Chichén Itzá

We left Merida bright and early (6.30am) to hit Chichen Itza before the heat and crowds. I took my turn at the back of the minivan which was cramped. We had bad covers of 80's rock ballards being played quietly through some speakers behind us, so every now and then burst into spontaneously signing along. It felt like the naughty school kids at the back of the bus (myself, Flutra, Cathy and Josie).

At Chichen Itza we met our guide and he showed us around the ruins. We saw the pitch for a Mayan ball game that is apparently a mixture of all sports and the aim is to get the ball through a hoop high up on the long sides of the pitch. Rules to the game seem to vary depending on which Mayan site you are visiting. Here depictions of the two teams are carved into the stones around the pitch. They show two teams of 7. They are shown wearing protections, covering various body parts used to hit the ball - foot, hip, forearm etc. One of the team captains is holding the head of the other captain, whose remaining neck is spurting blood with snake heads. Reportedly the captain of the winning team would be sacrificed and the rest of his team and their families would move up a level in society, whilst the losing team would move down a level.

We then saw the Temple of Kukulcán which is the most famous building at the site and a UNESCO world heritage site.

After spending a couple of hours at the archeological site we left and went for a home cooked buffet not far away. This was the most delicious meal of the trip so far. We had Cochinita Pibil, chicken, refried beans, chaya, guacamole and much more.

We stuffed ourselves within what felt like minutes and were soon on our way to the final stop of our tour through Mexico, Playa Del Carmen.Read more