VUE

I t was at that point that the idea for a hotel emerged. Why not create a resort where guests could interact with habitu- ated spider monkeys and ocelots? Why not build an infin- ity pool around, but without disturbing, the native pucte tree? It took Sinibaldi four years to acquire the property but when he finally opened the doors to Las Lagunas, he invited guests to come and revel in the same magic he experienced so many years ago. I, however, do not consider myself an adventurer or even the outdoorsy type. So the thought never crossed my mind that I might one day come close to encountering crocodiles and jaguars or that I would find myself profusely sweating in the lowlands of Guatemala. I couldn't help but imagine what the day would bring with it—green as far as the eye could see, trees stretching high into the sky, birds squawking at dawn. I was escorted along a winding walkway to my pri- vate suite, a stilted cottage whose turtle insignia matched my room key. e suite itself was suspended over Quexil Lagoon, reminiscent of a type of bungalow made popular by the Maldives. e L'Occitane bath products, dreamy rain shower and loy wood-beam ceilings capture every essence of a true luxury escape, but at Las Lagunas it really is all about what's on the outside. e next day I awoke to my room filled with sunlight re- flecting off the lake and the chatter of creatures I had yet to meet. Outside, I immediately noticed details I was unable to make out the night before—tree signage marked by spe- cies and stonework reminiscent of the ruins. It wasn't long before my trip mates and I headed north for Tikal, about a 90-minute drive from Las Lagunas. On the way we passed roadside shacks, colorful Catholic churches, graveyards, but mostly small farms dotted with cattle. We killed time by discussing Mayan astrology with our guide, Gelver, and converted our birth dates into wordy reports that revealed our personality traits. V U E N J . C O M 126

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