Las Cascadas de Misol-Ha

We finished up at Palenque around noon and headed back to our hotel for cold showers and lunch before checkout.  It was crazy hot by noon, so the showers (number 2 of the day for each of us) were badly needed.  So, we said our goodbyes to the hotel employees that had been following us around since our arrival (a bit odd), and set off for more adventure in the jungle.  We were on our way to Agua Azul, pretty much the Niagara Falls of Mexico...or at least Chiapas, when we stumbled upon this pretty little waterfall and decided to have a look.

The falls were narrow this day, though internet pictures show a much more spectacular sight.  It was still very impressive though, as it was very very high up, so it was extra dramatic.

There was swimming allowed in the lagoon below the falls, and this warning sign lets would-be swimmers know that it is dangerous to swim in clothing and shoes, as the water is very deep.  So...what are you supposed to swim in?  Is a bathing suit not an article of clothing?  Perplexing...

A view of the falls from the side, very picturesque.

Here we are smiling through the sweat!  We found a little (paved) path leading into the side of the mountain, so we decided to follow it and see where it lead...

As we wound out way behind the waterfall, we saw our destination: ominous cave...

The story of how I ended up running around in the jungle in my pajamas is a woeful tale, but I rocked it anyway!  Look out!  The jungle appears to be creeping up behind me, even under a rock!

Yet another view of the falls...

These crazy jungle vines were growing through solid rock.  It feels like Tarzan could come swinging out at any minute!

Upon arrival to destination ominous cave, we encountered this rotten looking plank, and decided to turn back.  I am getting braver everyday (I think jumping in a gas-perfumed Mexican rental car and driving blind with no GPS into Zapatista territory is pretty brave!), but I am not stupid.  If that rotten plank is how one enters ominous cave, one can only imagine the horrors that might await inside.

Mini-waterfall spouting out of what appeared to be solid rock.  Water, water everywhere...

After the cave trail and paying 50 pesos to use a bathroom whose door was in fact nothing more than a tarp, we headed back to the car.  It was about 110 degrees by this time, and we were in need of some air conditioning for our trip deeper into Chiapas to see the wonders at Agua Azul...