Lak'ech Ala K'in "I am you, and you are me." Maya Greeting
UNDERWATER MUSEUM
Sculptures for the Museo Acuático in Cancún
Fish, divers swim through the UNDERWATER MUSEUM IN CANCUN, Mexico (Reuters Life!) – Schools of glittering silver-white fish swoop past a statue of a man hunched over a workbench, the first seabed artwork in a new underwater museum in Mexico's Caribbean Sea.
About 400 life-size casts will be submerged off the resort of Cancun by the end of 2010. It is hoped that the low-acidity cement figures, designed to be anti-corrosive and mimic rock, will be transformed over time into artificial reefs. Some will be in shallow waters for snorkelers to enjoy.
Audubon Magazine.com
- Artist Jason deCaires Taylor
- The Underwater Museum is in Mexico’s National Marine Park of Cancun, Isla Mujeres and Punta Nizuc. During the latter part of 2009 and much of 2010, artist Jason deCaires Taylor will cover this seabed with hundreds of life-size statues, art that Taylor and his partners from the National Marine Park and the Cancun Nautical Association hope will eventually form a reef structure for marine life to colonize.
Taylor plans to make each piece from cement, sand, micro silica and fiber glass—a combo said to promote coral life—and place the installation over 1,600 square feet (about 150 square meters).
MAYA JOURNEY - Journey through pyramids and temples following the route of the Maya. Join us on a journey of discovery and magic visiting the archaeological wonders of the Maya World. Our small group will explore the Yucatán Peninsula in all its majesty. We will embark on our journey to the breathtaking pyramids and temples of Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, Kabáh, Cobá, and the Maya site of Tulúm. The Sacred Caves of Loltún and Balankanché will leave you in awe. Our tour will come to a conclusion at the Riviera Maya, where the powdery white sandy beaches meet the turquoise waters. A true paradise.
MAYA SACRED SITES
CANCÚN
TULÚM
TULÚM 'ZAMA' or 'City of Dawn'
1200 AD Once an important trading port, administrative, ceremonial and spiritual center, this ancient Maya city is walled and has a magnificent view of the turqoise waters of the Caribbean. It played a very important role in the Caste Wars of 1890 when the Maya were fighting for their rights and took refuge in the site.
La Casa del Cenote, “The House of the Well.”
Built over a Cenote, the entrance of the Maya Underworld, has a tomb in the middle.
Several tiny shrines that some think were made to place offerings to the Aluxes, or protectors of the Earth and spiritual places surround the city.
Templo del Dios Descendiente, the Descending God or Flying God, is carved in stone above the entrance.
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| M.O. Baum |
I'TZAMNA, God and Creator of the Maya Civilization, The god that Could The Fly,
has wings and his head is looking down towards the floor in a flying position. The man that gave the knowledge to the Maya world and considered the father of their Culture; the Flying God, resides in the sky. He created the Maya and came to their aid to teach them. He taught the Maya about the crops, maize, cacao, and medicine; all about herbs, trees and the most important teaching; the respect and love to the Cosmos, Mother Earth and every living being. His teachings included the Sacred Calendars and their Writing. Sacred to them, their God creator from the sky, had 13 children on earth. Tonacatecuhtli is the corresponding deity in the Aztec culture.
On top of the pyramid in Ek-Balam, near Valladolid, there are some drawings that are similar to the ones in Egypt. This eye reminds me of the Eye of Horus in Egypt.
You can't enter in the Descending God Temple anymore, unless you get a special permit in Cancún or in Chetumal.
On the inside of the room, opposite site where the Descending God is, there is a figure of a star. This star is aligned with a small window on the opposite side of the room towards the sea.
Legend says that it points directly to where the Flying God came from. Some say Atlantis or Bimini? Some speculate that is aligned to the stars so that the priests would know when was the Spring Equinox, the time to plant corn.
So was it an astronomical calendar? Or is it the VENUS CYCLE?
