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Southern and Central Mexico Slideshow In an amazingly circuitous route, we covered a lot of ground in just three weeks in southern and central Mexico. Landing in Villahermosa - a steamy Gulf town - we grabbed a bus to Palenque (a fabled Mayan ruin set against a lush jungle backdrop) and continued via endless switchbacks to San Cristobal de las Casas. San Cristobal (the most Guatemalan of Mexican cities) was a terrific pit stop - pleasingly sited at about 7,000 feet above sea level.  The highlight: an illuminating day-long tour with Mercedes Hernandez Gomez of the surrounding traditional villages.  Not to be missed. We then hopped on a plane and flew into Oaxaca.  Great food, sensational crafts and several must-see archeological sites make this town a destination for any traveller seeking the "real" Mexico. Another plane and bus ride brought us to the silver capital of Mexico - Taxco. A wonderful colonial gem that is too often merely thought of as a day-tripper's shopping paradise.  Several nights stay proved otherwise. Finally, we rode into Mexico City and took in the sights and pleasures of the most cosmopolitan of Mexican cities. August 199528 Images4352 visitsAlbum by David KohlPhotos by David Kohl & Ross Rosenberg

Olmec Head Villahermosa is home to one of Mexico's most famous archeological parks - Parque Museo La Venta.  La Venta was one of three major Olmec cities during the pre-classic period (2000 B.C. to 300 A.D.). La Venta The ruins of La Venta were discovered in 1938 - 84 miles west of Villahermosa. La Venta All the gigantic heads were moved from  that site to this park. La Venta One of the three largest heads in the park is 6 1/2 feet tall and weighs around 40 tons.  It is estimated to have been carved around 1000 B.C. Sweaty in La Venta The basalt rock for these heads was transported 70 miles - probably by raft - to La Venta. (Warning: Mosquitos thrive on tourists in this park. Don't worry - conveniently placed mosquito repellent salespersons appear throughout the park when needed.) Palenque The ancient Maya city of Palenque was a ceremonial center for high priests during the Classic Period (300 - 900 A.D.). Palenque Palenque Temple of the Inscriptions - named for the great stone hieroglyphic panels found inside. Palenque Tour outside San Cristobal de las Casas Mercedes Hernandez Gomez (at the center of the photograph holding an umbrella) leads tours of the  villages outlying San Cristobal de las Casas. Chamula One of the villages outside San Cristobal. Chamula Chamula El Sumidero The canyon of El Sumidero lies 10 miles northeast of Tuxtla Gutierrez. Christmas Tree Waterfall A boat ride down the canyon gives visitors spectacular views of the gorge's scenery. . Oaxaca Santo Domingo Church in the heart of colonial Oaxaca. It was started by Dominican friars in the 1550's and completed a century later. Great Plaza of Monte Alban First inhabited by the Olmecs, the ancient city of Monte Alban looms over the city of Oaxaca.  But the Zapotecs began building the city in 500 B.C. Monte Alban The city was occupied for nearly 3,000 years - roughly from 1500 B.C. to 1400 A.D. Wood sculptures The small wood sculptures from villages surrounding Oaxaca are among the many crafts that are produced in the area. Wood sculptures Mitla Mitla was settled by the Zapotecs around 800 B.C. and later inhabited by the Mixtecs in the late 10th century.  The city was still flourishing at the time of the Spanish conquest. Mitla wall detail The most common motif - the zigzag pattern - can also be found in the blankets/rugs that are handwoven in the Oaxaca area.  Human or animal images are rare in Mixtec art. Mitla wall detail Taxco Taxco (pronouced Tahs-ko) - a city of about 87,000 and noted for its silver production - is situated at a refreshingly pleasant altitude of 5,850 feet. Taxco city view Over 180 silver shops line Taxco's streets. Hotel courtyard in Taxco Hotel Santa Prisca Santa Prisca Church Completed in 1758 after eight years of labor, Santa Prisca Church is one of Mexico's most impressive baroque churches. Sculpture in Santa Prisca