![screenshot_01](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/screenshot_01.png)

**Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 - El Ramate to Antigua](https://www.facebook.com/mikeysee/media_set?set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like.**

After our awesome [trip to Tikal](/posts/the-trip-2013-playa-del-carmen-to-tikal/) in Guatamala we returned to our hotel on the lake shore in El Ramate. It had been a long hot day so we relaxed by paddling in the warm waters of the lake.



[![photo](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo2.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/mikeysee/media_set?set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3)

The following day we hopped in another bus and headed to our next destination, Rio Dulce. We stayed at the backpackers which sits on the river

[![photo-4](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-412.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773313761031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

We were quite literally on the water as the rooms were on stilts over the water

[![photo-5](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-512.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773314011031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

I spent the afternoon learning how to stand up paddle

[![photo-6](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-612.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778493886031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

It was good fun tho I felt it needed spicing up a little

[![photo-7](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-712.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778495401031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

That evening we had fun playing around in the river around the hotel

[![photo-10](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-1012.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773316096031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-15](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-152.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773320531031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day was spent taking a day trip up the river to some small villages buried in the jungle

[![photo-18](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-182.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773325361031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-25](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-252.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773327371031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-21](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-213.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773325631031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

In the jungle were a number of caves that we explored. We spent some time jumping off a ledge in the dark into one.

[![photo-33](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-332.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773329161031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

The last part of the boat trip took us to the famous town of Livingstone to see the native people there, I however was more interested in the forna of the region

[![photo-38](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-382.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773330426031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

That night was our last big night together so we partied in style.

[![photo-41](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-413.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773330966031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-42](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-422.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773331001031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-43](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-432.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773331176031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day we made our way to our final destination, Antigua, Guatamala. There we had our final meal together in a rather nice resturant that served savory and sweet pancakes. They didnt think much of their own terrace however.

[![photo-46](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-462.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773331751031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

I spent the last 32 days with these peeps travelling all the way from LA, there were ups there were downs but I thoroughly enjoyed my time with Jac, Dan, Rosie, Ralph, Kelsie, Simon, Emma, Suzanne, Colette and Madeline, cheers guys!

The following day I made my way to Lake Atican for a relaxing few days at a health retreat on Lake Atitlan high in the hills 2 hours outside of Antigua.

[![photo-58](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-582.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778495856031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

This was exactly the perfect environment I needed to unwind after the previous month of being on the road.

[![photo-60](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-602.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778496901031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-62](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-622.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151773335966031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

<iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xNybI3rJdQU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It even had a traditional Mayan sauna

[![photo-59](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-592.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778496521031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

The place was a perfect stop off before we embarked on the next 17 day adventure that would take us through 4 different countries

[![photo-70](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-702.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778498306031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-71](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-713.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778498496031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-68](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-682.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151778497246031&set=a.10151773308266031.1073741839.593661030&type=3&theater)

![screenshot_01](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/screenshot_01.png)

**Note: This is a condensed version of the pictures I took with some added narrative. The rest of the pics can be viewed in the album [The Trip 2013 - Playa del Carmen to Tikal](https://www.facebook.com/mikeysee/media_set?set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3). Each picture can be clicked to see a larger version and comment / like.**

After the wet and long trip from Chichen Itza we were all thoroughly ready to party it up in style in the party town of Playa del Carmen, Mexico.



[![photo](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo1.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749139906031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

We rocked up to our hostel which was a really cool place where all the rooms surround a central space filled with tables, benches and hammocks. We had a great time that first night drinking great quantities of Tequila, Mescal and Corona.

[![photo-3](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-310.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749140106031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

We spent the rest of the night dancing without our sandles on in a club right on the beach, no photos of that particular debauchery unfortunately.

The following day we hit the beach. I remembered to remove all electronics from my pockets this time before going in the sea.

[![photo-9](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-910.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749142246031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day we made our way for the tiny island of Caye Caulker in Belize.

[![photo-17](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-171.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749144471031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-23](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-231.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749145661031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

We had a great time in Caye Caulker. It was a tiny play with a really cool laid back feel to it.

[![photo-25](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-251.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749145846031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

We spent the first evening there sampling the local food and drink.

[![photo-27](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-271.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749146511031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-30](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-301.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749147396031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-32](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-321.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749147406031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

The following day we took a day tour out on a boat to explore the reef. On the way out we had a small bird problem.

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/9871Yhj7IJc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

When in the water we saw all manner of things, from Manitee's..

[![photo-40](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-401.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749149006031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-42](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-421.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749149086031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. to turtles...

[![photo-56](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-561.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749153531031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gxK6e7IxdUM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

.. to fish on the reef

[![photo-60](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-601.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749155266031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-53](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-531.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749152891031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/dx2RZ541pbI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The following day we had to say a font farewell to Belize and make our way into Guatemala. First up in this beautiful country was the stunning lost Mayan ruins of Tikal.

[![photo-69](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-691.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749158101031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-72](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-721.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749158711031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-74](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-741.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749160121031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

We had a great time there climbing up the various temples.

[![photo-76](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-761.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749160146031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-77](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-771.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749160171031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

Temple 4 was the largest temple there and offered incredible views over the jungle, including this one. Points to anyone who can guess which movie this view was in:

[![photo-104](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-1041.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749168471031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

There we also saw loads of animals including some monkeys..

[![photo-80](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-801.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749161371031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. and some of these cute things

[![photo-85](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-851.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749163436031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-89](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-891.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749165016031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-83](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-831.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749162211031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

We also saw some not so cute creatures

[![photo-93](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-931.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749165786031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-98](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-981.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749166806031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-100](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-1001.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749167091031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/FQ10GIHtSMo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I really enjoyed myself at Tikal, a truly magical place...

[![photo-101](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-1011.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749167751031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-136](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-136.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749177821031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

[![photo-107](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-1071.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749169561031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

.. I cant believe that less than 1% of this place has been uncovered, I can just imagine the treasures just waiting to be uncovered below the jungle.

[![photo-118](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-1181.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749174306031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

Needless to say Tikal for me is definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me... so far!

[![photo-140](/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/photo-140.jpg)](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151749179266031&set=a.10151749137826031.1073741838.593661030&type=3&theater)

guatamala

guatamala

guatamala