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Perhaps the signature of Tikal is the Great Plaza, around which dozens and dozens of structures can be seen and explored. The Great Plaza is dominated at its west and east ends by a pair of temples known simply as Temple I and Temple II. Temple I, which appears to the right of this photo, is perhaps the most photographed temple in Tikal, and we kept with this tradition.
The North Acropolis, on the north side of the Great Plaza (it is the structure appearing to the left of the above photo). Here, archaeologists have uncovered over 100 structures, many built on top of one another. What is interesting about the Mayans is that they often built temples and other structures on top of older structures, which served to further sanctify and energize the newer temples.
Here we are atop Temple II, with Temple I in the background. The climb to the top of each of the Temples that we were allowed to climb was always one approached with great caution, as the steps were very steep and the heights rather high. Coming down was actually more difficult than climbing up, but the views were always worthwhile.
A collection of photos of Kelly and Temple I. In the photo to the upper left, if you look closely at the lower right hand corner, you'll see Kelly standing against the Temple, helping to give a sense of scale to the massive, bulky, structure.
Part of the elaborate inscriptions from a stelae. The stelae, and their inscriptions, served to record great deeds as well as to further sanctify the Temples around which they were placed.
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A view of the
pyramid of El Mundo Perdido, or the "Lost World." At the end of
the day we climbed this pyramid to watch the sunset and to look for brightly
colored parrots and toucans (you know, the bird that serves as the Fruit Loops
cereal mascot) in the trees around us. We were not disappointed as we saw
both in quantity in what, to us, was a pretty magical night.
