From the top of Xunantunich

Panoramic view from the top of El Castillo.

Our trip to see the Mayan ruins began with us walking from camp down a few miles into the town. As we entered the town we came to a row of people selling their wares at the riverside. They tried to get our attention as we passed to get us to buy their homemade crafts. We were determined to reach our destination so we continued on. We met with the rest of our group at the hand cranked ferry and the ferry man carried our group across.

An iguana guarded the entrance up to the ruins and eyed the new visitors as we stepped off of the ferry onto the other side of the river.

It was a steep climb up the road to Xunantunich. Half our group was able to get a ride while the others decided to walk. For me, the hardest climb wasn't the endurance needed to make it up the winding road but to make it up the giant stairs on the side of El Castillo. It was reminiscent of a bad dream where the steps became ever steeper as you walk up them. I pushed ahead without thought of how I was to ever get down. My desire to reach the top was greater than my fear of heights.

Slow but surely we made it to the top and the view was wonderful. The weather became so much more comfortable with a gentle breeze and you could see all the way to Guatemala.




Xunantunich