On the Road is a weekday feature spotlighting reader photo submissions.
From the exotic to the familiar, whether you’re traveling or in your own backyard, we would love to see the world through your eyes.
lashonharangue
The next day we boarded a van and headed south to Frontera Corazol on the Usumacinta River (aka the Sacred Monkey River). The river there is the border between Mexico and Guatemala. The rafting company who organized the trip is dedicated to protecting wild rivers around the world. We were told this was the mildest white water river they do.
We got into inflatable rafts and kayaks and started an easy paddle down the river.
The jungle was on both sides of the border.
A short distance from the put in the river makes a big horseshoe bend. We made camp there on the Mexico side because in the afternoon we hiked up the river bank to visit the Mayan ruin of Yaxchilan.
We entered a dark passage to what is called the labyrinth. It was a series of passages but not really a place to get lost in. Our guide said it was a place for meditation and spiritual purification.
There were small bats on the walls. So I was happy to see these stairs climbing out of the structure.
The lintel of the exit had this elaborate carving.
Here is the front of the structure we emerged from.
We walked around a plaza and then had to climb this series of steps. If you can’t do steps then skip visiting Mayan ruins.
At the top was a building with several rooms and a display of figures and glyphs that had once been on the structure.
While some of the group was looking at this building a group of howler monkeys came by to eat in the trees next to us. The monkeys seemed to ignore us. During our trip we heard them frequently (90dB SPL). It was ironic that the only time I saw them they kept quiet.
Baud
Cool. I’ve never been to Guatemala.
Geo Wilcox
I love the contrast between those yellow leafed trees and the dark green shrubbery.
Betty
The labyrinth looks like an interesting place to explore. Your tip about not visiting Mayan ruins if you can’t handle steps is quite wise. Maybe in my next life.
Torrey
Thank you for these pictures and the travelogue. I really appreciate seeing where others have been. “Mildest white water they do”: I’m not sure that phrase is as calming as they might think it is.
eclare
Fascinating.
stinger
What an interesting trip!
pat
Just amazing to think of them hauling all those stones up all those steps….. I want to know more about the Maya culture.
way2blue
lashonharangue—do you know what the yellow flowering trees are? So striking! I’m not keen on dark passageways lined with bats either. But. What an amazing trip. Thanks for sharing.
lashonharangue
@way2blue: It may be a species of guayacan. But I am not sure.
neldob
Wonderful! What company did you use for this adventure?
Dan B
neldob
Wonderful! What company did you use for the rafting?
lashonharangue
@neldob: https://sierrarios.org/
neldob
Thanks!