This is from Michael Meyer "Venus";
This is from Michael Meyer "Venus";
"Because Venus rotates one-hundred and eighty degrees on its polar axis between inferior conjunctions, at each superior conjunction Venus shows Earth the face that during the inferior conjunction faced the Sun, while the side that was facing the Earth during the conjunction now faces the Sun. But this is not the most extraordinary feature of the Venus cycle. When one plots the cycle of any important turning point of the cycle of Venus for five or more consecutive cycles, a remarkable pattern forcefully emerges — a five-pointed star!"
EL CASTILLO is on the highest part of the site; some speculate it was used as a lighthouse. This Temple was dedicated to Kukulcán equivalent of the Aztec god Topiltzin Cē Ācatl Quetzalcōatl, the feathered serpent.
EL PALACIO or HALACH U'INIC House of the First Lord, believed to be a residence.
TEMPLO DE LA ESTELA, where fragments were found of a stone inscribed with the Mayan date 564 AD. Now it is at the British Museum.
CASA DE LAS COLUMNAS used to do business.
TEMPLO DE LOS FRESCOS with murals on the exterior and masks of the rain god Chac. Colored murals and red hand prints (count the fingers). Masks of Chac, the rain god, and the Descending God.
TEMPLO DEL DIOS DEL VIENTO (Temple of the God of the Wind) is a small room on a round platform. There are several small shrines and a dried Cenote.
SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT
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| M.O. Baum |
- The walls flare outward and the doorways inward.
- Look at the murals on top of the main entrance of the Temple of the Frescos. In the central niche there is a sculpture of the Descending God, there are several large relief masks and I'tzamná, the flying God, the Sky, the God of Gods of the Maya. The Goddess I'xchel that represents fertiliy, protector of pregnant women, and several other figures. Red hands painted on the wall; count the fingers.
- The maize and fish are symbols of fertility.
Mosquito Repellent and bathing suit, as you can swim in the beautiful waters while you admire the temples.
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| M.O. Baum |
Approximately two hours from CANCUN (Hwy #307). Wonderful road but slow because of the traffic. A couple of barricades, guard by soldiers, will flag a car or truck to check for drunks, drugs or guns. (When we went to Palenque last month, they searched every car. They were very nice and you won't have any problem if you are not drunk, have guns or drugs).
- Tulúm is a wonderful site and one of the most visited. I personally love the surroundings and the fact that you can swim while watching the pyramids on top of the cliff, but, it is so manicured, so perfect, and now, with all the visitors, you can't go inside the temples. The amount of visitors is such that a shopping center charges for the parking lot and added a tram that charges to take you to the main entrance. However, the money doesn't go towards the Archeological site. You can also enter the site without the parking and tram expense, keep on hwy 307, and after you pass the main entrance of Tulúm (on your left), you will see the turn to the right towards Cobá, make a left turn towards Punta Allen or S'ian Ka'an Reserve. Go straight touwards Punta Allen, when the road makes a sharp right turn, make a sharp left, at the curve), to the end of the road. You can park there and enter the site directly and walk to where the tickets are sold. Give a tip to the boy that takes care of the cars. If you were to continue straight, the ocean would be on your left and ten minutes later you will find the entrance to the S'ian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve.
Take mosquito repellent, a towel, bathing suit, sunblock and hat! :)
From Tulúm you can continue to the S'ian Ka'an Reserve or Biosfera de Sian Ka'an or go back via Tulúm Town towards Felipe Carrillo Puerto (Hwy 307)) south for 40 miles approx. there you will find on your left hand side, after a curve, a tiny magical site in the entrance of the town of Muyil;
Muyil also known as Chumyaxché.
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Chumyaxché - With more than 140 temples covered with vegetation, 40 acres of jungle and only a few pyramids that are completely uncovered; this site is a nice change from Tulúm. The 56 ft. pyramid has a splendid view and a room on the top that has a pelican carved on the stone and some paintings. Be careful if you climb the pyramids.
