Spotting Monkeys in The Mayan Jungle Ruins of Comalcalco, Tabasco

We got back on the road on Friday, heading back to Tabasco on what we were told was a much newer and nicer road than the one that led into Simojovel.  Well, that turned out to be debatable, as this road also had its share of holes and sunken areas where it became only one lane,

as well as other surprises, like this area where a waterfall created a stream across the road.

Once again we're Indian Jones and company!  But the reward was being surrounded by the wonders of nature in all its glory.

We made it safely to Tabasco, greeted by banana stands lining the road,

and spent the night in Villahermosa, before moving on to Comalcalco, an archeological site.

Comalcalco is home to an ancient Mayan settlement that was developed between 250 and 950 AD, a contemporary to Palenque.  It sits in a large clearing,

surrounded by jungle.

Since there is no stone in this area, the older buildings were made using compacted earth coated with thick layers of stucco made from charred oyster shells, followed over time by the use of bricks in various sizes.

Several carvings are still well preserved on the structures.

I am continually as fascinated with the flora and fauna of each site as I am with the ruins themselves.  I spotted this beautiful orange bird,

this enormous ant hill on the side of a tree,

gorgeous yellow flowering trees,

and this tree trunk, which looked to me like the foot of an elephant.

But my greatest and most memorable reward of the day was being able to see the monkeys in the trees.  I heard their haunting calls in the distance when we were in Palenque, but this was the first time I was actually able to see monkeys in the wild.  It was thrilling!

After visiting the ruins, we completed our tour with the on site museum, displaying treasures that have been unearthed from the site.  I am always especially delighted to see the statues of the women,

and also found these bones of a body found in the fetal position particularly moving.

Since we are now making our way back home, we got back in the car and continued on to the state of Veracruz, feeling so happy to have made the time to visit Comalcalco.

I wish you all a very happy and productive Thursday!

xoxo Linda