Merida and Chichen Itza

Merida is the capital of Yucatan state, not as pretty as Campeche but another floodlit cathedral

It has an interesting carving of Christ made from a tree that is meant to have been struck by lightening and not damaged, well it makes a change from yet another relic and the painting behind is quite good and unusual in such an otherwise plain church.

 

More paintings in the city hall of dubious merit

but a nicely laid back area to have a drink.

I have to say Chichen Itza was a bit of a disappointment, whilst the temples are good and the Observatory the most impressive in my opinion but everything is roped off so you can't get very near.
The main temple

The observatory is the only circular building that I can remember seeing and this staue is for receiving a sacrificial offering, still beating hearts a favourite!

The ball court here had the most amazing echo so the sound of a ball thwacking on the wall would have resonated around what you can see is an immense area and we heard the echo for oursleves by just clapping.

We realised how spoilt we had been with the earlier sites where we could roam freely and climb as we liked. Apparently there had been many accidents with the steps which as you have already seen can be very steep and I expect they need to preserve things as in the past only priests (and sacrificial offerings, one way!) would use the steps.

The place is also crawling with market stalls and vendors within the actual site rather than outside which rather spoils the visit.