The path of the Maya..

Keep your flames where they burn so bright, leave your embers to die.

In life everybody needs sometimes an oasis in the desert, or a safe island in stormy seas. Traveling can be a roller coaster, and sometimes you have to stop and rest. Well this place is special, and will give you the desired shelter when needed. The Maya found it, and I can tell why they made it their home. In the end, when everything leaves, when all clears, when you feel that connection, we can discover that all of us, the whole Planet, the Ants, the Butterflies, Monkeys and Earth and Dirt, is only a part of that big "swirling Chocolate and Vanilla pudding" that is Life, all connected and One. This is a special place for meditation, for wandering the jungles, the Maya ruins, for all kinds of shamanic rituals, from cacao to sometimes stronger stuff, for "swimming" with the crocodiles in the many lakes, or hiking up volcanoes. Here you can get the chance to breath again, for a fresh start or just a trippy day on LSD.

The Mayas were a Mesoamerican civilization living from pre-Columbian times and continued untill the Post-Classic period till the arrival of the Spanish. They had exceptional mathematical, scientific, art and architecture systems and knowledge. Sings of the Mayas can be found from El Salvador, Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and until Mexico. 

So here are some pics from the regions of Lago de Atitlan and Lago de Petzen Itza. It's easy accessible with so-called chicken buses (old US school buses running in all Central America). They are reliable but they can break like this one on the pic below. So other options have to be found on the road. :)

But Guatemala is a vitamin loaded area, from passion fruit (maracuja) to dragon fruit.

Guatemala is famous for coloured clothing so rainbow people with an affection for colour will find a heaven here. :)

The lakes, Lago de Atitlan with s nice view on volcanoes surrounding it on clear skies.

Happy people making tortillas in the morning.

Dragonfruit, mmmh.. :)

A strange plant, living and surviving on electric or telecommunication cables, only in humid climates with a lot rain.

City of Panajachel

If you like to buy frankincense, myrrh, "palo santo" and more, this is the place.

When I arrived there was heavy rainfall, so the Lake flooded the whole place.

Most of the places have nice gardens and places to chill, meditate or do yoga.

The Maya sauna, fire from the outside heats a metal barrel where you poor water on it. A nice steam bath while it's raining outside.

We ate avocado every day, the food of the Gods they call it. It lifts the spirit and does a lot of good to your body.

Lago de Petzen Itza, home of one of the biggest Maya ruins in the World and a beauty for the eyes. 

Tikal, one of the biggest Maya ruins, archeological sites and urban centres of the former Maya kingdom. It's a national park and an UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a day and wonder the ruins, the crazy jungle, with monkey and coatimundis, with a strange energy but an incredible sense of peace. Try to avoid the tourist crowds.

Howler monkeys.

Coatimundis. :)

Me, dressed like the worst gringo tourist.

If you want to swim and cuddle with the crocs. :)

A little and calm village Flores.

Still heavy rainfall.

But in the evening keep the stomach empty for a culinary experience.