A couple friends from Indiana, Danny and Hilary, came for a visit to Belize. They wanted to see Maya ruins, so we drove over to the Cayo District to show them a couple of our favorites. It was a fabulous day.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsFw-RODRhigvJYHm96sRHg9R71ba6xVa189OldC_c_YekBF8h93JvIkZhFVrI91wNK43et5pdE-t3kAfeQ0JMe5wTTBmbdfPuVOH1YXiRiJNOHM5-voxf0R2rFimLeK-jnK0A5CxG2G0/s640/20190228_110633.jpg) |
Our first stop was Xunantunich near the village of San Jose Succotz. This big sign is new since our last visit. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfyKWfRrCEX8LIUGSSEbf8HsT9IHQvgWQxlO7Obqr4AVLbYyfNXSVkHNQ-084f79L9JjEl6tFgQrMjU5xFZPxL2juzXMmu4w7oxt3dptxifkL1blJ8SgViAixqEnhyphenhyphennuVy9woQ9M5tKGU/s640/20190228_111227.jpg) |
You still take a short ferry ride across the Mopan River to get to Xunantunich. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoRqBSgm7vXPQFDPOd6c_-8IfOfD_BQ9zVJ-K3nNaCkB9aopNMmxoFrSScRHqmbEdkDzpUHDz9AiEvf0lB7OdCPQJaw8M_GNzn9DCaIEgax9mtgglijbYdn0bQh9gtdqh77McRer9ZvbY/s640/20190228_111508.jpg) |
On the drive there Cara saw a couple on the side of the road looking at something in the trees,
so we immediately stopped and walked over to find howler monkeys - yay! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6j8yVvDM-oTvaHFp3EzSgQxkyQvAeBrAKxvxMznX8Zpisx8r1psoAPBJLjusefk9hFn_AdX7ry2NDWQyGrzSfbsovJF4QwH4Y5pmZUcIofTkDZ0ORib4-g15wLNlR190Y9aGCTFWvF84/s640/20190228_114159.jpg) |
It was nice there weren't very many people there at 11 am on a Thursday. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-El7cU12bCgdo9W4arwLAEnNnzkTsQWYzHuA-zpeWWyd614Jlu3IxER5nI6tbBcs5grklcY9n9nYadWk-q7Auu48ymDKTd3g9EknHGG6Pa2kdyHtK6QjZMiWFenTZxvNiQE3rgBhQ_Nc/s640/20190228_114413.jpg) |
Danny and Hilary |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEIqHqr-y-DqCO9gaaSyrz9us6d62NYbvwHOv2IDdLFYfGQ1-2p6OnRuxn-vgg23RfBAVb2rT3apEdwc4_LJ3-0-fRUGThZ3lRWjzwdrnO_gaT3IQlytTJghEXYvJASIxpHvOfp62OjA/s640/20190228_115210.jpg) |
This was totally covered last time we were here. Now it is getting excavated. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSjkjRa964fdToL1cvfu2fnoti2QHPlKxKPZ2GvqEx8cFyB9uZEUG8BkTuEueHzTrGYt_D57cFvfzSZEq01axdPz4AR7fdjzzhOdoZ460K7yKaOmrbhoX6EwdkIaRmPI3tGkeqt3App9s/s640/20190228_115340.jpg) |
We're curious what's under the metal sheets. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyWQQ81J_aj9Bsoc0Cjo1PwXd-i7s2sRL7-ROviVCPmMI2dK4psD2jn7W1TiWwfV095EQYfqvZfM0qKPn5sJ9qZRazm12IfpFzPcr1pUFGWHKh0Wy65z3Djrk8ohd6QdumkXEtXfJgbs/s640/20190228_115945.jpg) |
Heading up to El Castillo, which was probably a multipurpose complex where the elite rulers and their extended families lived and held court. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjwdGz24XEQdfYB4IW4b9Re2F6jBQnRaglZ7apBHKtpm_3r6uA1sKHy2cjYFl-qMvgsLxUMdNeOsh7AOfDhaVB2TlA_Z7b1f8wd3oH-DWabJukTqY268w0sDSnPdxEK3nWyBI2HlDFtXA/s640/20190228_120047.jpg) |
