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The day following our amazing visit to the Mayan ruins of Tikal, we spent the day at another Mayan site, roughly an hour away, known as Yaxha. We visited Yaxha with our new friend, Marc D'Huateville, who actually gave us the idea to visit these less known ruins in the first instance. What made Yaxha so interesting is that, unlike Tikal, restoration of this site is at a very preliminary stage. Of the many temples, only one was largely restored, while most of the others were either covered in vegetation and trees or being actively excavated and worked upon by archeologists. Being able to see the archeologists work and to talk with them about the site gave us a greater appreciation for Tikal and the work of archeologists generally. Being at Yaxha while the work was in progress was like witnessing a National Geographic documentary.
The most restored and highest temple at Yaxha as seen from atop a yet unrestored temple.
Kelly and Rich at the top of the temple seen in the proceeding photograph.
A view of Lake Yaxha from on top of the highest temple.
Here, archeologists involved in the painstaking and time consuming process of restoring a temple covered by hundreds and hundreds of years of vegetation and tree growth.
We were able to climb the pyramids even while the archeologists and workers were busy with their excavation. While exploring this pyramid, we were able to speak with the archeologist about the pyramid's features and age which is determined by the stones, design, ceramic and hieroglyphic writings, as well as the number of pyramids below. As new rulers took the throne in Mayan times, they would build new temples on top of prior temples, which would serve to further sanctify and strengthen the newest temple. As shown here, the archeologist maps out all of the details of the pyramid. As you can guess, this map changes frequently as they continuously dig up and discover more.
We also had the rare opportunity to go inside the archeologists' tunnel which is being carved inside of the pyramid to find more pyramids, ceramics and carvings. This particular tunnel went back at least 40 feet and was very dark, but for the light being used by these workers as they inspected the pyramids buried beneath the outer temples.
As in Tikal, both spider monkeys and howler monkeys inhabited the trees at the site. In particular, the howler monkeys add quite an element to the experience of seeing these ruins. So named because of their lion like howl or roar, hearing these animals throughout the afternoon is a constant reminder that you are in the jungle.
After an afternoon of exploring the ruins, we walked down to the nearby Lake Yaxha for a swim. Here Mark in his best fashion magazine pose, relaxes by a sign warning of the crocodiles that inhabited the lake.
After our full day of visiting Yaxha, Rich relaxes in a hammock at Don David, while watching the sunset over the lake.
Rich and Mark enjoy another great meal in the open air dining room at Don David.
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