Las Americas: Jungle is ´MASSIVE´

Stroll to the ruins

Wicked, Tikal is wicked. Although not in the Ali G sense, the little boy in you springs into life upon reaching the former Mayan stronghold as you find yourself humming the Indiana Jones theme.

The howling monkeys swing noisly from tree to tree creating the perfect jungle illusion. The towering Mayan pyramids poke towards the clouds as brightly coloured toucan & parrots squawk to the chorus of a new dawn.

Hazy morning as the clouds lifter above the canopy

The 0430 rise was starting to pay dividends. My night of hostel 'Gallo' drinking and karaoke 'rum' slash mini session on the drums was not. Tikal was the biggest and strongest Mayan city, perhaps aptly so as the grand visage of sleek, tall structures poke above the canopies of the jungle vegetarian.

Straddling the 64metre high Temple IV. Incredible view above the jungle.

We climbed Temple IV, all 64 metres, for a tranquil panorama of above-canopy plazas. Circumferenced by the peaceful air of jungle life all contributed to a spectacular experience; I ensured I logged the moment for future stressful times.

Local fauna

A smuttering of green

A Temple rising from the many trees.

The history geek in me took on a new level as our guide, wonderfully named Benni, narrated the Mayan way.

The searing heat and unbearable humidity strangely all contributed to a pre-classical period morning amongst our traveller friends (Dutch and Scottish this time). Now a long, hot chicken bus to the El Salvadoran frontera.