Route of the Maya Day 11
Route of the Maya
DAY 11 - 12/04/05 - Full-day Exploration of Tikal Ruins/Museum Visit
To get an early start, we were up before 6, and as we looked out our picture window towards Lake Petén, there were 7 collared aracaris sitting on a tree preening for the new day. We had our buffet breakfast, everyone agreed it was the best breakfast we have had, and were out of the hotel at 7:15. Jacob had spent most of the evening getting the A/C fixed and in our early drive to Tikal most of us had our vents closed.
We arrived at Tikal at 8 AM and we had the opportunity to see many wild birds. Parrots, an oscillated turkey, social flycatchers, brown jays, wood peckers, another aguiti and 400 hundred year old trees were readily evident. We then walked into the national park and began our trek. Judith led and spoke to us about the various portions of the Mayan ruins and culture. She showed us the minor temples, their sacred stones, and suddenly, through the vegetation, there was the Temple of the Jaguar. Impressive!
The magnificent, 1,700-year-old complex of Tikal, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Immersed in the Petén Jungle in the Tikal National Park, this grand Mayan city reached its height during the Classic Period from about 300 to 900 A.D. At its peak, Tikal was home to an estimated 100,000 Maya, and it was one of the most important urban centers of its time. The grounds are expansive and inspiring, and it's difficult to determine which is more impressive - the accomplishments of man or those of nature.
The towering structures rise above the leafy canopy and vie for our attention with the assortment of animals and exotic birds. As we walked through the park we were able to spot howler and spider monkeys gliding through the treetops; raucous macaws and colorful toucans perching on branches; red headed woodpeckers, termite nests and wild turkeys wandering the forest floor.
The Tikal site comprises about six square miles with about 3,000 structures, including temples, pyramids, tombs, palaces, ball courts, and terraces. The Maya had a complex cultural caste system that relied heavily on deity worship. Often perceived as a violent sect, they sacrificed to their gods both in their temples and on the playing fields of their ball courts. Oftentimes the entire losing team was sacrificed in the name of sport.
As we entered Tikal's Great Plaza and saw the 144-foot-high Temple of the Grand Jaguar from the front, we were more impressed with its immensity. This is the tomb and memorial of Mayan ruler Moon Double Comb, who was buried with many treasures including 180 magnificent carved jade pieces. We also saw the Plaza of the Seven Temples, dating from the Late Classic period and including an unusual triple ball court.
We entered El Mundo Perdido, the Lost World, where 38 structures surround a central pyramid in yet another "neighborhood" within the vastness of Tikal. As archaeologists slowly unravel the many mysteries of Tikal's history, the ruins here stand as testaments to the achievements of Mayan engineering and culture.
As we climbed some of these temples, one could see the others coming through the canopy. The caretakers have built steep ladders for us to walk up and see the sights from the top. What was also impressive was that there were many temples that have not yet been excavated. As we turned the next corner, there was another massive structure, still covered with dirt and trees.
At 1 PM we stopped for lunch at the site at El Meson where we were served a soup and chicken dinner. I was so hot that I had the soup and three orange Crush and passed up the meal. The temperature at Tikal was in the mid 80's with the humidity in the 90s. After lunch we had a long walk through the park on our way to visit the Tikal Museum, which houses a collection of ceramics and other artifacts unearthed here.
At 2:30 we left the park and stopped at a roadside artisan store for some of our tour members to purchase a few more items to reflect on the Mayan culture, Tikal, and this area of Guatemala.
When we returned home at 3:30 we had a little time to shower, relax, before leaving for Flores at 6 PM. Gennie's pedometer showed that we had walked 13.45 KM today in our exploration of Tikal.
A little after 6 PM met our group on the patio and enjoyed a beverage and talked. We went to dinner at the hotel restaurant and returned to our room to finish the journal and then went to reception to post today's news.
Accommodations: Camino Real Hotel - - - Meals: B, L, D
If you wish to travel with OAT Click Here.
To receive $50 per person off your first reservation with OAT, mention the following information when reserving your Overseas Adventure Travel Trip: Mr. Victor Garcia Customer #673062
Comments
Featured Journal
Day 13: Azores & Madeira: Portugal's Unspoiled Archipelagos
Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.
The hotel prepared a box breakfast for us as we had to be in the lobby way before the breakfast room was open.
Last night we found out that our departure flight back to...
