Our first view of the fantastic Kukulcan pyramid at Chichen Itza - emerging prettily from the trees that line the massive grassy space around the pyramid. As you can see, it´s a stepped structure, with geometric patterns decorating each level, and a simple temple on top. In front of it is a very diminutive Vicki!
This building with the columns was probably my favourite on the site - there were hundreds of them streaching for hundreds of meters around a central temple. Not all the columns were reconstructed however... circular slabs littered the area, making a comfy seat for Gary. Below you can see another favourite feature - a wall of skulls!
More pillars... this time all reconstructed. So no seats for me to have a rest...
This was an observatory, nicknamed ´the snail´ in Spanish, perhaps due to the domed roof. It was in yet another region of the extensive complex, surrounded by more temples an pyramids - the Mayas didn´t do things by half when they constructed cities.
Finally, this is the Kukulcan Pyramid in the late afternoon sun, with Gary. On the left side you can see some steps with two serpent´s head carved at the bottom of the banisters. Just to the right of the closer step edge a strange light-shadow boundry makes it look as if the snake is running up the pyramid! This is a bit lop-sided - perhaps a boa constricter that has reacently had lunch? Apparently the effect is best during the Spring Equinox.
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