Dream Trip Day 56-61: Tikal and Semuc Champey
Belize-Guatemala border crossing was rather simple and easy.
No scam on the Belize side. Only problem is when we used USD to pay for the departure tax (legal), the staff gave change in Belizean dollars which I won't need any more. Had to change that with the money changer at the border at a pretty bad rate. Should have prepared exact change for the 37.5BZ departure tax in advance.
On the Guatemala side, the staff was super laid back.
After the chop and I got back my passport, he casually asked me to pay 20Q to enter Guatemala.
I pretended I don't understand and left. He didn't pursue.
That's the laziest scammer I've ever encountered.
The first sign I saw in Tikal Archaeological Site is information about this 'defecating' monkeys (see 'boxed' text). Real or not, it had made me fleeing around while they swing around in trees....
The ruins in Tikal are sparsely located in a jungle. Despite the excavation work and the roads are cleared to facilitate tourism, it's still quite a walk from one sight to the other.
We even climbed to the top of one to see the other pyramids shooting out of the tree tops! Super amazing!
Planned to go from Tikal to Guate City direct but ended up decided to pay a hurried visit to Semuc Champey in the middle. Spent a whole day travelling on overcrowded chicken buses, hiked an hour on steep and slippery muddy slopes.
And here it is, beautiful pools with turquoise water flowing down. Thrown myself in to the coolness. I wish I had my swimsuit with me.
Caving in Semuc Champey. Each holding a candle half swimming half walking in the dark, freezing cave with beautiful rock formations.
Look a bit like some kind of strange religious rituals.
There's a guide, some ropes to lead the directions, other fellow travellers to light up your candle if yours go off, and strong guys to hold you from being washed away by current. Came out save with no injuries despite this tour has been described quite dangerous online.
This once in a lifetime adventure is definitely worth it.
After Semuc Champey, we planned to go for Guatemala City. The shuttle driver promised door-to-door service but ended up trying to kick us off on the sub-urban highway in a thunderstorm.
司機說，”All others are going to farther places like Antigua and Panajachel, I am not wasting time to drive you to the city center. Get off and find yourselves a taxi!”
抗議無效下，我堅持拒絕下車，司機冷冷地恐嚇說：”Get off here, or I will drive straight to Antigua.”
Well, Antigua then, we don't mind.
That's how we arrived unexpectedly in this beautiful city.
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