Chichen Itza and a Cenote

Our last archaeological site was the magnificent Chichen Itza.   It is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, known chiefly for the large pyramid, El Castillo, or the Temple of Kulkulkan.  On the spring and fall equinoxes, a large snake shadow (Kulkulkan) appears along the length of the Temple's staircase, and brings approximately 45,000 visitors to the spectacle.  (Kulkulcan is the Mayan name for Quetzacoatl).  This temple was also named one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007.

Here we are in front of the Temple of Kulkulkan:

Other interesting aspects at Chichen Itza include a ballcourt (see students below), one of 13 on the site, and El Sagra Cenote, or the Sacred Cenote, where sacrificial offerings (including humans) were tossed.

Temperature in the shade at the site was 92 deg!  We were afraid to check the temperature in full sun!

Later, we went to a nearby cenote for a swim before heading back to Chichen Itza for a light and sound show that evening.

This cenote (Ik Kil) is 196' wide at the top, and 130' deep.  A staircase carved into the stone leads down to the water, which is 85' down from the surface.  Here are students waving to the professors.  They didn't stay in the water too long, because, as one said, "We didn't have anything to hold on to, so all we could do was tread water.  It was exhausting!"