Friday, July 2, 2010

Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins and Favorite Lamp




Just like I promised, I will take you to one of the tours we took when we went on a cruise last week. But before I do that, I would like to show you my favorite for today. I am linking with Laurie of http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/ and also with Beverly for Pink Saturday at http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/



I am also linking with Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/





Here is my favorite lamp. It's yellow. I am not sure what type of material the shade is made out of but it feels like a capiz with bronze embellishments. We won it at an auction in Flowood, MS. The base is bronze. I had an electrician rewire it with a 3-way switch. It is sitting on a French occasional server in the formal living room.


Do you see the pink and green tassel hanging from it? It's my Pink Sat. contribution. Do you see the pink roses on it?
I really like the painted spool with flowers and leaves and I love the tassel because it looks very southern to me. And to think that I just saw it in a clearance bin, probably at TJ Maxx or Ross for less than $5.


Now on to Sightseeing Saturday. We just came back from a cruise last week and Progresso was one of our port of calls. I was excited because as many Caribbean cruises that we have taken, this is our first time going to the Yucatan Peninsula. It is also the first cruise we have taken from New Orleans and I like the fact that we did not have to fly to the port. It was only a 3 hour drive from us. One advantage is not worrying about the weight of the luggage so shopping was more fun. It was announced during the cruise that Carnival Cruise Lines will be adding another ship to sail from New Orleans. I am anxious to hear where the destinations will be for the second ship.


Most of the time, we embark in Florida or from a European port.


As soon as we got out of the ship, we were greeted by very graceful Mexican dancers.





We took a tour bus. As soon as I entered, I immediately thought of Sally and Blue Saturday. Everything in it is blue!








and headed for the Dzibilchaltun Mayan Ruins. The sign is blue also!




Iguanas were just roaming around.




AJ and I took some panoramic photos to share with you.





AJ climbed the pyramid all the way up.
Dzibilchaltun is "the place where there are writings on the walls". Many memorial stones were found on the site.

The ruins below is what was left of what used to be a Catholic Church.





I believe below used to be the house of the priest. It stood, at least what is left of it, on the left side of the church.






And this is the famous Cenote Xlacah, meaning "old village". This is open until 4 PM and people can actually swim in it and they do. I wouldn't! One end is shallow but the other is over 140 ft. deep. Many archaeological remains have been excavated from there.

This is the most important structure at the Dzibiltalchun and also the focal point of the city. It's the Temple of the Seven Dolls, so called because 7 effigy dolls were found during its excavation.



Another importance of this temple is the Equinox, a phenomenon which takes place twice a year, Fall and Spring, when the rising sun can be seen from one window and out to the other, which is highly attributed to the mathematical and astronomical knowledge of the Mayans.




The top photograph of the mosaic can be seen inside the temple. The bottom picture shows the equinox.



Below are shots that were all taken from the Temple of the Seven Dolls, also known as the Temple of the Sun.




This plant was on the tree. I am not sure what it is but it looked like a yucca to me. Does anybody know?





It was very humid when we walked through the ruins but we were taken next to a private beach in Progreso where we got refreshed.

The 2 ladies below had the right idea. I wanted to have a massage done too but they were just getting done when it was already time for us to leave.








There was food, music and shopping by the beach.



When we got back to the port, we still had a few minutes to shop before heading back to the ship. There are always a lot of shops by the port.

AJ liked the hammock so we bought one. I still have not decided where to hang it, possibly on the back porch or front. What do you all think?



Our ship is the one on the right, the Triumph. I will show the inside on one of future Sightseeing Saturdays.





Thanks again for coming along.



I also want to thank our gracious hostesses! Do not fail to visit them and their participants or you will miss a great treat.

36 comments:

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Loved taking the tour with you. I would have never made it to the top of the pyramid! :D The limitations on luggage now has caused many to not shop when traveling now. :(
Have a great weekend and Happy 4th!

Regina said...

Gorgeous lamps and the ruins are simply amazing.
Happy Pink Saturday Christine and Such beautiful combination of Memes.
xo
R e g i n a

Donna said...

Hi, Christine,
What wonderful pics to share with us. I love the way you put those cute borders around them. That blue bus was amazing. :)
Looks like ya'll had a great time.
D

Simply Debbie said...

