Mega Trip Report (With Photos) Part 3

[cassie_KY]

Thursday was the earliest we had to wake for the entire cruise.; Before six in the morning! When we booked out cruise, so many options were available, but we knew we wanted to see Chichen Itza. Here is the description of our excursion:

Don’t miss this fascinating trip into Chichen Itza, heart of the Mayan culture. Mexico is the center of the Mayans and Chichen Itza is considered to be the most significant Mayan archeological site.

Take part in this excursion and:

0. Take a 3-hour, air-conditioned ride through the Yucatan Peninsula.

0. Learn all about the history and culture of the area on this narrated bus trip.

0. Enjoy a traditional Mexican buffet lunch.

0. Be escorted through this enchanting majestic city, extending over 6 square miles.

0. Be guided past hundreds of buildings such as the observatory, ball court, warrior temple and castle pyramid.

0. Have an amazing experience in history and culture.

We had been told that Calica’s port was not the most interesting. Tory (Our Cruise Director) likened it to a sand bar. I will take that a step farther and state that I felt like I was in the middle of a quarry. There aren’t many buildings around the port, just the main road down to the dock.

We arrived in time to watch the crew on land drag the ropes over with guide lines and secure the boat. As this was going on, lines of tour buses, jeeps, and taxi’s filed in to pick up their tourist cargo.

Our tour left at 7:30, so we gulped down some breakfast and hurried down to Deck 3. We filed off, had out pictures taken by Carnival, and walked straight to our bus. We traveled with Arturo tours. We boarded a very comfortable tour bus and settled in for our three hour drive.

Our tour guide introduced himself and he was such a pleasure to listen to. He explained that he had been conducting tours at Chichen Itza for more than twenty years. He had attended college to study archeology, but did not have enough money to finish his studies. He was very intelligent and explained facts about the area we were driving through.

The area we traveled through was quite desolate. We passed through clumps of houses and met an occasional car, but nothing too crowded. When we crossed the state line, we had to pass through a military check point. A row of Jeeps stood next to the road and soldiers milled around with machine guns and rifles. We had no trouble getting through, but it made a person wonder what would happen should someone try to cause trouble.

The area’s main cash crop is agave. It is a plant that resembles aloe in appearance. This is the plant used to make tequila. I found out that it takes six to seven years for the agave to reach full maturity. Many of the homes we drove past had a small patch of it growing in their backyard.

About halfway there, we stopped to stretch our legs. There was a small market there and we have about twenty minutes to amble around. We purchased a hand made leather banner that depicted the Mayan calendar. They had some wooden sculptures, silver, blankets, and other items. I did not get to sample it, but several people were raving about a sweet tequila that they produced in the area. If anyone knows what I am talking about, please let me know because I want to find some!

I napped for the last leg of the trip. Nathan woke me when we entered the last hamlet. Temple-shaped signs pointed the way to the land of “Chicken Pizza” (how some people pronounce Chichen Itza).

We clamored off the bus and headed towards the front gates. Our guide gave us each a water. It was so hot, we were going to need several! As he paid for our admissions, he invited a gentleman over who made silver necklace pendants with our name in Mayan. For $30, I thought that would be a fun treat to myself. We placed our order and headed into the Complex.

The first place we stopped was a tree. Puzzled, our guide explained this was a gum tree and that the Mayans had used the sap from it to help clean their teeth. Then, a Mexican gentleman created a little product called “Chiclets” from it.

As we walked, out guide provided information on what this place was. Chichen Itza means ”Mouth of the well of the Itzas.” Itza was the ethnic group that had economical and political power at the time. They are the best-known monuments of the Yucatan. The Mayan City was founded around 400 AD.

We walked straight back past many vendor stands selling blankets, wooden carvings, beads, and small models of El Castillo (Described later in this report.). The first structure we observed was called the Ossario. It was s smaller step-pyramid with stairs down all four sides. Our guide stated there is a temple on top and an opening that goes into a natural cave.

From there, we turned around to a large building called El Caracol. It is considered to be an observatory. The alignment of the buildings is on the compass points. Windows in the building line up with the passage of the sun and some of the stars. Our guide stressed “Mayans did not make things just for making.” Then, we were treated to a ten minute talk about the Mayan numbering system. Nathan recorded it and I will post the YouTube link. He talked about how their numbers were based on twenty and they had pictographs that represented the different numbers. He made a joke that he would need a few hours to explain how the Mayans discovered zero.

We spent the next ten minutes listening as our guide pointed out the different structures located around the immediate area. Then, we had ten minutes to walk around and look at them.

The first was called the Temple of the Carved Columns. It was a small building that had several columns around it. A neat picture was of columns on either side of a small archway.

