On to the north of Guatemala... to visit the ruins of Tikal

Going north involved a flight... so we went from Antigua directly to Guatemala City airport. The flight was to Flores which is about an hours drive from the Tikal ruins.

The sun setting clouds were beautiful....

Coming in to land.......

...to a very small airport .....

with an interesting baggage carrousel..........

Sunrise was spectacular.........

Most of our mornings started quite early.........so we were off very early to Tikal!

Walking around the area is quite a trek.... climbing up even more so! The first pyramid/temple encountered had quite a number of sacrificial altars!

The next one was quite a climb.......

But the view was definitely worth the climb...

We were looking out over the  huge Maya Biosphere  Reserve with many un-excavated temples and cities.

The next pyramid/temple was a little more challenging so did not try to climb......

This one was also possible to climb... but was not tempted!

Hidden at the base of an un-excavated temple....  apparently showing influence from Teotihuacan near Mexico City.... visited many years ago when going up the Pyramid of the Sun did not seem so off putting!

Then on to the Grand Plaza......

There was a fairly intact building on one side of the Plaza......

And another pyramid on another side....

The detail must have been amazing when in full colour!

on the last side of the Plaza there were other buildings.......

Many stelle were in place to be viewed where found...

...but this had been covered over...... and needed a de-mossing!!

Last view before taking a ride to lunch.......

Again an interesting 'taxi'!!

...which took us to their onsite pleasant restaurant.....

...and before leaving we got to see their resident crocodile......