el Remate, Peten, Guatemala

There is a small town called el Remate on the road to Tikal, Guatemala.

The highlight of visiting this town was meeting local Guatemalan artist Erwin Bendfeldt, a truly unique and passionate sculptor.

Erwin owns and operates the Sak Luk Hotel.

In my opinion, the Sak Luk is Erwin's' unbounded imagination living in real life on his property. Every place you look you will find another unique piece of his artwork, some tucked between tropical plants that he collects for their healing properties.

Besides an adventure for the senses to visit, the Sak Luk offers some excellent Italian food. Erwin is half Italian so his pasta dishes are mouth slurping good.

I had a chance to talk to Erwin in depth about his artwork, and got a better sense of the sheer passion and love he has for his country and the natural elements he uses to create his work.

He also tells of times when Lake Peten Itza was home to the fresh water crocodiles that inhabit some of the other lakes in this region. He tells of visions of seeing his spirit crocodile when swimming in the lake on full moon nights. Stories that are easy to believe when the jungle rules this area and the animals are part of the intricate intertwining of life here.

Erwins newest undertaking is a snack bar (pictured above, not completed at time of photo) that resembles his totem, the crocodile. Sadly, I missed the opening of this newest piece of his artwork. But I am sure the spirit of the crocodile was there watching over with ancient eyes.

There are many things in this world that defy explanation. I am learning to accept the unknown and unexplainable. And besides, it makes life more of an adventure than it already is.

Tikal, Peten, Guatemala

I don't think enough can be said about Tikal, Peten, Guatemala.

It's history alone would take years to fully understand, and then a lot of it is speculation at best.

Tikal seems to be in the middle of no where. Jungle no where. I was told the reason Tikal flourished was the presence of flint in the area to make weapons. Makes sense.

There are several archaeological sites surrounding Tikal. The most recent discovery being in the el Mirador Basin that is being excavated and restored now. The tallest Mayan building is here and the restoration project is being run by Dr. Richard Hansen.

I am still letting all of this seep into my being. Truly life changing images and experiences.

Tikal, Peten, Guatemala

 

Tikal is simply one of the most incredible archaeological sites in the world.

The site itself is in a national park that covers approximately 576 square kilometers.

There is ongoing restoration work being done so some of the structrures, even though you can still climb up to them, are not totally visible due to scapholding. Not a problem as the hundreds of other buildings are almost sensory overloading in their sheer size and splendor.

You have no doubt you are in the jungle when you visit Tikal. The paths to the building complexes are through paths cut in the huge jungly trees. Spider and howler monkeys live in the tree tops, and the sound of their calls is enough to make your knees turn to jelly the first time you hear them. They are quite active in the early morning and afternoon. You almost get used to that screaming sound ....

Lots of different and exotic species of birds to watch out for as well. That is if you can tear yourself away from the jaw-gaping sights of the ruins long enough to search for them.

The vision of miles of uninterrupted jungle from the tops of some of these pyramids is surely humbling....and well worth the time spent to actually get here.

I, for one, will never forget this experience.

Lake Peten Itza, Peten, Guatemala

Lake Peten Itza is on the road to Tikal, Peten, Guatemala. I'm not sure if many people that go to Tikal realize that this beautiful gem is just waiting for you to take a refreshing dip or just sit and enjoy the almost unbelivable Caribbean colours.

I spent almost a week here exploring her secrets. There used to be fresh water crocodiles living here, sadly they are gone now. But the local people remember the "time of the crocodiles" with almost mythical memory. In the middle of the Peten jungle that is not hard to envision.

There are several small towns dotting the shores of the lake. All sleepy and slow in the jungle heat, and alive with life forms of different kinds. Birds so many as to remain a constant background of a cacaphony. Insects bigger than most humming birds.

Turtles and fish in the lake still dance to the rythms of time.

It seeps into your marrow and fills your soul with the timeless life of the jungle. And a refreshing dip into the lake watching the heat lightening displays at night are something out of a fairy tale.

I am hooked.