Day 11: Mayan River and Cave

What a day! We headed out for a 3.5 hour drive into the Mayan mountains to a place named Semuc Champey which in Mayan means "sacred waters". Most of the drive was in dirt roads and the last hour we had to change vehicle for a 4x4 truck because the roads were very rocky, inclined, and since it had been raining very slippery and muddy. It was a rough ride and Semuc Champey was difficult to get to, but it was worth every single bump along the road. We arrived and were given the option to hike to a mirador to get a bird's view of the river or simply head toward the water. I chose the hike and once again was on my own since the guide and both young women chose not to hike. It was a very difficult hike because although it had stopped raining the rocks were extremely slippery and the humidity did not help. Below are pictures of the hike and the view from the top. I wanted to point out that there were many indigenous people hiking the trail; what impressed me the most was the women climbing with their baby's on their backs wrapped inside a colorful blanket. I kept thinking that if they were to slip and fall the baby would certainly be crushed under their weight and not survive. 

I began to make my way down toward the river where the guide and the rest of the group would be waiting for me. I was soaking in sweat and it took every bit of focus and concentration to keep my footing. Even my high tech North Face boots seemed useless as I began my descent. Part of my descent was done sitting on my back side. I used vines and tree branches for support as I slid down on my back side; a very ungraceful version of Tarzan. However, I did manage to snap some amazing pictures of flowers and vegetation.

I reached the bottom and felt as if I had walked into heaven (if there was one). There were many transparent pools of water and different sizes of pit waterfalls. Everything around me seemed alive. Everywhere I looked I saw something beautiful. For an instant I wanted to become part of that place. Perhaps in a way I did. 

After a late lunch in Semuc Champey we headed to the Lanquin Caves. This was most likely my favorite part of the day because of the Mayan history associated with these caves. The limestone caves are to this day still considered sacred by the Mayan people. The Mayans believe this place to be the "heart of heaven" and that these caves hide the secret to "all ages". I asked our guide what the secret to "all ages" meant and he said it had something to do with living forever, but not in the human flesh. Inside the cave their were several formations where Mayans performed their rituals and still do to this day. It was an amazing experience to be in a place that an ancient civilization considers sacred. 

Thank you all for reading my blog. Have a good night.