Checking out the first tier. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMi8yMMANrABVzDSeWfYivG4TjFFNaoMCmC4jrNvrei2fZOUeR9_xY5fKvd4dpUVPVHdAtA9T_qUHK-FzU1vjwz_u0BG9xPXS-x_N2zW9p2khugOakHY8Xv8mbdbsaMbJ26oMnyeB-wFA/s640/20190228_120513.jpg) |
Eastern side view from the first tier. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDl10J06MuVjTx0HMnGmj18hyphenhyphenHY7i48C6RvZf393-wCwGVS0Ixv03nRwNBqNDTSsshq7jtI-7W_Owis-RjfsCYytwzGtYP2b83AbshuDki3VWLEQ6V9cPwNt4cihL9tmVlYqQVyc5xZg8/s640/20190228_120639.jpg) |
The courtyard at the back of El Castillo. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MF_Bt0t5uGSHX_damZ5ANKZ6BeSxtgsbaKFHYaPfsvbd4DrSuybL9UMhyphenhypheniKfub_NcAomg3tvIYASFa0Mo1qNpZ9FabDMx7W4OTXXFtzhyphenhyphengyVnXESX1suoOFnyVTPfqRE6YsPUz781GE/s640/20190228_121332.jpg) |
Looking down at the courtyard from the top of El Castillo. |
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Steps to the top of El Castillo. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbp4KcaNhEkumQfEPNTJiw6iAbT6xKFvKWZx2S3_vpS7WqH7dBks-1tq2EdZn0g_87E588bgMrgir9hlFYfQ_8mXTyIbXu9_Yp7Cp-ucJlSftY74dc_cGAb3sqlNURQnSpKsM-HZMYwig/s640/20190228_121435.jpg) |
View of the Xunantunich grounds from the top of El Castillo. |
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This was being excavated last time we were here. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9h6sZZRHkIRcGhPsSDCVXO6Hp8Za_1hhV8XWAV8qZbWm-EGzudVH_L2MDoiZopFGZnB2zt0J8DTjoMwhxfKfs4WYd0tAyIFcP8GU8kh7WZzddOB-ZEIdT2OdkVupwPgMCo8fqTZFTLwk/s640/20190228_122404.jpg) |
The western side of El Castillo and the friezes. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsDzH2LwxcY1iYYVCr-zS_hJJTdg6cDBZtpT_MP6jnaPyGaGlbxeGAemuCZpHE4Fc8t4vZQRJbuq0iBgpx53cSEgBqDno8A1AYMS5-SCKg6eOZX-hWzSCY0HJE4Ek0o-F5oLSjY5xfsJ4/s640/20190228_122311.jpg) |
This structure is a small shrine that was likely used by the rulers and their families for private rituals. Also, in one of the rooms they found a patolli board (for a game similar to Parchisi or Ludo) that probably also held ritual significance. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Wzfm9q6WggSfJRQm9ZQIyxJH4tmUArMYpt3Q4vXiZ1claQ4vTaxumscRdSFnKqt9M7KLRm6H6OcBOi2parDBtqB6cTwk7Pml2CosVu83_GqGI8PR1lD7uLupHb8e5Bzw76cPGe6pjJI/s640/20190228_122354.jpg) |
The round columns are not typical in Belize and indicate influence from northern Maya lowlands. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj97kGcRoV4KGZ_V2BgB-BvdkUlNPk2C-jkBSPiHHWc8aQT3Fq6pTPmSJAj9hqQ6LtFWAZPiL6rkjys7QVw2XnJFjDlR6Y4_9-dpRg2AQNH9ZLl6Ds9wsr43iJ9OUhQo0DTC-6qpci6n2U/s640/20190228_123201.jpg) |
The structures straight ahead were still largely earth-covered last time we were here. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcT6DIUM29AnTQEsNHRriXdoZdU-y4cpoBEz8h9bUP4ScMdFf7VlqFSv_dV7ok2iSpVO-E5I8SP4J3lgD_R6KDOpjo5-1PLeVuM-UH6z4Al5oUAjGjQz2zE9AdBmGgzUHwfz4OXCvuPCU/s640/20190228_123229.jpg) |
El Castillo |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYIay312I4Avy_pt-Wp0XbrHPHVNNxwYT9rc5LKme0csAYh2WdHsh_Ws3pP7SXMtxEepNmR17mFlspgbdh1LtpysPUVGY1klzgjnziAUvWXXVmcUKqvVGP8sxUj390m-nHOsV2pMbcxo/s640/20190228_125936.jpg) |