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY AND FOURTH OF JULY CHRISTINE,
I LOVE YOUR PINK AND GREEN TASSLE HANGING FROM THAT STUNNING YELLOW LAMP. I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT.
I SO ENJOYED THE CRUISE...I WAS JUST READING ALONG AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT WAS OVER...I THOUGHT WAIT A MINUTE...IT CAN'T BE OVER, THIS IS MY FIRST CRUISE AND I AM NOT READY FOR IT TO BE OVER...LOL
THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING
HUGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Lynn said...

That sure looks like a great trip, thanks for taking us along! Happy 4th-enjoy!

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Christine,
You sure get to take some awesome trips! I love the pic of you in the blue dress, so pretty!
What a wonderful cruise!
Happy 4th my friend!
Hugs,
Cindy

Anonymous said...

Christine, this looked like a fantastic trip. And your photo journal is wonderful! Have a great weekend!

...Karen

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Thank you for taking me on a lovely holiday.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Do you have a foreign language comments above....? Which might have a click-able link to something weird?

I don't want to click on it to check. Even though I'm on a Mac and I'm much safer from such things... Than people using a Pc.

This is why I use Comment Verification... Then I'm sure nothing weird gets into my Comments.

Mary Bergfeld said...

Your photos are almost - almost - as good as being there. I can't wait for more. Have a wonderful day. Blessings.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

You commented in my blog, that you weren't aware of any foreign language comments here.

But now I see that you have Deleted a Comment here.

:-)

Candy said...

Another great adventure with your family...beautiful. You'll make the ruins look good!
I was just thinking about you yesterday about not seeing you and there are are popping up to visit.
Love it ;-)

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine! You live the most wonderful life and traveling to all of these beautiful places! Love it.
Love your tassels too.
Have a wonderful 4th and be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

What a wonderful time you had! Loved seeing your pictures, Christine!

Happy Fourth of July...

XO,

Sheila :-)

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

What a pretty lamp....and what a great trip! You must have so many photo albums of all your trips. You have almost seen the world now! Linda

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

Thank you for the wonderful pictorial tour of your trip. The photos were all interesting. Your daughter is a cutie!! Hugs!

Traci said...

Aren't the ruins amazing? We visited the Chacchoben Ruins on our cruise in January when we were in port at Costa Maya.

Mary said...

Wow, what an amazing trip! thanks so much for sharing all those fabulous mosaics with us! :)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

I know I commented on this the other day, Christine, but you absolutely take the BEST trips! I know this must have been SO much fun. I love Mexico!

Happy Blue Monday...

XO,

Sheila :-)

The Quintessential Magpie said...

P.S. We need to do a joint party with our mermaids! ;-)

SmilingSally said...

That's my kinda bus, Christine!

Thanks for sharing this wonderfully exciting trip. You're going to miss your granddaughter.

Happy Blue Monday!

maria said...

Wonderful yellow and blue photos!

My Blue Monday.

Rajesh said...

Beautiful shots of exciting trip. The lamp and its design is very interesting.

eileeninmd said...

Wonderfful photos of your cruise, Christine! The Mayan ruins look interesting. Your granddaughter is a lucky girl. I love your blue dress, very cute and it looks cool.

A Garden of Threads said...

Thanks for giving us a tour of your outing. Have a wonderful week:)

Americana Lady said...

Christine, thanks for the interesting post. I had trouble reading it because the words were on top of each other. The font was very large. It may just be my machine settings, I'm not sure. I have not had this problem before so I thought I would let you know. I cannot help but wonder how many cruises you have been on. You are really the cruise Queen of the internet. Keep your flag-a-wavin'...Joan

Kim, USA said...

Christine, thanks for sharing your photos. You look gorgeous in your blue dress! Happy Monday!

Turtles and frogs

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Christine, your lamp is beautiful, and I love that tassel. Great trip photos. Those panoramic photos are amazing! Looks like a fun trip. I'd definitely put the hammock in the back where you can enjoy your pool while relaxing in the hammock. Thanks for joining Favorite Things Sat. laurie

Claudia said...

Hiya!
Great tour guide you are!

I especially enjoyed your panoramic shots... wow... I am amazed how steep those stairs are.

Thanks for taking us along on your adventure.

Have a wonderful week.

Claudia

Liz said...

Wonderful photos. Love the yellow lamp.

Happy MYM.

Liz @ MLC

Gardening in a Sandbox said...

Fabulous photos. Looks so pretty.

Chubskulit Rose said...

Thanks for the free cruise Christine, what a beautiful place!

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Looks like you had a great cruise. The yellow lampshades are really something.

Nancy said...

What a wonderful trip. I enjoyed your photos!

Suzy said...

Great travelogue..thanks for taking me along!

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