Tikal to Rio Dulce

Tikal to Rio Dulce.

Woke up quite early and wanted to make coffee to realize we were out of Propane and bread. To top it off it was raining and the field we were parked in was very soggy so we worried about getting stuck. We made it out fine but on an empty stomach. Stopped at all gas stations but non had hot coffee and could not find where to fill the propane tank. Did find out there are very few places in Guatemala were thy do filling.

Stopped in Rio Dulce at Bruno's which is a harbour, hotel, restaurant, and hostel, and owned by a Canadian. We have WiFi and electric and hot showers. Did some shopping at the market and had a good dinner at the restaurant, tomorrow we hope to make it to Antiqua.

Hugs to all

Norbert and Greti

Tikal

 Crossed in to Guatemala and the paperwork to exit Mexico and import the car to Guatemala took about 2 hours. Not too bad. Discovered that Norbert's drivers license expires January 31, 2014 so for Guatemala no problem but further south we will see. 

Got in to Flores quite late so booked in to a hotel.

This morning we were blocked by a truck and staff could not find in which room the driver was, so we waited until 9 am. Until finally thy located the driver, he just handed out the key an Norbert moved his truck. It is 57 km. drive from Flores to Tikal. Entrance fee is 150 Q, per person and for Nationals it is 25.0 Q. Extra charge for museums with the same difference for nationals and tourists.

The ruins are impressive and the biggest we have seen with very good descriptions and a good map for the site. It was raining and the paths were slippery so did not climb a lot of steps.  There was a ceremonial dance being held and after the dance the participants have a picnic. The tree is a Ceiba tree.

Hugs to all

Norbert and Greti

From San Cristobal de Las Casas to Palenque.
It is 221 km. from Cristobal to Palenque it took us 8 hours to drive.
First there were soo many pilgrims. As Dec. 12th. Is Virgin Guadalupe day. Then the roads were very narrow and a lot of washouts and in-numerous topes. The indigenous people really want nothing to do with the tourist or any outsiders. The scenery made it all worth while. We stopped at Agua Azul to see the waterfalls and as it has been raining for 2 days thy were spectacular. Ate some empanadas there, but thy had very little filling.
RV park in Palenque had no WiFi or Internet and there were only us and a couple from Quebec who did not speak english. It rained very heavy all night and most of the morning while we toured the ruins.
We had smelled some LP gas around our camper and today Norbert checked and sure enough there was a leak, so off we went to find a new valve. Finally fount one and Norbert did the repairs in the parking lot, try that in Canada.
Lucky for us due to the rain at, night the monkys were quiet.
Big Hug to all
Norbert and Greti

San Cristobal

Arrived in San Cristobal de Las Casas early afternoon. Did some circles around town to find the hotel that no longer exists. Eventually found an RV park (parking lot) with electric and WiFi.  Had dinner and updated our blog and off to sleep. Today did big shopping as our supplies were depletedand the
Mega store has a lot of familiar stuff such as unsalted butter, Coffee mate, salami and such things.
Walked the town this afternoon, very busy as many pilgrims converge here. Lots of indigenous people selling their ware. The beggars are shrewd and mostly approach Norbert and not me. I wonder what that says about me. Tomorrow we will continue to Palenque.
Big Hug to all.
Norbert and Greti

Traveled from Ixtepec to Puerto Arista.

Along the way we passed lots of Pilgrims. They are groups of young people from all over Mexico

Doing a pilgrimage for the Virgin of Guadalupr, and they start from  Mexico City to Chiapas a total of 1,400  km. each runner does one kilometer with the flame.we stopped and had a chat with one group and they were happy to have their picture taken.

Here in Puerto Arista there are no camping places so we are parked in the courtyard of the Hotel Gardin, very nice with pool and beautiful beach. Very hot and humid, what a change from the frost of yesterday. 

Hugs to all.

Norbert and Greti