The Tulum archaeological site is the remnant of a walled city inhabited and built by the Mayans and in peak use about the 13th to 15th centuries. The site is atop 40-foot cliffs on the east coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico about 120 kilometers south of Cancun. The hallmark structure at left in the photo above is "El Castillo" (the castle). As one of the best-preserved coastal Mayan sites, it is very popular for visiting tourists. Many folks like to bring their swim suits and take a refreshing dip in the sea below the site. The day of our visit coincided with a full moon. Unfortunately, the site closes at 5:00pm and the moon didn't rise until 5:30pm. Try as we might, we were not able to convince the guards to let us stay until moonrise. We did, however, dawdle enough to be the very last visitors to leave the park for the day. So late that we missed the last tram and had to walk the half mile back to the parking lot.
The view of "El Castillo" from on land looking toward the sea is as dramatic as the seaside view. The day's final straggling visitors, Amy, Christy, and me, dawdle our way toward the exit as the light turns golden and the shadows grow long with the approaching sunset.
Earlier in the afternoon, this was perhaps the most common sight - people holding up up their cellphones or point-and-shoot cameras to capture a moment. Didn't see many folks lugging around big, heavy DSLR cameras.
This smaller structure, the "Templo del Dios del Viento," (Temple of the Wind God), is also located close to the cliff edge.
"Estructura 25" contains multiple columns still standing.
The "Templo del Dios Descendente" (Temple of the Descending God), has some interesting off-kilter lines. Since the mortar and structure is all intact and looks solid, I'm wondering if it was built that way? Maybe a junior architect-in- training, or the king's son or nephew needed something to do?
"El Castillo."
"Templo de las Pinturas." (Temple of the Frescoes).
Panorama of the cliff top, "El Castillo" is visible at left. (Click on the image to view in full width).
Panorama of much of the site, "El Castillo" is visible at center right. (Click on the image to view in full width).
It was an exceptional late afternoon to visit - perfect temperature, breeze, and golden light - if only we could have stayed to capture the full moon rising against the sea and "El Castillo." Maybe next time, Amy could arrange a Plymouth Digital Photographers Club Meetup and get special permission, hmmmmmm?...............
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