The ruins at Coba

We woke up to dreary skies and very cool weather today so we decided it was a perfect day to do some exploring in the jungle. We took Big Red for a highway tour and drove south to Tulum then a long 27 miles into the jungle to the Mayan ruins of Coba. It is a fascinating ruin only a small part of which has been uncovered. Not a lot of restoration has occured but it is still fascinating. We took the easy route and hired the bicycle "rickshaws" to carry us around the mile of grounds. Lots of screeching parrots and singing birds in the huge rain forest trees. We even saw the first Mayan road that we have seen. It used to run the length to Merida and down to Tulum and Akumal. The jungle took it over, of course and the roots of the trees have almost destroyed it but parts are intact. Saw the chicle trees and the incense trees that smell like the candles. The chicleros that used to collect the sap to sell to the gum trade have all disappeared. Very few of the old stellae and carved friezes remain on the buildings. Had 2 very interesting ballcourts. Dinner in Tulum and then home after dark. A good day!