On our trip to Playa del Carmen, Marcia and I took an excursion to Coba. I have long been interested to see the remains of the Mayan culture up close. I found an excursion which combined Mayan ruins with zip lining and other experiences. So, we went for it.
The morning started early when Paco, our guide, picked us up at 7:40. It was an hour and a half ride out to Coba. We learned a brief history of the Mayan culture. We were told that the Mayans migrated to this area of Coba from a more southern region. This area is mostly limestone, so does not have much soil for farming, but is surrounded by freshwater cenotes. It is suspected that this area was deserted in about 600A.D. due to a 20 year drought.
Coba remained undiscovered until the 1920s or 1930s. It was at this time that Wrigley had come into the area and was pressing the resources in the land for material to make gum. As they pushed farther into the jungle, the Mayan ruins were discovered.
In the days of the Mayans, the commoners were farmers, and lived in small homes made of wood and thatch. The more elite families had homes built on top of raised surfaces built out of limestone. Temples were also erected out of limestone. These were to perform rituals, mostly sacrifices to please the gods, and ask for rain. We were able to view a few of these, and some courts they built to play a ritualistic “sport” which they also used to determine common folk to sacrifice to the gods.
My Mayan princess and me atop the Nohoch Mul Pyramid. This is the tallest Mayan temple in all of Mexico. We hiked here from the smaller temple which can be seen in the background among the jungle trees.
It is a tough climb to the top. It is 129 steps, and they are pretty slick. Even tougher going down!
Beautiful scenery
We came. We saw. We kicked its ass!
Photo of the Nohoch Mul Pyramid.
We hiked about a mile through the jungle to reach this pyramid. Then climbed and descended it pretty quickly. All set to hike back to our starting point, and Carlos, from teh Mayan Uber, pulled up on his tricycle. 5 dollars senor. I did not need to be asked twice. Sold.
Carlos speeding us through the Coba jungle. We passed spider monkeys in the trees and kept going.
We made it back to a small village just outside of the ruins. There were several little shops. We were impressed with their craftsmanship, and the authenticity of the Mayan crafts. After selecting a number of items, we learned that they had no electricity. It had been out for more than a day because of rain. With not enough cash, and out of time, we were attempting to figure out what one item to purchase, when a fan came on. Which meant power! Cha-ching! Back to shopping for the kids. A couple knives for the boys. A Mayan calendar for Liz. A turtle for Maggie inlaid with lapis lazuli. And a ceremonial mask. Checkout and back to the van for the next adventure. But not before I ran into these guys by the banos.
Once in our van, we drove another half hour further into the Mayan territory. We drove past people living in very meager living conditions. Then we got to our stop to begin the second half of our adventure. We put everything in lockers except shoes and bathing suits, and started a hike through the jungle. Our first stop was to put on harnesses and helmets. Thunder rolling in the background, we climbed up to a high platform over a lagoon to find a zip line. This has been on my bucket list for over a year!
We hiked a little farther to another lagoon. Now the rain followed the thunder and it began to rain pretty hard. Another platform, and another zip line, this time through the rain!
So much fun. We hiked next to Cenotes Jaguar. It is so named because the ceiling of the cenotes is shaped like the eyes and mouth of a jaguar.
Holy tan line, Batman!
A kiss before we descend into the Cenotes Jaguar. Considered the Mayan Underworld.
Paddling around in tubes. 60 feet to the bottom of the cenotes. I dived down into the clean water. This was before I realized the number of creatures living in the water!
There were two ways out of the underground cave. Mayan elevator or the ladder.
We both opted for the slippery ladder, while the rain came through the opening at the top of the cenotes on us.
It was a good workout climbing out. Time to rest. We thought. Nope, time to kayak across the lagoon in order to get lunch. We were instructed to avoid the crocodiles.
No mas crocodilos!
It was a great day. I knocked two things off my bucket list. And really enjoyed spending time with my beautiful wife. Shirtless all day, I still did not do anything about that tan line because it rained on us for so long. I can’t wait for tomorrow.
Six With Sticks 