Christmas — Luces de Kulkulkan
Christmas — Luces de Kulkulkan Chichén Itzá, Mexico |
Breakfast at 730 AM was better than dinner. They served us coffee, scrambled eggs, warm bread and cake.The birds singing and tweeting woke me up. It’s pretty quiet otherwise. Eating by the pool was quaint. Around 8.30 we finally got to Chichen Itza, which is just around 5 mins drive from our Hotel.There was already a queue and hardly moving. There were no busloads of tourists yet. When we got in we had great photo opportunities without tourists hovering or covering the pyramid/temple.
Shad was very excited and happy. I’ve been here in 2012. Truth be told, I am not really that impressed. 5 weeks circuit of Mexico last time 4 yrs ago left me “pyramided” out. It’s like the equivalent of too many old churches in Italy. the first feware breathtaking, then they all start becoming the same. You then realize a couple or truly stand out. Amongst Mesoamerican pyramids, Teotihuacan and Monte Alban were stand-outs — more than Chichen. Of course, all of that changed when we came back to see the place in the evening. Lunch was $60 pesos each at Sak’beh. Thought it’s a great price. You get what you pay for.They advertised there were pescado or fish, but the buffet mainly consisted only of grilled chicken and pork plus sides, salads and desert. It wasn’t that bad. especially eating by the pool, it was a nice ambiance. Ik Kil Cenote — napped back at the room first before we headed to the cenote around 4PM. It was literally just across the road from our hotel, just 3-5 mins walk. Busload of tourists were already ahead of us. Entrance fee was $70 pesos each. I soaked under the shower which was a courtesy befoswimming intonto the cenote. I decided not to swim when I saw the crowd, and smelled the pungent odor on the cavelike entrance. Shad jumped off the elevated platform and loved it!. Unfortunately for him, it was already late afternoon, and sun was covered by the clouds, he wasn’t able to see the beautiful deep blue-green color of the water — it was simply dark. I’m glad I had my wonderful cenote experience back in 2012, that was enough. Luces a Noche de Kulkulkan — this redeemed whatever jaded filters I have so far. Nobody tells you what it’s like to experience pyramids at night with a black, dark backdrop save for stars and light effects on the pyramid. I felt the mystical energy of the place (which I didn’t at daytime). We walked around the ground with the iPod provided to us with a recorded audio guide. Glad we didn’t pay a tour guide earlier in the day — cost $30USD. We got there at 6PM. Gates opened at 7PM. Allowed us enough time to explore. The show started at 8PM. I bought the tickets online — this is one of those best-kept secrets — I just stumbled on it by accident. It sounded cool. The light show was phenomenal. Cool is an understatement. I’ve seen lightshows before, but to see one projected on one of the seven wonders of the world just beats them all! It’s brilliant! This one of my best Christmas nights ever! By the time the show was over, we just wanted more! Shad was thrilled and delighted by my x’mas gift! Chichen Itza at Night Whatever misgivings I had totally obliterated. The moment I saw the pyramid lit up at night against a backdrop o a million stars, I was mesmerized. This counts as probably one of my most magical Christmas. Back to the hotel by 9Pm and had dinner. Tried their Papadzules this time — made with soft tacos filled with egg salad, and topped with hard-boiled egg and tomato sauce and pumpkin seeds. Shad loved the Brazo de Reina last night so he had it again.
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