Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

“I was told there would be no fact checking.”

Anne Laurie is a fucking hero in so many ways. ~ Betty Cracker

Let there be snark.

No one could have predicted…

When do we start airlifting the women and children out of Texas?

75% of people clapping liked the show!

I desperately hope that, yet again, i am wrong.

Human rights are not a matter of opinion!

Fundamental belief of white supremacy: white people are presumed innocent, minorities are presumed guilty.

This year has been the longest three days of putin’s life.

This fight is for everything.

They are lying in pursuit of an agenda.

Never give a known liar the benefit of the doubt.

This chaos was totally avoidable.

Dumb motherfuckers cannot understand a consequence that most 4 year olds have fully sorted out.

Today in our ongoing national embarrassment…

If you voted for Trump, you don’t get to speak about ethics, morals, or rule of law.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

The lights are all blinking red.

Incompetence, fear, or corruption? why not all three?

“When somebody takes the time to draw up a playbook, they’re gonna use it.”

So many bastards, so little time.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it is not glory.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

You are here: Home / Photo Blogging / On The Road – lashonharangue – Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4]

On The Road – lashonharangue – Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4]

by | 14 Comments

This post is in: , ,

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.

Submit Your Photos

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.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 9
Usumacinta River

We got into inflatable rafts and kayaks and started an easy paddle down the river.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 8
Usumacinta River

The jungle was on both sides of the border.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 7
Usumacinta River

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.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 6
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.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 5
Yaxchilan

There were small bats on the walls. So I was happy to see these stairs climbing out of the structure.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 4
Yaxchilan

The lintel of the exit had this elaborate carving.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 3
Yaxchilan

Here is the front of the structure we emerged from.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 2
Yaxchilan

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.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4] 1
Yaxchilan

At the top was a building with several rooms and a display of figures and glyphs that had once been on the structure.

On The Road - lashonharangue - Mayan Ruins and the Sacred Monkey River [2 of 4]
Yaxchilan

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.

Reader Interactions

14Comments

  2. 2.

    Geo Wilcox

    I love the contrast between those yellow leafed trees and the dark green shrubbery.

  3. 3.

    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.

  4. 4.

    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.

  7. 7.

    pat

    Just amazing to think of them hauling all those stones up all those steps…..  I want to know more about the Maya culture.

  8. 8.

    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.

  11. 11.

    Dan B

    • The only time we’ve been to Gustemala was a stopover in Guatemala City on our flight to Ciata Rica.  Teenage boys in full military dress whites with machine guns checked I.D’s.  Plus I had a crew of guys from Guatemala do some dramatic grading in our backyard.  The rectangular pond is named Atitlan after Lago Atitlan, a crater lake, and the raised terrace made from the pond and rill excavations is Tikal.
    • That ends my tales of Guatemala.

Comments are closed.