In search of Mayan Ruins on the Route of the Mayans

We left Villahermosa pretty early to hopefully beat the traffic.  It only took us 5 minutes at the retorno to get a chance to make our U-Turn. We then breezed through the city. 

We only had to ask directions once!  Ha! Ha!  The real story is that we were pulled over having breakfast (remember I said we left early) this young Cowboy galloped by losing his hat when the brim hit our mirror.

We stopped 20 miles out of Palenque at a Pemex (The name of all Mexican Fuel Stations)  disconnected  the Jeep and drove off in search  the very best  Campground.  Our first choice was the Mayan Bell inside the National park next door to the Palenque Ruins.  We have heard that the Howler Monkeys also like this campground.   This campground is not suppose to be large enough to accommodate our large rigs.  Well, when we got there a Canadian Caravan of mostly large rigs had filled the park.  So for our second choice.......we struck out 2 more times before landing this beautiful place.

This is the Hotel Nututun and we are parked next to their beautiful pool.  They also have another area for RVs that is below the hotel next to the river.  Both places are beautiful.  The hotel staff are so helpful.  There are no hookups here but a crew of 4 groundsman strung electric cables for us and hung around to make sure we had everything we needed.    

And as usual it didn't take us long to jump into the pool.  What a life, drive a few hours and lounge in the pool.  We have a lot to see and do in the area so we paid for 6 nights.

The first big attraction in this part of Mexico is the Mayan Ruins of Palenque.  In the Mayan language Palenque means the area within a ring or circle.  Palenque is a younger than the Toltecs and Olmec cultures we visited earlier, their city was active and vital between 100AD into  900AD. It is difficult to know exactly why this powerful kingdom collapsed.  Ron and I have visited here at least 4 times over the last 15 years and it remains our favorite, probably because of its exotic  jungle setting.  The photo above is the craft and food market that greets you in the parking lot.

Also greeting you as you arrive are young (usually) men helping you to park.  They not only direct you to a empty space but are very serious about directing you into that space,  I am not sure what they think would happen if they weren't there with their whistles and red flags.  They will likely appear in all parking situations whether on city streets or supermarket lots.  After they get you parked they will assure you that they will watch your car and make sure no one messes with it.  This parking and watching service will cost you a small tip ( less than 5p) when you are ready to leave.  This year a new service seems to be added, that of washing your car while it is parked usually for about $5 US.  They do such a good job the Jeep has never stayed so clean.  This young man's tee shirt says it all.

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Behind Ron is the Temple of Inscriptions.  This is the burial site of the first ruler of Palenque.  His tomb is located deep in the heart of the Temple.  When we first visited the public was allowed to descend the dark and narrow staircase to view the tomb, now this is not allowed except we are told unless you grease the palm of the right guy.

Vendors selling their handicrafts abound throughout the grounds.  We didn't buy anything this year, in past years we had purchased  just about everything they were selling.

El Palacio, the Palace of Palenque. Despite its name the Palace was not a residence but a Temple. Only the King and his Priests were allowed to enter

Temple of the Sun

Temple of the Foliated Cross.  The Temple of the Sun, the Temple of the Cross (not shown) and the Temple of the Foliated Cross were built to represent the 3 stages of the Myans Supernatural or Cosmic journey through life.  All the Myan structures were built for religious functions.  The Kings and Priests were the only permanent inhabits.  The area surrounding the temples was where the others lived in possibly more modest houses.

Outside the entrance there are many choices for temporary eating establishments.  We choose to walk right on by and have lunch in the Alpine. Although we have enjoyed eating out more than we should have during the last month common sense must prevail.