I hopped in the Toyota with my guide Brandon and we were of a little before 8 AM. First we had to cross a hand crank bridge. Brandon made me get out of the car while he drove it on and off the bridge. He said it was for safety reasons. Brandon may have wanted to redistribute the weight on the bridge, cause of my body habitus.
We arrived at the entrance and we were like the 1st two people at the park.
Xunantunich means "stone woman". It is in reference to a ghost that some have seen inhabiting the site.
Xunantunich is this big. The temple behind me is the second tallest one in Belize. The only one taller is at Caracol.
Partially excavated temple. Large burial tomb was discoveres underneath the metal cover in the middle.
A smaller temple from the other plaza. Most likely served as a residence for the elite.
The oldest ruins on site as you climb the hill to the temples. I think 200 AD
Main temple. El Castillo.
Fresca on the east face
Art house picture of the ruins for EB #1
Art house picture #2
View from the top of El Castillo. Center temple was thought to be for sacrifices and blood lettings. Fat temple is the same as above and thought to be a residence.
From El Castillo you can see this house. It was a hotel until El Chapo's cousin bought it and turned it into his family home.
Fresca on the west side of El Castillo.
This part of the ruins is more recent. The round stone outcroppings may have been where games where played. This may have come from some Azetec influences.
Ball courts. You do not want to be the visiting team.
El Castillo in B&W
Stella depicting a Mayan ruler
From the learning center showing how Ceiba trees contacted the underworld, earth and heaven.
In and out in 2 hours, truly amazing this pyramid seemed big because of its location on the hill and the views of the valley and Mopan River. Amazing if in Belize, I would see this over Caracol.
I was back at the resort by 10. Kari and I enjoyed a late breakfast and then packed to take a Tropic Air flight to San Pedro on Ambergis Cay. We took a car from the resort to the paved runway. That handed us boarding pass with Sprite advertised on them. The single prop plane came in and landed. It's 2-4 passengers got off, and the airport staff loaded our bags onto the plane. 15 minutes later we were boarded and ready to go. Most flights like this or in general the pilot goes through a preflight check list. Our guy just swung up into the pilot seat. Turned a few buttons and fires the bird up. Down the runway we went, from there it was airborne until we got to Ambergis Cay
Oh my god this plane is small. Our pilot looks like Guillermo from Jimmy Kimmel.
We arrived at Ambergis Cay and head to Victoria House to check in. Right on the beach it is a beautiful resort with little villas. A perfect spot to relax and catch some rays.
The room.
Our villa.
We walked on the beach. I was dominated in a game of bean bag toss (cornhole). We went to Hurricane's and had some amazing Ceviche. Dinner at Wild Mangos and then bed. Tomorrow we are fishing in the morning!!!!
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