{"id":2445,"date":"2014-02-15T16:22:00","date_gmt":"2014-02-15T16:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/2014\/02\/15\/the-lesser-known-ruins-of-the-mayan"},"modified":"2021-09-24T04:14:54","modified_gmt":"2021-09-24T11:14:54","slug":"the-lesser-known-ruins-of-the-mayan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/?p=2445","title":{"rendered":"the lesser known ruins of the Mayan"},"content":{"rendered":"<script type=\"text\/plain\" data-tcf=\"waiting-for-consent\" data-id=\"22826\" data-bid=\"1\" data-placement=\"22827\">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<\/script><div dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left;\">\n<p>The rain poured in torrential buckets during Belize&#8217;s &#8220;dry season&#8221;. Another reminder that Mother Nature has a mind of her own, regardless of a traveler&#8217;s plans. If one is mindful of this fact, and can bend and sway with the changes, unexpected adventures lay in wait.<\/p>\n<p>The rivers swelled and flooded all roads leading to the more infamous Mayan ruins I initially wanted to see. Day after day everyone was hopeful the waters would recede, but on my last full day in country, the realization hit that this wasn&#8217;t going to happen.<\/p>\n<p>So I ended up going to <a href=\"http:\/\/www.robertsgrove.com\/belize-mayan-ruins-tours\">Lubaantun and Nim Li Punit<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/c1965-img_0020.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/c1965-img_0020.jpg?resize=640%2C426&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Lubaantun is in the lush jungle, just beyond the beautiful little village of Toledo. When first discovered, the archaeologist&#8217;s used dynamite to unearth the ruins, sadly blowing up each structure in the process.<\/p>\n<p>A crystal skull ( just like in the Indiana Jones movie) was found and stolen by Americans back in the 1940&#8217;s. The Belize government is working with the US to try and retrieve this part of their cultural heritage, but without much success. They believe it is sitting in someone&#8217;s home in Indiana.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/dca43-img_0049.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/dca43-img_0049.jpg?resize=640%2C426&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Among the ruins we find natural abundance in the jungle, from coco beans to gum trees, plants that help with aging to herbal remedies for diabetes.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/4442c-img_0026.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/4442c-img_0026.jpg?resize=640%2C426&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>As I was walking between the great fallen ruins, I hear a thunderously loud crack from the sky. No more than a few feet from me, a great tree branch falls from high above, smashing on the ruins below. A powerful reminder of my small place in this vast world.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/a1055-img_0016.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/a1055-img_0016.jpg?resize=640%2C426&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Before we go to the next site, we stop in Toledo to eat at a local restaurant. The husband\/wife that run the place are amazingly friendly, and the local cuisine was out of this world. Toasting over belikins, we all enjoy the hearty feast.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/e62d2-2013-12-301.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/e62d2-2013-12-301.jpg?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Nim Li Punit is collection of Stela ( erect stones with engravings on them) in a stunning remote lush green jungle setting. The second largest Stela found so far is here, rising to a little over nine meters.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/20332-img_0030.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/20332-img_0030.jpg?resize=640%2C426&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Stories of ritual human sacrifice are told in the engravings, from disembowelment to the cutting off of men&#8217;s penises.<\/p>\n<p>Brutal fascination in the realm of religion and fear of one&#8217;s diety.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/fd501-img_0032.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/fd501-img_0032.jpg?resize=640%2C426&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>Erect stones in a courtyard are believed to be the markings of the Mayan calendar.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"><a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/e425b-img_0040.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/e425b-img_0040.jpg?resize=640%2C426&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"426\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/div>\n<p>I find the stone marking for January, and revel in what will be a New Year the following day. On the last day of 2013, I wish for peace, hope and good health for the upcoming three hundred and sixty five days.<\/p>\n<div class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\">\n<p><a style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/a1c6a-2013-12-3.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/a1c6a-2013-12-3.jpg?resize=640%2C480&#038;ssl=1\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-HyIcO95Mhk?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The rain poured in torrential buckets during Belize&#8217;s &#8220;dry season&#8221;. Another reminder that Mother Nature [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2691,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"googlesitekit_rrm_CAowqprcCw:productID":"","_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"{title}\n\n{excerpt}\n\n{url}","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7315],"tags":[589476282,162289,48562,1723232,200],"class_list":["post-2445","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-a-day-in-the-life","tag-a-day-in-the-life","tag-belize","tag-central-america","tag-mayan-ruins","tag-travel"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/mywalkabout.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/02\/dca43-img_0049.jpg?fit=1600%2C1066&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p99I7P-Dr","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2445","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2445"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2445\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15166,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2445\/revisions\/15166"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2691"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2445"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2445"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mywalkabout.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2445"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}