The ruins at
Tulum were a 45 minute drive from the resort. It was interesting to see how the Mayans lived. We had a tour guide that gave us a walking tour, he was great and explained to us how the Mayan people were like the American Indians in so much as they had their native lands taken over by the Spanish.
The big building in the back was their temple.
This is a view from the temple, the big building to the right was a public building. Many of the people lived in the surrounding wooded areas and would come to this area to trade and socialize.
The water color here was unbelievably pretty. There were about four different shades of blue and
turquoise. The little building in this picture was built for the god of the sea.
Huh? Apparantely the Mayan people also had ATM's!
Next up, the Mayan's idea of a swing set/maypole/merry-go-round.
They go around and around and hold their arms and bodies still.
The Mayan people did this to promote a good harvest and fertility. If one of the men crashes to the ground it is said a natural disaster will occur. (I imagine it doesn't end well for him either.)
They go around the pole 13 times for the number of months in the Mayan calendar.
They make it down to the ground and are released by another member of their team. The guy at the top just climbs down the pole. Fascinating! Then they pick up tin cans and tell you that you owe them 40 pesos (about $3) for taking their pictures, I paid, just watching them was worth the $3. 
