Lilli Cloud

From Jungle Tales Blog
View from the top of Temple IV in the ancient Maya city of Tikal, a magical place. The city flourished from 600 B.C. to around 925 A.D. I climbed Temple IV with the aid of a modern wooden staircase/ladder. It is the second-highest pre-Columbian building known in the Western Hemisphere. To reach the highest, also part of Guatemalan Maya civilization, you have to hike five days into the jungle to El Mirador. Tikal is also in the dense jungle, but there are pathways throughout the city, including some original roads built by the Mayas. There are also hotels within a 40-minute walk of where I took this photo.

From Jungle Tales Blog
An early morning view of Temple I, the Temple of the Gran Jaguar, which dates from the Late Classic period. This is one of the most important buildings in the city because an important ruler was buried here in 734 A.D. I took this photo from the top of Temple II, the Temple of the Masks, on the opposite side of the Great Plaza.

From Jungle Tales Blog
A view of the Great Plaza at Tikal, from the ledge where I met her.

From Jungle Tales Blog
Here she is. Proof that I did meet her, even if it’s not proof that I held her.

From Jungle Bound Blog
The sole palapa roof is an outpost of a village, tucked into the dense jungle along Rio Dulce, which leads to the mouth of the Carribean.

From Jungle Bound Blog
This private compound is one of many weekend getaways along Rio Dulce.

From Jungle Bound Blog
But this is the way most people live along Rio Dulce.

From Jungle Bound Blog
Tropical flower petals, one of the many nice touches at La Casa Rosada on Rio Dulce. I stayed in a simple bungalow for less than $15 and had one of the best meals in my entire trip.

From Back in Action Blog
The view of Lake Atitlan and one of the surrounding volcanoes out my window at La Casa del Mundo.

From Back in Action Blog
A view of the next village over from where I stayed, Santa Cruz La Laguna, from my kayak on Lake Atitlan.

From Back in Action Blog
My favorite hotel, La Casa del Mundo, as seen from my kayak on Lake Atitlan. I stayed in the main building, visible here. There are more bungalows above, hidden in the foliage. You can see a great view of the entire lake at the hotel’s Web site. http://www.lacasadelmundo.com

From Back in Action Blog
Local blouses for sale in San Francisco El Alto.

From Back in Action Blog
Skirts for sale at a stand in the market.

From Back in Action Blog
On second thought, these cows do look pretty skinny despite what I said earlier. You can also buy pigs, goats, lambs, ducks, bunnies, chickens, cats and dogs here, to name a few.

From Back in Action Blog
There is no Home Depot here, but you can buy a variety of tools at this market that is the superstore for many villages. The market of San Francisco El Alto is said to be the largest in Central America.