Next was a structure called “The Nunnery.” It was named that because it has more than 50 small rooms in it. It really was a government building. It sits next to a small building know as “The Church” that is decorated with masks of the rain god Chaac.

We are many smaller buildings and platforms at Chichen Itza. Our guide was not able to cover all of them due to the time that we had, but we stuck with the better known structures. I know that I have missed some that he described, but that just means I will have to go back and tour the complex again!

We made our way around and FINALLY got to see El Castillo. This is the huge temple that dominates the center of Chichen Itza. It is a step pyramid with stairs going up all four sides. I was disappointed that we were not able to climb to the top and see the throne of the jade jaguar, but it is in the best interest of preserving the structure.

We were told that on the Spring and Autumn equinox, at the rising and setting of the sun, the corner of the structure casts a shadow in the shape of a plumed serpent along the west side of the north staircase. Nathan really was interested in this as the Autumn Equinox is September 22 which happens to be his birthday.

Another thing I found really interesting was that our guide has us listen closely as he clapped his hands…. and produced no echo. All we heard was a dull thudding sound. I did not hear the explanation, but we all got to try clapping and whistling and experienced it ourselves.

The Ball Court was next. While other ball courts have been discovered, this is the largest one measuring 545 by 232 feet. The walls on each side are 30 feet high with a ring (the goal) in the middle of each long wall.

Here is where the neat architecture takes center stage again. The number seven was considered very special. Each team had seven players. They played for days doing their best to win. Their prize? They were ceremonially killed. We know this because at the base of one of the walls, a relief drawing represents a decapitated player with six streamers of blood coming from the neck with the seventh producing a plant. Here is the architecture part, when you clap your hands, shout, or whistle, it produces seven echoes! Again, the Mayans didn’t build just for making!

One may ask yourself why a person would want to win the game if you were killed. The Mayans believed that when you died, you went to be with the gods and it was considered a great honor to be sacrificed.

We then walked past the Tzompantli which was a platform who’s walls were carved with hundreds of human skulls.

Not farm from Tzompantli was the Platform of the Eagles and Jaguars. This platform has a staircase on each side and caved into the sides are panels depicting eagles and jaguars consuming human hearts.

Our guide pointed out, but we did not get to visit, the Temple of the warriors. It is a stepped pyramid near El Castillo. Rows of columns surround it and they are carved to represent warriors.

That concluded the end of our guided tour. With forty-five minutes left, we wandered the complex, snapping some more photos of El Castillo and discussing what it must have looked like to have rediscovered this place in the nineteenth century.

Nathan purchased a stone carving of El Castillo and we found another leather banner (This one depicting the Aztec calendar.). We stopped off and picked up my necklace and then made our way back to the bus.

Our watches said it was late afternoon and everyone was starving! We made our way to a hotel near Chitzen Itza and were treated to a Mexican buffet. We weren’t really sure what the dishes were, but the pulled pork and fish were yummy and I could have eaten several servings of their bread pudding (which I found to be similar to flan with honey on top). Nathan really like his Pepsi out of a glass bottle while I had a Corona.

With full stomachs, we re-boarded our bus and headed back to the ship. We were treated to the amusing experience of watching Bewitched in Spanish (with English subtitles.). I slept most of the way back while Nathan amused himself taking pictures of me sleeping to use for blackmail later.

We arrived back to the boat with ten minutes to spare. After the ritual celebration of my new towel animal (a monkey hanging from the ceiling this time), we showered and wandered the ship for awhile.

The evening’s entertainment was the Showcase of Stars. This was a talent show featuring fellow cruise guests. We were nearly blown away by the quality of the performances. We had some really good singers on board and they really shown. All people who sang received a coveted “Ship on a Stick” (a trophy) and a bottle of champagne.

After, we purchased our souveniers and headed to bed. Tomorrow was our last day at sea and we wanted to enjoy every minute of it!

Thanks for reading and pictures will follow.

[cassie_KY]

Calica Photos

[DaveStroem]

Cassie, I think this belongs in the TR section, not the Polls.

[cassie_KY]

Crud! Thanks Dave. I wasn't paying attention. I contacted the mods so I am hoping it will migrate soon.

[Gabe]

I have been to Chichen Itza and can vouch for its size, wonderment and beauty. The City is still only partly excavated, but it's hard to see everything uncovered thus far in just a few hours. I highly recommend going if you find yourself in Mexico!

[Aaron88stang]

I was there about 5 years ago. It is an awesome place. We did not get to cover the whole area before our tour was leaving so hopefully someday I can go back.

[KI Kevin]

What cruise line were you on?

We had the NCL credit card so we always went on NCL. I do like the cruise freestlye.