A Saché, (from the Maya "Sa" white and "Che'" path or road), the wonderful Maya road made of shells, sap of the zapote tree, rocks and lime, connects this site to the Muyil Lagoon that is part of the S'ian Ka'an Reseve and then ends at the sea. The Lagoon is connected to the open sea by a narrow canal that was dredged by the ancient Maya so that they would have access to the open sea. You can continue from Chumyaxché to the entrance of S'ian Ka'an Reserve and walk to the lagoon for an extra fee where you can see the wonderful wildlife and vegetation. If you don't want to walk, you can continue towards Felipe Carrillo Puerto and make an immediate left after the archeological site; first left. This rural road takes you to the Lake where you can park and take a boat tour. Watch on the side of the road on your left and right sides for carvings on the rock. Mosquito repellent; you are in the jungle! Ask permission to the Aluxes when you enter their site!
- Heading back to Cobá, in the Tulúm-Cobá road (44 Km.), we stopped on the Km. 22 to visit a sculptor studio on the right side of the road. We were surprised of all the knowledge, incredible old books and quality museum copies of Ancient Maya symbols and sculptures that he and his father make. If you have a chance, stop and talk to them.
Maya Symbol
Wonderful site of Videos and Murals from the Mexican University: http://www.pinturamural.esteticas.unam.mx/video.html
Wonderful site of Videos and Murals from the Mexican University: http://www.pinturamural.esteticas.unam.mx/video.html
Let's Explore! "El Duende," a Maya Legend - Illustrated children's book
Maya Journey Virtual Journey
COBÁ
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| M.O. Baum |
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| M.O. Baum |
Trading post between Belize and Honduras, this 67 square miles of jungle, has large number of carved reliefs or Stelae or Estelas.
Impressive roads or "Sacbe" (plural sacbeob); series of elevated stone, shells, lime and plaster roads from the central site to various sites; the longest runs over 62 miles. 50,000 people lived in this great city.
COBÁ is in between two lakes: Lake COBÁ and Lake Macanxoc. Do not swim. Big crocs own both lakes.
Nohoch Mul or 'large hill' pyramid; 138 feet tall.
Templo de la Iglesia, 'Temple of the Church', and many other wonderful structures.
Grupo Macanxoc or Group C is where the group of Stelae or estelas are.
Estela # 1 has the last calculation of the Maya Date of December 12, 2012. The last day of the Maya calendar.
Their calculations of Venus, Earth, Mars and Jupiter are incredible and exact. One of their calendars, the one with 260 nights, the time of the gestation, and, the magnetic orientation of the site, has been very controversial. The Feng Shui style site has a perfect orientation.
- The Maya studied Venus, and, in the Dresden Codex (a Maya glyph book), they explain with incredible precission, the cycles of Venus. It assigns long counts to a table of eclipses and a table of the apparitions of Venus. Their ancient calendar is still in use; "La Voz de los Mayas," a local Maya newspaper, reported that the butterflies, that every year come to the site and stay for a while, were leaving the site. The Newspaper announced that a "huge storm" was coming just by watching the butterflies. They predicted the huricane before the rest of the world and they were exactly on the date..
TIPS - The best way to visit this site is to stay in a local hotel, get there when they open at 8 a.m., get a guide and, after you hear all the information about the site, rent a bicycle or tricycle and go on your own. Do not miss the Stelas that are on the furthest point. Have lunch, relax and return for a walk.
. Try to be quiet so that you can see all the wonderful wildlife. Don't forget sunblock, water, hat and repellent; you are in the jungle!  |
| M.O. Baum |
- We always stay at a beautiful hotel near the site, that is in front of the lake, at walking distance of the archeological entrance. This way we leave the car at the hotel, visit the site early in the morning, return to the Hotel to have lunch and swim, and, 3 hours before they close we head back to the site.
Every time we visit it, we see different things that we missed before.
Every day the archeologists are discovering new sites. Every day they are re-writing History.
Every day the archeologists are discovering new sites. Every day they are re-writing History.
- Don't miss the night sky!
