I thouht I would have difficulty getting to palenque and finding accom there. Not so but leaving Palenque was another story - no bus until at least 4th. Instead got a bus to villahermosa which wouls give me more options. Joutmry was only 2 hours on a good road. The vegetation changed from dense forest around palenque to grassy with trees. There wee cattle grazing and egrets alongside them. There were areas of werland with herons. On the way there was a government stop: the movement of eggs, fuit and dairy into the yucatan is restricted. Also along the way we were stopped by armed polic which is not uncommon. There were also army posts along the way. You get used to seeing this and it is to stop dug trafficking. Coming into Villahermosa we crossed the Grijalava, a large, brown river, apparently navigable to the sea.Villahemosa appeared a large, modern city. The area around the bus stop is rundown. I took a raxi into the centre as i had no map o info other than a rough idea of finding hotels on Calle (street) Madero.
I looked at some expensive ones and just nearby found a bargain. I wont say the name because it was rather dilapidated (think Point Rd Durban/Hillbow JHB or wrong side of tracks, Middlesbrough). Anyway it was sufficient for one night and I did have my own bathroom (ignored cobwebs in the shower).
On Sunday I was on my way to Campeche. This should have been a 5 and a 1/2 hr trip but turned into 8 hrs! It was a county service and stopped at every village and bustops at crossroads on the middle of nowhere. All this without getting off the bus for a toilet stop or more drinks - I did worry about dehydration/DVT but I am OK. At least I had a seat, others were standing.I did enjoy seeing the countryside change: more grassland and trees with lots of cattle herds, wetlands and then coming into the Yucatan, it became flatter and more jungley.
I have found a quiet hotel near the centre of Canpeche. this is a modest walled city that had to defend itself aginst the pirates (ingleses sin duda). There are fortified areas, a gate to the sea and one to the land. I took a "trolley ride" around the ciy and admired the colourful houses with heavy wooden dots and iron grilles and if coutse, the many churches. The church of San Ramon has a black Christ (statue made from African ebony). (am stuggling to type to night as keyboard has invisible characters!). Tomorrow I want to visit Ednza, Mayan ruins about an hout fom here.
Calakmul is too far - about 350 kn away (best to stay ar Escarga).
Wed I leave for merida. I have boked my flite to Guatemala city- 18 Jan, from Cancun.
I looked at some expensive ones and just nearby found a bargain. I wont say the name because it was rather dilapidated (think Point Rd Durban/Hillbow JHB or wrong side of tracks, Middlesbrough). Anyway it was sufficient for one night and I did have my own bathroom (ignored cobwebs in the shower).
On Sunday I was on my way to Campeche. This should have been a 5 and a 1/2 hr trip but turned into 8 hrs! It was a county service and stopped at every village and bustops at crossroads on the middle of nowhere. All this without getting off the bus for a toilet stop or more drinks - I did worry about dehydration/DVT but I am OK. At least I had a seat, others were standing.I did enjoy seeing the countryside change: more grassland and trees with lots of cattle herds, wetlands and then coming into the Yucatan, it became flatter and more jungley.
I have found a quiet hotel near the centre of Canpeche. this is a modest walled city that had to defend itself aginst the pirates (ingleses sin duda). There are fortified areas, a gate to the sea and one to the land. I took a "trolley ride" around the ciy and admired the colourful houses with heavy wooden dots and iron grilles and if coutse, the many churches. The church of San Ramon has a black Christ (statue made from African ebony). (am stuggling to type to night as keyboard has invisible characters!). Tomorrow I want to visit Ednza, Mayan ruins about an hout fom here.
Calakmul is too far - about 350 kn away (best to stay ar Escarga).
Wed I leave for merida. I have boked my flite to Guatemala city- 18 Jan, from Cancun.
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