Here's a memorable trip. Flying in to Belize City, getting a few things organized like a rental car (truck) I don't recall disclosing taking it out of the country, or having something like insurance. But a red ford ranger is what we procured. Then on a tour I ate some chocolate straight from a tree. At least that's what the guide said.. Um it was terrible! but fair enough most things need some preparation before consumption. On the journey to Guatemala I recall being surprised when the asphalt ended, but still being ~140 miles from the destination of Lake Peten Itza Fortunately the weather was good as it was only rear wheel drive and the dirt trails through the hills were poorly signed. We made it after a few U-turns and worried glances at the sky.
Pretty sure this was the first mango tree I have ever seen. Are those mangos ? - I think so. Maybe not so ripe yet. Meanwhile there was a lightning show reflecting off the lake that was pretty rare.
Next stop - Tikal - wow.
Once you get over the Howler Monkeys that sound like they've just heard the best joke ever told, and the tree frogs that make such a baffling amount of sound that one is left wondering where is that coming from? Am I part of some elaborate prank? - and there, after a pleasant jungle walk, are the ruins. They are real. Immediately one wonders how was it when an entire society lived here, obviously the vines and trees were much more manicured. But fields? crops? was the weather different? What about gold? was there treasure everywhere? So many preconceptions that defy reality.
Then what of the explorers that discovered these ruins? Their imaginations must have been running wild, I mean mine was and I'd already read the book and knew the history (plus a few fanciful kids TV stories). The scale of these "hidden" pyramids is eye opening. The setting is every bit as out of place and unfamiliar.
Inspiration for Indiana Jones ?
The Streets of Flores, was there a museum or a church that was memorable?
I remember having a beer, perhaps going to a post office, to mail post cards, and the confused pedalo guy, but other than that nothing significant comes to mind.
indeed we rented a pedalo and out into the lake it was pedaled, the wind picked up, quite a bit.
Drifting with it sure gave a nice view of the city, but then trying to get back... were we even going forwards? It was hard to tell. Eventually we drifted into the wind shadow of the island, or maybe the gust from passed. Either way it was still a chore getting back to the dock (or mud bank) the next beer sure tasted good though.
After all that time for a rest day. Folks were bathing and swimming in this lake, even taking their horses for a swim, so I decided to swim out to that pontoon, yup, (that white one), and back (obviously). Upon my return I was welcomed by the hotel owner recalling a story of a Swedish guy losing some part of his leg to a crocodile in a nearby lake a few weeks before. The things one doesn't immediately think of...
Here's a local, but in a near by Petencito zoo/preserve.
Actun Can - an extensive cave unguided tour, it is usually lit, but I'm glad I brought along my headlamp because the power went out for a full 15 mins. Not knowing if the power would come back on, I started making my way back, but caving is not that simple I'm pretty sure the route out was not the same as the route back out. Once the lights came back on it was easy.
Lake Peten Itza, the next day, heading back across the border to Belize, would prove far easier than entering Guatemala from Belize which took 4 hours of beauracracy.
Five sisters resort, named for the waterfalls. Done again I would go instead to Rio pools. Next stop was Belize City to catch the boat to Caye Caulker.
View from the room on Caye Caulker. It was so calm and peaceful with the gentle breeze off the Carribean.
It had been a long time since getting on a windsurfer, it came back a little bit.
Did get to do any scuba diving, but the snorkling was fun. Plenty to see.
Colorful fish and coral.
Nurse Sharks
Sting Ray
I saw a big baricuda, which didn't look too friendly. On Ambergris Caye, I got to play with a hobie cat, and ride a bike around the island, and soon enough it was time to head home.
Here's a memorable trip. Flying in to Belize City, getting a few things organized like a rental car (truck) I don't recall disclosing taking it out of the country, or having something like insurance. But a red ford ranger is what we procured. Then on a tour I ate some chocolate straight from a tree. At least that's what the guide said.. Um it was terrible! but fair enough most things need some preparation before consumption. On the journey to Guatemala I recall being surprised when the asphalt ended, but still being ~140 miles from the destination of Lake Peten Itza Fortunately the weather was good as it was only rear wheel drive and the dirt trails through the hills were poorly signed. We made it after a few U-turns and worried glances at the sky.
Pretty sure this was the first mango tree I have ever seen. Are those mangos ? - I think so. Maybe not so ripe yet. Meanwhile there was a lightning show reflecting off the lake that was pretty rare. 
Next stop - Tikal - wow.
Once you get over the Howler Monkeys that sound like they've just heard the best joke ever told, and the tree frogs that make such a baffling amount of sound that one is left wondering where is that coming from? Am I part of some elaborate prank? - and there, after a pleasant jungle walk, are the ruins. They are real. Immediately one wonders how was it when an entire society lived here, obviously the vines and trees were much more manicured. But fields? crops? was the weather different? What about gold? was there treasure everywhere? So many preconceptions that defy reality.
Then what of the explorers that discovered these ruins? Their imaginations must have been running wild, I mean mine was and I'd already read the book and knew the history (plus a few fanciful kids TV stories). The scale of these "hidden" pyramids is eye opening. The setting is every bit as out of place and unfamiliar.
Inspiration for Indiana Jones ?
The Streets of Flores, was there a museum or a church that was memorable?
I remember having a beer, perhaps going to a post office, to mail post cards, and the confused pedalo guy, but other than that nothing significant comes to mind.
indeed we rented a pedalo and out into the lake it was pedaled, the wind picked up, quite a bit.
Drifting with it sure gave a nice view of the city, but then trying to get back... were we even going forwards? It was hard to tell. Eventually we drifted into the wind shadow of the island, or maybe the gust from passed. Either way it was still a chore getting back to the dock (or mud bank) the next beer sure tasted good though. 
After all that time for a rest day. Folks were bathing and swimming in this lake, even taking their horses for a swim, so I decided to swim out to that pontoon, yup, (that white one), and back (obviously). Upon my return I was welcomed by the hotel owner recalling a story of a Swedish guy losing some part of his leg to a crocodile in a nearby lake a few weeks before. The things one doesn't immediately think of...
Here's a local, but in a near by Petencito zoo/preserve.
Actun Can - an extensive cave unguided tour, it is usually lit, but I'm glad I brought along my headlamp because the power went out for a full 15 mins. Not knowing if the power would come back on, I started making my way back, but caving is not that simple I'm pretty sure the route out was not the same as the route back out. Once the lights came back on it was easy. 
Lake Peten Itza, the next day, heading back across the border to Belize, would prove far easier than entering Guatemala from Belize which took 4 hours of beauracracy.
Five sisters resort, named for the waterfalls. Done again I would go instead to Rio pools. Next stop was Belize City to catch the boat to Caye Caulker.
View from the room on Caye Caulker. It was so calm and peaceful with the gentle breeze off the Carribean. 
It had been a long time since getting on a windsurfer, it came back a little bit.
Did get to do any scuba diving, but the snorkling was fun. Plenty to see.
Colorful fish and coral.
Nurse Sharks
Sting Ray
I saw a big baricuda, which didn't look too friendly. On Ambergris Caye, I got to play with a hobie cat, and ride a bike around the island, and soon enough it was time to head home.