Tikal, the ancient Mayan ruins and national park in Flores, was recommend as a must see by a hoard of travellers and hostel workers alike. Although I did really enjoy our trip there, I felt after the wonders of Semuc Champey, my high expectations from word of mouth, and it's similarity to the Mayan pyramids of Teotican in Mexico City, it was far from the most amazing experience I've had. By the end of the six hour tour amongst the humidity, I was well and truly r...

As always in a place so beautiful with an amazing group of people, one night in the hostel quickly turned into two. We spent our second day tubing down the river, beers in hand and soaking in the rays. Back at the hostel I opted for food followed by a quick siesta only to join the party back down by the bar. Zephyr lodge (our hostel) is fairly isolated but has an oasis of like minded travellers all headed different directions which was great for info on Tulum, Pl...

Semuc Champey, Lanquin is a gorgeous site consisting of a series of limestones pools basked in clear turquoise waters. A day trip there entailed a visit to the Semuc caves into which we were led by candlelight and climbed various crags and waterfall ridden rocks. The rock formations by candlelight were fascinating but I did have a twinge of regret that we'd chosen to do the tour with such a big group as I laboriously waited for 30 people to negotiate each rock. T...

Blissful sun rays and a swim in the clear lake waters makes up for the previous disappointment of the beach and fulfils my cravings for chill traveller downtime. The only downside is my lack of motivation to do anything other than socialise, swim and sleep. Not a bad combination as it goes. Besides, there is enough culture purely in that the city is swarming with Mayan locals; women wearing the traditional Frida Kahlo style Aztec skirts, carrying baskets of bread...

We decide to brave the chicken buses again. Nowhere near as packed this time but still pretty eventful. The route to 'Del Lago' (the lake) involves half a dozen or so different buses, a few tuktuks, a pick up truck and a couple of boats. I was pretty shocked when on one of the chicken buses a man jumps on with a netted bag full of puppies and couldn't help but scream out when, at one particularly bumpy turn, a sack of potatoes fell on them. A friend jokingly accu...