Chichen Itza

Yesterday passed by quickly what with a lengthy work day, a lovely yoga session and episode 1 of the new series of Game of Thrones. 

I love GoT, don't we all? I can't bring myself to read the books though, I also couldn't manage anything by Tolkien. I think its all their made-up place and people names and use of vowels in the Gaelic way that put me off. I consider myself to be a reader but I can't read these classics of their genre. Even my brother and BBE (best boyf ever) have read them, and I consider myself to be the reader in both of those relationships.

It was a privilege to be able to visit Chichen Itza, I feel so lucky to have been there. Even though there were more people than usual due to the timing of our visit coinciding with Spring Equinox, it did not spoil it.
You can see the detail in this building that is in the older area of Chichen Itza. This is what I think is the Mayan area. It's the classic Mayan style that everybody knows from Mexico.

This is the trial version of El Castillo. It was actually built by the Toltec not the Mayan people. The Toltec people are outsiders who united with or tookover the Mayans at this area.

This is the Castillo, viewed from the shade. It was not surrounded by trees at the time, the ground was cleared for some distance to allow the people to pay homage to their gods.

This is about 4pm in the afternoon. We are all waiting for the sunset for the big Spring Equinox event. You can see the zigzag pattern starting to form on the diagonal edge that begins from the person holding the camera up to the pyramid top. This is the kulkulcan or feathered snake getting his markings. His head is at the bottom on the floor. You can see that other visitors were paying homage to someone or something they thought was there with their hands up in the air.

Top of El Castillo seen from a platform that is built with bricks delicately decorated with skulls. Its a well-known and gruesome fact that human sacrifices were made at celebratory times and at times when something was needed of the gods. It was thought there would be a mass grave in the platform but they dug it up and did not find any evidence of this.


If you visit Mexico flying into Cancun, you will be within 4 hours of Chichen Itza. It is a must-do.
What is a must-do for cleaning staff at all-inclusive hotels are towel animals. Give it up for our elephant. Muchisimas gracias to our lovely maid, Paulina.

x Sunny L