危地馬拉精華遊 － Tikal

Tikal is one of the UNESCO Heritage Site and it is a major Mayan site where there were human activities from 6th Century BC.
It is part of Guatemala's Tikal National Park at Northwest of Guatemala.

Some people will leave in Tikal to get to see the site early.  I would say to escape the heat, it s good to be early arriving the site and leaving early while the tour cost usually include the transportation and a guide.
(My case is with several return bus you may catch at different time)

I have stayed in Flores and it s a loverly place overseeing the lake.

Practical Information - 
Prepare 4-6 hours in the site (depends on your own rhythm), while the tour pick up can be as early as 4:30am because the transportation takes time and you ll need to arrive early to avoid the heat.

Compare the price among the agencies and usually the hotel offer the tour but they will simply group together.
There is an ATM inside the supermarket.
Plenty of restaurants and souvenir shops around for your last minute shopping!

Accommodation - 

http://www.cafeyaxha.com/go/

Café Arqueológico Yaxha ,Avenida 15 de septiembre,Flores, Petén

(+502) 58 30 20 60

room 
single (Q100) US$ 14.- with bath, WIFI, no breakfast

Price asof 2012

墨西哥好去處－Vamos a Chiapas (II)

Another famous sight seeing point in Chiapas, of course is Palenque, one of the biggest Mayan heritage site.
另一個 Chiapas著名的觀光點當然是Palenque，最大的瑪雅遺址之一。

Palenque has attracted the attention of a lot of travelers, explorers,art historians and archaeologists over the last three centuries.
Palenque吸引了很多旅客、探險家、藝術史學家和考古學家在過去三個世紀的注意。


The archaeological site of Palenque, discovered in the eighteenth century, is located in northern Chiapas, part of the central portion of the Maya area, which had a remarkable cultural development to the late Classic period. Is a site of outstanding architectural beauty and aesthetic importance, which makes this exceptional city, nestled in the jungle, is one of the greatest creations of ancient men.
Palenque考古遺址位於北部的Chiapas，在18世紀被發現，後古典時期有顯著的文化發展。坐落在叢林中但卻有著優秀的建築，使得這個城市更顯特殊，是古代最偉大的建築之一。


Q&A
When Palenque was at its height?
between A.D. 500 and 700
Palenque的高峰期在什麼時候？
在公元500和700之間


What are the importance of The Temple of the Inscriptions?
along with Temple XII and Temple XIII, lies to the south of the Palace group of buildings and is one of the rare Maya pyramids to have a burial chamber incorporated at the time of its construction.
Temple of the Inscriptions的重要性是什麼？
沿著位於第十二寺和第十三寺，宮建築群的南部，是一個罕見在其施工時間已設計好墓室的瑪雅金字塔。

How to distinguish the Palace?
Located on a stepped base, the Palace is a maze of courtyards, corridors and chambers, is distinguished by a tower with four possibly was an observatory or watchtower.
如何區分皇宮？
位於階梯上，皇宮仿如一個由庭院、走廊和內室合成的迷宮，從一個可能是天文台或守望樓的建築可以區分。

openings for air

What are those cross carvings on the Grupo de las Cruces mean?

The Templo del Sol (Temple of the Sun),the Templo de la Cruz (Temple of the Cross), and Templo de la Cruz Foliada (Temple of the Foliated Cross), have 'cross' carvings in some buildings that  symbolize the ceiba tree, which in Maya belief held up the universe.

Grupo de las Cruces的十字雕刻是什麼意思？
Templo del Sol 、Templo de la Cruz，Templo de la Cruz Foliada，有一些建築物上的十字雕刻，象徵著木棉樹，在瑪雅人的信仰是宇宙的支柱。

Model of the original Palace 皇宮原來的面貌

Axe in the Ball game