Mayan – MacKenzies on the Road

March 4, 2020February 9, 2020

Another Mayan Ruin?

How many Mayan ruins can one see? Well, in Mexico you can spend days, weeks, maybe even months visiting them all.

Yesterday, we visited Palenque, a huge change from Yachitlan as Palenque is on the bus tour route. We counted 4 huge buses in the museum parking lot and many more small van tour groups. Since we were here, and had found a wonderful camping place with a pool, we decided to visit the ruins anyway.

We were amazingly surprised. The ruins sprawl over a fairly large area, so except for the busy main areas, it can absorb a large number of people. We walked over from our camping spot, wandered for a few hours in the heat and humidity…until we ran out of water, took lots of pictures, and then sauntered back and fell into the pool.

We were glad we decided to brave the crowds. We have found every set of ruins to be similar, but unique in their own way. I’m not sure how many more ruins we will visit…you know, the unplanned, plan and all.

Today, we are being bums. The pool, internet to catch-up on blogs, the pool, trying to get wet clothes to dry (futile in this humidity), and did I mention the pool?

Up we go…no need for a Stairmaster for exercise!

This church like architecture is the first we have seen in a Mayan ruin. It was the predominant architecture at Palenque.

March 3, 2020February 9, 2020

Jock! Start the Engine!

Yachitlan Ruins, a real life Indiana Jones moment!

We learned of Yachitlan from a fellow traveler while in Baja. Mayan ruins, jungle, monkeys, a boat ride in…we had to check it out.

So, a few hundred miles of topes, mountain roads, topes, heat, topes, jungle, and more topes, we arrived in Frontera Corozal on the river border between Mexico and Guatemala. We set up camp in the heat and humidity and hired a boat and guide to take us the 20km down river to Yachitlan early the next morning.

After several swims in the pool and a very hot night, we boarded the boat at dawn and went zipping up the river enjoying the scenery and cool breezes. 45 minutes later, one ruin peaked out of the jungle just as we neared the dock. From there we wound our way up into the jungle exploring ruin after ruin with Juan, our English speaking guide. For two hours we had the entire site to ourselves.

An ancient site, a labyrinth, the jungle, crocodiles sleeping on the river bank, howler monkeys howling, spider monkeys swinging from tree to tree, and bats dozing in the shadows of the stone structures.

Amazing!

We felt like Indiana Jones!