Jungle Heat

Today was a devil of a drive.  We got lost three times on the drive from Campeche to Palenque and what should have been a five hour drive turn out to be a seven hour torture test.  We have been on this road many times, with the most recent being two months ago, but we couldn't figure things out!  It didn't matter what we did, we kept missing signs, taking the wrong turn or just plain driving by a turn off. On top of that, it was hot, damn hot!

When we did finally arrive at our hotel, our first thought was "we can't stay here!"  We decided to suck it up and take the room we booked months ago.  We are so glad we did...behind the jungle growth was a beautiful spa resort with all kinds of quaint ideas incorporated into the hotel setting.  Each room is a private bungalow, set back into the jungle, with our own outdoor jacuzzi and patio. Mind you, the jacuzzi didn't look too appealing, but at least the thought was there.

We rested with a cold beer on the patio before tackling the ruins of Palenque, about five km from our hotel.  Even though we have been here numerous times, we are still amazed by this ruin.  It is the most awe-inspriring ruin in Mexico and I feel it rivals Tikal in Guatemala.

The ruins are set deep into the jungle and it takes constant care to keep the jungle growth from over-running the temples and palaces. Much has changed since our last visit, with a few more temples being uncovered and added to the mix.

It was such an exhausting and extremely hot day that our bodies shut down at 6:30!  Poor Maggie needed a walk and we didn't care!