Studies in Contrast - Tulum and Coba

Four narrow short passages lead into the Tulum
complex through the thick stone wall, 16 ft. high and
26 feet thick, which stretches on all sides.

Excavations are still in progress - here under one temple
complex

The trip from Isla Mujeres to Puerto Morales was lovely; a nice breeze from the right direction and sunny. It was only 30 miles too. Our destination was the Marina El Cid just outside the town and part of a huge hotel complex. One of the benefits of staying there was the use of the extensive facilities, although we couldn't get the all inclusive benefits of unlimited food and drink. Our "bracelet" was white vs their blue. So we brought our own drinks to the hot tub - no problemo!
Our real reason for this stop was to do some interior sightseeing. We rented a car for three days from Eurocar in town and had our first "shakedown". The cost was $40 for the company and $10 cash for the employee per day. Next time, he assured us, we could make a better deal directly with him.
Our next shakedown happened quickly. We were driving back to the resort when the police stopped us. They showed us a radar gun with 54 kilometers on it (it was a 40 kilometer speed limit). I swear we were going 40 but Scott said that the gun probably always shows the same number. Anyway it cost us 500 pesos ($40) in cash to the policeman (he couldn't provide a ticket or a receipt). We got advice quickly from residents. Always have a 50 peso note in your pocket and take it out and say that's all you have (and pretend you don't speak Spanish). Well next time we'll be prepared, we thought. It did happen again (same man) and Scott just refused to give him anything. He finally accepted that - so live and learn. We don't get upset about any of this. From their point of view we're all filthy rich and that policeman's salary is peanuts (and the car rental employee's). Doesn't make it right, but it's understandable.
We left early the next morning and drove south along the coast to Tulum. This is a walled city built as the port for Coba and one of the last cities built by the Mayans. It was at it's height between the 13th and 15th centuries. The site is beautiful, strung along the ocean built on 39 foot cliffs with white beach below. It's an open sunny place and the buildings have been worn down by the sea. Very few of the carvings remain. Due to it's easy location from Cancun, Playa Carmen and Cozmel, it's packed with tourists.

Tulum was a fortress and a ceremonial center and is
built along the ocean. Extensive trading occurred among
the Maya and other cultures by boat along the Central
American coast.

Looking inland across the extensive grounds inside the
walls.

The thatch roof is protecting one of the few remaining
carvings still clearly visible. Most have weathered over
the years or been removed.

Tulum is of the late Classic Period in Mayan architecture

The complex is right on the water and visitors can take
a break during their visit for a refreshing swim.

This small cove on the north end of the complex was
off limits to the hoards and so peaceful. On the peninsula
is the God of the Winds temple

The scenery was the star here and a group of fun actors portraying someone's ideas of what ancient Mayans looked like. They posed for pictures with the tourists and were obviously having fun too.
After our visit here we drove inland for 40 kilometers to Coba. Along the way we passed through tiny Mayan villages where many of the homes looked pretty much like they did 1,000 years ago. Coba is in the jungle and much of the site is still covered with it. This was an early major center for the Mayans with over 50,000 people resident here. Paved elevated roads radiated from here out to many other locations, one alone was 100 kilometers long. They were called sacaboeb. The city was mainly built between 500 and 900 AD, well before Tulum. It was settled even earlier, probably between 100 BC and 100 AD. The restored temples are spread out over a large area, some kilometers apart.
Scott made a surprising but excellent decision to rent a bicycle "taxi". It had been a long day so far and this made the tour of the property so much nicer. We had some energy left to make the steep climb up the Nohoch Mul pyramid, some 120 steps. Going up was work and coming down was rather scary. The views from the top were over the endless jungle, once fertile agricultural land, and the nearby lakes. From here we took a different route north and then west on the generally well kept roads with an occasional pot hole keeping you focused. It was a long but really interesting fun day.

The bas relief under the roof is of the Descending God
figure and gives this temple it's name

El Castillo, the largest temple on site

These Mayan warriors were having a good time posing with the tourists and so were we

A typical Mayan home in one of the small villages

The road from Tulum to Coba passed through quiet Mayan
villages. I loved this tiny woman in traditional dress using
a few concrete blocks to talk to the butcher.

Lonely Planet happily steered us to the Villas Arqueologicas
Hotel in Coba for a very nice lunch and a cooling swim.

Coba is by a lake fringed with reeds and
busy with wildlife  - here a snowy egret

Picnics are not recommended though as not all the
wildlife are cute.

Our bicycle driver also acted as an unofficial guide.

The first building as you enter is known as La Iglesia. A
number of stela remain on the complex but the carvings
are very faint. They are now protected by thatched roofs

Many of the buildings are still partially or totally covered
 by trees and vegetation.

One of two ball courts that have been restored - MUCH
smaller than Chichen Itza's

The buildings are all set in the woods now but would have
once been in the city with paved streets. Over 50,000
people lived here once.

The building on the top under the protecting roof still
shows the colors of the once all painted exterior

A close up of the color traces

This is one of the few pyramids remaining that you can climb and one of the highest (and steepest). 

Hopefully you can get an idea of how steep!

Looking down from the top

A new age ceremony in an old age place. 

Made it!