Chichen Itza
The Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Tulum, among Mexico’s most photographed attractions, mesmerize as silent temples to one of the world’s oldest, most mysterious cultures. Chichen Itza, among Mexico’s largest ruins, dates to 600 AD, and is anchored by the dramatic Kulkulkan pyramid. Two cenotes (wells) within the city are Xtoloc, where first inhabitants settled, and the Sacred or Sacrificial Well, honoring the god Chac, where children, young girls, and warriors were thrown into deep waters after being purified at the temazcal (steam bath). Sacred Well exploration has yielded human skulls and bones, along with jade beads, rings and sandals of gilded copper, gold bells, and embossed gold disks. Other notable Chichen Itza monuments are the Chichanchob (Red House) with a red border around its portico; the two-room Akab Dzib (meaning “obscure writing”); the Nunnery and Nunnery Annex (for female priests); the Caracol (observatory); the Temple of the Phalluses; the Temple of the Warriors, and the Group of the Thousand Columns plaza. At the Ball Court (tlachtli), solid rubber balls were propelled using the hip, where anyone shooting a ball through one of the stone hoops was considered a winner, worthy of sacrifice. Walls decorated in low relief depict elegantly dressed ball players witnessing the beheading of a teammate.
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Our bus trip lead us through a couple of small Mayan villages.
A few pictures of the palm leaf roof houses. They build the houses with round corners and lot's of windows, so when the storms come the wind wraps around the house and goes through it so as not to blow it down. The roof will easily blow off but palm tree fronds are easy to come by and they usually have the roof back on in a day or two.
This is a
Cenote. It is an
opening to an underground river. They get most their water from these holes.
When it rains, it filters down through bedrock/limestone then the water flows underground toward the ocean. Sometimes the ocean pushes warmer water up into these Cenotes. We experienced this occurrence on the Cenote / cavern Dive. The waters don't mix well and it looks like Oil and vinegar mix when you swim through the different levels.
For Lunch we stopped at a beautiful
Hacienda where there are room, small shops, and a large tourist pleasing
restaurant. It's buffet style. Lot's of choices. While there, we were
entertained by some very unusual dancers. They dance with trays of Glasses and
Bottles on their heads. They never dropped a single bottle. Some even did spins
with them staying in place!
Below some of the beautiful scenery at the lunch stop!
Then back on the bus for another hour or so, After a quick pit stop half way there to relieve ourselves...
Mayan Ball Court!
There are Stone Hoops
Sideways on the walls. Very High up! The ball was very heavy and they had to
toss it up through the loop! Each end has a raised "temple" area. A whisper from
end can be heard clearly at the other end 500 feet away and through the length
and breath of the court.
Iguana in the wall!
El Castillo
The massive Kukulcán pyramid called "El Castillo" (the castle) is roughly at the
center of the site. Climbing it is quite a challenge and those who make it are
rewarded with a spectacular view of the city and surrounding country side. A
trip inside the pyramid is quite the opposite. The dark, unbearably humid
corridors and chambers are too much for some people. (On our Trip they
wouldn't allow anyone to climb or enter the Castle)
The Temple of the Warriors
and its
adjacent Temple of the Jaguar are the most awe inspiring ruins on the complex. A
massive temple structure, surrounded by hundreds of columns is carved with
relief's.
We took a long walk down a stone pathway / Road to find the Cenote at the end. And a Gift shop with Soda and water.
It was Very hot in October... Carry lot's of water! and Good Walking Shoes. We had a great Mexican guide who spoke very good English and knew a lot of history about Chichen Itza
On the way out there is a great restaurant/ Bar Souvenir shop.
The only thing I really didn't enjoy was all the hundreds of Hawkers trying to sell you their wares... Hundreds.... Silver Jewelry, Carved Stone and wood, Blankets, scarves, T-Shirts, Puppets and all the other stuff you see on every corner in town! Every inch of the way... same stuff over and over.. It got very annoying!
Having a guide helped a bit, they don't bother you too much when he's talking to you, telling history!
To go to the Dive Pictures Click here!
