México!

Last summer, my fiancé and I took a trip to México. We began by relaxing in Cancun, enjoying the sun, and then began the sightseeing. Since we only went for one week we didn't have too much time to see everything there is to see (that would be impossible), but when in México there is one place that you must visit...Chichén Itzá.

Above: Photo of "El Castillo" in Chichén Itzá, the temple of Kukulkan. Unfortunately, we were unable to climb up the temple. They stopped letting people up about 4 years ago in order to preserve the structure. Nevertheless, the sight was absolutely amazing.

I remember learning about Chichén Itzá and the mayan civilization in university. The course was entitled the History of Astronomy, if I remember correctly. A remarkable civilization. It can be noted as the most advanced ancient civilization in Latin America when it came to mathematics and astronomy. (The others being the Incas and the Aztecs.)

Right: Photo of "El Caracol", the Observatory.

I couldn't believe that I was actually standing there! Seeing the very things that I had studied. It is truly a feeling that I cannot describe in words...to see the incredible structures that this civilization had created...to hear the sound of the god Kukulkan's name echoing in the air. (When you stand at the base of the stairs leading up the temple of Kukulkan and clap your hands you can hear his name.) Imagine a large crowd of people clapping....Kukulkan's name echoing into the heavens.

On our way to Chichén Itzá we had the opportunity to stop by Valladolid in the Yucatan Peninsula and see how the mayans live today. Some mayan women still wear the traditional dresses, which are gorgeously hand-embroidered with vibrant colours of thread.

Among many other wonderful things we were able to see in México, Cobá was another marvel. On the way to Cobá, we stopped at a mayan community where we were invited into Hermalinda's house for some home-made "tortillas". They were delicious!

Below: Hermalinda and I in her home.

After a long drive from Cancún we arrived at Cobá where we were met with about a two-mile hike through the jungle to reach the highest mayan pyramid in the area (approximately 138 feet), the Nohoch Mul pyramid (below). Can you believe that we climbed it? Well, I only made it half way up and then froze. As far as I knew I have never been afraid of heights, however the steps here are incredibly narrow and the only thing to help you is a rope hanging down the centre that you can use as a guide...that's right, there is nothing else to hold on to. Props to my fiancé for making it all the way to the top.

I can't wait to see where we will end up this summer and what adventures we will embark on!

All photographs copyright © michalress.