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FLORES ........The little island in the Lago de Petén Itzá, Flores, was a major ceremonial center for the Mayan people. Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards in Guatemala, it was chuck full of pyramids, idols and temples. And, we all know what those God-fearing Spanish felt about that! When they took over the island in 1607, anything that didn't hail Mary didn't survive. They left no trace, zip, nada!

I feared in peak tourist season, with all the travelers on their way to Tikal, it might be hard -- and expensive -- to get a hotel. Well, it looked that way when I did an online search. The island was a backpacker haven with a lot of budget places for travelers from all corners of Guatemala and the world. My room was nothing special at all, but I had wireless access, a shower, a private room and semi-cleanliness.

The town had multicolored houses with ornate doors and windows lining the winding roads that circled the island. It didn't take long to explore the town and get a feel of the place. One lap only took about twenty minutes. Of course, my search brought me to the Catholic church, naturally at the top of the island's hill.

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MARTINat the market place............

............a pile of pineapple
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Copyright 2014 by Phillip Martin All rights reserved.