These pictures were from the excursion we took to Chichen Itza. It was 2 1/2 hours by bus from our hotel. Chichen Itza is one of the NEW 7 Wonders of the World, so that was pretty cool. Up until 3-5 years ago you could actually walk all the way up to the top of the El Castillo (The Castle) pyramid and most of the other Mayan ruins. Now it is roped off preventing access. They do have one ruin we were allowed to walk up several steps and poke around, but I can't recall the name...sorry! The steps are really unique...taller than a normal step and not as long so you really can't walk straight up. Our guide told us to walk at an angle going up/down so we don't fall.
The large sinkhole is called "The Sacred Cenote" where they performed human sacrifices. We walked down and around it to get closer, so you can't really see how deep it is from the limestone walls...but it's deep. In another photo, you can see DH pointing at the rings hanging off the walls. For those of you with kids, you have probably seen the cartoon movie "El Dorado"...these rings are for one of their games where the players move a small ball around to try to get it up through the center hole...just like in the movie! (No touching the ball with your hands.) The captain of the winning team was honored by being decapitated and immortalized in limestone along the skull wall.
Stay tuned for more...
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