"Cycling" days 64-66: Palenque ruins
Trip Start
Apr 07, 2010
1
58
120
Trip End
Jan 19, 2012
San Cristobal de las Casas, Central Mexico and Gulf Coast, Mexico
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
After buying our roundtrip 2nd class bus tickets (US$14/person round trip) to Palenque, one of the largest archeological sites in Mexico, we get back to the hostel to relax and prepare our backpacks for the excursion. For lunch, we decide to stuff ourselves at a chinese buffet that we noticed at the outskirt of town. We definitely got our money (US$ 6.50/person) worth as the food was exellent. It was a good thing that the restaurant was far from the hostel as it gave us a chance to digest our meal while discovering the town.
After a quick stop at the store to buy food for the next day, we make our way to the bus station to catch the 5:45pm bus (make this 6:20pm....after all, it is a 2nd class bus!). We were expecting a chicken-bus but our ride had air conditining and TV's playing movies...plus we don't have to pedal. Total luxury!
30 minutes past midnight, we arrive in Palenque town and start walking towards the ruins located 7.5km away. We quickly located an adequate stealth camp in the jungle and strip to make the heat and humidity bearable....Good night!
Day 65 (2/20/11): 0km...PALENQUE RUINS
Up early, we continue our walk to the archeological site. After all, we have the entire day to see the ruins. Our return bus isn't until 5:00pm today. Along the way, we get to see howler monkeys. Once we arrive at the site, hundreds of people are funneling through the gates. Today is Sunday and Mexican residents are getting in for free so we aren't too excited about the crowed...however, around 1 pm, the park empties significantly as tourists try to escape the heat and we get to appreciate it more.
Palenque is amazing, and knowing that 80% of the buildings are still hidden behind the jungle makes you realize how huge the site was.
After the ruins, we go visit the Museo del Sitio which was really interesting.
Back to the bus station right on time...we almost missed the bus! and in San Cristobal de las Casas at 10pm.
Day 66 (2/21/11): 0km...Chill day
Today we rest and run errands (laundry, movie, lively market) in San Cristobal de Las Casas...Our legs are well rested. He are getting back on the road tomorrow morning...Guatemala in 2 or 3 days.
Comments
Glad to hear you are enjoying Palenque and SCDLC. Had great times there, and a great bike ride to the small villages surrounding SCDLC on the Dia De Los Muertos. Keep on pedaling!