Wednesday, December 19, 2007 (Pat)

Tour day! Up early to get ready and meet at the 19th hole golf snack bar to get on the bus at 8:30am. Shortly after we arrived our name was called out and we were assigned to the van. It sat about ten passengers plus the driver and guide (Francisco Mack). He was of Mayan descent and full of information about Mayan culture, their calendar, etc. Ron and I got in the back of the van and off to Tulum and then a nature preserve in the afternoon. It was about an hour drive to Tulum. Shortly before arriving there we stopped for a pit stop at a cultural trade place full of Mayan crafts. We spent a few minutes looking at some stone mask carvings. Ron saw one about three inches tall made of Obsidian. It was nicely carved and turned out to be the face of the god of health. It had a gold shimmer from gold flakes when held at a certain angle. It was beautiful, but unfortunately it was $200USD. The sales person started to come down but not very much. We were saved by having to leave on the van. Off to Tulum.

We stopped at a spot in the entry complex that had info about the Mayan calendar, a model of the site and a map of Mayan territory. Francisco led us into the Tulum walled-in complex of ancient Mayan buildings. It was an elite living area by the sea edge. In the center near the cliffs were the prominent ruins with 120 steps to the top of the pyramid. On top were the remains of the sacrificial platform. It would have been pretty intimidating to the masses down at the bottom. The center area was where the upper class had their buildings. There were several good sized building ruins with columns, masks of their gods carved into the corners, and sleeping platforms. Francisco told us lots about the significance of various things. We made our way up to the cliffs overlooking the beach below. Lots of people were enjoying the sand and water. At that point we were on our own and told to be back at Frosty’s restaurant in the entrance complex by 1pm. Ron and I walked along the cliffs to see the gorgeous, dramatic view with the tower, turquoise sea, and palms. Scattered everywhere were the resident iguanas, lounging around the ruins, ground rocks, and bushes. They were two to three feet long and fun to watch and photograph. Ron had read about a nice beach nearby and we headed south along the border of the complex, but the gate through the wall was blocked off. We walked along the upper wall to the west side and enjoyed the view from the slightly raised elevation across the ruins to the big tower. More photo ops. Finally we left ancient civilization behind and went thru the west entrance and grabbed a couple of Cokes from a vendor. Boy it tasted good. Ron wanted to see the beach at El Mirador restaurant to the south and found out it was just a ten minute walk. Sure! It felt like miles walking at high noon in the sun with minimal shade from the trees along the road. About the time we were ready to give up we came across a driveway headed towards the beach. Darn, private property! We passed by one other driveway and by the third one we said the hell with private – lets just go. The beach was beautiful with soft white sand, wide and not too many people. There was a small cabana bar so we grabbed a beer and water then headed up the beach so we could make it back by 1pm. We walked fast and I was getting overheated when we finally got to Frosty’s. We grabbed a water and headed over to the meeting place for the van – which had returned from taking part of our group to Coba – another Mayan ruin. We waited for ten to twenty minutes – enough time for Ron to order some chicken taquitos to keep the restaurant guy happy that Ron used his bathroom.

Just as we finished the lunch the van returned and we piled in. After about a ten to fifteen minute drive north we pulled off the highway onto this dirt track that headed into the jungle. The jungle was thick on both sides. Occasionally there would be a small clearing or other track. It was bumpy and jerky going. Finally we pulled off into a small clearing with some other vans and stopped. This was Lang-Ha, the nature reserve. Several biologists were here studying the jungle and this was their base. Several huts with large tables and a big grill with some great smelling food. This was a genuine Mayan meal cooked over wood. Grilled chicken wings, sausage, and beans. A dense, Mayan bread/tortilla and some salad. There was a natural red juice drink and a rice/coconut drink as well. We all chowed down. The bathroom was a composting out-house and not too bad. After lunch we got our group together with several of the biologists and Francisco and had a tour down a jungle path. We came across a giant grasshopper on a plant – five to six inches long! More walking thru a variety of trees and we came up to the top of the zip line entrance to a large cenote – underground river cave. We got into our harnesses and waited, watching the others zip down and disappear into the cave entrance – like a narrow canyon. Ron and I were near the end. You stand on the platform and they clip you in to a wheel on the cable. Then they hand you a thick Y-shaped stick – the brake. You place it over the cable and pull down to go slower. Then you move to the edge of the platform and off you go. Wow! Less than fifteen seconds and you are inside a cave chamber and they help you brake and then unhook you. Very cool. I went first, then Ron. Then he climbed back up and went again. Next we went into the underground cave system walking on a wooden platform over running and quiet water areas. Lights highlighted the cavern depths and the stalagmites and stalactites. Bats flew around silently. It was amazing. We came out on the side of the cavern and climbed up a trail to the top. Some howler monkeys were swinging from tree to tree heading for the warmth of the cave for the night. Hard to see clearly with the thick canopy. Then the path led us to where we started. Next it was off to go swim in a big, deep cenote. We walked along a short path and they pointed out a fenced off hole in the ground about two feet across. Below was the cenote. We got into our swimming suits and took some winding stairs down to a platform in this big cavern. It was sixty to seventy feet across, the water was ten feet deep. With our life vests on we went into the water. It was cool water but tolerable. We could kick around check out the cave. Occasionally you’d come across a stalagmite coming up from the floor. By the river exit tree roots came down from the surface to the water. After twenty minutes or so cooling off we came out and headed back up. Changed clothes, gathered our stuff, last pit stop, thanked them for a wonderful day, and piled into the van. I ended up in the second to last row and it didn’t take long on the bumpy road to get me queasy. I grabbed a plastic bag to use as a possible barf bag and concentrated on not getting sick. After a long time we got back on the hiway and headed for Mayan Palace. We said our good-byes to Francisco and back to the room. We showered, I ate some ginger, and we headed for the poolside restaurant for dinner. A very fun day!! Off to bed early for our next big day.