Tulum

To get into the fortified Mayan city of Tulum, we first had to walk down a jungle path that was dark, closed in on all sides by thick vegetation and steamy (and chock full of iguanas!), so when we walked through a tiny opening in the rock wall into this open, clear, perfectly manicured vista of crumbling Mayan temples and buildings it took my breath away.

Here are a couple of interesting points about Mayan ruins. They are essentially giant clocks, which is pretty wild when you think of it. The ruins in Tulum marked specific points in the calender - like the vernal equinox - and every year at an exact time the sun would shine on certain spots, marking the longest day or the shortest or the midpoints in between. 

Also, Tulum, being by the ocean, was a large trading port, and in addition to being devoted to your typical deities Tulum had a special spot in its heart for the god of trade. I loved this concept. Most groups of people seem to pick their gods based on their abilities to throw thunderbolts or smite their enemies, but the Mayans went all business school on them. All I could think of were thousands and thousands of people bowing down before a giant statue with Alan Greenspan's face on it.

Ok, so that guy doesn't look like Greenspan.

And more lizards!

We had planned on stopping by Tulum via the boat on our way out of the country but decided to travel from Puerto Morelos by bus instead, since we're pretty sure we never want to leave this town. We've even moved on to one of the free (we're assuming here) mooring balls. That's how serious it is.