Greetings from Fern Gully!
I have discovered the Jungle and lived to tell about it. After a 12 hour bus ride across the country I arrived in the outskirts of Tikal National Park (that is the protected rainforest) around 5 am into a dirty and a bit scary bus station. But alas I was saved by a shuttle driver and safley driven into the park. Once there, I lost my cool and purchased and expensive one night stay in a bungalow ($50 US). However, I would say it was worth it to have a firm bed, shower, and fan. About 8am I hired an english speaking guide to take me on a trek through the Mayan ruins. Yes, the ruins were interesting, but what really captured my attention was the wildlife. We saw small toucans, a real "friut loop" toucan, spider monkeys, oropendulums (birds) and a rapier (something like that).
After a long nap, I troupsed out on my own to crocodilo lake. However I didn´t stay too long incase the crocodiles were out of the water and waiting to pounce on me. There was a snake in my path on the way back though. Don´t worry, I think it was harmless! The night sounds were quite a concert, filled with crickets, birds, frogs and howler monkeys.
I slept in in the morning (till 6am) and went on another exploration of my own. This time in search of Jaguars. None were to be found. However I was spyed upon by 6 spider monkeys at one point all trying to frighten me by shaking the trees and having leaves fall on my head. Needless to say it did not work.
I found a crowded shuttle ride back to the isla de Flores. A quaint little town. One cannot even see to the other side of the lake that it rests in. The water is clear, warm, and possible good for swimming if I had a very strong immune system. I did see some gringos swim in it however, so maybe it is safe.
I met another girl who was traveling alone and we rode the "night bus" back to Guatemala City. I call it the night bus because it reminds me of the double decker bus in Harry Potter. So cool to ride in a double decker bus.
So know I am in Xela and not real sure what I am doing. Maybe I will stay here till my flight leaves. It is very diffuclt to travel alone in a new city, so I feel safe and comfortable here in Xela. Talk to you later.
-Christy
I have discovered the Jungle and lived to tell about it. After a 12 hour bus ride across the country I arrived in the outskirts of Tikal National Park (that is the protected rainforest) around 5 am into a dirty and a bit scary bus station. But alas I was saved by a shuttle driver and safley driven into the park. Once there, I lost my cool and purchased and expensive one night stay in a bungalow ($50 US). However, I would say it was worth it to have a firm bed, shower, and fan. About 8am I hired an english speaking guide to take me on a trek through the Mayan ruins. Yes, the ruins were interesting, but what really captured my attention was the wildlife. We saw small toucans, a real "friut loop" toucan, spider monkeys, oropendulums (birds) and a rapier (something like that).
After a long nap, I troupsed out on my own to crocodilo lake. However I didn´t stay too long incase the crocodiles were out of the water and waiting to pounce on me. There was a snake in my path on the way back though. Don´t worry, I think it was harmless! The night sounds were quite a concert, filled with crickets, birds, frogs and howler monkeys.
I slept in in the morning (till 6am) and went on another exploration of my own. This time in search of Jaguars. None were to be found. However I was spyed upon by 6 spider monkeys at one point all trying to frighten me by shaking the trees and having leaves fall on my head. Needless to say it did not work.
I found a crowded shuttle ride back to the isla de Flores. A quaint little town. One cannot even see to the other side of the lake that it rests in. The water is clear, warm, and possible good for swimming if I had a very strong immune system. I did see some gringos swim in it however, so maybe it is safe.
I met another girl who was traveling alone and we rode the "night bus" back to Guatemala City. I call it the night bus because it reminds me of the double decker bus in Harry Potter. So cool to ride in a double decker bus.
So know I am in Xela and not real sure what I am doing. Maybe I will stay here till my flight leaves. It is very diffuclt to travel alone in a new city, so I feel safe and comfortable here in Xela. Talk to you later.
-Christy
