Mexico
Palenque/Temp

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    • Day 50

      Palenque for 24 hours

      February 16, 2023 in Mexico

      Mit dem Nachtbus ging es für uns am Donnerstagabend nach Palenque, einem historischen Ort der in dem ärmsten Bundesstaaten in Mexiko (Chiapas) liegt. Etwas aufgeregt vor der Fahrt, da uns vorher gesagt wurde, dass auf diesen Fahrten gern geklaut wird, haben wir uns entsprechend präpariert und alles soweit gesichert, wie es uns möglich war (viel Schlaf gab es demzufolge nicht). Angekommen in Palenque (mit all unseren Sachen 💪🏽) konnten wir unsere Sachen im Hotel lagern bevor wir uns mit einem leckeren Frühstück stärkten und etwas die Stadt erkundet. Nach dem Check-In am Nachmittag brauchten wir einen kleinen Nap und eine Pause am Pool bevor wir uns für die Weiterreise nach San Cristóbal de las Casas am nächsten Tag vorbereiteten. Da man auf dieser Strecke etwas aufpassen muss, haben wir diese mit einem Touranbieter gemacht und damit zwei fliegen mit einer Klappe geschlagen - drei tolle Sehenswürdigkeiten gesehen (Ruinen von Palenque und die Wasserfälle Misol-Ha und Agua Azul) und San Cristóbal de las Casas ohne Probleme erreicht.Read more

    • Day 11–14

      Palenque

      January 9 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

      Today we journeyed back to Mexico City airport (3 hour drive with traffic) for onward travel to Palenque via Villahermosa airport, in the middle of the jungle and a change of climate from dry and fresh to hot and humid. Our accommodation was a little bungalow surrounded by the flora and fauna you’d expect in the jungle. We could hear the calls of howler monkeys in the distance, parrots overhead in the trees, geckos and iguanas as well as some big spiders! We arrived late in the afternoon during a tropical downpour, whilst we were checking in Bert and Elana danced in the rain ending up soaking wet-though but happy! Our hotel was located right next to Palenque archaeological site, historic Mayan ruins in the middle of the jungle, on our first full-day we spent the morning exploring the site. We’ve found that there is limited knowledge surrounding exactly how these cultures operated as, unlike the Egyptians, few scriptures have been found. The ruins were again much the same in nature as the other sites we visited, however it felt a lot more atmospheric being surrounded by the jungle with many of the ruins absorbed into the jungle. They also looked more untouched, however this is only due to the effect of the location and plants that quickly take a grip of the structures. This is the first time we were able to go inside one of the main pyramids to view the chamber that the ‘red queen’ was found with two further chambers that two of her servants were discovered (a lady and child), Elana found this fascinating. It is thought they were sacrificed and buried with her when she died. The site was built on a hill, we were able to get a great view of the site (and across the jungle) when we climbed one of the pyramids.

      On our second day we headed to the Agua Azul waterfalls about an hour from Palenque. The waterfalls cascade down the hillside and there are several pools that you can float about in. It was a really hot day so we took the opportunity to snap some photos and take a dip in the refreshing waters. You have to pay for entry to the waterfalls twice as one of the communities that the river flows through cut the supply off as they saw it as unfair that they didn’t see any of the revenue. Bizarrely rather than working together you have to stop at two different checkpoints about half a mile apart to pay the fees! The drive to the waterfalls gave us a really good insight into a different landscape in Mexico. The fields surrounding the road were predominantly planted with corn in between rainforest vegetation and the communities looked a lot poorer. We had however noted a lot of new construction projects ongoing, the Mayan Train (a 966 mile intercity railway in Mexico that traverses the Yucatán Peninsula) is under construction here with a new station, new highways projects and there was a lot of activity around a new airfield in preparation for a presidential visit that day. Apparently the new president lives in Palenque and is making efforts to invest in the poorer southern states in Mexico. The new train line would certainly have made our journey around Mexico a lot more accessible and perhaps a nicer way to travel rather than road.

