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Chichen Itza
One
of the new Seven Wonders of the World, Chichen Itza was first settled in 435 A.D.
by a group of Mayans but was not developed into a city until between 600 and
900AD when the Itza people arrived at Chichen, bringing with them influences
from central Mexico. During the early 15th century, internal conflicts lead to
the downfall and abandonment of Chichen.
The
central pyramid El Castillo is one of the most impressive structures of the
Mayan culture, rising to a height of 78 feet, with a temple at the top. Many
believe that the pyramid was built in honor of the sun god and represents the
Maya solar calendar. The pyramid has 91 stairs on each of its four sides
equaling 364, plus the top level equaling 365, the same as the number of days
in a solar year.
Chichen
Itza has many phenomenon including the Equinox which takes place on 21st March
and 20th September. During these two days, seven triangles of light form
shadows on the pyramid's stepped edges on the north staircase. This phenomenon
slowly takes form until the serpent 'Kukulcan' emerges measuring 115 ft from
its head at the bottom of the base , to the top where the temple is located.
Located
to the north of El Castillo is where the Mayans played 'pok a pok', which
translates to 'crouching several times'. Chichen Itza has ten ball courts
located on the great platform, which is one of the largest discovered.
Chichen
Itza has cenotes (sink holes) where one can take a swim, but some are
sacred, with murky waters where many young men and women were covered in jewels
and sacrificed into the cenote. When visiting
Chichen Itza, it is also well
worth seeing 'Ikil', located only a few miles to the east where cenote swimming
is allowed This is one of the most photographed cenotes in the world.
Cenotes of Cuzama
Cuzama is a
typical Mayan village with quaint houses lived in by the locals. Their main
source of income is from the 'Trucs' (horse drawn carts) pulled
along an old rail system which takes you four and a half miles through
the jungle to three cenotes (underground sink holes).
The first is the easiest
to access with a stairwell that descends to 50ft below the surface and is great for all ages as it has a shallow
area that allows you to stand up, and other areas
that are over 65ft deep. The guides usually allow a thirty minute stop at each
of the three cenotes. The journey between the first and second cenote takes
about fifteen minutes and is very enjoyable as you are travelling through 200
year old henequen plantations on tracks that the original farmers used.
The
second cenote is a cavern which has a small entrance, then opens up into one of
the most spectacular cenotes with a hole in the top and tree roots hanging down
more than 50ft looking for water. This cenote is 30 ft deep in its shallowest
area and in the deepest could be more than 80ft deep. People can go to this
cenote and enjoy a great dive and see the caves from a different perspective.
The third cenote is a full cave and the entrance is very small and not for the
fainthearted. This cenote is very shallow, has natural light, and is very
unique.
The ride back to the start of the tour takes about 40 minutes and is
very relaxing as you enjoy the breeze. The original tour operator of Cuzama is
still in business, so pass the' commercial tour' of the three cenotes and
travel on about only three minutes. If at the first stop they tell you they are
the only tour, this not strictly true, as they are the only commercial tour.
Once you have finished the tour, there are a few great places to eat, either
right where you get off the Truc for Mayan food, or a short 4 mile drive to
'Hacienda Cuch Balam' where you can have lunch made with home-grown organic
produce. If you feel that you may want to visit more of the area the following
day, there are two unique hotels in the area.
Izamal (The Yellow City)
Some
forty miles east of Merida, the capital of Yucatan, is the quiet, old fashioned
colonial city of Izamal. In the center of town lies the great Monastery of
Izamal which houses one of the most venerated Mayan statues in all of Mexico.
Thousands of miracle healings are attributed to this statue. The usual
Christian explanation for these miracles is that the prayers of the pilgrims
call forth the benevolence and therapeutic powers of Mary.
The
town of Izamal is painted egg yolk yellow and has beautiful cobblestone streets
and unique lamp posts which give the town a true magical feel. The town was
considered one of the thirty five
Pueblos Magicos (magical towns)
in the Yucatan in 2001.
During
the time of the Spanish conquest of Yucatan (1527-1547), Izamal was one of the
largest and most beautiful cities on the peninsular. A pilgrimage site since as early as 1000 BC,
Izamal had become the most important religious center in Northern Yucatan
during the early Classic Period of 300-600 AD. The city was considered by the
Mayans to be the abode of Kinichkakmo, a manifestation of the sun god, and of
the god Itzam Na (the name Izamal derives from the god's name). Itzam Na was a
deity of healing and resurrection, the creator of arts and writing, and the
introducer of many important agricultural items. He was also head of the Mayan
pantheon bearing the title of ahaulil,
or'Lord' and was shown as presiding over a collection of lesser deities.
