Day 8: We don't have crabs anymore!
Trip Start
Jun 14, 2009
1
8
24
Trip End
Aug 01, 2009
Coba, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico
Monday, June 22, 2009
Today is our last full day in Mexico, and we are making the most of it. We woke
up this morning ready to take one last trip to what we now consider as our
private beach. The ocean was a bit cooler today, and we floated peacefully on
the rolling waves - the perfect way to wake up! Finally, we sat on two swings
under a thatched shelter, saying goodbye to the sand and the surf.
Afterwards, we caught a taxi to the bus station in order to go to Coba - the
ruins with the tallest structure in all of the Yucatan. About half an hour
after buying our tickets, we overheard that the bus had broken down on the way
from Valladolid and that we would have to wait for the next one. Even the sense
of extreme chillness that comes from living in an ecohostel for a few days could
not keep us from feeling a bit frustrated. But finally the bus came, and within
an hour we found ourselves walking down a path past a lagoon full of crocodiles
towards the ruins. (We never actually saw a crocodile, but the signs all told as
they were there...)
The entrance to Coba lies at the edge of a massive patch of jungle. You cant see
the ruins until they are practically right next to you (I felt like an explorer
discovering a new civilization for the first time...despite the many tourists
zooming by on bikes). We walked through the trees to the huge pyramid, spent a
few moments appreciating its steep, well-worn stairs, and started to climb
upwards. The temple that crowns the hill of steps is relatively small, with an
altar for sacrifices overlooking the edge. The view, however, is incredible! We
saw nothing but jungle for miles around, with only the lagoon and the crumbled
peaks of a few other structures interrupting the trees. After a few minutes
spent taking in the scenery, we climbed back down to explore the rest of the
park. We passed both well-excavated ball courts and some buildings that were
almost completely hidden by the trees that have taken over their slopes.
After only a little while, it was time to catch a bus back to Tulum Pueblo where
we now sit writing these posts. We are about to head back to the hostel in order
to enjoy our last night of cabanas and crabs.
