18 November 2005
Palenque: Roughing It
Day 54 - Saturday 12th November 2005
I had originally planned to get up early on Sunday morning and travel up to Palenque to see the ancient Mayan city of the same name, however myself and James found ourselves at loose ends and adjusted our plans to go up on Saturday instead.
We attempted to leave at midday for the five hour trip, but having used the internet in the morning I found out that England were due to kick off at 10.45 Mexican time. Naturally we postponed the departure so we could watch England beat the Argies. Just as full time approached we learned that the Aussies were palying Uraguay in a few hours, so we again postponed our departure to watch the game. After watching the Uraguayans win 1-0 we hopped on the bus for the 5 hour journey to Palenque.
When we arrived we taxied to our chosen hotel and were informed there was no room at the inn. There were however hammocks available to rent. It being the late and the hotel being in the middle of nowhere we decided it would be pertinent to hang a hammock and take our chances with the mosquitoes.
Palenque is in the middle of the jungle and at half ten it was pretty hot and humid. After much faffing about in the dark trying to get our hammocks we managed it and got into them ready for a good nights sleep. No such luck. With every passing hour the temperature dropped just enough for me to require an extra layer of clothing to stay warm. By the time about 4am came, I was out of clothes and the temperature was still dropping. For the next three hours until sunrise I lay awake shivering and wondering how the f*ck tarzan managed to survive in the jungle with only a loincloth for warmth!
One blessing on my side was the earplugs. I have found these to be invaluable so far on the trip and this night especially they spared me from the noises of the stereotypical bongo-playing unwashed who frequent campsites everywhere, as well as the frankly disturbing sounds of nature that eminated from the jungle.
There we go, loads of entries!
I’m going to Flores in Guatemala tomorrow, I was going to go to Belize for the weeknd but I hear there may be a hurricane heading that way so I’m gonna go inland a bit.
Need to Spanish school over with if I’m gonna be scuba diving at Xmas anyway. I’ll leave you all with that. Scuba Diving at Xmas.
Ciao.
Posted by Roy on: 18th November 2005 at 03:17 am
Glad to hear those plugs from my little pack up have come in so handy for you! I’m just using them against the disturbing noises in my urban jungle (hotel room) Think i’ll end up smacking my pig of a room mate soon if he doesn’t stop ruining my sleep with his constant snoring!!
Posted by Mannequin Man on: 18th November 2005 at 20:27 pm
Toy
Spurs play West Ham on Sunday 13.00 KO.
Your reports are great keep going, careful in Guatamala,
Nothing changes here, very cold this week, have good hold of some 2nd hand fishing gear on the cheap going Sunday to Rodbridge near Sudbury, hope to catch more than a cold
Phil
Posted by Roy on: 18th November 2005 at 20:34 pm
Jonesy, good to hear you enjoying y’self and expanding your love of mankind. Nice pic on your blog mainpage and I see your hairs grown somewhat!! keep in touch enjoy the tequila and pulque and I will email soon
Posted by Jim Curtis on: 21st November 2005 at 10:38 am