While based in the seaside resort of Playa del Carmen (the ancient Maya port of Xamenha), side trips were to the famous Ix Chel (Moon Goddess) pilgrimage on Cozumel Island, to the huge inland site, still mainly unexcavated, of Coba with its 5 lakes and 45 roadways, to beautiful fortified Tulum (another ancient Mayan port and today the Mexican site most visited by tourists), and to Ek Balam and its remarkably preserved stucco figures.

We swam in the Caribbean, in cenotes, and in the lagoons of Xelha (once the port city for ancient Coba), and were taught how to make tortillas by Maya villagers.

The 2005 Spring Break trip to Mexico, at Tulum.Kneeling is Prof. Champlin. Left to right is Glenn Melvin (alumnus), Mickey Pelletier (student), Cynthia Reece, Karen Croyle(alumnus), Harriet Fox (student), Savannah Klunder (student), Kathleen Melvin (student), Brian Calhoun (alumnus), and Dr. Ed Barnhart, director of the Maya Exploration Center.	Bath House where we stayed at Ek Balam
Lunch on the beach at Chen Rio on Cozumel Island	Savannah Klunder in her new hammock