21st & 22nd June 2008: Travel through Belize and into Guatemala. Staying on an island just outside Flores, on Peten Itza lake (I think anyway!). Went for a boat ride in the afternoon, visited a horrible zoo full of unhappy animals (an Ocelot tried to attack me through the fence but I can't blame it, it didn't look very happy!). After that we went for a lovely sunset swim in the lake which was beautiful and warm, before heading up to a viewing platform to look over the surrounding countryside. We have arranged a sunrise visit to Tikal for tomorrow, leaving at 3.30 am!! Decide that the only way to deal with this is to drink Tequila and stay up all night - which we do! Decide to go for a dip in the lake (at 2 in the morning) to refresh ourselves before catching the bus to Tikal.

Tikal was amazing but 'sunrise visit' is a bit of a misnomer - as by the time we get there the sun has well and truly risen, but is obscured by thick clouds so we wouldn't have seen it anyway! Even so, Tikal runis are amazing, with huge pyramids rising out of the forest. Climb up Temple IV to listen to the jungle waking up, while we try not to fall alseep! Lots of Howler Monkeys which are very well suited to their name, making a noise that sounds more like science fiction than monkeys. Enjoyed a well deserved nap in a hammock in the afternoon before going for a wander round the shops in the evening.