I am sure our guide told us the significance of this pillar. However, I have no idea of what the significance is. I think it may be some sort of calendar but just can”t remember. I like the image because of the contrast between the pillar and the small pyramid behind it. The pyramid behind the pillar is about half the size of the larger and more famous structure at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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Pillar
Most people visiting Chichén Itzá are elated to see the large Pyramids and the Ball Court. As you are walking through you gain an appreciation for the wonderful Mayan culture that seemed so civilized and yet so brutal. It reminds me of our USA culture. However, the observatory really impressed me. To think that this ancient culture was also mapping stars and comets was a little surprising. Yet Mammoths and Saber Tooth Tigers still existed when the Mayan culture was flourishing.
This image is an edit of an earlier post using Google’s NIK editing tools.
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The Observatory Redux
Original Image
We sat sipping margaritas waiting for the sunset on the Blue Docks in Cancun. I was amazed as we watch this speed boat. People were strapped into the back and the boat slowly went out into the center of the lagoon and then came full throttle at the pier. Before hitting the pier, the boat would do a sharp turn trying apparently to throw the idiot passengers from the boat. It was very loud and they would make a huge wave and then chug back out into the center of the lagoon and do it again. People pay to experience this and I am not quite sure why.
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Power Trip
The Templo del Alacran is located adjacent to The Westin Lagunamar Ocean Resort atop Cancún’s highest peak. It is not much of a peak but one of the few cliffs in Cancún that looks out toward the Caribbean Sea. It is also known as the Scorpion’s Temple. Scorpions are a special animal in the Mayan culture. It is believed that this ruin may have been a lighthouse for the city of Tulum although it may have predated the existence of Tulum. This picture was taken at sunrise.
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Templo Del Alacrán
Tulum is the last Mayan city constructed before the Spanish invasion and conquest of Mexico. It was constructed on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in what is now the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. The city was constructed along the cliffs overlooking the Caribbean and served as a port for other Mayan cities like Coba which was the de facto capital of the Mayan Empire. The ruins are fun to visit because afterwards you can swim in the mild Caribbean waters sheltered by a large reef providing gentle waves and pure white sand.
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On The Cliffs
Upside Down Man
Isla Mujeres off the coast of Cancún Mexico has a wonderful sculpture garden near South Point. We stumbled on it after driving our little golf kart over the entire island.
The sculptures are located on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea and there is a gift shop and cantina overlooking the sea.
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Hucksters come in all different shapes and sizes on the Mayan Riviera. Most are men calling out ” Hey take a look?” “Almost Free”. Resturants take a lower key approach and with menus in hand attempt to lead you in to their establishment. This young lady was not at all abrasive and the food was pretty good with a nice sunset view.
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One of the most interesting things about visiting the ancient Mayan sites in the Yucatan was seeing their incredible attention to detail. Along the walls of the “ball court” there were incredible engravings like this which detailed the rules of the game.
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Ball court rules
When touring Chichén Itzá in the Yucatan before visiting the pyramids you stop at a long field. This is known as The ball field . They would play a soccer type of game in which they would kick a small ball through this goal. The goal sits atop a stone wall that is easily 20 feet high.
I have tried to visualize how they did this and still can’t quite comprehend it. The rubber type ball is about the size of a softball and the goal is not much bigger!
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Goal!
Major resorts have lots of great perks which is why people go there. Some are wonderful and some are just stupid. Last year we spent time at a truly wonderful resort in Cancun and were served up our first endless pool. It was great being in a pool without sharks,sand and waves and be able to feel like we were right on the beach. This is a perk I truly love. Tomorrow, a perk that is not so great.
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The Endless Pool
Imagery Photography 