El Canon de Sumidero y Chiapas del Corzo

On our first full day in Chiapas, we joined a tour to visit the Sumidero Canyon and a nearby community called Chiapas del Corzo.

The Canyon trip was pretty, but not particularly satisfying beyond that. We were moved like cattle in large motorboats up and down the river - flatwater as the result of a downstream dam completed in 1980. There was little information or background from our guide.

The most memorable - and heart-breaking - story about this canyon I learned independently. In the 16th century, when the Spaniards eventually invaded this area, a fierce battle erupted with a local Mayan community on the lands high above this river. These people had heard plenty about the ways of the Spaniards, but had not yet encountered them. They put up a good fight, but in the end proved no match for guns and steel.  Recognizing their defeat, they refused to surrender and become slaves to the invaders. Instead, they gathered up their children in their arms and jumped off the cliffs above the canyon of Sumidero, falling several thousand meters to the rocks and rapids - and to their death - below. Awful.

After our journey on the river, we visited a small town nearby, before climbing back into the mountains of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas. The highlight of Chiapas del Corzo was the Pozol de Cacao - a cold cacao/cinnamon/maize drink served traditionally in a coconut half-shell. Very tasty indeed.

This the motorboat we climbed into to tour el canon sumidero. There were probably 50 passengers. Mooo.

Liesl and J - it was windy...

See the face of the monkey on the rock face?

This is one of several spider monkeys that we passed.

This is called the Christmas Tree - a formation of water and minerals and plants. At the top of the Christmas tree an underground river flows out of the canyon wall and creates this rather wild formation.

Freshwater crocs live along the banks of the river.

A good view of the immense size of the canyon walls.

Look carefully among the rocks and roots and you can see a gaggle of cute little baby crocs sunning themselves near the banks of the river. Mama Croc was in the river, just a few feet away. They are highly protective of their young'ins.

The Bogaards in Chiapas del Corzo.

Hanging from the ceiling of this giant brick gazebo in the plaza were a few dozen tiny bats.

Amy and kiddos ordering yet another ice cream cone...can you have too many?