The Ruins

[sonofabeach]

Hi all.
Perhaps someone has already mentioned this.
I'm in the middle of a great book by Scott Smith called The Ruins about a vacation in Mexico gone terribly wrong. He's the same guy that wrote A Simple Plan. The only reason I bought it was because I flipped it open in the store (BJ's) to a page mentioning Coba and Vallodolid. In fact, It takes place near Coba.
Just thought I'd mention it.

[DougSR]

You know, this reminds me...has anyone rented the new Mel Gibson movie "Apocalypto"? It's supposedly a movie about the Mayan culture and I was curious if it was worth my time. I hate sub-titles but would fight through it if it were a good movie.

[Lulu]

Hi all.
Perhaps someone has already mentioned this.
I'm in the middle of a great book by Scott Smith called The Ruins about a vacation in Mexico gone terribly wrong. He's the same guy that wrote A Simple Plan. The only reason I bought it was because I flipped it open in the store (BJ's) to a page mentioning Coba and Vallodolid. In fact, It takes place near Coba.
Just thought I'd mention it.

That's TOO funny - I bought this book today. :D

[beachreader]

I read The Ruins on my trip last December. It still haunts me from time to time when I'm out working in my yard, but I don't want to spoil anything for Lulu. :eek:

Doug, no, I haven't seen Apocalypto, but a lot of people saw it when it came out in theaters. Do a search here or on LG or Playa.Info and you'll find a whole lot of reviews.

[Lulu]

I read The Ruins on my trip last December. It still haunts me from time to time when I'm out working in my yard, but I don't want to spoil anything for Lulu. :eek:

oooh, must be one spooky story if it still gets to ya. Sounds FANTASTIC! :D:D:D I started it this morning, and if it's true what it says on the cover, I should be finished in about 8 hours ;)

[Lulu]

You know, this reminds me...has anyone rented the new Mel Gibson movie "Apocalypto"? It's supposedly a movie about the Mayan culture and I was curious if it was worth my time. I hate sub-titles but would fight through it if it were a good movie.

I really enjoyed this movie... very graphic, but not so much as to be disgusting. The ending is a bit off historically, but it IS just a movie... I would recommend watching it. I tend to judge movies on the "would I watch it again" scale, and this is one I would definitely watch again.

[BP.]

Yeah, gotta agree with the other readers, a page turner, and a chiller!!!

[beachreader]

Lulu, come back and tell us when you're finished!

[minniemex]

I think I will have to get this book before my vacation - sounds like a very good read!!

[sonofabeach]

Finished it today and I loved it. First horror book that I ever read. I usually read offbeat Florida writers. The characters were great and it was pretty scary. Having been in Mexico helped me picture it in my head...well, the scenery anyway.

Oh and Apocalypto was great!

[AdGuy]

Thanks for the book report and film review, sonofabeach. I've not viewed either so I'll definitely have to rent/buy both. BTW...I love your signature! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/36/36_11_6.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[minniemex]

http://tulum.info/http://widget.slide.com/rdr/1/1/3/W/100000009c7595b/1/96/M-eQ6kI14D9tixmz1XTTP5e7nNhL13NN.jpg (http://www.slide.com/s/qGPIiuTX7D8LL7DGVBvjCs-yVQiYCgpU?referrer=hlnk)

What would AdGuy do??

SOB - WTH were you thinking when you posted this?? Lee already has a big head!! http://www.33smiley.com/smiley5/emotions/1.gif

[BP.]

I think I will have to get this book before my vacation - sounds like a very good read!!

Yeah, Minniemex, pick it up- I think the paperback came out recently. It'll keep you occupied on the beach (and away from jungle ruins :o !)

[AdGuy]

What would AdGuy do??

SOB - WTH were you thinking when you posted this?? Lee already has a big head!! http://www.33smiley.com/smiley5/emotions/1.gif


Don't pick on my super-insightful homeboy...we Clay County, Florida dudes look out for each other!! Of course, this probably means I'll need to buy him a beer at one of the local microbreweries!! :)

Big head? Naahhhh. Well I gotta run. I need to go check out if www.WWAGD.com (http://www.WWAGD.com) is taken? :D

[beachreader]

You're right, SOB, it's definitely horror. My friend wouldn't tell me anything about it except that it's set near Coba (we'd been to Coba together the previous year). The other gal we were with read it first so I got to see her reactions to things, but she tried to keep it under control when I was around.

So I really had no idea what was going to happen. And once it started happening, I was too hooked to put it down. Smith writes great characters and dialog, no matter how ridiculous some of the action gets.

But nowadays, when I'm out in the back doing battle with the ivy and the kudzu, I hear the whispering laughter... :eek:

[lianne]

Read it too! I'm a Steven King fan, and his recommendation on the cover, plus the name of the book, prompted me to buy it. It will stay with you for days after you finish it. The end was sure not what I was expecting.......everyone should give this a try, even if horror isn't your cup of tea.:eek:

[TheWindyCity]

You know, this reminds me...has anyone rented the new Mel Gibson movie "Apocalypto"? It's supposedly a movie about the Mayan culture and I was curious if it was worth my time. I hate sub-titles but would fight through it if it were a good movie.

