Final day in Mexico- Chichen Itza

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Chichen Itza is one of the largest of the Mayan ruins in Mexico, so it was fitting to arrive here after seeing Uxmal and Izamal. It was also a good decision to approach it from Valladolid rather than Cancun. (20 minutes from Valladolid, 2 hours from Cancun) We were advised that the best way to get there was to take a colectivo from the bus station. (These are privately run minibuses which hold about 9 people, don't run according to any timetable but as soon as they fill up and are usually cheaper than buses.) We set off after breakfast, determined to get to Chichen Itza early and well before the crowds arrived from Cancun. The bus station was just 2 blocks from our hotel. At 9am, the streets were packed with shoppers, street vendors, loud music and traffic. We got to the colectivo, just in time. (30pesos per person). The ruins at Chichen Itza are indeed very impressive, in terms of size and state of buildings, and well worth visiting. It must have been a hugely important city at the centre of the Mayan Empire around the 7th to 10th centuries AD. Whilst the Romans were busy building and developing their Empire in the West, equally impressive developments were going on in the Americas! After 2 to 3 hours, we headed back to Valladolid, just as the huge tour buses were pulling in and the crowds were building. We took a bus back, which turned out to be cheaper than the colectivo. We had some time to explore Valladolid when we got back. It is a very colonial city, with great architecture. We found our way to the convento of San Bernardino de. Siena, it's not very far from the main Plaza, and in a beautiful leafy street, very tranquil and worth a visit. There are also some lovely little cafés and restaurants in the same street. Unfortunately, we didn't get to explore the Zaki cenote in Valladolid, it was time to head back and pack. Tomorrow, we had a 3 hour journey to the airport to prepare for and then back to Belfast!

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Photos

The Ball Court
Important ball games were played here

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[Hikebike]

Chichen Itza
https://youtu.be/Yg4RyJtreOs