{"id":218,"date":"2010-11-02T23:53:00","date_gmt":"2010-11-03T04:53:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/2010\/11\/11-the-mayan-ruins-at-uxmal-chichen-itza-coba-and-tulum.html"},"modified":"2015-06-11T21:41:29","modified_gmt":"2015-06-12T02:41:29","slug":"11-the-mayan-ruins-at-uxmal-chichen-itza-coba-and-tulum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/2010\/11\/11-the-mayan-ruins-at-uxmal-chichen-itza-coba-and-tulum.html","title":{"rendered":"11: The Mayan Ruins at Uxmal, Chichen Itza, Cob\u00e1, and Tulum"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><center><\/p>\n<div align=justify>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I wake up early Sunday feeling slightly feverish. Turning over in bed for another hour seems to cure me of my phantom illness and I begin preparing for the day&#8217;s ride to the Mayan ruins of <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Uxmal\" target=\"_blank\">Uxmal<\/a>, in the Mexican state of Yucatan. I briefly use the phone to wish Sara a happy birthday in the US then get on the road. Mornings are always the most pleasant time of day to ride. The air is brisk and I bask in the morning sun. Last night&#8217;s rain storm has dissipated and the sky has only a handful of clouds. The drive to Uxmal is brief. The structures here are a lot larger than those of Palenque, but dense jungle atmosphere is replaced by a sparse forest.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCTObZuMMI\/AAAAAAAADag\/eELvTdRRHdM\/s800\/IMGP2036.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><a name='more'><\/a><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCXRti5p9I\/AAAAAAAADjI\/ZZ66hL-NvRY\/s800\/IMGP2157.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCTS1Yh5-I\/AAAAAAAADao\/7olEKQkhBdY\/s800\/IMGP2044.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Iguana (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCTZDYN0jI\/AAAAAAAADa8\/dsfp-AhJDts\/s1000\/IMGP2046.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCTgTr5BsI\/AAAAAAAAD2g\/nJvr_zpSRuo\/s800\/IMGP2049.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCTnewArlI\/AAAAAAAADbk\/NECYfGQrMyk\/s800\/IMGP2052.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCTr6C4HPI\/AAAAAAAADb0\/GuDNpSZXgBw\/s1000\/IMGP2054.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCUAEwtFCI\/AAAAAAAADcg\/1w-lZjkZtUc\/s800\/IMGP2060.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCUN9vHhDI\/AAAAAAAADdE\/Ag5DGn9TswY\/s800\/IMGP2067.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCUuVsFDmI\/AAAAAAAADeU\/QeUCwN214Iw\/s1000\/IMGP2078.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCUxZrbVMI\/AAAAAAAADec\/bdGX8fdYrsQ\/s800\/IMGP2079.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCU4TGyxeI\/AAAAAAAAD2w\/O__Efziqk-4\/s800\/IMGP2081.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCVgF-4pBI\/AAAAAAAADfg\/e53PvJoJYcY\/s1000\/IMGP2093.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCV-WsOogI\/AAAAAAAADgI\/B2WdY39JRCM\/s800\/IMGP2102.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCWXNVBbCI\/AAAAAAAADgo\/z8iD1Q-6sdM\/s800\/IMGP2108.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">A millipede (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCWYOQ1JqI\/AAAAAAAADgw\/PA3GsIsFBV4\/s800\/IMGP2113.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">A millipede (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCWeo_8hRI\/AAAAAAAADhA\/hePEXGXXC5A\/s800\/IMGP2137.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCWn6APz_I\/AAAAAAAADhU\/2sQ_RnSOjZY\/s800\/IMGP2141.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCW4mOVDvI\/AAAAAAAADh8\/xMZ5fzkckEQ\/s800\/IMGP2148.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCXFuOmV4I\/AAAAAAAADio\/sYr33KWbgPs\/s800\/IMGP2151.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCW0mtO3xI\/AAAAAAAADh0\/J_m4JbXOBYA\/s800\/IMGP2146.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCXB51K4XI\/AAAAAAAADiY\/_d4JaHNrkJY\/s800\/IMGP2150.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Uxmal, Yucatan, Mexico 10\/31\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The sun is high, the area is filling with crowds with tour guides, and my hunger once again has crept upon me. I set my bearing toward <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Chichen_Itza\" taget=\"_blank\">Chichen Itza<\/a> to find a place for the night. I want an early rise to visit the Mayan ruins tomorrow morning. <\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCXYLnNenI\/AAAAAAAADjY\/DspqBc9_ueg\/s800\/IMGP2169.