View of the Mopan River from the ferry. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqGUGC9pBXJ3tOX080Eh9xe2egLzwGntc-T9cZKNsOYezA0uPBPbIfAdcfxA0XWoN-evE3lg2OCMl7QhJK2Vtg2Yg8CVifkcruCULfEVslySSufrtZ6kcVttEVTcD-wfNBUaoIPJGP-Ko/s640/20190228_150233.jpg) |
After lunch and a quick stop at the Visitors Center in San Ignacio we headed to the Cahal Pech Archaeological Site. In the Visitors Center this plaque shows some Maya history in Belize. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7TCAwk_5KkYrew9guw38Vk3AVd-yDJMHJkUNIWT6vHiTt59kG9W9nPA4CI6XP9ARm2CFA953BxstkbTnhA3vNFYja5FaTa6LaZxHEd7skmuuqhBmpEsPGDAc-n0j98wkKvDsZnb3g_1E/s640/20190228_155832.jpg) |
Cahal Pech chronology. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvIaTzYqKZeBBbPYBNWZqbPHfhz6jEEZQmg9nAOdbjT8sjE_4wek4ue_u4TpPUC7ZfzWJ5x8lNEOR0gK_5rp_sjPfTRzhriNmNPUZqAKd0y8Ga-ifGJc1p0vubAM7T0pFlcrv5w5gHebs/s640/20190228_151650.jpg) |
The Cahal Pech site is smaller and more intimate, but equally cool in its own way. We kind of like it better than Xunantunich, and so did Danny and Hilary. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim52VRyM8IWyWGCgP4i0-nBJ8qRFy8xdXNy_19SmTNdaPCR4EN8ICXkGAEhQClc5PJ6Iyp7zqyTIzipXp9VLjH0NBHtXGka80nC5H69jEny5YAWe-I6au7uTW0qzpmULc2E3qI47xjpdk/s640/20190228_151706.jpg) |
We only saw a couple other people here, so we pretty much had the place to ourselves. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGUmveMRSvPQ4PIC33PcvAL0wlghdKlFUIxZOo1IB1KDjtjweRGSTS3OEt7Uz10JSzI-K4SXl-8ciNgrE4_AIS6K8wl_57MSE5TYcze9mWlCrLqoFx8J48PxHUu6q5IhfLfJVNX650AU4/s640/20190228_151842.jpg) |
There are lots more rooms at this site, and it's easier to envision the Maya living here. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWYAK7hwj8pH1Hp3Wflm6C6pkm5ba8QShSpKUjEr5Z-0Mj-oWM2mi3oMPpQn3g0dhTi2avKtyZIrNMfG1Kk-Agj1tGaoQrbeqfxWgU5gX03LnEeMyXKBStTqfGpU-SX2yTzS0tsySXsA/s640/20190228_152447.jpg) |
In case you can't tell, Cara thinks the doorways are pretty cool. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmtOO-W39I8D0L8yWPN-L8iNQSYSYAKB95MQUdGHNqCm8AAPkjzAbnzCyKdGNNSkXB4UZeEpKLmggUDFdYLa8RNw3Q7p9dPQScQfRHNVnjKndzcl8gUUrG8QITKaXRm24B0KW4d8HQ_wQ/s640/20190228_153634.jpg) |
View from the top of one of the tallest structures there. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyrZQ2oVZQlODGKW-dyYnoZUktdeV5lITidP6ByuBImkeymTmSHk90hWST5VNJ_-pIfk1kpP3im8Nu1dqI-Ip7NvV_2QYa5FWPfv0aYG6CcBLCVwggxJFGTJId3exTBWp5mzImTGRTqKg/s640/20190228_153939.jpg) |
Narrow, steps lead to/from the top. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbX8NGa6lIauVBspBxd3vNyOxch73nYOyjIbvM0Dj7BkqgdUATjlCnbRDYNinlpL51Zidx3ae-YS3EX-NulnLYvH9L7eq-lVI37-m_bw6SvaJ3TLBjHRCBIyL5BgewVCYzAYhfwjdw2Hc/s640/20190228_154027.jpg) |
You can barely see Hilary and Cara at the top of this structure. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmjWfTuhxSClZCrVk-OhtsX6ItXO9RODaWz9F_g5QCOubDd2jiwLwCljVnTURjKA71R-kBgKC6E5C_Naqgb48_9iJwLOY0XYK6S0P3Xpm_DmBBbWbkLwr6KjgIXIeKvHtW3T2e9ezIiFQ/s640/20190228_154751.jpg) |
One of several ball courts at Cahal Pech. |