It took some convincing to get Em to agree to going to Ek Balam on our marathon day, but it proved well worth it.
After our cenote swim we got lost in Valladolid and then eventually landed in the Ek Balam ruins to the north. These are relatively new ruins (love the oxymoron). Newly discovered that is.
Anyway, the big draw is that you can still climb them, which is NOT allowed at Chichen Itza, or most other Mayan sites. There was also a super cool carving half way up the main pyramid call the mouth of the jaguar. Emily and I made it half way up the super steep stairs to see the mouth, and then gingerly zigzagged our way back down, careful with every step. Meanwhile Molly and Kimberly sprinted to the top for a real life jungle view. I wish the photos would really capture the pants peeing steepness of it all so you could understand why I didn't want to go up!
Our day ended in a puddle of sweat as we faced the relatively certain prospect of running out of gas in the dark, in the jungle. It is complicated and long to explain how this happened, and is the very thing we were working to avoid. But, after over 15K on what the monitor said was 0miles left of gas was reached the Pemex haven and sighed a collective exhale of relief.
Long Day Over.
3 comments:
I don't know about a long day, but those sure were some long steps. I don't think I need the camera angle to be different to see how difficult they were. You get kudos for going up halfway! I bet it was super cool though (despite the nearly running out of gas scare).
Is that second shot the carvings? Cause it is super neat looking. Now I'm thinking that I need to go back and actually go into a cenote and see these ruins that are "new" and touchable.
It sounds like and action packed day with plenty of drama and sweat producing activities. Even without the heat.
Nice to have the photos - glad you made it to the carvings.
Love the pictures and the travel log. It looks like an amazing trip.
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