Damn!  It's been 14 months between this trip and now (May 2nd, 2004) when I'm finally doing the write up.  Aside from having forgotten so much detail, I want to finish it and start any one of the other dozen or so projects on my "To Do" list.  So, I going to have to let the photos speak for themselves with only minimal comments and hints for the motorcycle travellers.

This is my favorite photo from the whole trip.  I'm guessing this structure was a storehouse because it had a small "cellar" with narrow stairs as the only access.

The Cross Complex. I think I recall hearing that the Spanish explorers convinced themselves that Christ had visited Palenque and introduced the cross as a religious symbol.

The Palace of the Inscriptions was roped off from the public the day I was there.	View from the Temple of the Cross

This is the main palace with the now grassy plaza in front.  There is standing room for a crowd of probably 10-20,000 people in the plaza.	This tower seems to be unique in all latin-american, pre-hispanic arquitecture.

Two example of reliefs, both photo enhanced to bring out the color and depth. Below, the skull carving of the Temple of the Skull.

There is one story I have to tell about Palanque. The day I went to see the ruins, I arrived as early as I could, about 8:00 at the museum/gift shop thinking I'd found the entrance to the ruins. The sign said it would open at 9:00, no problem. I waited around a half hour or so before I figured out that I had to go another couple of kilometers up the road to get to the real entrance. I parked the bike in front of a restaurant and went in to tour the site. I'll let the pictures speak for themselves, it's worth a visit!

So, when I finished the tour, I stopped in a restaurant for some breakfast. While I was munching away I saw a kid, one of the parking lot attendants, walk up to the bike, pull a bungy cord free and walk away... I walked over to where he was sitting at another restaurant and told him to give it to me. He did and I walked back to my breakfast.

Then the owner of my restaurant told me I really ought to go and complain. When I finished eating I went up to the ticket booth to ask for a cop. Another of the parking attendants overheard me and asked who I had paid to look after the bike. I hadn't made a deal with any of them, so he said, "Well, that explains it." Like it's my fault I got ripped of? Oh, please! I never did see a cop to take the complaint.

Sadly, I have to warn you to look out when dealing with the staff at the ruins. The people in town were nice, especially at the coffee shop.

Finally, a good cup of coffee.

Next, through Tabasco and La Venta to San Andres Tuxtla