Docked
today in Puerto Chiapas, about as far south as you can go in Mexico.
We were only 8 miles from the Guatemalan border. This is a very
agricultural region, which makes is the 7th most
prosperous state (of 32) in Mexico. The crops grown are mangos,
bananas, guava, citrus, rice, beans, squash, chili, cattle...you get
the idea.
This
area was settled in about 4000BC by the Mocaya, then the Olmec took
over, and finally the Maya. We did go to the ruins of
Ixtapa...actually the ruins are all over the place here, and the one
we went to was area F, of eight open to tourists. Apparently
artifacts are found all the time in fields and road construction.
We
visited the town of Tuxtla Chico, which means little boy rabbit in
the local, Mayan-derived, language. Reminded me so much of India,
with the same kind of construction, heat and humidity, bicycle
rickshaws (except here the rider is in front, not behind the driver)
and market so much like a bazaar. (Did I mention the heat and
humidity, especially the humidity?)
Here
we had a demonstration of chocolate production (All my kids will get
a sample.) with lots of tasting, then the local dancing, which I took
part in. We then went to the Ixtapa and saw the Mayan ruins, and
then back to the ship.
A very
enjoyable day---did I mention hot and humid?--and Pam and I are tired
tonight. After dinner, a short visit to the casino, and then off to
bed. Huatulco tomorrow.
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