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">My riding face. The chin bar is usually down, btw. (Near Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;About 20 kilometers from Chichen Itza, in a town called Yokdzonot, I notice a sign for the Yucatan Mayan EcoHotel and Retreat. Curious, I take the winding dirt road and park at the front of the property. I&#8217;m met by Don Daniel, a native Mayan and caretaker of the EcoHotel, carrying water.<\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCuF2MFeYI\/AAAAAAAADxE\/LMkHE0uqCuA\/s800\/IMGP2366.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Don Daniel at the entrance to the EcoHotel (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The property is beautifully constructed. It is a small area, but feels much larger. I&#8217;m sold, and am currently the only client there. I walk around and inspect the palm-roof houses, outdoor kitchen, outdoor bathroom &#038; shower, fresh water dispenser, well kept gravel trails, and trees (they&#8217;re everywhere, including the bathroom). For rent here are tent spaces, tents, hammocks, caba\u00f1as, and a very nice hotel-style room. I opt to set up my own tent, for $100 pesos per night. Later I find out couchsurfing members get to stay the first night for free.<\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCXdulHCtI\/AAAAAAAADjo\/hKkJEWVS81s\/s800\/IMGP2173.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Yucatan Mayan EcoHotel (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCYAJUtGXI\/AAAAAAAADks\/JT408Bbd3HQ\/s800\/IMGP2181.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Yucatan Mayan EcoHotel (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCX7M2bLfI\/AAAAAAAADkg\/_-In_cvzz3g\/s800\/IMGP2180.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Yucatan Mayan EcoHotel (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCXnxV_vrI\/AAAAAAAADj8\/XDTAI_3Q09Y\/s1000\/IMGP2175.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Yucatan Mayan EcoHotel (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCXvd_BMuI\/AAAAAAAADkM\/eSPtdvXqQOk\/s1000\/IMGP2177.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Yucatan Mayan EcoHotel (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCX0CK_UpI\/AAAAAAAADkU\/-25iYK2LwKA\/s800\/IMGP2179.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Yucatan Mayan EcoHotel (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCXrG9i1MI\/AAAAAAAADkE\/yUctIMas6K4\/s800\/IMGP2176.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Yucatan Mayan EcoHotel (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;An hour after I set up my tent and lie down to rest, I hear a Slavic language being spoken between two people setting up a tent near me. I get up and introduce myself in Spanish. I discover we share a common language of English, and they introduce themselves as Marcin and Magda, two Pollish citizens backpacking from Alaska, United States to Argentina, South America (<a href=\"http:\/\/luckytrip.fla.pl\/\"target=\"_blank\">click here to check out their blog<\/a>). They have been hitchhiking for two months now and have another 4 months to go. As like-minded travelers, we get along well and enjoy each others company for the rest of the night. We walk to town for dinner and afterward we take turns playing Marcin&#8217;s guitar he purchased at a market in Mexico City, with plastic cup drums.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The next morning, instead of taking my motorcycle to the ruins, I venture with them, hitchhiking. We wait only 15 minutes before a truck picks us up. The driver takes us most of the way, to a town called Piste. We walk most of the way through the town before we begin hitchhiking again. This time, no one is stopping. We are fooled by a man that rolls down his window only to tell us if the police catch us doing this, we could be each fined $5,000 pesos (~$400 USD). We decide to play it safe and pay $30 pesos ($2.50 USD) for a taxi driver to take us to the entrance of Chichen Itza. We were swindled, because we were unknowingly a mere 300 meters from the entrance of the ruins! It wasn&#8217;t a large loss, so we don&#8217;t sweat it.<\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCYzhe__sI\/AAAAAAAADlM\/uDLcEATA-fU\/s800\/IMGP2190.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Leaf-mimicking insect (Near Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCnMehunTI\/AAAAAAAADl8\/0-SqDKedrIw\/s800\/IMGP2199.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Marcin and Magda (Chichen Itza-ward, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCnJVNZRdI\/AAAAAAAADl0\/h89ql4hi2w0\/s800\/IMGP2196.