Try saying that when you have had a couple of glasses of Mexican Rosé… Dzibilchaltún, (Dzeebeelchaltoon is the pronunciation and it translates as ‘the place with writing on the walls) is a Maya archeological site close to the city of Mérida in Yucatan, Mexico. Seven small clay or stone figurines were found at the Temple of the Dolls which led to the name and it is built under the ruins of a previous pyramid. The city has been continuously occupied for 3000 years. It was exciting walking towards the Temple along the ‘sacbe’ or white road wondering what type of religious processions took place there.
The cenôte is likely the reason why the city was situated in that location and it is one of the largest, deepest in the Yucatan. Dzibilchaltún was a wealthy port, close to the Caribbean and local salt production. Archeologists have studied just a portion of the site and have found up to 8000 structures – it must have been a buzzing city with a peak population of about 20,000 to 40,000 people, even larger than Mayapan. Dzibilchaltún was not as remote or quiet as Mayapan but still relatively quiet with many local visitors, some expats and non-tourists just like me! Throughout the ages Dzibilchaltún has changed from a city to a town to its current status as a village. It began to decline in popularity after the rise of Chichen Itza.
When the Conquistadores arrived they used the local stone from previous structures to build a 16th century chapel which is now also a ruin.
Eight stucco masks of the Rain God Chaac were found in the Temple of the Dolls. The Yucatan has no natural lakes or rivers so rain is still much needed to fill the cenotes and water crops. My upbringing in Scotland has given me enough rain to last a lifetime… At the equinoxes the sun shines right through the entrance to the Temple of the Dolls creating a fantastic effect.
On a final side note, my Mexican Rose wine was quite delicious and went well with the food in Yucatan, which is hearty. The Spanish brought wine-making to Mexico and most of it comes from Baja, just below California.
Wanderful place 👍👏.
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Thank you! The sky was really that blue, so much so that I struggled to get contrast!
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Interesting post Kerry. When Terry and I were in Meridia a few years ago, we didn’t get much of a chance to explore any of these ruins. We got of the plane, drive down to Playa and then drove straight to Meridia. By the time we got there we were tired. It was 100 degrees which wad brutal. The very next day we drove on to Campisi. Was an exhausting drive. Really only got to explore the city proper that evening we were in Meridia. Wish we had spent more time there to explore. Gary
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My first trip last summer was like that – the heat was so brutal I shortened my trip but I loved it so much I wanted to go back when the weather was great. It is still there, waiting for you…❤️
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Thank you for another interesting tour. I am pleased you enjoyed your wine.
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I always enjoy wine, dear Joseph…🍷
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lol
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The simple translation oif the place that’s impossible to pronounce. Thank you for taking me on this trip, that I hope to do in 2019 or 2020. Makes me even more anxious.
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Why are you anxious? Merida is the safest city in Mexico, the people are so friendly and the Temple of the Dolls even has RESTROOMS!!!!
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Anxious for the date to arrive. Anxious probably was the wrong choice of words.
We are planning a few trips, and I am going crazy waiting for them to arrive,
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Anxiously anticipating! Something wonderful to look forward to.
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Yeah
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Great post. I especially love the translation of Dzibilchaltún.
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Thank you so much, Peggy. The local Maya language is still used and may as well be Klingon. I have a funny post coming up about the menu at the hotel.
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this is great
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Thank you so much, Kelly. I really enjoyed seeing something off the tourist trail.
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Photographs are stunning Kerry.
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Thank you so much, Anne. I am falling in love with Mexico like you and Cyprus. ❤️
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Beautiful photos! It must be cool to see those places in person. I also loved the little side note about the wine 🙂
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Thank you! Seeing those places was very achievable – just takes confidence. The bus services all over the Yucatan are excellent. I was so surprised that they made wine in Mexico but they make it in Texas, so why not??🍷
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Always wine. Always 🙂
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Wow wonderful history! Looks lovely
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Thank you – it was sublime!
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Impressive how the ancient life existed in the past. Thank you for the historical tour and the cenote looks so inviting!
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I am delighted you joined me on my tour!
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great photos Kerry!
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Thank you so much, Liben. K x
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Great post, Kerry! Loved the pictures – the cenote is just stunning! Visiting these sites must be so awesome! Hope I’ll get there too one day! 😊 xxx
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Thank you! Mexico is not expensive, nor as scary as the headlines suggest but the same applied to Cairo when I lived there.
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Wow, I have read about the cenote. Did you get in? I wouldn’t mind going there.
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It was way too cold for a Houston girl… I don’t go in water until it is bathtub temperature. 😀
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It would be too cold for an El Paso girl too. I’m from the desert. Lol.
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😀
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