Climbing Coba

Yep, we climbed this! 
Still can't believe we followed in the path of thousands before us by climbing the tallest Maya pyramid in the Yucatan of Mexico. 

Figured that it was a good time to warm things up around this little space by sharing more on our time in Mexico. It was the quickest trip, but we managed to explore several sets of Maya Ruins. While Coba is the least popular of all the ruins we visitied, it was also a favorite of ours, so I thought I'd start the recaps here. 

Coba truly was a city and the paths we walk there today are the original scabe (white roads) that the Maya people followed. Most of the complex has yet to be excavated, which adds to the wonder of this gorgeous place. Because what you can see there just scratches the surface of the world that was once here. 

                                          morning sunrise coming through the jungle 

+ can't get enough time with this guy amongst the palm trees

The City of Coba is so large that instead of walking, you can bike around the complex. 

Or you can take what an aptly named "gringo cart". Basically, carts where small Mexcian men bike around heavy set gringos. 

We obviously chose to bike for ourselves and nothing beats biking through a jungle full of palm trees. 

Normally we like to explore on our own, but we hired a guide at Coba, which was the best decision. Not only did we have someone to show us around this massive complex, but we were able to learn so much about the ritual games and culture of the Maya people that gave context to everything we were seeing. 

exploring this city of coba with this crazy guy 

And of course the real reason for our visit to Coba was to climb Nohoch Mul. This pyramid is one of the tallest intact Maya pyramids in the world. It's even taller than Chichen Itza (a modern wonder of the world), and unlike Chichen Itza, you can climb this pyramid. 

I'm not sure how I feel about the fact that they allow people to climb the pyramids. From a preservation standpoint, it seems that it would be better not to. But if it's allowed, then of course we're going to do it. 

I spy me in a hot pink tee ( of course)! 

Views from the top! 

Between biking through the jungle and climbing the ruins, Coba really was the most interactive place to visit and learn about the history of the great Maya peoples. Experiences like this one is exactly why we travel...to see new worlds and embrace a different culture. To learn from those who came before us. 

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