Ruta Puuc – Part 1
5/5/2009 -5/6/2009
After patiently waiting out the swine flu “pandemic” we maintained high hopes that the archeological sites would open as planned on May 6.
Waiting for the Ruins
Heading south the night before the scheduled opening, we strategically positioned ourselves in the town of Santa Elena, at the Sacbe Bungalows, located along the famous Puuc Route between the ruin sites of Uxmal and Kabah. Although we had anticipated camping at the Sacbe location, it has long been converted to a strictly bungalow style hotel, so no camping for us. However the bungalows are situated in a meticulously maintained wooded property, diverse with flora and fauna. Tree species are labeled throughout the site and bird species lists are provided in each guest room along with useful information about each of the archeological sites in the area. The accommodations here are simple, but extremely clean and complete with fans, hot water and pressure. The evening was spent identifying previously unfamiliar birds.
An early rising, at least by our standards, had us on our way to Uxmal in time to beat the heat of the day. However, upon arrival at the site, the parking attendant informed us that, while the ruins were in fact going to re-open today, it would not be until the middle of the day. Quite an inappropriate time, if one is attempting to avoid the 40°C temperatures. Not to worry, we would make or way to some of the other smaller ruin sites along the Puuc Route and return to Uxmal the next morning. We shall let the pictures speak for themselves…
Labna – Still Closed
Xlapak – Still Closed
Sayil – Still Closed
But thanks to the driver of a bus load of German tourists relief finally came at the site of Kabah...
Abierto!
The ruins of Kabah are an impressive combination of excavated and restored structures along with some in lesser states of preservation. Many of these structures display ornate facades, including over 300 masks of the rain god Chac, columnillas, Codz Poop, and three dimensional human figures (the Atlantes) which are rare in the Mayan ruins of the Yucatan.
El Palacio de los Mascarones
Codz Poop
Kabah Ruins
Atlantes
El Palacio
El Palacio looking toward the Piramide de los Mascarones
Behind the Palacio structure is a wide shady trail leading to the Templo de las Columnas. These woods, as well as those behind the Atlantes statutes provide a biological interlude to the archeological site. Bird life here is extremely abundant and the most impressive species on display is the turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) – a unique medium sized, brightly hued, scissor-tailed species.
Trail to Templo de las Columnas
Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa)
Iguana
On the opposite (west) side of the road from the main entrance to Kabah is another trail leading to two more impressive and distinct types of ruins. The first is what is often called, and appropriately described as a pile of rocks. In the case of Kabah it was once the Grand Pyramid. Although time and the jungle have taken the form from this pyramid, its size is still both evident and impressive.
Gran Piramide at Kabah
The farthest structure to the west is a monumental arch, typical of the Puuc architecture. This arch is said to mark the sacbe, an elevated limestone walkway which is believed to have connected through the jungle in both directions connecting to other Mayan sites in the area and terminating at the now ruins of Labna and Uxmal.
El Arco
After patiently waiting out the swine flu “pandemic” we maintained high hopes that the archeological sites would open as planned on May 6.
Waiting for the Ruins
Heading south the night before the scheduled opening, we strategically positioned ourselves in the town of Santa Elena, at the Sacbe Bungalows, located along the famous Puuc Route between the ruin sites of Uxmal and Kabah. Although we had anticipated camping at the Sacbe location, it has long been converted to a strictly bungalow style hotel, so no camping for us. However the bungalows are situated in a meticulously maintained wooded property, diverse with flora and fauna. Tree species are labeled throughout the site and bird species lists are provided in each guest room along with useful information about each of the archeological sites in the area. The accommodations here are simple, but extremely clean and complete with fans, hot water and pressure. The evening was spent identifying previously unfamiliar birds.
An early rising, at least by our standards, had us on our way to Uxmal in time to beat the heat of the day. However, upon arrival at the site, the parking attendant informed us that, while the ruins were in fact going to re-open today, it would not be until the middle of the day. Quite an inappropriate time, if one is attempting to avoid the 40°C temperatures. Not to worry, we would make or way to some of the other smaller ruin sites along the Puuc Route and return to Uxmal the next morning. We shall let the pictures speak for themselves…
Labna – Still Closed
Xlapak – Still Closed
Sayil – Still Closed
But thanks to the driver of a bus load of German tourists relief finally came at the site of Kabah...
Abierto!
The ruins of Kabah are an impressive combination of excavated and restored structures along with some in lesser states of preservation. Many of these structures display ornate facades, including over 300 masks of the rain god Chac, columnillas, Codz Poop, and three dimensional human figures (the Atlantes) which are rare in the Mayan ruins of the Yucatan.
El Palacio de los Mascarones
Codz Poop
Kabah Ruins
Atlantes
El Palacio
El Palacio looking toward the Piramide de los Mascarones
Behind the Palacio structure is a wide shady trail leading to the Templo de las Columnas. These woods, as well as those behind the Atlantes statutes provide a biological interlude to the archeological site. Bird life here is extremely abundant and the most impressive species on display is the turquoise-browed motmot (Eumomota superciliosa) – a unique medium sized, brightly hued, scissor-tailed species.
Trail to Templo de las Columnas
Turquoise-browed Motmot (Eumomota superciliosa)
Iguana
On the opposite (west) side of the road from the main entrance to Kabah is another trail leading to two more impressive and distinct types of ruins. The first is what is often called, and appropriately described as a pile of rocks. In the case of Kabah it was once the Grand Pyramid. Although time and the jungle have taken the form from this pyramid, its size is still both evident and impressive.
Gran Piramide at Kabah
The farthest structure to the west is a monumental arch, typical of the Puuc architecture. This arch is said to mark the sacbe, an elevated limestone walkway which is believed to have connected through the jungle in both directions connecting to other Mayan sites in the area and terminating at the now ruins of Labna and Uxmal.
El Arco
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