Today we’ll look at some of the more detailed stonework available for view at Chichen Itza, beginning with the intricate Mayan bas-reliefs throughout much of the façades. But don’t ask me the significance, as I have no idea. Nevertheless, they are fascinating to photograph, and they’re all over the place:
Chichen Itza bas-relief
This one appears to depict an eagle on the right, and some sort of reptile opposite:
Chichen Itza bas-relief
Here it appears we have another bird, and perhaps a jaguar:
Chichen Itza bas-relief
I would hazard that this next one may contain some astronomical significance:
Chichen Itza bas-relief
After a bit if research, it appear that the stone head below represents the Mayan Dragon (Kukulkan) that gave birth to the world. This head recurs throughout Chichen Itza.
Kukulkan — mother of the world
On Wednesday we’ll had back over to El Castillo, a.k.a, the Temple of Kukulcán, for a closer look. Until then, here it is:
Quite the change from the Azores, eh? Brilliance of the Seas left São Miguel Island on 9 September 2018. You’ll recall that we started this trip well before that, with a flight to Dublin in 27 August, where we stayed for several days. We then departed Amsterdam, boarded Brilliance of the Seas, and set sail for a circumnavigation of Ireland, including a return to Dublin. We left behind Ireland, and landed on São Miguel Island. From there Brilliance completed a transatlantic crossing winding up in Tampa, Florida. But we weren’t yet finished with Brilliance. We stayed aboard for a second cruise that would first take us to Key West for some spectacular sunset shots:
Key West was reached on 18 September, and two days after that Brilliance landed at the port of Cozumel, Mexico, a large island off the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. You may recall that I’ve written on Cozumel before, after an incredibly disappointing first, and most likely last, cruise aboard a Carnival Cruise Line ship (see: Carnival Victory —More Key West and Cozumel). And in 2013 I took you on a three-part Cozumel Bar Hop:
But this trip to Cozumel would be different than the preceding ones. Today we were on another excursion, one that would take us across the island, have us boating onto the Yucatan and Playa del Carmen, and then taking a bus tour that would take us 2½ hours into the jungle while transporting us 1,200 years back into time. Behold the Mayan city of Chichén Itzá and the Temple of Kukulcán:
Temple of Kukulcán, Chichen Itza, Yucatan
The Temple of Kukulcán is a pyramid that rises 98 feet/30 meters, if you include in that measurement the temple at the apex. Otherwise, the pyramid structure itself is 79 feet/24 meters. And, yes, it looks to be quite the trek to the top:
Temple of Kukulcán, Chichen Itza, Yucatan
That’s 91 steps, in case you’re wondering. And, no, Ursula and I did not climb them. It’s not allowed. I’ll explain more about this impressive Mayan city beginning next Monday, and this week’s Fun Photo Friday will feature the first of three picks of favorite photos. So, until then, I’ll leave you with this photo gallery and slide show:
Decisions — Murder in Paradise
The Globe — Murder in Luxury
R. Doug Wicker — Author 