Once there were 7 Wonders of the Ancient World, of which only the Great Pyramid of Giza remains. Today, there are Seven New Wonders of the World that can be explored. One of these seven is the great Mayan calendar of Chichén Itzá! It is commonly misnamed a pyramid due to its shape, but this description is not welcomed by the Mayans of today.

The day trip to explore this area was much more than I ever expected. I never realized how expansive the area is, nor the magnificence of the structures. This trip began with a ferry ride to the mainland from the island of Cozumel.

While on the tour bus to the site, the guide taught us about Mayan mathematics, how to read the Mayan calendar and about the primitive and current culture of the people.

Once we arrived at the location, we began our tour exploring an older section of the site which contains the Temple of Xtoloc, monuments to warriors, and smaller temples.

We then moved to an era where the civilization thrived with the ancient observatory, large homes, and a small ballpark where games of the time held.

Finally, the highlight of the whole trip! The Calendar of Kukulcan! The structure was dedicated to Kukulcan, the feathered serpent god. The large pyramid shaped calendar that reaches high above the land, and on top, the form of the ancient rain god looks below. The local people still have a strong tie to this amazing monument, and it is a draw to many others from around the world. The monument astonishes viewers twice a year during the spring and fall equinoxes when a shadow in the form of a  serpent makes its way down the monument, into a pool, and back up the structure.

Explore one of the greatest sports arenas here too; the Mesoamerica ball game. This specular arena had high walls, a rubber ball bouncing back and forth among the players, and the piercing cheers of spectators, while the king, queen, and religious figures watched. The games concluded with players who were promptly sacrificed to the Gods. The sacrifice these athletes is illustrated in the carvings on the base of the structure.

After viewing the site, enjoy a lunch and time to explore on your own before your journey home from the ancient site.