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Myself (Toward Chichen Itza-ward, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Entering these ruins, like Uxmal, was expensive. At $166 pesos, it was triple the cost to enter Palenque. We didn&#8217;t have to pay for parking, which was a plus. The gates were supposed to open at 8:00. Our arrival is 8:30. We wait around until after 9:00 before the first ticket is sold. Mondays&#8230;<\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCnSXy36XI\/AAAAAAAADmE\/hHpBAFcQ0ko\/s800\/IMGP2204.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCnelW9pII\/AAAAAAAADmY\/CH_bdgM_rck\/s800\/IMGP2208.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCnit77oFI\/AAAAAAAADmo\/dbm0flfwrr8\/s800\/IMGP2212.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCnunAN1II\/AAAAAAAADnA\/Cby31BDpHAI\/s800\/IMGP2216.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCn-49_4MI\/AAAAAAAADn0\/JcjMaXC354s\/s800\/IMGP2226.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Can you find me? (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCoF4szM-I\/AAAAAAAADoE\/ZRMkylDS4Ec\/s1000\/IMGP2229.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCoHaSOvdI\/AAAAAAAADoM\/jWFJU40eQac\/s800\/IMGP2231.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCoS_fQTAI\/AAAAAAAADo4\/H8BPXtsZRuM\/s800\/IMGP2238.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">The longest way to play a game of Tic Tac Toe (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCocIMY6jI\/AAAAAAAADpY\/qAPJ0vrXpwk\/s800\/IMGP2248.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Una meriposa (a butterfly) (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCorVyaLgI\/AAAAAAAADqQ\/gJ95w9CFm2k\/s800\/IMGP2262.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCoxMr1AtI\/AAAAAAAADqo\/ftkylkqvIBg\/s800\/IMGP2265.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCo0XxUUfI\/AAAAAAAADq4\/ibILdPvGiyU\/s800\/IMGP2271.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCo61lEgZI\/AAAAAAAADrQ\/WqSim-ZMmL4\/s800\/IMGP2276.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCo9KMpg_I\/AAAAAAAADrY\/zBdb5cfs5AQ\/s800\/IMGP2279.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCpFfmPazI\/AAAAAAAADr4\/woHeVrecEBE\/s800\/IMGP2283.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCpQJCKF2I\/AAAAAAAADsw\/a3p95eoVBbs\/s800\/IMGP2290.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCpgZQBNUI\/AAAAAAAADtc\/CDER6mLpxzs\/s1000\/IMGP2299.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCpWPzu4_I\/AAAAAAAADtA\/oij83QrSlVI\/s800\/IMGP2294.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCpijCJb2I\/AAAAAAAADto\/izwYe3fntHI\/s800\/IMGP2304.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCpldtc0eI\/AAAAAAAADtw\/x92JHQaanDw\/s800\/IMGP2308.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Iguana (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCpxItRjcI\/AAAAAAAADuI\/Oe8iCIuFc2w\/s800\/IMGP2313.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Sacrificial <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cenote\" target=\"_blank\">cenote<\/a> (sinkhole filled with water) (Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;After exploring Chichen Itza, we head back into the neighboring town, Piste, on foot. After stopping in an internet cafe and paying $5 pesos (~$0.40 USD) for 30 minutes internet use, Marcin and Magda now have a phone number and are about to finalize plans to move on to Cancun to stay for free with an acquaintance. After a phone call, they are told to wait an hour and call back. We have lunch at a nearby restaurant in the meantime. <\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCp52i1QII\/AAAAAAAADuc\/WIInrMaJQ8c\/s800\/IMGP2316.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Lunch (Piste, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCp9suodQI\/AAAAAAAADuk\/U0JcIaDer7o\/s800\/IMGP2317.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">&#8230;good company (Piste, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCp_5l_kFI\/AAAAAAAADus\/9RrkNDkJphM\/s1000\/IMGP2318.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">&#8230;and delicious beer (Piste, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/01\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Every meal in Mexico has been simple and delicious. Every restaurant is an adventure of taste, and I&#8217;m always excited to have a new meal. Marcin and Magda&#8217;s phone call confirms their stay in Cancun, so we buy an 8-pack of Tekate to celebrate and head the the edge of the city to attempt hitchhiking back to the EcoHotel. Within a few minutes, a man in a white truck stops. He&#8217;s headed another 105 kilometers, and is happy to give us a ride. He lets us into the interior of his truck, which is very comfortable. Returning to Yokdzonot, we stop at camp briefly before decide to visit the local <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Cenote\" target=\"_blank\">cenote<\/a>.