Chacchoben

We arrived at the ruins of Chacchoben “the place of the red corn” just in time to wave goodbye to the last group of tourists boarding the bus.  Now it was just us two wandering this ancient site .

Here in the forest the Mayans built not one, but two impressive temples.

Both reached to the sky above the canopy.

 

 

And still living in the canopy we encountered spider monkeys.

 

Another magical Mayan forest!

Kohunlich

Howler Monkeys greeted us in the trees overhead as we entered the parking area at the ruins.  Kohune palms are everywhere.....  hence the name Kohunlich.  Another beautiful example of the Mayan past.

The protected jungle is opened up here to reveal some great temples.  The largest, houses a nice collection of large figureheads and a great view of the surrounding forest.  Built around 500 A.D. Kinich Ahau (the sun face) is one of the Mayans most important deities.

Here at the base of this temple Jane and I had the extra treat watching a flock of Toucans.

The trip to these great ruins will not be forgotten.

Orizaba, Veracruz

Sunset on the Pica de Orizaba.

 

The highest peak in Mexico and the 3^rd highest in North America at 18,491 feet.

At the base of this now extinct volcano, in a valley in the southern part of the Sierra Madre Oriental, we made our home in the city of Orizaba near the city center.

The gondola (aka teleferico in espanol) made it easy for us to reach the top of the Cerro Borrego (Goat Mountain)....

 .....for a panoramic view of the city.

During an afternoon stroll along the pedestrian walkway along the river we encountered ostriches, jaguars, toucans and more.

The architecture includes Spanish Colonial and Art Nouveau.

The Palacio de Hierro (Steel Palace) was designed by the legendary Gustave Eiffel. Evidently in 1889 this building was in an exposition in Paris, and in 1891 it was completely disassembled, shipped to Mexico and re-constructed in Orizaba.