TIPS:
- TRAVEL ESSENTIALS, PASSPORT, WARNINGS- "THE MAGICAL, MEDICINAL TEA." "JAMAICA FLOWER DRINK" "Agua de Jamaica" (Hibiscus Organic flowers) a wonderful refreshing drink (tea), that, in clinical trials, is very promising. Considered a 'sacred medicinal water' for centuries, the tea is prepared with the dry flowers of the hibiscus;
- 2 Cups of Jamaica flowers dried and clean, 10 cups of water, optional: 3/4 cup of sugar.
- 2 Cups of Jamaica flowers dried and clean, 10 cups of water, optional: 3/4 cup of sugar.
When the water is boiling, add the flowers and let them boil for 10 min.. Strain, taking all the leaves out, add sugar and serve it cold. The flower "Jamaica" (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.- "Malvaceas Family" like Cacao and Hibiscus) is proven to be an excellent remedy for cholesterol and inflamation.
Clinical study IMSS, Oaxaca http://vinculando.org/mercado/flor_jamaica.html
COBÁ, EK-BALAM and CHICHEN-ITZÁ
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| Ek'Balam "Black Jaguar" - M.O. Baum |
Part of the TALOL EMPIRE, Ek' Balam was one of the longest continuously inhabited area; a large and powerful city. Surrounded by protective walls and 4 beautiful arches at the entrance of the Sacbé; the Maya roads, made of shells, lime, sap of the Zapote tree, and stones. The roads connected the city with other Maya sites. The Maya traveled at night to avoid the heat, and, by using shells, the light of the moon reflected on them.
The Maya King Coch-Cal-Balam, founded Ek' Balam, but, U'kil-Kan Lek-T'ok, the powerful ruller is buried in the main pyramid called the Acropolis, where life-sized stucco figures were excavated in perfect condition, having been carefully buried by the ancient Maya about 1200 years ago. U'Kil-Kan Lek-Tok became the ruler of the throne in 770 and died 30 years later. During his reign, Ek' Balam became the greatest power in the northeastern region of the Yucatán.
- There is a beautiful oval palace, a ball court, a sweat lodge and other impressive structures and Temples. - There are several plazas and a water system on the left side of the main pyramid.
- One of the monuments depicts a ruler of Ek' Balam; U'kit Jol' A'hkul, wearing a headdress with stacked monster snouts holding a scepter and an offering. Above the ruler, is U'kil-Kan Lek-T'ok, the powerful man that ruled Ek' Balam in 800 AD.
- One of the monuments depicts a ruler of Ek' Balam; U'kit Jol' A'hkul, wearing a headdress with stacked monster snouts holding a scepter and an offering. Above the ruler, is U'kil-Kan Lek-T'ok, the powerful man that ruled Ek' Balam in 800 AD.
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| The Acropolis and the Winged Maya Warriors - M.O. Baum |
The Acropolis, the impressive pyramid, is the tomb of U'kil-KanLek-T'ok, his name has been deduced from a glyph in the tomb. The emblem glyph named the ruler as the "Divine Lord of Talol," as the kingdom was known in ancient times.
There are two sculptures of a snake head on the stairs of the lowest level. Their tongue is covered with glyphs.
The Acropolis, an impressive building, has a jaguar's mouth with beautiful winged Maya warrior's sculptures perfectly preserved on the top.
Take your time looking at the different symbols. It is worth it to take a guide and then walk on your own.
The sculptures are perfectly preserved because they were discovered until 1999. Before that, it was a minor site. Every day new discoveries on the site are changing the History books.
The Acropolis, an impressive building, has a jaguar's mouth with beautiful winged Maya warrior's sculptures perfectly preserved on the top.
Take your time looking at the different symbols. It is worth it to take a guide and then walk on your own.
The sculptures are perfectly preserved because they were discovered until 1999. Before that, it was a minor site. Every day new discoveries on the site are changing the History books.
