Can you speak and understand Spanish? “It’s not worth the risk; just go see it on Google”. “Are you crazy? Those border crossings are dangerous!”. Such were the questions I encountered from friends. Most intriguingly, the phrase: “I almost did that” kept coming up in conversation. Just then, at that moment, I could sense the lingering regret behind that word. I knew I had to give into my pilgrim soul, for as a little boy, I always dreamed of overland travel to far-off places. Explore and understand the lost civilisation.
How does one explain what one does and why one does it? I guess it is a blessing and a curse of the calling. With that thought, I embarked on an epic adventure of a lifetime to the land of the Mayas. This highly-developed civilisation flourished and vanished without a trace in the Central Americas.
"
Stop dreaming about your bucket list
and start living it.
- Annette White
20°
20'53.552262'' N
30°
88'8.152878'' W
Ek Balam
DAY: 3
GPS: 20,53.552262N 88,8.152878W
Three hours from Cancun and one hour from Valladolid
These amazingly well-preserved sculptures uncovered at Ek Balam are an interesting Mayan site. Dating from 100 BC to its height at 700-1,200 BC, it is unlike any other Mayan site. The main temple here at Ek Balam is impressive, both in size and architecture. It's a massive size of over 500 feet long and 200 feet wide, the frescoes and sculptures decorating this temple is an artistic marvel.
20°
20'53.552262'' N
30°
88'8.152878'' W
Ek Balam
DAY: 4
Three hours from Cancun and one hour from Valladolid
These amazingly well-preserved sculptures uncovered at Ek Balam are an interesting Mayan site. Dating from 100 BC to its height at 700-1,200 BC, it is unlike any other Mayan site. The main temple here at Ek Balam is impressive, both in size and architecture. It's a massive size of over 500 feet long and 200 feet wide, the frescoes and sculptures decorating this temple is an artistic marvel.
Cenote Zaci
The next afternoon I took a dip in another beautiful cenote, and I had it all to myself
My pale feet
It's incredible as the sunlight filters through the blue waters of Cenote Samulá
Right: A Mayan Warrior at the temple in Ek Balm
Far right: More ruins at Ek' Balam Archaeological site
El Castillo
El Castillo
Day 8
El Castillo|Chichen Itza
From crystal clear seas of the Caribbean to the deep underground caves of Central Mexico, my adventures saw me dive into the blue waters of secret centos in the Yucatán Peninsula and scale the new world’s most impressive pyramids.
I had the pleasure of the company of
Dr Santiago, who is a specialist in the Archaeology of the Americas
Uxmal is an ancient Maya city of the classical period
Temple of the Warriors
Chichen Itza (‘the mouth at the well of Itza’) is classified as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and, in 1988, was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
El Castillo (the Temple of Kukulkan) is the famous pyramid that dominates Chichen Itza's site and actually sits on another much older temple.
Day 10
Belize City
Belize
“Young man you know nothing about fishing.
I tell you, man, I have been fishing for over 40 years in these waters”
Edmundo Emanuel, 78
Baron Bliss Lighthouse
Baron Bliss Lighthouse in Belize City was established in 1885 on the former site of a Spanish fortress which was highly damaged after the Battle of St. George's Caye in September 1798
Guatemala
Tikal- The ancient Mayan citadel in the rainforests of northern Guatemala
I hiked through the thick, dense jungles of Guatemala, completing my excursion by looking down on the lost city of Tikal. Then crossing the border to Copán- an archaeological site of the Maya civilization in the Copán Department of western Honduras.
DAY:15
Tikal, Northern Guatemala
Tikal
An ancient Mayan citadel in the rainforests of northern Guatemala
20°
17'13.456502'
N
24°
89'36.698802'
W
Antigua
Where cultures blend and time stood still
Santa Catalina Arch at night
Santa Catalina Arch at night
Santa Catalina Arch
Volcano de Agua
Antigua, Guatemala. With crumbling churches set against the backdrop of monumental volcanoes
Bienvenidos!
Above the clouds is a bright blue sky; Their eyes tell stories that no words describe. Yet I am surprised to see smiles on their faces to greet strangers passing by.