Early morning looking over the jungle at Tikal, perhaps the greatest ancient city of the Maya.

Early morning looking from Temple IV over the jungle at Tikal, perhaps the greatest ancient city of the Maya.

 

The ruins are huge; we spent an entire day exploring the site, often hiking through dense jungle on overgrown causeways.

The ruins are huge; we spent an entire day exploring the site, often hiking through dense jungle on overgrown causeways.

 

Stelae and temple steps.

 

Putting down roots in the jungle.

 

The back of Temple II.

 

The back of Temple III's roof comb, with plentiful carving still visible.

 

Approaching the main plaza.

 

The famous Temple 1, across the main plaza.

The famous Temple 1, across the main plaza.

 

Temple I steps.

 

Temple I reflected in my sunglasses.

Temple I reflected in my sunglasses.

 

Temple II from an enormous complex along the main plaza. The more we walked around, the more our impression was of a once-sprawling city, as vast and majestic as ancient Rome or Athens.

Temple II from an enormous complex along the main plaza. The more we walked around, the more our impression was of a once-sprawling city, as vast and majestic as ancient Rome or Athens.

 

More Temple I.

 

And more.

 

One of dozens of smaller side complexes.

 

View from atop Temple V.

 

Steps!

 

Nearing the end of the day at Tikal. To give an idea of the city's former grandeur, and how much of it is now shrouded in jungle, the hill rising on the right is another enormous, completely unexcavated complex!

Nearing the end of the day at Tikal. To give an idea of the city’s former grandeur, and how much of it is now shrouded in jungle, the hill rising on the right is another enormous, completely unexcavated complex!

 

A final view of Temple III's still awe-inspiring roof comb.