The Chenes Style serpent-mouth at the top of the Acropolis, is the entrance to the tomb that the Maya covered with dirt when they abandoned the city. The column in the center is the monster's nose.
The figures of the winged Maya warriors are about the height of a Maya. Not long after Ukit Kan Le'k Tok' was buried inside the building, it was carefully filled with powdered limestone and rocks and then the entire facade was covered.
The figures of the winged Maya warriors are about the height of a Maya. Not long after Ukit Kan Le'k Tok' was buried inside the building, it was carefully filled with powdered limestone and rocks and then the entire facade was covered.
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| M.O. Baum |
As you leave the site, turn right to visit the Maya Village of Ek' Balam, where wonderful crafts and hammocks are made. Most of the people still speak Maya. The priest visits the town sporadically, the teacher comes from far away and there is no doctor. Visit Ek-Balam and climb to the top before someone falls from the top of the pyramid, as it happened in Cobá, where thanks to that incident, nobody is allowed to climb.
When you climb to the top, pay special attention to the painted figures on the side of the right door. They are similar to the ones found in Egypt.
Hat, sun block, repellent and good shoes!
Ask the guides about the Legend of the Aluxes,the small beings that take care of the Sacred Maya sites and punish the people that don't take care of them. Local people built a small hut at the entrance of the archaeological site for the Aluxes. Sometimes is used as a healing place, please respect the people that are being healed and don't interrupt them. Have fun and enjoy this magical place!
DRIVING COBÁ to EK-BALAM Chichén-Itzá to Ek-Balam, 40 Km approx.; take the Cuota road (toll road) which is faster or the state road (one lane each way) towards Valladolid; the exit is via Tizimin.
Cancún to Ek-Balam: 100 Miles West of Cancún.
Valladolid-Ek-Balam: 19 Miles -Valladolid is a colonial town midway between Cancún & Mérida. Main attractions: Cathedral (built on top of a sacred Maya place and pyramid, as the Spanish used to do. They destroyed the pyramids, used the stones to construct their churches; that way the locals were used to worship in that site) and the Zócalo, or Main Square. There are 7 Churches around the town and everyone is on top of a Mayan sacred site. San Bernardino Convent was built over the Cenote Sis-H'a, a sacred entrance to the underworld for the ancient Maya. The other Cenote in the town is Zaci, with a restaurant that has a view of the Cenote and the people swimming in it. This is an open Cenote.
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| M.O. Baum |
The Maya Calendar
Explore Yucatan
CHICHĖN-ITZÁ
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| M.O. Baum |
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| M.O. Baum |
CHICHĖN-ITZÁ - "At the mouth of the well of the Itza," "enchanted waters."
One of the "New Seven Wonders of the Modern World"
30 minutes W of Valladolid.
Eclipses, equinoxes, solstices, etc., were observed and studied by the priests who controlled not only the calendar, but, every aspect of their life.
2012 MAYA PREDICTIONS
2012 MAYA PREDICTIONS
There are two ways to enter the site; through the town of Piste or through the Hotel Zone. The best deal is to stay in the Hotel Zone and start the visit early in the morning with a guide, return to your Hotel, take a swim and lunch, and return before the closing of the site. We usually stay 3 days and visit several sites. Check the times. With your entrance ticket you can go to the "Light and Sound Show" on the evening; bring a flash light.
The Toltec, from Central México, united forces with the Maya to make Chichén-Itzá the most powerful city and Pilgrimage Center for over one thousand years. Kukulcán or Quetzalcóatl (Feathered Serpent) was the name of their ruler.
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| M.O. Baum |
-The Pyramid of Kukulcán "El Castillo", dedicated to the Feathered Serpent God "Kukulcán," has sculptures of feathered serpents that run down the sides of the northern staircase. The shadows of the snakes can be seen on the spring and fall Equinox. The Pyramid or Temple of Kukulcán (feathered serpent deity also known as "Quetzalcóatl" by his Nahua followers in the southwestern United States and northwestern México.) - The temple has 9 levels depicting the Maya Cosmological view; 9 levels in the Maya Underworld. • 91 steps on three of the sides, 92 on the staircase, giving us a total of 365 steps, or days of the year. The staircase, (center of the pyramid), has 13 levels; the number of levels in the "upper worlds".
