After taking a ferry from Cozumel and renting a car we're up early for sunrise over Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico |
The Serpent Staircase |
The Central Pyramid and Plaza, Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico |
Connecting the Heavens to the Earth |
Hundreds of perfect cylindrical columns |
Stone columns once supported acres of roofs |
Bob and Linda checking out the stonework |
A carved frieze of warriors in full plumed regalia |
The masonary work of the Itzaes was masterful |
Inward-leaning walls formed part of a vaulted roof enclosing this steam room spa! |
Tall widely-spaced columns supported the roof over a large open space |
Typical Mayan vaulted doorway which was the main entrance through the surrounding walls |
Many stone carvings are well preserved |
Serpent head and tongue |
An astronomical observatory |
Chichen Itza is a huge complex of buildings sprawling across many acres |
Building structures included tunnels and passageways |
The Ball Court from outside |
The Ball Court inside |
The stone ring 20 feet up on the side of the Ball Court through which players had to pass a rubber ball without using their hands |
The Temple of the Skulls |
A victorious warrior carrying the severed head of his not so fortunate victim |
Rattlesnake and eagle carvings prefigure Mexico's official national seal and flag |
Ditto above |
A cold underground cenote, a hole through the limestone to the fresh water aquifer |