Palenque - Jungle City of the Mayans

Met the boys by chance on the bus to Palenque, they had come all the way from San Christobal but as its the same route we ended up on the same bus. Lucky as the place we had arranged to stay was fully booked and did a little "How many backpackers can you get into a taxi" game. We managed 6 as it was only a 5 min ride. Mayabelle was a sweet place. Right in the national park and about 500m from the end of the Palenque trial beside the museum. We were planning on getting up at 5 for some misty ruins action but this was kiboshed as the ruins didn´t open till 8. Lucky we asked.

I had a REALLY shit night sleep as my tooth is killing me. Bus after 5 days of pain it seems to be calming down. I´m only taking 1200mg of ibuprofen as appose to the 3000ish i have been on for last 2 days. I know its not good for me but need must and all that.

So slept in till 7 woohoo and had a leisurely breakfast before heading to the ruins. Really impressed as the whole place is amazing. White pyramids, still with the vestiges of the red paint that would have decorated the place. Cool murals depicting famous battles and historic scenes from the city's past. The overcast morning helped add an element of mystique to the site. I liked the overgrown elements the best as you really get a sense of how ancient these ruins are. managed to get inside Pakal´s tomb, man it was really hot and damp in there. The tomb is empty now but i got to see him in Mexico city at the Anthropology Museum there :) Right call to gett here early as the place was fairly deserted and got some good shots. It was also quite cool and we had been warned that it turns into a sweat box later in the day.

Saw a Ocelot on the way out but didn´t manage to get a pic :( Really glad i went to Tonina as it helped get a sense of how these rival city states fought and contested each other over the years. managed to get back to the hostel before check out so rewarded ourselves with a long hot shower. I even had a shave. Partly because the boys were ripping me for having the most ginger tash in the group. Gareths is quite bad but mine was getting out of hand. So now i´m nice and clean shaven again! Booked our bus to Merida but unfortunately arrive there at 4:45am which is going to be fun. Might kip in the bus station for an hour or two. Then plan on collecting Hannah and heading over the Chitchn Itza for some more Mayan action!

Laters,

Chris