We've finally done some traveling by renting a car and driving to the state of Quintana Roo and visiting the towns of Bacalar, Chetumal, and Tulum.  Bacalar is a small town located on the second largest lake in Mexico.  The water was warm and crystal clear.  We were pleased with our hotel (Hotel Laguna Bacalar) which was a somewhat funky old resort hotel that Mexican citizens tend to frequent. 

Our Bathroom

The sign refers to the shell covered, resin coated counter top!

 But as I said, the view was stunning!

The next day (Sunday, Feb. 17) we drove to the city of Chetumal (on the border with Belize)  to have breakfast in a nice hotel there.  Then we drove west to some little visited ruins called Dzibanche.  We're finding that we really like the smaller ruins that most tourist don't visit.  Dzibanche was believed to have flourished between 300 A.D. and 800 A.D. and covered some 40 sq. kilometers (25 sq. miles).

Looking straight up in a room in the temple towards the ceiling.

This photo shows a ruin that has not be excavated - it rises up from the ground and is covered in plant life and trees.

The government has come in and planted the sides of a temple to deter further deterioration.