Album Belize and Mexico - 2009 from Richard And Jo Demeester

The Manta Swims Past

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:26:26 +0000

Richard And Jo Demeester has posted:

Maybe two metres across, the manta glides past our boat.

A Manta Ray Waves Us Over

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:26:26 +0000

Richard And Jo Demeester has posted:

On its back, “wings” arced over. This was confirmation we were approaching a manta ray.

A Photo For Scale

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:26:25 +0000

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David swims on the other side, taking some video. A beautiful little clip it turned out to be. Unfortunately, far too big to upload without editing, so that will have to wait. Anyway, we thought this photo was fantastic to show just how big this awesome creature was. We think about nine metres.

Whale Shark – The Mouth

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:26:25 +0000

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Gorgeous, isn't she. And not just tolerant, but seemed to almost enjoy our company. She surfaced while we swam with her, and stayed close to us for at least 45 minutes.

Whale Shark, Side On

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:16:07 +0000

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We were not the only ones swimming with the shark. I don't think any of the fish had cameras, though.

Sunset At Isla Holbox

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:16:07 +0000

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The colour stayed in the sky for a very long time.

Convent Exterior, Valladolid

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:16:07 +0000

Richard And Jo Demeester has posted:

Built with a dual purpose – church and fortress.

Convent Interior, Valladolid

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:16:06 +0000

Richard And Jo Demeester has posted:

Soft light filters in to the cloister.

Swimming In A Cenote

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:16:06 +0000

Richard And Jo Demeester has posted:

One of those blurs is Jo. This fantastic pool in a cave is Cenote Dzitnup, near Valladolid. The water is crystal clear, due to the natural limestone filtration that occurs. There were some fish in there, too. In fact, quite a lot.

Another Interesting Mayan Sculpture

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:16:06 +0000

Richard And Jo Demeester has posted:

This expressive figure graced the main pyramid of Ek' Balam. The overall style (although not the facial features) reminded us of something so very Asian.

View Over Ek' Balam

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:05:46 +0000

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We didn't realise how far we had climbed on the main pyramid, but the view back down on the main plaza was pretty good and well worth the effort.

A Mayan Winged Figure

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:05:46 +0000

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Sometimes called a Mayan angel, although angels are not at all a part of Mayan religion. An intriguing figure on the main pyramid of Ek' Balam.

Strawberry Cake For Jo

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:05:46 +0000

Richard And Jo Demeester has posted:

Happy Birthday! The restaurant provides a birthday cake with no notice or prompting.

Pre-dinner Drinks With Ambiance

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:05:45 +0000

Richard And Jo Demeester has posted:

In a beautiful colonial mansion. The candelabra behind Jo was a lovely touch.

The Observatory

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:05:45 +0000

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Also called El Caracol (the snail) because of the spiral stairway inside. A very interesting building in the ruins of Chichén Itzá.

Decorations On A Platform For Sacrifices

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 01:05:45 +0000

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The “Platform Of Skulls”. A place of sacrifice. The Mayans were not that big in the sacrifice department, but Chichén Itzá was a mixture of Mayan and Toltec culture, from the north of Mexico. It appears the Toltecs were sacrifice obsessed, with many sculptures showing decapitations and human heart offerings.

A Magnificent Mayan Pyramid, Pyramid Of Kukulcán

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:53:35 +0000

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This structure is the principal attraction of Chichén Itzá. Beautifully constructed, with many significant connections with the Mayan calendar, the temple on top was where priests would determine the best times to do things, from planting crops to invading neighbours. This structure apparently shows some Toltec influences.

Cute Pyramid With Rounded Corners

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:53:34 +0000

Richard And Jo Demeester has posted:

The rounded corners appear to be far less common. In my opinion, they soften the appearance of the structure considerably. This structure is in the Mayan ruins of Cobá.

Nature Integrated

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:53:34 +0000

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Tree roots hold together the roof structure of a passage leading under a Mayan pyramid in the ruins of Cobá.

Cocktails On Tulum Beach

nobody@ipernity.com (Richard And Jo Demeester) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:53:34 +0000

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Less than a kilometre from the ruins and the rocky cliffs they are built atop, the beach opens to many kilometres of powdery white expansive beaches with gentle and warm waters of perfect turquoise for great swimming. Beth and Ben from Wales joined us for some cocktails.