could not see across the plaza due to the clouds. I got up at 4 am to miss the crowds and I cannot see them or the plaza due to fog. Later the cloud lifted enough to see the other pyramids so I re climb them.
Then in the afternoon the rains cleared the clouds enough to see out across the jungle so up I went up again the pyramids. They do not let you climb the pyramid steps to stand on the top, but provide ladders and stairs. Saw a few people near the top of the ladders loosing it and creeping back down with death grips on the latter. There was lots to explore and I even found some neat stuff off the main trails. With the re climbing of the pyramids it took all day to explores the sigh. I will let the pictures tell more of the place.
Love & Kisses
Steve

Highlands

Then I headed up to Panajahel at Lago de Atitlan. It was way to touristy with a new age feel and lots of gringo selling stuff in street stalls. I moved on as the other towns around the lake sounded even more tourist and new age oriented. So the next bus out of town got me to Chimaltenango. It was market day and the town was full of street stalls. The steps leading up to the church was an alter where incense and small offering were left. The old religion is still prominent here and the steps are considered the same as the pyramids. Spent the night in Santa Crus del Quiche. Town was loaded with fireworks for sale. Just thought it would be trouble strapping them on the outside of my pack. Fireworks are a regular occurrence and I can sleep through them. I don´t even look anymore when they go off. Next day cruised and bounced through the high lands in mini buses. Have new rules for mini buses
1) get a real seat.
2) Do not sit next to small children as they puke.
The views of the highland were great accented by the guy next to me cover in puke from the kid next to him on the other side. Next day got the front seat in the first mini bus from Coban. Open my windows wide along with the driver when we smelled the puke. The rules worked. After three mini vans and one river crossing I was in Flores. A touristy island town, but not to bad and is a good jumping off point to see Tikal.
Love & kisses
Steve

Lava

Next morning headed off to Antigua for Christmas. Antigua is a tourist town which meant it was open on Christmas. Did find a candy shop named Hansel and Gretel. Went in and the little old lady had a great smile. I backed out of the store. Where are those bread crumbs. While there took a tour up Volcan Pacaya. Ended up with a large tour group which was with a required guide. The group had to stay together and there were some that normally walking a block could be a challenge. It was slow going, but as sunset was getting to peak I zipped of to the top and let the group catch up with me after dark. The peak has flows of lava coming out of it and you can get as close as you would like. You are standing on lava that is only a few days old as you approach the flow streams of lava. In the cracks below your feet you can see it still glowing. When you smell rubber burning it is time to move. I wonder it the warranty on my boots cover
this.