Headed to Guatemala for the in-laws 50th wedding anniversary with a much needed side trip to the beach in Belize.
After an overnight trip from LAX beginning at midnight, we decided to partake of the izzzleep capsules at the Mexico City airport while waiting for the connecting flight to Guatemala City.
Minimum stay is two hours, which we did and costs about $18 U.S., which includes a capsule, wake up call, locker, and use of the toilets and showers. WELL worth it.
Landing in Guatemala City. It always amazes me how many volcanoes you can see when landing.
After a much needed sleep at Rafa's parent's house, we got up at 4:00 a.m. to catch a flight to Flores, in the northern Petén region on our way to Belize City.
A hilarious photo of a baby quetzal at the Guatemala City airport.
Not only is the quetzal the national bird of Guatemala, it also lends its name to the country's currency and appears on its flag. And why is the bird so important to Guatemalans?
The quetzal was incredibly important to the indigenous Maya of the country. The bird represents liberty, and is said to die of sadness if it is caged. For this reason the Mayans would pluck a few of its highly prized feathers before setting it free. This devotion to liberty is also evoked in the Guatemalan national anthem, which contains the lyrics “rather death than slavery (antes muerto que esclavo sera)” in reference to the bird.
The quetzal was also one of the spirit guides, or nahual, of the Maya. It is said that warrior prince Tecún Umán, the last ruler of the Quiche Maya during the Spanish conquest, had one of the birds as his spirit guide. Legend has it that when he died, the bird swooped down and landed on his bloody body, leaving it with distinctive red feathers on its chest.
The view from our cottage. Yes, that's the moon.
The pool at night and some of the other cottages.
One needs to eat, right? Chicken nachos.
Plantains.
Cheeseburger and fries. And a chat with the bartender hooked us a last minute snorkeling trip for the next day. Just Rafa and me and two local guides, on the water from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
The water is calling the next morning. Average water temperature . . . 85° F.
William, Antonio and Tim. A very WHITE Tim . . . but not after this trip is over.
So, not a lot of photos as we were in the water, but an AMAZING day of snorkeling in the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley and Mexico Rocks. Hol Chan is from the Mayan word "little channel" and is home to hard corals (like the surreal BRAIN coral), sponges, sea grass turtles, and of several different fish like grouper, snapper, blue tang, and yellow jacks, one of which followed us during the ENTIRE trip. It was like hanging out with Nemo.
Rafa got to hang out with a six foot turtle. I wasn't yet in the water and didn't want to scare her away.
At Shark Ray Alley, we got to hang out with more yellow jacks, but also five foot nurse sharks and Southern sting rays! The guides throw chum in the water so that the sharks come and swim with you.
Guatemala celebrated their Independence Day while we were there. There were lots of flags and banners everywhere.
On 15 September 1821, the Captaincy General of Guatemala, formed by Chiapas, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Honduras, officially proclaimed, and gained, after two previous attempts, its independence from The Kingdom of Spain.
Due to instability in the Spanish monarchy, attainment of independence for Central America was relatively peaceful. Unlike other countries in the Americas, which fought fierce battles to become independent states, Central America was the exception.
"Special Offer"
"Come and eat with your girlfriend, wife or lover, 4 tacos for Q15, but bring all three at once and it's FREE!"
One of Alfred Percival Maudslay's photos of Tikal from 1882, taken after vegetation had been cleared.
Maudslay (18 March 1850 – 22 January 1931) was a British diplomat, explorer and archaeologist and was one of the first Europeans to study Maya ruins.
Temple V (Templo V)
This handsome Mayan kept hiding behind trees and looking at me.
The transport dog, Messi.
Months and months ago, Rafa and I planned well and requested a papal blessing (Benediction Papalis in Latin) of thanksgiving for Rafa's parents in recognition of their 50 years together. It is a prayer bestowed directly by the Pope and acknowledged by a parchment from the Vatican. Rafa is explaining the surprise to his parents and family.
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