MAKE MINE MAYAN - TIKAL, GUATEMALA
Rising out of the jungle in the steamy afternoon heat with
the shrieks of howler monkeys in the background is a towering black temple;
marked by age and worn by climbing feet over thousands of years ……..This is my
first glimpse of the ancient Mayan ruins at Tikal, Guatemala, one of the
wonders of the Americas. We stay until
sunset as the sky turns pink over the five magnificent temples and return the
next morning at sunrise with the toucans, macaws and parrots. I am told that jaguars
and ocelots lurk in the surrounding forest, but we only spot a cheeky
coatimundi or racoon like creature scurrying past.
Tikal is one of the oldest Mayan sites with the earliest
evidence of human habitation here around 700 BC. There are five temple pyramids which soar
above the forest canopy, with carve stelae and altars in the central plaza. We
spot masks carved in the stone as we learn the history of this amazing place
with its stories of rulers buried in tombs with precious jade, human sacrifices
and royal palaces which at one time were painted in bright colours.
LA LANCHA
After a long day getting to know the Mayans, my experience
is made even more magical when I head to my accommodation for the duration of
my stay. Just a short drive away is the fabulous La Lancha rainforest lodge,
tucked away in the rainforest high above the clear waters of Lago Petén Itzá –
the second largest lake in Guatemala.
La Lancha is part of the Family Coppola Hideaways group,
owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola and his family. He fell in love
with the jungle while filming Apocalypse Now in the Philippines, and went on to
establish three luxury rainforest lodges in Belize and La Lancha in Guatemala.
It is easy to see how he was captivated by this lush, exotic
part of the world where every turn brings breath-taking scenes worthy of the
most dramatic movie set and where the monkeys, toucans and parakeets provide
the soundtrack.
Ten thatched suites and rooms are dotted around La Lancha. My room is a Lake View casita - a pretty treehouse filled with Guatemalan
artefacts and crafts, from colourful throws on the beds to the animal masks and
huipils (traditional Mayan women’s’ dresses) hanging on the walls. The wooden furniture is Balinese in style and,
as in all the rooms here, there is a terrace with hammocks and chairs which
look out to the calm and beautiful lake. La Lancha is proud of its eco credentials and
the spacious bathroom is stocked with handmade, locally sourced toiletries.
Exploring the winding paths around the property I find the
two-level swimming pool and the Mirador or look-out deck, complete with huge
comfy recliners from which to look over the lake, listening to the birds and
monkeys. La lancha has a number of
eccentric touches, such as the Shellphone – a pink conch shell which is
actually a telephone for guests to pick up and order a cocktail, food or coffee
wherever they are in the property. Later its time to detox at the Temazcal, a traditional Mayan sweat lodge or
sauna for cleansing and relaxing with
copal incense burning.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in La Lancha’s lovely
open-air restaurant under the thatched roof of the Main Lodge with fabulous
views over the rainforest to the lake.
In the evening meals are cooked on an open parilla or grill. Food is a
combination of traditional and Guatemalan dishes including fresh fish from the
lake and Suban Ik (‘God’s meal’), a traditional dish containing chicken, beef,
rice and spices. Top class wines are from the Francis Ford Coppola Winery in
California and drinks are on offer at the rooftop bar and library or down at
the enchanting lake-view bar accessed by a quirky funicular.
Adjacent to the Restaurant is an authentic tortilla hut,
where local staff make fresh, homemade tortillas and encourages guests to join
them in the tradition.
As well as visits to Tikal, the hotel can arrange rainforest
experiences including zip-lining, aerial walkways and canoeing or kayaking on
the lake.
Fact Box
La
Lancha
Aldea
Jobompiche
San
Jose, Petén
Guatemala
www.thefamilycoppolahideaways.com/en/la-lancha
00
(502) 30450817
