Teotihuacan
Nimble dogs dash past me as I struggle up the steps of the Sun temple. The rest of the group just look cool. I’m huffing and puffing by the time I reach the top but the view is most definitely worth it.
We arrive early enough at the ruins of Teotihucan to see the hot air balloons drift across the red morning sun. The site is massive and impressive. It was built around 300 BC and home to approximately 125,000 people, and as our first experience of the many ruins in Central America, its a good start.
Puebla
We turn left out of our hotel, walk through a small shopping centre and are straight out into the main square of Puebla. The cathedral borders one side, a selection of restaurants cluster on the other edges. What is most striking about Puebla is the colourful buildings. Even the most run down dwelling looks attractive painted in a bright colour. We spend a hour or so walking round the town. It is hot (I must remember to take snacks next time). Later we go out for a meal at a local restaurant and try Mole, a spicy chocolate sauce that seems to come with everything and doesn’t actually look particularly appetising!!!
Oaxaca
So we’ve been on a 5 hour bus journey with no food and now we are walking round on our orientation walk in the heat without snacks and water. (Again, I must remember something to eat and drink). Oaxaca (pronouced Wa-ha-ka) is another colourful town with a central square.
Monte Alban
A friendly dog attaches itself to us for most of the tour, seeming to enjoy our company, or at least he knows the guide. The guide takes us around the side and then up to the top to see the stunning view over the Grand Plaza. We climb down into the main area and see some intricate carvings, still well preserved.
Hierve el Agua
The pools at Hierve el Agua look like they are ready to plunge over the cliff. Across the valley, a waterfall tumbles over the edge; calcified limestone mimicking water. The group swims; I take photos and relax.
The overnight bus
Now if anyone tries to lure you in with visions of reclining seats, back to back films, a free drink, usb ports etc – don’t listen to them. Let’s just say the overnight bus journey was a way to get to San Cristobal and not to be used by those people that value their sleep. We arrive in the town, obviously full of life and raring to go. Breakfast done, orientation walk completed, we can check into the hotel. And sleep.
San Cristobal
Visiting indigenous people and local communities is not something that I really enjoy doing. It makes me feel uncomfortable. I feel like I am invading someone’s life, intruding on their privacy. So I am not particularly keen to go on our day trip from San Cristobal to see the local people. We visit the church. It is a mix of Catholicism and Animism. The glow from the many candles give a fuggy light to the building. Fresh pine needles scatter the floor. People are in groups gathered around a Shaman to receive healing and prayers. A chicken has its neck broken as part of the ceremony. There are many Catholic saints lining the walls. Each saint has a different purpose; people pray according to their needs. Despite my reluctance to go on this trip, I still feel privileged to witness this ceremony.
Sumidero Canyon
The monkey is showing off for the tourists. It is holding onto the branch with one arm and almost ‘smiling’ at the camera. The driver has stopped the motorboat so we can look more closely. At other stops we have seen lots of bird life and even crocodiles, before zipping off again. The rock walls rise up from the water an impressive 1000 m. The cloud cover today gives the canyon a brooding feeling.
Memories of previous winding roads appear in my head, so I shut my eyes as the mini bus driver steers like a he’s in a car rally up, and later back down the mountain. The lookout over the canyon is impressive; you can see how far the down the river is by leaning precariously over the edge. I am relieved to get back down to the valley floor, and secretly amused when the minibus breaks down in the next town.
Palenque
The noise is awful. It sounds like a dinosaur in pain. In the trees outside our hotel, two howler monkeys are making their presence felt. I’ve never heard anything like it.
Palenque is hot. It’s nearly 40c with very high humidity. I’m not sure I’m going to cope very well with the heat.
Now I didn’t plan on crossing a waterfall today. If I’m being totally honest I wasn’t that keen on going……Now before that….
We visit our first Mayan ruins at Palenque. Most of the site, which consist of over 1000 buildings, is still covered by jungle. The main pyramid, The temple of Inscriptions, has been partially restored. It is stunning against the vegetation of the jungle. The guide is very interesting. He tells us all about the Mayan calendar and its cycles of 20 days. We climb into an excavated tomb, thought to be the burial place of Lord Pakal, and also up and into the palace area.
We walk down through the jungle in the way out to the museum and car park. There are the remnants of buildings smothered in vegetation. It would take an incredible amount of money and effort to excavate the site.
Anyway back to the waterfall.
I’m just about coming to terms with the fact that I’m going to swim in the pools but nearly back out when Magda, our tour leader, indicates that to get to the better area for swimming we need to cross the waterfall. Secretly, although I’m concerned that I might slip over, make a fool of myself and get soaking wet, I’m actually more worried that I’ll drop my camera, phone and wallet in the water and they will be wrecked. Treading carefully, with the help of Dave and Laura I make it safely across.
I manage to swim in the pool. The water is the perfect temperature and it’s tranquil resting on top of one of the falls. There are Mexican families having picnics and swimming, creating a relaxing atmosphere.
© Sarah Curran 
© Sarah Curran
I survive the foray back across the water and arrive unharmed on the other side.
Merida
Merida is another lovely town with a square and bright colours. I use it as a recouperation place. It’s good for wandering and shopping.
Chichen Itcha
We are so lucky to be one of the first few people to enter the site. That means photos of the ‘famous’ pyramid with no people in front of it and relative peace and quiet as the guide tells us some of the history, particularly about the ballgame that the Mayans played. It is quite a short tour this time but I think that we are glad as it is very hot.
Playa de Carman
The stink of rotting seaweed dominates the beaches at Playa de Carmen. There are tacky souvenir shops selling skulls, t-shirts, bracelets. I feel like I’m in Spain or the Uk. You can visit the ruins at Tulum or swim in one of the many cenotes in the area. It is a shame I’m not feeling well and miss out on the trip to Tulum, a Mayan ruin which I really wanted to see. Next time….
Journeys with my pencil 