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COBA MAYAN RUINS
We also visited the Coba Mayan Ruins, again just inside Quinata Roo. The bulk of the construction was undertaken about 700 to 900AD but it is thought that the site was occupied until the arrival of the Spanish. The site is set around two large lagoons and here is one of the main temple pyramids. The climb to the top was quite perilous (it's higher than it looks) but the view was magnificent.
Nohoch Mul Pyramid - Coba
View from Nohoch Mul Pyramid
............and again
Our guide referred to this magnificent tree as the Mayan Sacred Tree of Life. I therefore assume it is Ceiba Pentandra or the Kapok Tree. The Mayans held this tree in high regard as a spiritual link between heaven, earth and man. They lose their spiney trunks at about seven years old and grow considerably bigger than this. The seeds also yield cotton like fibres used in clothing.
Ceiba Pentranda
Base of Ceiba Pentranda with epiphyte growing on trunk. Note the stone ring in the background. This was part of a court where an ancient Mayan Ball game was played. Apparantly the losing team captain was sacrificed to the gods !
More striking ferns - this time on an ancient Mayan 'road'
Another young Sabal Yappa
This one obviously has a strong desire to live
I assume that the passageway predates the tree!
Agave Karwinskii I think
More striking epiphytes in the forest.....
.....as far as the eye could see
I was very surprised to find this Phoenix Dactylifera (the proper date palm) growing in a marginal area by one of the lagoons. Its about the only Phoenix I saw and assume it was planted by a local.
Not sure what this large bromeliad type plant was. It was about 8 feet tall but not in flower
Colourful market at Coba entrance
Finally on the way back we stopped at one of the rural villages. Here are some of the local children, two in traditional dress.
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