Before returning to Merida, we spent the morning at Kabah, another Mayan ruin and Santa Elena to visit a church on the top of a hill with a tiny museum. The highlight of Kabah was a building called Palacio de los Mascarones, or the Palace of Masks, with it's fascinating decorations and lots of masks of Chac. Kabah was roughly dated 600-900 AD.
Iguana on the top of a building
The round circle on the ground is a rare cistern for collecting water
Turkey vulture
Citrus fruit tree nearby
Palace of the Masks
Chac masks
Decorated side of the Palace of the Masks
Trunk noses are spread across the surface of the building along with masks. This was the most complete one I saw.
An alter to Chac
Across the street was a gate to the sacbe, an ancient causeway to Uxmal.
We stopped for lunch at El Chac Mool restaurant in Santa Elena, where Jim tried some fresh mango off the tree.
Iris
Chac Mool
Harley, the local cat at the restaurant
Turtle at El Chac Mool restaurant
Santa Elena colorful house
Santa Elena Cathedral on the hilltop
Wild turkey
Jim at the entrance to the Museum at the Cathedral
Henequin fibers from the agave plant are dyed for use as mats, hammocks, shoe soles, etc. are a major industry in the area.
Exit from Santa Elena
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