In Sunday’s edition I tried to provide you with a flavour of what Mérida Centro is like at the weekend and especially on a Sunday.
Hopefully – even though I forgot ((have mentioned repeatedly (well I think I have!) that advancing age may be getting the better of me))to crop a fair number of the photos – I managed to give you a reasonable insight as to what a fun place it is for people that live there and tourists alike.
In today’s edition, the last in this scintillating (who do I think I am kidding) series, I primarily focus on the trip that Rose and I made to Chitchen Itza on our penultimate day.
During our travels around Central America Rose and I have visited quite a few Mayan sites and although there are (quite obviously I suppose) distinct similarities there is always something different to see and be amazed by. And I’ll never cease to be impressed by how clever and ‘ahead of their time’ they were.
I could fill up a fair amount of space and ‘pad’ this edition out with Interesting facts (for some of you anyway) about the Maya and specifically those that constructed and lived at Chitchen Itza but I’m not going to. There’s loads of interesting facts about the people and the archeological site by just clicking on the links I have provided (I’ve only provided two but there are many, each with interesting information). Instead I am going to have a relatively easy time with this edition and let the photos ‘do the work’ (I deserve it, I’ve ‘knocked out’ so many editions in the last few days it’s been like being at work. I mean it’s not as if I’m doing this for a living!).
Before the photos though just a little information about the tour that we booked with Adventures Mexico Tours :
Chitchen means “the mouth of the well”
Chitchen Itza had two wells. One was considered sacred and the other was for everyday use.
Chitchen Itza is c120 km from Mérida
The journey takes around 90 minutes
The tour we went on cost $MXN 525 per person and covered travel, the tour guide and lunch (drinks are NOT included)
Entrance to Chitchen Itza is $MXN 200 per person
Entrance to Ik Kil cenote is $MXN 70 per person (if you intend to include a visit DO take swimwear and a towel (I stupidly forgot).
We were collected from our hotel at 09.00 hours by Wilberth Torres, our driver and guide for the day, and escorted to the minibus to be introduced to Cecelia and Walter, a young couple from Argentina, who were also taking the tour that day and without further ado (sounds Shakespearean doesn’t it) we set off.
We hadn’t been on the road long when Wilberth said that if we didn’t have drinks with us that it would be cheaper to buy them en route so he stopped at a mercado (told you in a previous edition that I am determined to gain some Spanish) in Kanasin.
So what is Chitchen Itza like? Wonderful, that’s what. Not the best Maya archeological site we have been to but it’s still a really interesting and enjoyable way to spend a day. It’s deemed to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World after all.
Pyramid of Kukulkan. This building, aside from being a temple, ‘informed’ the Maya when to plant what. In effect it was their calendar. Amazing.
Less excavated side.
The ball court for games of Pok-A-Tok.
I ‘said’ that I wasn’t going to bombard you with facts. I lied! Apparently when the Toltec invaded Chitchen Itza this game took on a new meaning. The captain of the winning team was sacrificed. No fear of Arsenal’s captain being at risk recently!
The object of the game was to get the ball hard rubber) through the hoop.
Where the king watched the game. His executive box you might say.
Petroglyphs (had to look that one up) on the wall around the ball court depicting the fate of the winning (wouldn’t you just want to be a loser ) captain.
The obligatory “look how tall I am shot” (if you know me then you know that I am not. Tall that is). Oh come on, nearly everyone takes one of these.
After a thoroughly interesting tour of the site we got back in the minibus for the short ride to Ik Kil, a seriously impressive cenote.
The water is 150 feet deep. Don’t believe me?
“Told you”!
I could have been down there had I remembered my shorts!
With our tour of the cenote over we headed to Mayaland for our (late) lunch.
The service and food were good but we thought the place to be a bit ‘plasticky’, a bit Disneyland (not that I’ve ever been there), Universal Studios (I have been there) if you know what I mean. But the peacock wandering around the tables somewhat made up for this.
“Come on, show us your train”.
“Thank you”.
With lunch finished we got back in the minibus for the journey home after a thoroughly enjoyable day. Chitchen Itza, well worth a visit and definitely one of the seven (new) wonders of the world.
Talking about wonders of the world how do Mexican women balance in (on?) there shoes? I’ve never seen so many high heels. During our stay I became fixated (not a fetish I hasten to add) with them.
And that brings this captivating series to an end (aren’t you pleased).
Rose and I had a truly enjoyable time in Mérida. In fact as are we are concerned you just can’t get enough of Mérida.
We are definitely MexiCANS
and not MexiCAN’Ts (“stolen from Once Upon a Time in Mexico).
The headline for today’s edition is based on the single released in 1981 by Depeche Mode which reached number eight in the UK Singles Chart and number twenty-six in the US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart.
PS, my mistake Mystic Merlin did just cant give it up not just cant get enough, close.. but no cigar!
Very interesting mini series John – almost back to publishing “dailies”!
Thoroughly enjoyed it all, and for the record Just Cant Get Enough was also a track by Mystic Merlin from my 80’s East End Soul Boy roots! Great stuff, thanks
It was going so well Steve until I read your second ‘Comment’!
Pleased you enjoyed the mini-series. A bit like being on a daily again BUT I set the off-stone time!
Lucky you didn’t get caught secretly snapping the ladies in high heels. I suspect Mexican jail’s are not particularly pleasant!
The ladies’ ones might be OK!
Great series John. I went to Chichen Itza a long long time ago. Probably 2 husbands ago if not more. I climbed as did everyone up the pyramid. I presume you can’t do that anymore. Hard to believe we could trample all over historic monuments not so long ago.
Thanks Louise. Interesting measurement for time ie by husband!
You are quite right, not allowed to climb the pyramid anymore – stopped around 8 years ago.
Great photos as usual, thanks for the vicarious visit.
You are welcome Paul. Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
The prices you quote , seem quite high in numbers…….what was the rate of exchange? Again, you pix are very informative and well taken.
Alan S.
Hi Alan. We thought the prices were reasonable. We got 12.3 Pesos to 1US$.
I have hugely enjoyed this mini series on Merida. pls tell me the temp in San Pedro. here on the mainland in corozal town it is over 100 everywhere except within 10 feet of the sea. kris
Pleased you enjoyed the series Kristina.
Temperature today is around 91degrees.
Thrilling finish to the Merida saga! You are also delightfully a bit MexiCORNY!
Thank you. And I have an excuse – corn is part of the staple diet here!
this was an excellent post John you really let us see through your eyes what your tour was all about.
Thank you Stephen. Pleased that you enjoyed it.
Beautiful especially the last shot. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you. And you are more than welcome Barbara.
Nicely done, John. We enjoy your adventures peppered with your personal “Brit wit!”
Brit Wit? Sounds like a cleaning solution! Seriously though Jane, thank you.