Tour of Tulum, Mayan Ruins, Mexico

Along the  Yucatan coastline on the beach south of Cancun, south of Playa del Carmen, south of Akumal (where we stayed) lies the coastal ruins of ancient Pre-Columbian Mayan temples, surrounding buildings, and dwellings.  I could go into great detail about some history of these ruins, but I won't, so if you're interested see here:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulum#Description .  It's one of the most beautiful places that I've been in my life.  We were there about 9 years ago and things have changed - more tourists, more roped off areas, more markets and events going on.  You used to could go into some of the buildings, but because of erosion, wear and tear, they won't let you anymore.  It was more pristine before, but surely still beautiful...

Remember you can click on the photos if you want to enlarge!

The highway to Tulum.  The roads in the well-traveled areas are really pretty good. Just watch out for Mexican taxis!

Steps to begin the tour...

I can't tell you what all the names of these temples are - they are to all different gods - harvest, war, fertility, etc.  Just like our American Indians did...and other civilizations.

People that came to the New World discovered these ruins around 1500-something...

We saw SOOOOO many of this little critters - Iguanas - everywhere we went !

These temples were everywhere...

This one was a temple to the wind - with this huge hole underneath it the breezes went through...

 

This piece of beach was located between the two big rocky cliffs. AND a little rain storm blew up - as usual in tropical climes.

This temple, if I remember correctly, was the temple to the Descending (diving) god. I need to read up more on the different buildings here....

Here's my two creatures...

Isn't this absolutely gorgeous!

Hanging out with some of the locals in full Mayan costume!

Look at this big  baby!

Can you believe my little girl? Well, I can - she's always been a tomboy!

And NOW!  For a little shopping!!!

Doncha just LOVE all the colors in the markets???

This Mayan rite was so awesome and scary - they would climb up this tall tall pole...

Lots of beating of drums and little flute-thingies, and then, then, and then...

And fling themselves off the top and spin upside down round and round until they came to the ground!!!

Well, here we will conclude our tour of Tulum, Mayan Ruins, Mexico...   Here's us four (minus Josh - he didn't get to go because of work. :(    )   Hope you enjoyed it! We surely did!

Join me for just one more post about my vacation - something you probably won't see anywhere else - underwater diving photos of our guys and closing comments!  Thanks for putting up with all these photos and your sweet comments!  Hasta la proxima, amigos!