We were to be picked up at 0830, so early breakfast, pack a small case for the two nights, and down to reception. There were lots of people waiting for coaches for tour (and presumably to the airport) and we had no idea if anyone else was on our tour from the Bahia Principe of how many people had booked from the other hotels. All of the buses were huge and our spirits sank with the thought of having to share the experience with a large group. Buses came, filled and went - then there were very few people waiting. A small SUV / mini bus pulled up, our name was called and we were on board. We were on our own with Martin, the driver, and off we set. The first stop was to Tulum, just down the road, and it became clear, and Martin confirmed, that we had a personal guide for the tour - no other guests!
We arrived and parked at Tulum, very early and before the tour buses, but there was still a queue to get access to the magnificent Mayan site on a promontory overlooking beach and the reef (there was a gap in the reef which enabled access to the ancient port of Tutum). Looked around the site with personal comments from Martin and other tour guides that we overheard. It was very hot and dry - we saw as much of the site as we could and returned to the entrance to meet up with Marting. We then walked back to the SUV past thousands of tourists (many from cruise ships docked in Playa del Carmem and Cozumal) waiting in line to enter the site view the only (and very small) entrance gate.
Back in the SUV for a col drink and trip into the jungle. Road tarmacked but speed humps at every village along the way - speed humps made up of two courses of bricks concreted into place - if you did not know they were there a cars suspension and tyres would be shot!
Stopped for lunch in a 'typical' Mayan village - food a little challenging for vegetarians, but we were made very welcome at the minute cafe / restaurant.
Travelled onto Coba, deep in the jungle, getting hotter and hotter. Coba has a very welcoming fresh water lake which you could just throw yourself in, if Martin had not warned us that the alligators were generally hungry and every year the occasional tourist succumbs!
Coba fantastic and not yet commercialised ruins, walked round the site with excellent background from Martin who sat on a very shady tree stump as we were invited to climb the large temple steps. Very steep and quite dangerous on the way up, magnificent view of the site and surrounding jungle from the summit and a frightening climb down - good job that there was a convenient rope to hang onto on the way down.
An unforgettable experience and visit!
Back on the road for the trip to Chichen Itza, the highlight of the whole trip) we travelled to and stopped briefly in the main square of Valladolid (we were to return for a longer visit on the way back) for a cigarette and drink break.
Chichen Itza is the capital of ancient Maya empire, its majestic building dates back to 435 and 455, and it is geographically located in the middle of spectacular natural environs in the Yucatan Peninsula. At this site declared as one of the 7 World Wonders, you can visit magnificent temples such as the Kukulcan Pyramid and the Ball Game as well as there are others that cannot be visited to avoid damages. The Castle or Pyramid of Kukulcan is the most impressive temple in Chichen Itza renowned for the number of tombs found there and its endless 91 steps, as well as the impeccable architecture that stands out by a stone feathered serpent.
We arrived in Chichen Itza in the early evening and checked into the Mayaland Hotel and Bungalows, located at the gates of the site. Time for a quick cooling swim in one of the many small swimming pools. In the evening we went into the sites for an impressive, if theatrical, sonne et lumiere giving the Mayan background to the site and mythology.
Back to the hotel for an evening meal, mariachi band and staff chasing us back to the hotel room as we had not paid for dinner - it was not added to the bill.
Magnificent room with excellent balcony - but more of this tomorrow.
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