Guatemala

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We left Tenosique super excited to be back on the road and to be heading into a new country. It was slightly cool as we set off but quickly warmed up. The day was memorable for the volume of fluid we drank. We feel like we are drinking constantly and yet it still isn't enough.

The road to the border was very quiet. It felt like it was our own, private highway. We were riding along a series of small lumps/hills. They were smothered in vegetation. Incredibly lush and verdant.

The border crossing was incredibly smooth. There was no queue and the process was really efficient. We got our stamp out of Mexico which was promptly followed by a stamp into Guatemala. Within a few metres of the border was a shop that had a bank so we could exchange our Pesos for Quetzals (at a reasonable rate) and get a SIM for Rachel's phone.

There were limited options for sleeping so we had a long, hot afternoon to make it to the first hotel en route resulting in the second longest ride of the trip (120km).

We were glad of the air con in the room. The water for guests came in bags.

We had another long day ahead of us the next day as we were keen to get to Flores so that Tikal would be in reach the following day. Our average speed has inched up in Guatemala, probably because there are far fewer speed bumps (Topes in Mexico/ Tumulo in Guatemala) and the ones there are far less brutal. This means that we can keep rolling a little bit easier.

The ride was another hot one. Lots of drinking (at least 4 litres each while on the bike). We also look out for any opportunity to douse ourselves in water. We found a service station with a hose and soaked ourselves. It is nice but the cooling effect is short lived.

We are gradually getting used to the changes from Mexico. One is the different brands that are here. In Mexico, Pemex is the state run petrol company so all service stations are in the green Pemex branding. In Guatemala there are a range of brands and we saw this well decorated  Shell one.

We reached Flores in good time and found a campsite on the edge of town. We had contacted the owner to say we would be arriving. We rode past a man sitting in a driveway waving at us and it took about 1.5km before we realised that he was the 'campsite' owner and turned back. I put it in quotes as it is really his out of town retreat that he lets travellers camp at. It was a real paradise under many varieties of tree. We asked about paying and were told to give what we wanted. Clearly not offering camping for financial reward.

Google photos https://photos.app.goo.gl/p8J9ERd7iN2bGiZy9

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