FIRST MORNING IN CASA DE DON DAVID

The birds were up this morning from about 5.30.  The garden is an Eden for them with feeding tables throughout.  John was up first and down at the water's edge watching the grebe, heron and many other birds feeding and displaying to each other.  The tour in last night from Exodus tour group were having breakfast early prior to their Tikal trip.  After breakfast of huevos rancheros the owner, Don David came and chatted to us about the history of the place.  He was here over the time of the civil war and had a few scary moments when soldiers turned up on his doorstep - but thankfully by that time he was known and respected and so they came to say 'just letting you know you are ok here and we have checked the area for guerrillas'- before that he had seen flyers saying to kill all gringos.  Of course during that time the tourism dropped to nothing.

Don David started in Florida with an alligator zoo and came to Iquitos Peru in search of an anaconda with $500 dollars in the 60s.  He never got the anaconda and his Spanish speaking guide proved not to be able to speak Spanish but went off partying.  He met an animal trader in Iquitos who said if you want to see monkeys etc go to Tikal - so he did and never looked back.  In those days Iquitos survived by flying out cages full of animals for zoos in old prop dc6 type planes.  He never did get the anaconda.

The climate here is perfect.  The birds are amazing as we sit and have breakfast.  There is a gentle breeze blowing over the lake.  A couple of local lads are driving their motorbikes along the lakeside.  The humming bird is drinking from the feeder just by my head and John is downstairs cleaning his teeth as always - maintaining standards as always!  Awaiting Arthur's arrival.