Following
the capture of Izamal by the Spanish, the local population was enslaved and
forced to dismantle the top of an enormous pyramid in the center of the city. Upon
the now flattened pyramid, at the place
where previously had stood the sanctuary of the god Itzam Na, the enslaved
Indians were forced in 1553, to erect a
monastery and church. This was done because of the Christian belief that a
church would discourage the Indians from
their 'devil worship'. Soon after the consecration of the church and the
installation of the Marian statue, miracles of healing began to occur. The
miracles were explained by the Christian authorities as resulting from the
grace of Mary. Yet, were the miracles really caused by the wooden statue of
Mary inside the church, or might they be better explained by reference to the
Mayan belief about the power of Itzam Na?
Izamal's
Mayan structures have not been re-constructed like those at nearby Chichen Itza, therefore the town has far
fewer visits by tourists. This sleepy little town comes to life twice a year
however, when thousands of Mayans come on a pilgrimage on October 18th for the
'Procession of the Black Christ' and the December 8th' Procession of the Virgin
of Izamal'.
Flamingo Tour (Celestun)
Located
one hour from Merida to the west is Celestun, a small town on the edge of the
Celestun Biosphere Reserve which serves as an annual migration ground for the
pink flamingos.
There is a tour that
leaves from the right of the bridge as you are coming into Celestun. This tour
lasts 2 to 3 hours and takes you through low water areas where flamingos are
seen in their natural habitat. You then travel through the mangroves where you
can hear birds singing and fish jumping.
Towards the end of the tour, you stop
off for a while at the Ojo de Agua (water hole)
where you can go for a swim and cool off after your trek. After you
finish the tour, be sure to go in to town as there are many restaurants on the
ocean's edge where you can order 'catch of the day'and a wonderful cold cerveza
!
Sunday in Downtown Merida
Located
in the heart of the downtown area of Merida, Merida en domingo is the host to
many great vendors who come from different parts of the state to sell their
hand crafts, herbs, spices, and everything under the sun that you could want to
take home from your trip.
To the west of the park are the mayors offices where
they host typical dancing from different parts of Mexico as well as the
Yucatan. The cathedral located on the other side of the park is very impressive and holds lots of history
and is the oldest cathedral in the Americas.
The 'Centro' area of Merida is
enjoyable every day of the week but Sundays are especially magical.
Visit a Hacienda
The
haciendas of the Yucatan are a gem all on their own, with hundreds in some state
of decay, while others have been developed into lush resorts and museums. The
haciendas in the Yucatan date back more than a hundred years when henequen was
the 'green gold' of the Yucatan. Now you can still experience the haciendas as
they were more than a hundred years ago by taking a tour that some haciendas
have to offer.
On these tours you will
see the entire process of henequen production and get to experience what
hacienda life would have been like more than 100 years ago. If you choose not to visit a working
hacienda, there are some which have been converted into beautiful hotels which
offer some of the best accommodations in the state.
So, relax by a pool and
hear birds chirping, eat authentic Yucatecan food, or lie back and enjoy a
massage, or better still, do all three!
Progreso
Progreso.
Once a sleepy fishing village, it is growing
fast, with new found fame as a Mayan port of call for many cruise ships. The
pier in this port town is at nearly five miles long, one of the longest in the
world and is particularly beautiful at sunset.
The Malecon 'beach street' is
open to pedestrian Located 30 minutes north of Merida's centro at the end of a
magnificent eight lane highway is traffic only except Sundays and is great to
take a stroll along. Shop for local
handicrafts, and stop in to a Botanero for a quick Margarita and snack, or one
of the many fresh seafood restaurants which offer the 'catch of the day' while
overlooking the white sandy beaches that the Yucatan has to offer. Progreso has
much to offer for all who visit.
Caves
Along
with the cenotes, the Yucatan offers great trips to various caves, with
'normal' tours and 'extreme 'tours. There are many many caves , some of which
have cenotes that have never seen the light of day. Caving is great fun, but,
remember to use a qualified guide and take plenty of food and water.....
