Palenque

We are now in the state of Chiapas and we are in the foothills. The jungle archaeological site of Palenque was one of the most densely populated of all Maya cities. It prospered during the Classic period (200-600 AD). From the surrounding hills, a number of small rivers flowed through the city which is why it was called Lakamha originally ('Place of the big water'), one being re-directed to bring water to the Royal Palace by way of an underground aqueduct.

The palace is the centrepiece and is unique in that it is usually a temple rather than a royal palace that is the focus of a Mayan city. The nearby Temple of the Inscriptions comprises a pyramid of 9 levels and an internal staircase was found which descended to a crypt in which a Mayan ruler was found.

It was a good tour - quite pleasant despite the humidity and surprisingly uncrowded despite this site being a very popular one. William was a knowledgeable guide with good English. In the background we were accompanied by the soothing sounds of the howler monkeys in the jungle surrounding us.

There is a good museum at the exit - a small one but with beautiful original artefacts with their colours well preserved.

Nevertheless, we were more than happy to return to our hotel and the pool!

We spent the afternoon relaxing by the pool - pizza and piña colada for me and a beer (una cerveza) for My Friend.

I even finished my book Signs Preceding the End of the World by Mexican writer Yuri Herrera (trans. by Lisa Dillman). Beautiful. It is about a young Mexican woman's journey to cross the border to the US to bring back her brother. Lyrical - at times strange and foreboding - especially given what it is happening right now.