Seasons Greetings, From Playa Del Carmen

Gallery

Posted on December 26, 2013 by www.thenaturalsite.com

This gallery contains 4 photos.

Chichen Itza, Mexico

Posted on December 24, 2013 by www.thenaturalsite.com

Temple of Kukulcan or El Castillo

Located in Yucatan near Valledolid, Chichen Itza has been a world heritage site since 1988 and has also been voted one of the world’s new seven wonders. The most dominant edifice at this archeological site is the Temple of Kukulcan, which happens to be the name of a maya feathered serpent deity. One of the most interesting facts about this pyramid more commonly known as El Castillo is that it is a monument of cosmological symbolism existing during this era. There are four sides containing 365 steps depicting the solar year, 52 panels for each year in the Mayan century as well each week in the solar year and 18 terraces for 18 months in the Maya religious year. Additional information about this archeological site is included in the photo gallery below.

Platform of the Eagles and Jaguars. The balustrades of these steps represents ascending plumed serpents

This is a carving on the wall of the jaguars and serpents platform depicting both eagles and jaguars clutching a human heart indicating that human sacrifices may have been made here

Stone carvings of an eagle and jaguar clutching a human heart

The Temple de los Guerreros. This building owes its name to the rows of pillars displaying relief carvings of warriors

row of pillars surrounding the temple of Guerreros

The temple of skulls has walls with relief carvings of human skulls

Entrance to the juego de pelota which is an arena for sports

Inside the sports arena there was a playing field with hoops on each wall. Players had to throw or kick a ball through these hoops

The Platform of Venus with balustrades ending in serpents heads

In each corner of the venus platform there are glyphs associated with the planet venus

Vendors with souvenirs are conveniently located near all buildings.

A photo opp at the entrance of Chichen Itza

a closer look at el castillo

Punta Venado Caribbean EcoPark

Posted on December 11, 2013 by www.thenaturalsite.com

Bike Trail out of the jungle to the beach

The Punta Venado EcoPark is about a 10 minute drive south of Playa del Carmen. Its a little over 2000 acres with 2.5 miles of beach on the Caribbean coastline. The outdoor adventure activities in this park include horseback riding, atv trails, mountain biking and water sports such as kiteboarding and snorkeling. Mountain bike trails are rated according to difficulty and cut through dense jungle where there’s a good chance of wildlife encounters with spider monkeys, deer or a variety of other small mammals as you ride. Whenever you get hot or tired and need a break from biking, you can always stop at one of the cenotes found near several of the trails and take a refreshing dip in these natural pools of underground water. Another way to relax and cool off at the end of the day is to take the trail towards the park’s beach club where you’ll find a restaurant, bar, and the caribbean ocean.

Horseback riders leaving the stables and heading to the jungle trails

the bike trail map

one of the easier jungle trails which has been graded. the more difficult trails are not graded and can be rough

Ocean, Beach, Palapa Bar and Restaurant

administrative office at the park entrance

Riviera Maya Jazz Festival

Posted on December 1, 2013 by www.thenaturalsite.com

Earth, Wind and Fire

The annual jazz festival in Playa del Carmen would have ended Saturday night with one of their greatest hit songs called “September” but the crowd kept chanting for an encore. This event takes place in the last week of November at Mamita’s Beach and this years concert dates were scheduled on the 28th, 29th, and 30th. All three days of music are free of charge and music fans can bring their own refreshments or buy them from vendor stands on site. Each night features 3 different musical groups that play from 7pm to 11pm depending on how many encores the fans request. The photo gallery below shows each of the different groups performing on stage along with a sample of the light shows that are also part of the entertainment.