<\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCqI2og5sI\/AAAAAAAADvE\/eEMviVBseaQ\/s800\/IMGP2326.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Local cenote (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/1\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCqLhkD8JI\/AAAAAAAADvM\/ZqGjB3m2PkU\/s1000\/IMGP2329.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Local cenote (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/1\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCqSgALpbI\/AAAAAAAADvo\/wu6RCg8Axho\/s1000\/IMGP2345.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Local cenote (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/1\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCqRHFcc3I\/AAAAAAAADvg\/JYWee12m3M8\/s800\/IMGP2344.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Local cenote (Yokdzonot, Yucatan, Mexico 11\/1\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Back at the EcoHotel, we break open the Tekate. Shortly after sunset, another traveler enters the camp. Peter, visiting from Germany, flew into Cancun about a week ago. Earlier today he arrived from Valladolid, rented a tent, and unloaded his backpack to go see the nighttime light show at Chichen Itza. He goal is to make his way to Mexico City, where in a few weeks he will return to Germany. Our night is relaxing. The atmosphere is serene, the stars are bright, and this was the perfect getaway from my back-to-back days of driving. It&#8217;s times like these that remind me that taking a day or two to rest and recharge is just what I need. Marcin and Magda have made me realize I&#8217;ve been neglecting <a href=\"http:\/\/www.couchsurfing.com\"target=\"_blank\">couchsurfing<\/a>. I&#8217;m now making a concerted effort to try to meet and stay with people in this community. We all exchange contact information and I head off to my tent to sleep.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;My ideal of waking up early falls short and the next morning I&#8217;m up with everyone else a few hours after sunrise. I dry my tent and pack it on my bike with the rest of my gear. This routine is now down solid, and I can get everything strapped on in as little as 10 minutes. I say goodbye and after Marcin takes some photos of my loaded bike, I&#8217;m off to <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Tulum\" target=\"_blank\">Tulum<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;120 kilometers from arriving, I stop at a crossroad not on my paper map or GPS. To the right, a sign points to Tulum, so I take it. According to my GPS, it&#8217;s heading directly toward the ruins. Along the way, I see signs pointing <a href=\"http:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Coba\" target=\"_blank\">Cob\u00e1<\/a> only 5k to the right. My GPS says it&#8217;s 10k to the left. I figure I misentered the coordinates into my GPS and accept it as a pleasant surprise. I turn right to check it out.<\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCuMentWDI\/AAAAAAAADxU\/vuzQSh2LSHw\/s800\/IMGP2368.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Cob\u00e1, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCupcqcAbI\/AAAAAAAADyo\/TEIf0ixfgVs\/s800\/IMGP2386.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Cob\u00e1, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCuTHe9v1I\/AAAAAAAADxk\/F8t9dKCf29E\/s800\/IMGP2370.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Cob\u00e1, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCuW9HnLrI\/AAAAAAAADxs\/QLqCX9ZBOTk\/s800\/IMGP2372.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Cob\u00e1, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCuZOyIXZI\/AAAAAAAADx0\/-9RJbuqKYpg\/s1000\/IMGP2373.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Mayan Ruins (Cob\u00e1, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh3.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCubR4R6KI\/AAAAAAAADx8\/envemWch_Kw\/s1000\/IMGP2375.