Wednesday March 11, 2020
Port of Costa Maya, Mexico
🌴🌴🌴
We arrived at port around 7:00 in the morning and by 8:00 we were leaving the ship and catching a bus to take us to the ancient ruins of Kohunlich.
The Name Kohunlich comes from the Spanish name for the 'Cohune' Palm Tree. It is the site of an ancient Mayan civilization in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. I have never been to a place like this and it was fascinating.
Our guide would give us a detailed explanation about the ruins were were seeing and then we were able to wander over the area by ourselves.
This is standing in the plaza looking toward the walls of the Palace.
Below you can see the remains of a residence, and it was probably a very nice one to be so close to the palace.
Climbing the steps up to the palace.
On the back side of the palace looking up at Cali who is on the wall.
John and Nancy have been to these ruins several times and they were telling us that at the time these building were in use they would have been covered with a red stucco. Sometimes you can even see evidence of the red. Parker is showing me how bid it is.
I really appreciate that we were able to climb the steps of these ruins and look around inside at what was left of the structures. The Palace from the opposite side.
I can't help but wonder at the people who used that little door. This gives you an idea at how sturdy the foundation was built on this edifice.
Coming around the corner of the Palace. Seeing the people standing on top gives you a clue as to how large it was. According to our guide these are just a miniscule part of this Mayan city that probably had a population of 10,000 or more.
Besides the palace the 21 acres of this site also includes administration offices, more residences, a ball court and spiritual areas and more than one palace.
Up on the palace.
Walking through the plaza.
A look at the tall Cahune Palm trees as our guide gives us instructions.
Here you can see remnants of the red stucco that once covered all of these building.
A view of the plaza.
Some information for you if you feel like enlarging it and reading, along with a map of the area that has been excavated or preserved.
Below is the 27 steps Residential area where many residences were located.
It was so very beautiful here. I tried to imagine what it was like to live here in 250 to 600 A.D. and what kind of area and dwelling I would have lived in.
Another look at the 27 steps.
This Plaza was really huge. It reminded me in size of Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakesh, Morocco.
What did they see when they stood on their buildings and looked out over the plaza? I'm sure lots of activity with people and animals.
Me on the 27 steps.
I forced everyone to stop and take a couple of group photos. This was something I wanted to always remember.
From left: John and Nancy Eppert, Alan and Cali, Cindy with Parker in front, Darryl and Gideon. I am so very grateful we were all able to share this moment together.
A selfie with my sweetie as we were checking out the residential buildings.
This is the ball court. The trees I'm sure, are a new addition, but this court was much narrower than I had imagined. It had raised areas for seating/standing on either side.
Gideon and Parker at the Temple of the Masks.
These masks have incredible detail and each symbol has a specific meaning. They are kept under shade to protect them from the elements.
You can even see a little color on this one.
The stairs were very steep leading up to the top and I, for one, was grateful for the ropes. I know they were meant to keep people away from the masks but I used it as a hand rail.
Below you can see Darryl ducking out from under the cover.
There were masks on either side of the stairs going all the way up to the top.
Darryl coming down the opposite side.
They had some amazing artisans back in their day to create these.
This gives you an idea of how steep the stairs were.
A look up at the three masks on the right side of the temple.
The back side of the Temple of the Masks.
Once again you can see the red from the stucco on the outside layer of stone.
Hey Alan! A look down the very steep stairs at the Temple.
On the side of the Temple of the masks.
A small pool of water, possibly a well, on the way back to the bus.
A last look at the Plaza.
When we returned to port the Norwegian Cruise Ship Escape was parked alongside ours. You can see the difference in the size of a Mega-ship and our smaller ship, The Empress of the Seas.
It was a banner day and conversation around the dinner table was lively as we talked about what we had seen and heard. The good thing was there are more adventures coming tomorrow!
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