Guatemala Day Nine: More Rain And A Visit To The Flooded Island Of Flores.

The island of Flores is the second longest  continuously inhabited city in the Western Hemisphere. The Mayans settled here around 900 B.C. I was staying at the Villa Maya resort, only 4 miles from this historic island, 8 miles by  car.  I did not plan to visit the island and surrounding city on  my trip to Guatemala. Like in Tikal National Park, where I stayed for a week , I was more interested in exploring the jungles and looking for wildlife while at the Villa Maya resort.

However, tropical storm Sarah changed my plans. Once again it rained most of the night, and the rains were torrential at times. There were flood warning for the area. I was up early and walked to the dining room at the lodge for a cup a coffee. I wore  my poncho in the steady rain. While drinking my  coffee I  was thinking I wouldn’t see any wildlife walking on the trails in the resort in the pouring rain so I decided to visit Flores.  The young lady at the front desk make arrangements to have the shuttle drive me to Flores at 7:15 a.m So  I walked back to my room got my camera and was on my way to Flores. We left the resort and  drove past the airport,and the small mall where I ate at the Pizza Hut my first night in Guatemala.

It was around 7:30 a.m. when the driver left  me off at the Burger King in Flores City . He was going to pick me up at 9:30 a.m. I was near the causeway   to the island where the original Mayan city of Nojpeten was  located. It was the last Mayan city  conquered by the Spanish in 1697.  The Spanish then built Flores over thje Mayan city.  Many buildngs from the Spanish town still remain on the island.  Many of the old buildings have been convertred into hotels and restaurants. 

The rain eased up a bit when I began my walk and crossed  the causeway  that led to the island. 

Strong winds blew across Lake Peten,

but the rains and winds didn’t  keep this eastern great egret,

and these American coots from the windy shores and rough waters of the lake.

I walked  past the entrance park to  island, located about half way across the causeway ,

then onto the island. The streets were mostly empty in the rain and wind.

I followed  Calle Playa Sur, one of the main streets to the sunset point  and found the major street along the western shore of the island was flooded.

I followed calle 30 de Junio up a hill, past a lot of motorcycles parked along the street,

and up to a park  with a Christmas tree and Christmas  decorations already displayed.

Across the park was a Catholic church,

the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios. As I often  do on my travles I stopped in for a visit.

The light rain continued as I explored the  narrow cobblestone streets,

surrounded by coloful  residences, hotels and restaurants.

I roamed the street in the light rin and enjoyed  seeing the many signs adverstising the restaurants,

the hotels,

local beers,

 history and

 and the popular  chickens of the town. Here is a link to a gallery with some more photos of the many signs I saw on my hike through the streets of the old town. Guatemala Day Nine. Flores signs November 16 2024.

There were also statues of the towns leaders,

and some flowers blooming along the streets.

I walked to the eastern side of the island,

and again found flooded streets. You can see from where the street cars are located how far the shore was flooded.

There weren’t many people on the streets in the rain and wind but I am sure they are crowded in better weather.

I explored almost every street, climbing up and down narrow allies,

and stairs.

I walked to the north side of the island and found more flooded streets, and

this  snowy egret taking advantage, catching this fish on one streets now covered in the waters from the lake.

I visited a local community center ,

and stopped in a few restaurants when the rain got real heavy.

The two hours went quickly and I left the flooded island, crossed the causeway and  finished my  3 1/2 mile hike. My driver was waiting  and returned me to the Villa Maya resort in time to have breakfast.  Here is a link to a gallery with some more photos from my rainy  hike through the streets of the old town. Guatemala Day Nine. Flores  November 16 2024.

I was glad I visited the historic and scenic town. It was beautiful even in the rain. The rains continued and I spent the rest of the morning and most of the afternoon in my room, editing photos. Like the previous day, the rains stopped around 3 p.m. I quickly left my room, with my poncho. and walked along the utility line on the entrance road.

only  seeing  this Couch’s  kingbird perched on a wire.

I then walked along  one of the bicycle trails back to the utility right of way where I saw the roufous tailed jacamar the previous afternoon,

where I again heard the cheerful song  of a jacamar and saw this one perched on a branch.

I watched as the bird sang loudly during the break from the rain.

I  also saw this yellow bellied flycatcher,

and white eyed vireo nearby.

I followed the trail  and saw this black headed trogon perched on a branch above the trail.  The rains started to fall again so I headed back to my bungalow.

Near my room I saw this tiger heron wading along the shore of the lagoon. Here is a link to  a gallery with some more photos of the birds I saw in Flores and the Villa Maya resort. Guatemala Day Nine. Flores  and Villa Maya birds.  November 16 2024.

I finished  my hike and  returned to my room, showered  and was ready to eat. Even though it rained most of the day I had hiked over 7 miles again and I was tired and hungry. I had another great meal, ordering the salmon again and then walking back to my room in the rain. Here is a link to a gallery with some more photos from my hike in the Villa Maya resort.  Guatemala Day Nine. Villa Maya Resort   November 16 2024.

My day didn’t go as planned, I hoped to explore the trails in the resort and see a lot more wildlife and tropical and migratory birds but it was still a great day. I got to see the old town of Flores, although in the rain, and to see a few more birds I had never seen before. I went to sleep listening to the rain and hoping it would stop. However, the forecast didn’t look good for my last day in Guatemala, but like this day, I would try and make the best of it.

“Exploration is curiosity put into action.” – Don Walsh

“Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

fskokoski@gmail.com

This is my first post