7th Sep - Uxmal

Today a bit more savvey we ask for first class ticket to Umxal only to be thwarted - there is no first class bus to Uxmal. So back on the 2nd class bus - but this time it´s only an hour or so away.

Uxmal is another massive Myan site inhabited from 700AD to 1200AD. We wander through the trees and our first glimpse is of the huge Pyramis which is unusually oval shaped and the outside walls are flat and not stepped like most of the others.

We climb up to the XX building which is fantastic. There are beautiful carvings over the door lintels and beautiful archways between the buildings. Behind it is another a massive Pyramid not fully dug out of the jungle. From the side you can see the oval Pyramid and onto the ball court. IT´s really quite small compared to Chich Itza but has such a beautiful setting. The Court of the Nuns behind it has beautiful carvings on the top and a lovely archway frames the back of the court.

We wander through the ball court into the Court and it´s massive with gisnt scultpures framing stepp sided steep up to different temples.

Uxmal is a lot less touristy - it´s not in the day trip region of Cancun, and therefore it´s a lot quieter. You can really wander around alone thinking on the the people who built this, lived in it and finally abandoned it. There is a lot more of the original carvings and sculptures left than at Teotihuacan, not sure if that´s down to the age or the pieces have been removed. There is still evidence of the red, white and green stucco on some walls.

So far, although Teotihuacan is the most impressive due to it´s sheer size, this is my favourite cos it´s so lovely and peaceful. Can´t wait for the rest.