Palenque

View from our window


We stayed in another jungle cabin at El Panchan, which was just on the edge of the Palenque National Park. We arrived late in the day. We left the bus and crossed the little bridge over the peaceful little stream, what a lovely spot. We walked along the path through the thick jungle and entered our lodging which was a huge upstairs room with fly screens, but no windows and it was great to look straight into the jungle trees. It started to rain and rain and rain. After an hour of rain it stopped and we made our way to the restaurant. The little stream was now a raging torrent and we had to wade through calf deep water to cross the bridge. Up to now every where had been hot, hot, hot and humid, but this rain seemed to clear the air and a great meal was had. The band played and we finally we went to bed. It was almost like sleeping in the open as a cool breeze wafted over us through the night.

the Mayan ruins at Palenque were different to the others we had visited and we were shown around by a very passionate guide called Alonso. Not only were the ruins above groun but there were extensive building unerground as well. Alonso has been working for over 6 years on the site and next week is giving a briefing to NASA on their findings. He has taken millions of photos and as last year was the first time that he was able to photograph the moon at its zenith and nadir, as this only occurs every18 and 2/3 years, he discovered some more remarkable alignments. His website http://www.mayaexploration.org/index.php , Amazing guys these Mayans it seems they even knew Pythagorus's theorem.






Some Mayan craft for sale







We spent the afternoon in the town and back at the restaurant were entertained by musicians and performers until almost midnight.
we were in the jungle and bright and early in the morning, after the roosters and the dogs we were entertained by the rowdy howler monkeys, which seemed very close