November 24, 2021 to November 25, 2021
Uxmal
November 24th, 2021
Today was one of those days when plans were forced to change. The plan was a short ride of thirty five kilometers along a country road to the Mayan archeological zone at Uxmal. This meant we didn't have to rush to get away early so we were only on the road after seven thirty. Two or three kilometers down the road a pickup truck stopped and the driver told us that the road was closed up ahead because it was being totally rebuilt. We felt pretty deflated because the only way to get to Uxmal now was a ride of more than seventy kilometers and we would have to brave the 180 once again. But there was little else we could do. So we turned around and headed back to the 180 and struggled into the headwind for about twenty five kilometers before heading eastwards towards Muna. By this time the wind had changed to blow from the east so it was still a struggle into the wind. We felt we wouldn't be able to make it to Uxmal today but a lunch stop in the village of Opichén revived us. The last ten kays were hard work but after checking in at the ridiculously expensive Uxmal Maya Resort, we dragged our bicycles up to our room on the second floor and headed down to the swimming pool
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Our hotel might be expensive and in need of maintenance but the restaurant gave us a great supper of Cochinita Pibil, one of the two classic Yucatan dishes, at a good price so it is not all bad.
November 25th, 2021
We were the first people through the gates of the Uxmal archeological zone at eight this morning and had it mostly to ourselves for our first circuit. The direction of travel in the archeological zones in Mexico is strictly controlled and I suspect they think you should only do one circuit. But we always hop over the barrier and do a second. By the time we did the second, it had filled up with busloads of visitors.
In a nutshell, it was fantastic. The Puuc style of building was very different to Tikal and Pelenque, the other two Mayan sites we have visited so far. I will let the pictures tell the story.
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Most of the archeological sites we have been to around the world are also good for birding and we had some nice sightings today at Uxmal. Much of it was in the dappled light of the under-story so photography was difficult but we managed to pick up a few new species..
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2 years ago
2 years ago
p.s. I noticed only one bird in your week in the Karoo (but not exactly a surfeit of trees either!).
2 years ago
The Karoo, like most drier areas, can be quite devoid of bird life at times but can suddenly erupt with enormous numbers of birds if there has been good rainfall. I guess the wind and the heat also blunted my enthusiasm for photography at the time. Still, it remains a favourite place on Earth for me.
2 years ago
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There were also lots of iguanas climbing over the ruins, including a few spiky males.
We will most likely head to Xuux Eek, a little eco-lodge between here and Merida, tomorrow where we should get some more birding done.
Today's ride: 79 km (49 miles)
Total: 2,621 km (1,628 miles)
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2 years ago
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