The Mayans ruins of Palenque. My crew: a ragtag collection of Australians, Americans and one Spanish girl. The Jungle Palace, although well set in the forest, was not very palatial. Filthy mattresses, torn and stained sheets. The second night I had to chase ants out of the bed. Well, at least it was cheap Leaf-cutter ants annihilate the plants. That’s a spider.