The movie depicts more so the Mayans that were infuenced by the Toltecs and Aztecs, which practiced decapitation. The Maya that lived in Tulum and Coba practiced self-mutilation, by bloodletting to honor the gods. Coba Mayans were primarily honey traders, and were peaceful.

The movie was good, on the same level of "gore" as Braveheart, I'd say.

[Lulu]

Read it too! I'm a Steven King fan, and his recommendation on the cover, plus the name of the book, prompted me to buy it. It will stay with you for days after you finish it. The end was sure not what I was expecting.......everyone should give this a try, even if horror isn't your cup of tea.:eek:


I forgot to come back last week and let you guys know I finally finished the book... Wow. I will FREAK OUT if I see any bright red flowering vines next week. ;) :rolleyes:

[minniemex]

Yeah, Minniemex, pick it up- I think the paperback came out recently. It'll keep you occupied on the beach (and away from jungle ruins :o !)


Picked up the book the other night!! Going to read it down there!!

P.S. I hit single digits today!!! Only 9 to go!!! http://www.33smiley.com/smiley5/humor/26.gif

[AdGuy]

P.S. I hit single digits today!!! Only 9 to go!!!


Time to get packing!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_6_6v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)

[BP.]

Time to get packing!! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/7/7_6_6v.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxmk762YYUS)


I know!! I'm already getting butterflies in MY stomach about Minniemex's & Tracee's upcoming departures!!! You know it's hardcore when you are anticipating other people's trips!

[TheWindyCity]

Yep...we need some fresh photos....food AND scenery!

[PhyllisB]

I know!! I'm already getting butterflies in MY stomach about Minniemex's & Tracee's upcoming departures!!! You know it's hardcore when you are anticipating other people's trips!

LOL! I was thinking the same thing, BP! :D:D:D

[NiceTom]

Hi all.
Perhaps someone has already mentioned this.
I'm in the middle of a great book by Scott Smith called The Ruins about a vacation in Mexico gone terribly wrong. He's the same guy that wrote A Simple Plan. The only reason I bought it was because I flipped it open in the store (BJ's) to a page mentioning Coba and Vallodolid. In fact, It takes place near Coba.
Just thought I'd mention it.

I googled the book, and an imdb listing showed up. Movie, The Ruins, based on the book, due to be released 2008

[BP.]

I googled the book, and an imdb listing showed up. Movie, The Ruins, based on the book, due to be released 2008


Oohh nice, thanks, just had a look at that listing. Produced by Ben Stiller, but no big names in the cast :( . Wonder where filmed??

[PhyllisB]

Ben Stiller?!?!? Oh, Lord. :)

[beachreader]

Ben Stiller producing a movie based on The Ruins? WTH? Maybe he'll just put his money in it and stay behind the scenes. I can't really imagine a movie of this stuff, considering what I read, but Smith does do great dialogue, so maybe it would work. Not sure I'd want to see it, though. Bad enough what I saw in my mind's eye! :eek:


And Minnie, I hope I haven't spoiled anything for you.

[minniemex]

Something I came across in the jungle - teeheeeeeeeeeheeeeeee....

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Oct%2017%202007/DSC03263.jpg

[lazydog]

I am just glad I read this book two months ago. I don't think I could handle reading this book while in Mexico and by candle light!

[beachreader]

:eek::eek: Minnie, get away! Oh, wait, it's just a photo.


But if you brought a spore back up here with you, USCustoms is sure going to be mad at you!

[mike]

I'm still thinking wether or not to read a horror book prior to my trip... maybe i'll just leave it for when i get back. I will try to see apocalypto though.

Has anyone read carlos castaneda?? I think his books are really great. I don't think he ever goes to the yucatan peninsula, but still his books give a beautiful description of mexico.

[Gale in KY]

Ok, checked out the webpage for the book. I hope it's as good as you guys say..I ordered a copy. I know even before I read it, I don't wanna go into the jungle alone..lol. Hopefully it doesn't keep me awake all night when we are in Tulum..being so secluded at Hamaca Loca..I will need pots and pots of coffee if that happens!:rolleyes:;)

[beachreader]

Hope we haven't spoiled it for you--maybe we should edit the title of the thread to say "warning--spoiler alert" or something. I tried to be good at the beginning, but once a few more people said they'd read it I let go a bit. Sorry, I hate spoilers.

[Gale in KY]

No spoiler problem here..lol...I listened to a couple of exerpts on the website..and you guys only gave me an idea of what happens..just dont' tell me who makes it out and who doesn't..I have an idea anyway..lol.

Mike..for a real beach read..get Jimmy Buffet's "Salty Piece of Land"..it references Punta Allen..the perfect Tulum beach book.

[beachreader]

Oh, maybe I'll try that one! I have a ton of work reading (it's OK, it's all fiction so pleasant enough, just has to be done), but I'm hoping to make time for at least one non-work book. I've got Tony Bourdain's Nasty Bits, might be good since it's short pieces, but I always see people reading Salty Piece of Land. Might have to try that one too.

