Chitzen itza

We decided to see one of the Mayan Temples while we were in Mexico. We decided to go see Chizen itza. The tour was really nice our first stop was to a c-note. It was great to see kind of what we might be diving in prior to our actual day of scuba diving in a c-note.

The only way down is down these really steep stairs.

It was amazing! This is the view from the top just as you enter the cave.

View from the bottom....

The water was nice and refreshing.

This is a typical Mayan house that they still live in today. Some of the Mayan people have nicer brick houses but due to no A/C the prefer to still sleep our in houses much like this one and they generally sleep in hammocks.

I love spending time with Justin!

Ha, ha...

This little boy was so cute playing with his puppy. I just can't imagine living in these conditions but our tour guide said it isn't a matter of low income. Many Mayan families own strips of land along the ocean but won't sell the land even though it would make them millionaires. They just prefer the simple life. They did all seem happy so maybe we need to take a lesson from the Mayan people and live a Simpler Life?

We stopped at a little shopping area. Mexico is the number one place for silver....so I got a necklace and matching bracelet. I love the art work on the walls....these people really are talented.

We stopped at a restaurant and had some authentic Mexican food. I tried rattlesnake.......and no it does not taste like chicken. It was more of a fish texture....it wasn't for me but the rest of the food was delicious!

These dancer were fun to watch.

One of the few time I have felt TALL in my life. The average Mayan person is like 4'11....that makes me taller then average :)

It was a quaint little restaurant.

This is Chitzen itza....

Our tour guide Philip was awesome. He really loves what he does and was full of information.

This was where they played a type of game with balls. The way they build this arena is absolutely fascinating! The far small building in the back is where the king and his entourage would sit. The acoustics blew everyone away. The kind could sit up in the far building and talk in a just strong voice and we heard throughout the arena. Our tour guide demonstrated in and it was crazy. What amazing and smart people these were.

They had to make like a 20 lb ball through the hole in the ring up there.......crazy!

Some hieroglyphics.......it amazes me the way the translate things. It's always cool to listen to hieroglyphics being explained.

Can you see the snake out of the left side of the temple?

The snake head is at the bottom and the diamond shapes that are lit up make the snake body.

It was a bummer because back in 2005 they let people actually climb the temple and go inside. There is another smaller temple inside of it.... now that would have been awesome.

It was so interesting hearing facts and stories about this place.