      Anyway back to the waterfalls, they were pleasing, not the most dramatic or sizeable but the colour and clarity were amazing. It was nice to see and experience something different for the morning and the children really enjoyed paddling around the pools of clear water.
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    • Day 164

      Searching for more Maya ruins - Palenque

      May 2, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 33 °C

      And when one Maya ruin is not enough you just visit multiple. When talking to several people in Guatemala they all said that the Maya ruins of Palenque, which are located in Mexico are equally nice! That’s why on a very sunny day I left Flores, little nervous but also excited to cross the boarder to Mexico. Luckily everything worked out and crossing the boarded was more relaxed than I expected.
      On my trip to Palenque I then met two guys from Spain - one who is very passionate about Mayan culture and the history. They told me about this hidden place where you can only go by boat to see Maya ruins in the jungle. Me seeking even more adventures I then asked them if I can join them! And wow it was so worth it! We went to Yaxchilàn and Bonampak which were equally beautiful! The tour was going the whole day but I was so ready to learn more about Mayan culture and history! Apparently, Yaxchilan, located on the banks of the Usumacinta River in the Yucatán peninsula of Mexico, was an important Late Classic Maya centre. The Maya dated the founding of their city to 320 CE, but Yaxchilan flourished between c. 580 and c. 800 CE. Bonampak, which means “painted walls” is known for it’s highly detailed frescoes —drawings telling the history of the people who lived here— painted on the inside of the walls and roofs of three buildings, which make Bonampak a true experience and major attraction for archaeologists and visitors alike. The frescoes are incredibly well preserved and the highlight of a visit to Bonampak. I just loved strolling around those archeological sites and seeing something so completely different. Once the boys and I got back to Palenque we went out for dinner and grab some drinks! So happy I could join both of them and really dive into the Mayan culture! Especially because all the tours were only offered in Spanish they helped me with translation and were the sweetest always making sure I understand. So thankful for that!
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    • Day 5

      Palenque und Misol-Ha

      October 30, 2023 in Mexico ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

      Palenque - Wunderschöne & charmante Stadt mitten im Dschungel. 🌴🦎
      Nach einem ausgiebigen Frühstück sind wir zu dem beeindruckenden Wasserfall Misol-Ha gefahren. Dort konnte man über einen kleinen Rundweg hinterm Wasserfall vorbei zu einer Grotte. Nach wenigen Minuten Fußweg in dieser Höhle, wurde man mit einem innen liegenden Wasserfall, Fledermäusen & Stalaktiten belohnt 🦇
      Nachmittags sind wir durch den Ort Palenque gelaufen. Hauptattraktion des Ortes: Wir. Vier europäische junge Mädels 😂 waren aber alle super freundlich und haben uns angelächelt.
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    • Day 38

      Palenque

      August 13, 2016 in Mexico ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

      Palenque sollte die vorletzte Maya-Hochburg sein vor dem Finale Teotihuacán nahe Mexiko City die wir besichtigen wollten. Anders als bisher bot vor dem Flachland Yucatans nun bergiger Dschungel den Ruinen Rückhalt. Reichlich verzierte Steinfassaden, Grabstätten, Tempel, Pyramiden, und und und...

      Vom heißen Palenque, das abgesehen der Archäologie-Stätte nicht wirklich was zu bieten hatte, ging's auf eine Höhe von ~2000m in die angenehm kühle, bergige Gegend um San Cristóbal de las Casas....
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    • Day 23

      Palenque, Chiapas, Mexique

      October 18, 2022 in Mexico ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C

      Réveil à 2.30 ce matin pour partir visiter la superbe Palenque ! Sur le chemin quelques arrêts à Agua Azul et Misol Ha.

      On a hâte de partir à la découverte du Yucatan maintenant 🌊

    You might also know this place by the following names:

    Palenque, Palenque/Temp, Ruinas de Palenque, PQM, Palenkė, Palenqué, Паленке, 帕伦克

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