- El Caracol, "Observatory." A circular temple that served as an astronomical observatory. Maya astronomers knew from observations that Venus appeared on the western and disappeared on the eastern horizons at different times in the year, and that it took 584 days to complete one cycle; 5 of these Venus cycles equaled 8 solar years; Venus would appear at the North and South at eight year intervals. In the interior of the pyramid there is another pyramid, as the Maya used to construct one every 52 years. The archeologists just discovered another construction and are working to uncover it. We were told that the new one will be uncovered in 3 more months (March 2010). The climb to the top is not allowed anymore.
Inside of the pyramid there is the stone-carved throne of the King Kukulcán; a jaguar throne painted in red with spots of jade incrustations and stairways.
-Temple of the Warriors -The Great Market -Platform of the Skulls -Juego de Pelota or Ballcourt -Temple of the Jaguars - with feathered serpent columns, jaguars and murals.
-Sweatbaths to purify the body and soul.
-Cenote of Sacrifice - The Red House - House of the Deer - Temple of the Wall Panels
-Cenote of Sacrifice - The Red House - House of the Deer - Temple of the Wall Panels
-Akab' D'zib Palace; hieroglyphic inscriptions
-High Priest Grave; tomb for one of the city ruler.
-High Priest Grave; tomb for one of the city ruler.
-The Nunnery Complex that was the royal palace.
Find the magic!
TIPS
- Ask the guide about the Aluxes, how to ask permission when you enter the site, and, on the right side of the Observatory, walk until you find a wall; it has some carvings depicting the Aluxes.
- Bring sunscreen, hat, mosquito repellent and a flashlight for the light and show.
- If you have an extra day: Visit Old Chichén; clustered within the private property of Hacienda Chichén and not open to public visits. It is part of the Maya Jungle Reserve and Nature Trails and open only to the Hacienda Chichén guests and visitors for bird watching and horseback-riding tours. Ask at the Villas Arqueológicas Hotel where they offer great guides and tours at a great price.
- If you have a chance, read "La Peregrina" from Alma Reed. A wonderful historical love story. Part of this wonderful story took place in the Hacienda.
Chichén Itzá to Balankanche Caves
BALANKANCHE CAVES, 'Throne of the Jaguar Priest'
- Wonderful magical place with idols and ancient pottery in the positions where they were left by the Ancient 
There is an altar, the "Balam Throne", where the Mayas celebrated their ceremonies. The stalactite and stalagmite formations are wonderful. There is a 20+ ft. formation of stalagmites in the form of a Ceiba tree, the sacred tree of the Maya that represents the 3 levels: the underworld (roots), the physical level (trunk) and the heavens (branches). There is a small museum at the entrance, coffee and a botanical garden. The light and sound show is presented in English, Spanish and French. This fascinating site, in a limestone cave, was discovered by accident in 1959. Undisturbed for centuries, its entrance was blocked with stone and shrub.
The entrance of the cave is small but it opens as you walk through the labyrinth of underground caverns and waterways. Clay dishes, copal burners, 'metates' (stones for grinding maize), and other objects still lying where the priests left them. Pay special attention to the tiny metates.
- The mask of the Rain God Tláloc decorates many of the clay pots. At the end, a crystal-clear water surrounds another altar. Usually in the Cenotes there are tiny shrimps and blind fish. Little fruit bats can be seen on the ceiling. There is a great parking space and it is open every day; we visited the site on Christmas Day (09) with no problem. The time of the visit changes depending on the language; don't worry, you don't need the explanation. You don't have to wait until the time of your language. Just enjoy the site! It is wonderful. If you are claustrophobic do not enter. It is like a steam bath inside! There is also a botanical garden. Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmdzYyiDxMg There is a wonderful picture of the altar in:
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