Incredible Mayan Wonders in Mexico's Jungle - Time Out #336

Before the dreaded Covid-19 worldwide pandemic descended everywhere, my bride, Lady Deborah, and I have been fortunate to have visited more than 100 countries over planet earth. Because of this vast number seen, we hold memberships in the Travelers' Century Travel Club, Santa Monica, CA. One of the primary things we always consider while planning our next travel adventure is whether or not we have previously been there. If the answer is "yes", usually we choose somewhere else to go in order to experience a new place(s). Of course, we do return visits, too. However, no international sites have been visited in the last 2 years. Because of our non-activity in that travel area, our anxiety is increasing, and we are ready to get back out there, and experience more of our BIG world!

When the "New 7 Wonders of the World" list came out in July 7, 2007, we decided we would attempt to enjoy each place selected, visiting them in person. Thus far, we have accomplished 4 places on the list: Mexico's Chichen Itza, Rome's Colosseum, China's Great Wall, and Peru's Machu Picchu.. We still have India's Taj Mahal, Jordan's Petra, and Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer to see. Today, I will discuss our trip to the Mayan wonder in Yucatan jungle, Mexico's Chichen Itza.

Several years ago, my bride and I flew to Cancun, Mexico, and stayed a week at the then small resort community of Playa Del Carmen, a coastal area on the beautiful Caribbean Sea. During our week there, we took a full day-trip to the interior of the Yucatan, via a local tour bus. We visited the incredible Mayan community of Chichen Itza, constructed around 400 AD. The drive there was lengthy, through the dusty Mexican countryside/jungle, in the heat and humidity of the summer. Once there, Ms. Debbie and I had several hours, navigating through the enormous, historical complex. The area is owned by the state government, and, thus, is well-maintained, and is daytime safe. The stone structures are also in good condition, considering they are over 1,600-years-old. We walked around the grand ball court area, where the Mayans played games we would classify as barbaric today, but normal for them. I climbed the 91 precarious steps of the ruins' centerpiece, El Castillo, while my bride stayed safe at ground level. Counting the temple on top, the monument is 99' high. Remember, it was REALLY hot and humid the day we visited. Today, park management does not allow visitors to climb this iconic structure, since a San Diego woman fell to her death from it years ago.

Our fellow bus travelers, appeared to enjoy their visits, too. Everyone took lots of great photographs. There are numerous large and small Mayan structures in the park, and most have very intricate carvings/drawings on them. There are also plenty descriptive signs, and guided tours available, if the visitor wants these tourist amenities.

When we arrived back at the Playa Del Carmen town square where we departed hours earlier, we were ready to relax in our nice vacation unit we used that special week. For sure, if you are vacation-staying in the Mexican locations of Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Costa Maya, or Cozumel, you certainly should take advantage of their proximity, and visit iconic Chichen Itza. It is truly a site to see, fellow travelers. Don't you miss it!