[Gale in KY]

"Grandma's Teacup" is set in Akumal..I keep meaning to pick up a copy of it too...just because of being about the Akumal area. One of the main characters, "Katie"..is a booking agent in Akumal. Sounds a bit like Kay of LG?:p It's part adventure story, part romance novel..lol.

Another great read for those of us who dream of living in the Yucatan is Jeanine Kitchel's "Where the Sky is Born-Living in the Land of the Maya." Jeanne and her husband retired to Puerto Morelos a few years ago and her stories are entertaining and informative. Jeanne is a great person, I hope to get to meet her in person someday..if we can ever be in the PM area at the same time, she travels alot and we just havent been able to get together yet..hopefully someday soon. She has a series on Planeta called "Tales of the Yucatan"..it is very enjoyable.

[mike]

Mike..for a real beach read..get Jimmy Buffet's "Salty Piece of Land"..it references Punta Allen..the perfect Tulum beach book.

I'll definetely try to get a copy of that one!! thanks!!!
I'll the scary book for when i get back to the safety of home....

[Gale in KY]

Just came across this as a "new arrival" on Alme Libre bookstore website..Alma Libre is in Puerto Morelos...looks interesting, I may try to pick up a copy of this one too!

"Secrets of the Talking Jaguar" by Martin Pretchel is the story of the author's physical and spiritual journey from the southwestern US to the highlands of central America. There he becomes apprenticed to a local shaman who teaches Pretchel much about indigenous Mayan life, and about life in general.

[mike]

Just came across this as a "new arrival" on Alme Libre bookstore website..Alma Libre is in Puerto Morelos...looks interesting, I may try to pick up a copy of this one too!

"Secrets of the Talking Jaguar" by Martin Pretchel is the story of the author's physical and spiritual journey from the southwestern US to the highlands of central America. There he becomes apprenticed to a local shaman who teaches Pretchel much about indigenous Mayan life, and about life in general.


that sounds a lot like carlos castaneda... i'll again reccomend reading all his books... he wrote more of ten books i think about what Don Juan taught him. Except Don Juan was not mayan, he was yaqui i believe

[Gale in KY]

Thanks for the recommendation Mike, I will try to pick up a couple of his too!

[minniemex]

Those flowers, I found them off this road!! -

http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k83/Minniemex/Oct%2017%202007/DSC03283.jpg

[Gale in KY]

Well, let's hope that the "fear" will cause all those Cancunians to stay up north..heehee..

Would say we need to avoid that road, but that isn't quite possible is it?:D:D:D:D:D

[minniemex]

Not if you are going to go to Punta Laguna!

[beachreader]

That looks just like the road they took in the book! :eek:

[minniemex]

We never passed another car coming or going down this road!! It went on for ever and ever!! It was a little freaky for me as I had already read the book............... I looked down every clearing to the side of the road... LOL!!

[sonofabeach]

I'll definetely try to get a copy of that one!! thanks!!!
I'll the scary book for when i get back to the safety of home....
"Tales From Margaritaville" by Buffett is actually the prequel to Salty Piece Of Land. At least the first part of the book is. It's a collection of short stories that are all related to each other somehow.

For what it's worth I read that they are filming "The Ruins" in Australia.

[beachreader]

Hey, SOB, I just recognized where you're standing in that picture. I have just about the same pic (without you in it, of course, I'm not a stalker) as my laptop wallpaper.

I hope to have lunch there in three weeks! :)

[AdGuy]

We never passed another car coming or going down this road!! It went on for ever and ever!! It was a little freaky for me as I had already read the book............... I looked down every clearing to the side of the road... LOL!!


The road to Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve is pretty deserted. The only traffic we ran into was a small group of "kid" drivers but I didn't let them get my goat...

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i317/FloridaAdGuy/December2006TulumPictureson16MB146.jpg

[sonofabeach]

Hey, SOB, I just recognized where you're standing in that picture. I have just about the same pic (without you in it, of course, I'm not a stalker) as my laptop wallpaper.

I hope to have lunch there in three weeks! :)
We loved that place!! Mayan Grill/Nachos (whatever it is now)
Their beef and shrimp fahitas was probably the best meal we had in Tulum.

Oh! and take me with you!!!:D

[beachreader]

Come on along, baby! Gale and I will be there December 9, and at least one of us is staying until the 17th!

[sonofabeach]

Hey y'all!
movie trailer and photos here
http://www.imdb.com/video/trailer/me709247451

[BP.]

Thanks, sonof! Gave me chills . . .

[minniemex]

I will not be partaking of that movie........ Period.

[beachreader]

Yeah, reading it was one thing, seeing it is entirely another.

Also, it totally makes sense that it's a ruin (hence the title), but they kept calling it a "hill" in the book, so my image of it was more of a vine-covered hill than an actual ruin. Totally makes more sense as a ruin, though, especially the well part.