Yesterday we took another adventure trip with April the tour guide. This time we headed north and inland to an ancient site in the jungle that is still used for ceremonies by the local Indians. We met at the usual spot near the marina and packed into the van with friends from Galatea and Denise from Vamanos. Hans could not make the trip as he had some bad food the night before (a common occurrence down here!) The trip to the site was about an hour drive through some small towns. We stopped along the way at one of the many roadside stands that all seem to sell exactly the same thing. There were probably close to 40 stands all selling pineapples, coconuts, and home made candies of various kinds. Hard to say how they all stay in business selling the same thing.
It was hard to choose as they all sounded very tasty!
We went for the Guava Roll. Very sweet.
The site is located in an ancient river valley that has been used by the local Indians for thousands of years. To get there, we hiked along a trail through some mango orchards.
There were hundreds of petroglyphs in the area dating from a few hundred to possibly of few thousand years old. No one really knows for sure, as this area has never been studied. They do know that the area was used for human and animal sacrifice and for various religious ceremonies. The carvings in the rocks depict warriors, seasons, crops, and animals.
The main area is called the Pool of Kings, and is laid out like a giant theatre. No one knows how much of the layout was natural, and how much was man made. There is definitely a strange feeling in the air around the pools, almost like you are being watched. Originally, the carvings were painted with vegetable dies made from plants in the area. Over the decades, all the paint has worn away.
On the way back to La Cruz, we stopped at the sea side village of Chacala where we had lunch on the beach. Great way to end a fun day.
The tour group
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