The First Ruin

I can't believe that my road trip with Steve was a month ago already and that I am still writing about it! I guess I really did not want it to end and this is my way of stretching it out.

Our first stop on the way to the Ruta Puuc was at the ruin of Kabah. This is one of my favorites on the route. I love that as you are driving along, you round a corner and , Wham!, there it is on the side of the road. So unexpected and so grandiose. It is the only one that you don't have to trudge along a well-worn path to get to. I think Steve was impressed. Which was the whole idea!

Kabah was a major city in it's time and held great importance. I sure if you Google it, you can find out more. Honestly, I don't feel it is my job here to educate you, rather to entertain and titillate you and perhaps stir you to wanting to visit these ruins yourself.


The view from the entrance gate of the Palace of Masks. So named because of the 300 masks of Chac, the rain god, which adorn it.






Off to the right side is the Great Pyramid (or what is left of it) and the Atlantes (male figures which serve as support columns).




Climbing the steep, crumbling, perilous steps to the first plateau, one is immediately struck by all of the stone pieces lying about. All waiting to be pieced back together and put in their proper places on the facade.






It amazes me that archaeologists can even find two pieces that go together. It is like putting together a giant stone jigsaw puzzle, without the picture of what it should look like.

Once the proper pieces have been deciphered, they are placed on the walls.

I love how this palm just sits there, imposing itself on the view.

Once on the Pyramid, turn around and you see the vast courtyard. Of course, you have just walked across it to get to the Pyramid, but it is more impressive from above.

A closer view of the Palace.

Here you can see the scaffolding that the workers use to reconstruct. I wonder if they feel that they have to use a primitive scaffold because of where they are working?

Most of the buildings are full of little chambers. Usually fronted by these columns. Go inside only if you dare!

More of the Palace.

Everywhere one looks, there is something of interest.

Near the entrance/exit is this workers' shed. It is constructed in the original Yucatan tradition. Round or oblong mud hut with a grass roof.

I loved the collection of old wheelbarrows. Almost art.

A closer look at the hut.

And still closer. Notice how the mud is chinked in between the sticks.

I always enjoy Kabah. Not the most splendid or impressive of the ruins found in the Yucatan, but certainly one of the more entertaining. Be sure to stop there on your travels.