Mystical Tikal

Tikal was as enchanting as I imagined.

First, we visited Temple IV -- Tikal's tallest structure at 212 feet. When making it to the top of the structure, my breath was taken away (not due to being winded from climbing all of those stairs!). I saw a sea of dense green vegetation pierced by other Temples in the distance. The weather was perfect, so the blue sky made a perfect backdrop for the mystical landscape that laid before me. I couldn't believe I was finllay here. The nine year wait was well worth it.

I sat at the top of the stairs for a while, just taking it all in. The sounds -- birds, monkeys, leaves rustling in the wind, and different accents and languages -- the warmth of the sun, the coolness of the breeze, and the sheer beauty of it all.

Our other travel companions had alread descended the temple, so we had to soon follow.

Next we visited the Great Plaza -- and great it was. Temples designed like a perfectly stacked wedding cake surrounded me, as did crumbling limestone ruins. We explored Temples II, III and I. I could have spent an entire day there. When sitting on top of Temple II, I could see far below that I was being summonded. I'd have to return another day to continue taking it all it.

The last stop -- Temple V -- was astonishing. The stairs to get to the top weren't really stairs in my opinion. We climbed a 'permanent ladder'. I thought the previous views were amazing, but they were nothing compared to what awaited me once I got to the top -- high above the spider monkey-filled treetops. We could see all of the previously visited temples above the lush green canopy.

I could have sat there for hours. Once again, I was on top of the temple -- sola -- and was summonded to go back below.

The Classic Maya city really deserves a couple of days of exploration. Since I didn't have that much time this trip, I'll have to return. Maybe in another nine years :)