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Mayan Ruins (Cob\u00e1, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I don&#8217;t find Cob\u00e1 particularly impressive, and the large expanse of the ruins requires a long travel between sights (for which there are bicycles for rent). I don&#8217;t feel like renting a bicycle nor riding while holding my motorcycle jacket and tank bag, so I get back on the road to Tulum. I arrive in Tulum to find the most populated ruins I&#8217;ve come across in Mexico. I have to walk through about a kilometer of shops and booths selling souvenirs before I get to the entrance ticket booth, but not before managing to get some pictures of natives in Mayan dress.<\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCuv6J2kNI\/AAAAAAAADy8\/ue7RFlEitmk\/s800\/IMGP2388.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The ruins at Tulum are spread out across the coast of the Caribbean Sea, on pristine beaches and beautiful blue waters. By now it&#8217;s nearly 2pm, and the busiest time to be here. The sun is way too hot for my pants and boots, and the crowds are in full bloom. I make the best of the situation and still have a good time despite there being many people. I have to wait some time for photo opportunities to open, but I get a few good shots.<\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCu1pfdBBI\/AAAAAAAADzQ\/g37-bwGiUl0\/s1000\/IMGP2391.JPG\" width=\"650\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:650px;\">Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCu4KZdZgI\/AAAAAAAADzY\/CJnVp3f2JL0\/s800\/IMGP2392.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh5.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCu6tV63pI\/AAAAAAAADzg\/HWDUmCoOkWQ\/s800\/IMGP2393.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCu9WfGRNI\/AAAAAAAADzo\/3pULryVLGhQ\/s800\/IMGP2394.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh4.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCu_7igp8I\/AAAAAAAADzw\/MwzDjUxeFZQ\/s800\/IMGP2395.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCvEqfzJLI\/AAAAAAAAD0E\/hSgp9nXBa3k\/s800\/IMGP2398.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCvNFAVC4I\/AAAAAAAAD0k\/5BUZtAmxtnE\/s800\/IMGP2402.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p><\/p>\n<table border=0 align=center>\n<tr>\n<td> <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/lh6.ggpht.com\/_RZW5mFRH__E\/TNCvPMpZiQI\/AAAAAAAAD0s\/h3K_ZQX6v28\/s800\/IMGP2403.JPG\" width=\"800\" \/><\/p>\n<div align=left style=\"width:800px;\">Mayan Ruins (Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico 11\/2\/2010)<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Back at the parking lot, I&#8217;m approached by a few curious people that ask where I&#8217;ve been and where I&#8217;m going. I&#8217;m always glad to explain my trip and perhaps give my blog address. A short drive from the ruins brings me to a moderately priced Hotel. It&#8217;s $400 pesos ($33 USD) for the night, but I&#8217;m happy to pay it since it&#8217;s the first one to offer internet of the three I visited. I could look longer, but this hotel seems like it&#8217;s worth the price.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Settling into my room, I check my email and am surprised to find a story about my travels, with a link to my blog, has made it&#8217;s way to the news section of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.yucatanliving.com\/news\/yucatan-news-day-of-the-dead-and-turkeys.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Yucatan Living<\/a> (7th story on the linked page). More surprising, I have several messages from enthusiastic readers of the Yucatan Living leaving me encouragement and a few even offering to let me stay with them if it would help. It&#8217;s a very good feeling to know complete strangers will reach out and offer their homes for a chance to meet and help me on my travels. I buy a beer from down stairs, get some granola from my bike, and get comfortable to reply to messages, send out couchsurfing requests, edit photos, and write up another online journal entry.<\/div>\n<p><\/center><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I wake up early Sunday feeling slightly feverish. Turning over in bed for another hour seems to cure me of my phantom illness and I begin preparing for the day&#8217;s ride to the Mayan ruins of Uxmal, in the Mexican state of Yucatan. I briefly use the phone to wish Sara a happy birthday in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-latin-america"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=218"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/218\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kylegabriel.com\/travel\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}