Villahermosa To Palenque

We stayed in Villahermosa for over a week and during that time we got our share of rain! It is a tropical downpour that literally comes down in buckets. I extended the awning but had to tip it sharply at one end to prevent water “Puddling” in the center.

We packed up and got away by 10:30. I hate this job, dumping and putting everything away. Cables, hoses etc. are always bigger when you try to put them away than when you take them out.

As we pulled out and the RV tipped, about 2 – 3 cups of water poured out from above the window beside the kitchen table! I had a look and could not figure out where it came from. It has been very humid so it may have been condensation created by the A/C. I will have to watch to see if the problem repeats itself.

As you approach the city limits of Villahermosa there is a big sign directing vehicles with trailers to the Perifico, a ring road circling the city. Not wanting a repeat of the police incident and as we are towing the car on a dolly, I made sure I took this road. It was a disaster! It was under repair most of the way and had many potholes and level changes that rocked the motorhome. When we got to Palenque we talked to a couple from the same campground and they stopped at the exit and told that because the Perifico was in such bad repair, this law had been temporarily waived! Just my luck! They made it through town on the highway in 20 minutes and it took us over an hour and a lot of frustration.

We drove the two hundred KM to Palenque without incident, paid our $50 Peso fee to enter the National Park where the ruins are located and checked into the Mayabell RV Park. The Mayabell is a eclectic place that rents palapas to hang hammocks, small cabins and RV spaces. The RV spaces have full hookups and are very reasonable at $150 Pesos a night. We booked for three nights and paid about $45 CAN. We found a nice site, parked and hooked up the StarChoice. We have been told there are Howler Monkeys in the forest here that have a very unusual cry. I shall listen for it.

There is a palapa restaurant on the grounds with an unusual method of getting your food. You read the menu on the wall, go to the registration desk where the receptionist writes down what you want and takes your money. You then take the receipt to the kitchen where your meal is prepared. When it is ready you are called to come and get it. I had pescado done in a Verecruz sauce and got a whole deep fried fish. It was actually very good but did not contain all that much meat. Norma had some thinly cut steak with fries and a small salad. I ate her salad so we both went away content but not quite full. No problem, we have desert stashed in the fridge.

The Palenque Ruins, one of the Seven Wonders of The Modern World, are less then a kilometre up the road. Adventure awaits tomorrow, but only after a trip to town to find an ATM and a place with WIFI so I can post some Blog entries.