|
"Last
Flight to Flores." It sounds like a sad Mariachi song, doesn't it? Yet
I did take the the very last flight from Houston to Flores operated by
Continental Airlines. Now that this option no longer exists, the
easiest way to get to Flores from the U.S. might be to go through
Belize.
There are, of course, daily flights from Guatemala City to Flores'
Mundo Maya Airport.
|
| Flores
is a quiet little town squeezed on a tiny island on Lake Petén
Itza. The island is linked to the shore by a short causeway, and the
larger but plainer city on the shore is Santa Elena. |
|
 |
There
isn't much to do in Flores, but to take leisurely walks and enjoy the
languid pace. As most everywhere else in Guatemala, the houses in
Flores are painted in vivid - but not garish - colors.
The
Parque Central in Flores is at the top of a hill. It is a sleepy main
square, with a yellow church and a couple of food stalls.
|
 |
|
Guatemala
is definitely not a gourmet destination, with most dishes being
surprisingly bland. Even the picante sauce is occasionally mild.
Pastries,
however, are often marvelous. If you are offered "Pastel de Banana," go
for it!
Visitors to Flores shouldn't forget Santa Elena next door. Santa Elena
is not as polished as Flores, but it is very colorful in a rowdy sort
of way.
|
|
|
|
|
While in
Flores, you will want to take one or two small boat trips on the lake.
One interesting excursion is to ARCAS, a refuge for animals
rescued from smugglers.
For all its charm, Flores can feel a bit touristy. Some visitors on
their way
to Tikal prefer staying in the tiny village of El Remate. El
Remate is at the other end of the same lake - a true backwater with one
paved street, overrun with pigs, goats, roosters, turkeys and horses.
|
|
El
Remate
|
| When the
time comes to bid Adios to Flores, there are frequent buses leaving
Southward (or Eastward towards Belize). Up in El Petén, you will
not encounter the fantastic
recycled American school buses which are one of the top sights around
Antigua and Guatemala City. Still, the bus network throughout the
country is impressive, and travel is very cheap if not especially rapid.
|
|
