Guatemala Day Seven : My Last Hike In Tikal And On To The Villa Maya Resort In Flores.
I awoke early again my last day at the Tikal Inn at the Tikal National Park in northern Guatemala. . I was sad to leave this wonderful place. I didn’t see the jaguar, snakes and exotic birds I had hoped to find but I still loved exploring the lush jungle and the ruins of the ancient Mayan city. I was looking forward to my last hike in the park. I left the Inn shortly after sunrise at 6 a.m. 
I first hiked out to the park entrance to check out the crocodile pond hoping to see the crocodiles or the beautiful russet napped wood rail I saw the previous day. 
There weren’t there, but I did see the flock of brilliant ocellated turkeys again. 
I then hiked back out to the pond with the boat-billed herons.
I didn’t see any birds on my hike to the pond. The boat billed herons were perched in the trees at the pond .
I walked back to the park entrance and,on the way saw this white nosed coati,
trying to open a coconut. 
After watching the coati I entered Tikal National Park for the last time. 
I decided to hike one last time on the trail to Temple VI . I thought this remote and little used trail would be my best chance to see birds and other wildlife, and hopefully a jaguar, one last time.
I enjoyed my hike in the dense jungle but the only wildlife I saw were some birds a few red crowned ant tanagers and. 
deppe’s squirrel , this was the first squirrel I saw in the park. 
I hike out to Temple Vi then started back on the Mendez Causeway that the Mayans built to connect the Temple to the Grand Plaza. 
About half way back I decided to follow a nature trail that took me through the middle of the dense jungle,
The trail took me past a chultan, and underground storage chamber carved in rock. It was used for storage of water or food. I reflected on the Mayans who carved it over a 1000 years ago. 
I also saw ant,
and termite nests along the trail. 
I reluctantly headed back to the Tiakl Inn, I was checking out at noon, but stopped at the crocodile pond on my way, where I saw another russet-naped wood rail,
and a few dragonflies. 
I hate souvenir shopping anymore, I already have too much stuff from my travels and I pack only travel with carry on’s these days but I had to stop in the gifts shops to purchase some gifts for my great nephews and great nieces. I was last for breakfast at the Inn so ate at the restaurant at the park entrance. I returned to my room, packed and showered and said farewell to the wonderful staff at the Inn. I loved the place. And I loved the freedom I had to explore the many remote jingle trails in Tikal. I just wish I had seen a jaguar, some snakes and more exotic birds burt it was still a wonderful experience. I hope to return. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog website with some more photos from my last hike in the park. Guatemala Day Seven : Tikal hike November 14 2024.
I met my driver to the Villa Maya the resort I would be staying near the Flores airport. He spoke no English. and I no Spanish, so I just enjoyed the scenery on my hour drive. At first we drove through on a road through the remote jungle. 
Then, after leaving Tikal National Park, a few miles from the hotel, 
we passed many small towns.
with small shops along the way.
The road to Flores took us through mostly rural areas. We passed a lot of people on motorcycles and some folks riding horses along the road.
I did finally get cell service and was able to check my text and messages. There was only internet at the hotel in Tikal. It was a nice drive built the skies clouded up and a light rain began to fall as arrived at the Villa Maya resort around 1 p.m.
The resort was located on a remote road not far from the airport. There were hiking trial here so I hoped to continue my search for wildlife in the surrounding forest. My room was available when I arrived and which was located last bungalow near a lake. It was a perfect location for me.
I loved the room and view of the lake. 
While I settled in my room it started to rain so I put off my exploration of the resort. I edited photos until the rain ended around 3 pm. I left my room and walked back to the main lodge.
I was not sure of exactly where the hiking trails were so I decided to walk to to the lodge, and first explore the trails near pool and dining room. 
I walked along the lake, 
then back to my bungalow in a light rain. I now noticed there was a white tail deer sanctuary right across from my cabin. There were about two dozen small white tailed deer in an enclosure. I didn’t know they were native to Guatemala and learned their range extends throughout Central America into South America They are the same species that visit my backyard in Northeastern Pennsylvania. 
I followed the entrance road to the resort and saw a pale vented pigeon perched on a utility wire. Although there were no other birds active in the light rain I thought that the entrance road and utility lines would be a good place to see some bird activity. 
I walked on the road and came to a number of trails, a monkey trail, a jaguar trail and a bicycle trail. I walked out the monkey trail for about a half mile and again thought this would be a great place ot observe birds and other wildlife in nicer weather. 
I only saw one more bird on my three mile hike around the resort, a lesser greenlet. 
I walked back to my room. It was nearing sunset around 5 p.m. so I showered in a beautiful outdoor shower in a torrential downpour. It was a great experience. The rain stopped and I walked up to the lodge for dinner. 
I had hoped to see a sunset over the lake but the skies were mostly cloudy. Here is a link to a gallery on my blog website with some more photos from my drive to, and first night, at the Villa Maya Resort in Flores Guatemala Day Seven Drive to Flores and Villa MayGuatea resort November 14 2024.
I had great meal starting with a squash soup,
and then enjoying grilled salmon, rice and mixed vegetables. It was delicious. 
I walked back to my room in the dark, listening to the howler monkeys and other sounds of the jungle. I made it back to my room just a heavy rain began to fall. I was exhausted when I got back to my room. it was another long day. I had hiked over 9 miles again. However, the Philadelphia Eagles played that night. There were no televisions in the rooms but I stayed up watching the score of the game on my computer. I was glad to fall asleep knowing they won. I was looking forward to exploring the trails in the resort in the morning and I hoped the heavy rains that continued to fall would end. 
“You must go on adventures to find out where you belong.” Sue Fitzmaurice
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