WORKIN' ON THE BOAT AT TORTUGAL MARINA, Rio Dulce

"Mucho trabajo" to get the boat back in shape for the cruising season. Dinghy leaks to be glued, stainless to be polished, solar panels to be put up, sails & rigging to be hoisted, teak to be sanded & varnished, cushions to be washed,  etc. etc. It takes at least 3 weeks to get everything back in order. Who says its all fun & games!!

A SPECIAL MAYAN CEREMONY IN QUIRIGUA, IZABAL. GUAT.

According to the Mayan calendar, the 13th B'ak'tun (144,000 days) marks the end of an era and the beginning of a new one. December 21, 2012 marks the beginning of this new era for The Mayans in Guatemala and there was a celebration held in one of the most interesting archeological sites in Izabal. Here we witnessed the "Family Blessing"
 

MAYAN BALL GAME

An unusual game of ball - a cross between volleyball & soccer, using only the hips, elbows & forearms (no hands or feet). The ball represented the moon & the sun & the court represented earth. The game itself was very sacred. According to ancient rituals, the losers were decapitated!
 

MAYAN CEREMONIAL DANCERS

Masked dances are a Maya tradition in Guatemala for many of the local festivals. There are around 30 different dances performed in the Maya pueblos of Guatemala. Some of the dances such as the Baile de Venado [deer dance] have their roots in the pre-conquest Maya culture.
 

THE RUINS OF MAYAN ESTELAS

The Mayan Stelas are a kind of monument to the Mayan culture of ancient Mesoamerica. The sculptures consist of  high carved stone with detailed  mayan images honoring their king. They date back to thousands of years ago.