
2012 is not the end, start the party!
We’re back in Vancouver, Canada, although living in a downtown hotel until January 1, when we will be moving into a new apartment. So in a way, we feel we’re still “on the road” for week 52, making it legitimately a full year away from home.
Just before returning to Canada, we toured a number of ancient Mayan cities in the Yucatan Penninsula, from small and quiet Kabah to hyper-active Chichen Itza, which we visted on the day the Mayan Long Count calendar came to an end, December 21. We posted a day-by-day report under the tab labelled “dispatches from the end of time” (above this post).
Here now are the photos from that tour — sorry they aren’t formatted as a gallery– WordPress changed how users must upload and insert photos, but without new instructions so we’ve done our best — enjoy!

Tulum – noble’s house

Tulum – temple of the wind

Tulum – noble’s house

Tulum – temple of the paintings

Tulum – pre-Columbian lighthouse

Deborah with our wonderful guide, Ricardo

Tulum – iguanas everywhere!

Coba – riding a “tricycle” across the site, powered by Israel

Coba – Nohoch Mul

Coba – view from top of Nohoch Mul

Coba – Nohoch Mul (42m pyramid)

Coba – Xaibe Palace

Coba – ball court

Coba – ball court hoop

Valladolid market

Sign showing Ek’Balam glyph (like a city crest)

Ek’Balam – oval palace

Ek’Balam – stone carving

Ek’Balam

Ek’Balam

Ek’Balam – glyphs at acropolis

Ek’Balam – tomb of The River King

Ek’Balam – tomb of The River King

Ek’Balam – tomb of The River King

Ek’Balam – our crew

Ek’Balam – tomb of The River King

Ek’Balam – view from top of the acropolis

Ek’Balam – arch at entrance to the city

Old sisal factory near Merida

Old entrance to hacienda near sisal factory

Uxmal – pyramid of the magician

Uxmal – pyramid of the magician

Uxmal – representation of Mayan rain god Chaac

Uxmal – representation of Mayan rain god Chaac

Uxmal – entrance near top of pyramid

Uxmal – stone macaw

Uxmal – more Chaac masks

Uxmal – view of nun’s quadrangle

Uxmal – snake/serpent carvings above door

Uxmal – stone carving

Uxmal – nun’s quadrangle building

Uxmal – macaw

Uxmal – house of the turtles

Uxmal – ball court

Uxmal – double-headed jaguar throne

Uxmal – governor’s palace

Uxmal – view from the governor’s palace

Kabah – Kodz-Poop structure

Kabah – Kodz-Poop features 250 Chaac masks

Kabah – blocks from Kodz-Poop structure

Kabah – Kodz-Poop structure

Kabah — rebuilt entrance arch

Visit to Mayan home – extracting fibre from sisal plant

Visit to Mayan home – tortilla making

Ricardo translates description of Mayan ritual

Our tour group at Mayan home

Sunset on the last night of 13 b’aktun

Chichen Itza – first view of El Castillo (The Castle)

Chichen Itza – platform of the eagles and jaguars

Chichen Itza – venders along the pathways

Chichen Itza – Tzompantli (wall of skulls)

Chichen Itza – El Caracol (observatory)

Chichen Itza – ancient steambath

Chichen Itza – the “church” building

Chichen Itza – east annex of the “nunnery”

Chichen Itza – the ossuary, tomb of the great priest

Chichen Itza – platform of venus

Chichen Itza – Tzompantli (wall of skulls)

Chichen Itza – platform of venus

Chichen Itza – platform of venus

Chichen Itza – platform of venus

Chichen Itza – morning sun over El Castillo

Chichen Itza – famous Mayan shaman being interviewed

Chichen Itza – temple of the warriors

Chichen Itza – serpent heads at foot of El Castillo

Chichen Itza – with the crowd on December 21

Ik-Kil cenote near Chichen Itza was open for swimming

New Mayan museum in Merida

Stone figure at new museum

Ring from Pok Ta Pok ball court

Inside the new Mayan museum in Merida

Reproduction of the Dresden Codex at the new Mayan museum

Last stop: Dzibilchaltun

Dzibilchaltun – Deborah climbing structure 44

Dzibilchaltun – top of structure 44

Dzibilchaltun – view down ancient road to the observatory

Dzibilchaltun – the seven figures found in the observatory
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