Mexico Pt. 3 | Sótanos de las Golondrinas & Las Pozas Castle in Xilitla
Catching sights of dreamy, surrealist castles by eccentric architect, Edward James, and a natural wonder of the world. The Cave of Swallows (“Sótanos de las Golondrinas”) is the largest known cave shaft in the world and the second deepest pit in Mexico. The cave gets its name from the white-collared swifts (not Swallows, but a bird of similar family) and the green parakeets that live along its walls. At sunrise the birds fly in concentric circles up the cave shaft spilling into the sky and out to the jungle. At sunset, we watched them circle in masses diving 126-km/hr into the deep dark hole.
Our drive to the mountains were crisp and cool compared to the humid, sun beaten subtropical areas. We pass by the coffee bean fields while we drive.A cool hike of about 1,000 steps to the deep abyss in the forest floor.Quiet hike right before sunsetThis is a 160- to 205-foot gaping hole in the forest floor that drops straight down 1,220 – 1,904 feet
Living on the edge… Sitting on the edgeDon’t look downI looked down. This picture doesn’t do it justice.We watched white-collared swifts getting ready for the diveI thought my camera couldn’t catch this. This was at 3.7 frames per second and it was still a blur.Selling local handmade waresAnother beautiful sight during our return backNothing beats fresh tacos after a long hike. We ordered 18 of these =O~~You don’t understand how happy we were for fresh food xDAnd the ice cold Coronas…. =O~~~Our accommodations were not concealed from the bugs, so we pitched our tent in the room :PGood morning!
Next stop is a view into an eccentric mind with a hefty inheritance. Visiting Edward James’ Las Pozas Castle in subtropical Xilitla forest.
Can’t get enough of these windy roads and clear skies.Xilitla, a little town with a big statement historical piece of art history, Las Pozas (“The Pools”)Beautiful creatures greets us at the entrance.Majestic doors for skinny giantsThis guy first made a complete castle of orchids, but a storm came through and destroyed all his glory. In return, he made a concrete garden no storm could destroy.Architecture is full of complexities and organic lines similar to the orchid flower.Another unusual door for who knows what.Getting lost in the garden.Looming concave, convex swirling towersMore beautiful creatures dangling daintly between the architectureFound a handsome soul traveling along my pathBursting giant flowers accent cornersTall decorative beams like bamboo treesNo safety nets, no guard rails. Just pure exploration<3Design blends well in the green
We were so lost..
Singing and dancing along the path ;DSwirling exposed stairs look like the skeleton of a forest
Exploring where paths end and new ones begin. Sometimes they just bring you back to the beginning.I found this wild creature all locked up, so I brought him home with me :P
Now this. This. Is. It.Feeling so small..Lurking on the eye of the forestMore structural festivities tangled in the forestConcrete ribs of the jungleFound the pools intertwined with the castleKids play and slide through the mini falls created
Taking a dip in the cold, fresh spring water
After a nice swim we took back to the road. Next stop, scuba diving. Hope you enjoyed!
CLICK. BLINK. SNAP. 