archaeology

Journey to Yaxha: Pyramids, Monkeys, and Myths

Published August 6, 2020 | By Clark Norton

Steep steps lead to the top of temple 216 in Yaxha, but the view from the top is worth it. Photo by Robert Waite.

In the first part of this two-part series, contributing writer Robert Waite described his visit to Tikal, Guatemala, the enormous ruins of one of the world’s great archaeological wonders, which 2,000 years ago was larger than ancient Rome or Beijing.

In Part II of this series, Bob writes about his travels to another stunning Mayan archaeological site nearby — Yaxha — and finds humor and cultural insights amid the ancient pyramids.

By Robert Waite

On the morning we left Tikal we headed for Yaxha, 30 km (19 miles) to the southeast, with our new guide, Cesar Quinones.

Yaxha is Guatemala’s third largest Mayan archaeological site (after Tikal and El Mirador) and boasts 500 structures spread along a hilltop stretching about three km (two miles).

Located… Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Baby boomer travel, Central America, cultural travel, Film Locations, History | Tagged "Star Wars" locations, "Survivor Guatemala", GEM Guatemala Travel, Guatemala travel, Mayan ball courts, Mayan culture, Tikal travel, Yaxha Guatemala, Yaxha travel | 1 Comment

Tikal Your Travel Bone at Iconic Mayan Site

Published August 5, 2020 | By Clark Norton

Tikal’s Temple I rises to a height of 154 feet (47 meters). Photo by Robert Waite.

For those planning their post-COVID travels, or who just like a good read, our roving contributing writer Robert Waite sets foot this time in the fabulous Mayan ruins of Tikal and Yaxha, which flourished two millennia ago in the jungles of what is now Guatemala.

It was the New York of its day, a massive complex complete with “skyscraper” temples, plazas, and palaces. When it seems safe to go, you may well want to add it to your future travel plans.

By Robert Waite

Tikal, Guatemala – Anyone who still buys into the myth that the Americas needed to be discovered by Columbus to be “civilized” has not wandered among the pyramids or across the expansive plazas of Tikal.

Beginning around 350 B.C. and stretching into the 5^th century A.D., at a time… Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Baby boomer travel, Bucket Lists, Central America, cultural travel, History | Tagged Ancient Mayans, Guatemala travel, Mayan civilization, Tikal, Tikal Guatemala, Tikal travel, UNESCO World Heritage Sites | 9 Comments

High and Dry In Siem Reap

Published July 10, 2020 | By Clark Norton

Young Buddhist monks with modern Buddha figure in temple near Bayon Temple. Photo by Dennis Cox/WorldViews

Here’s Part II of contributing writer Robert Waite’s recent journey to Siem Reap, Cambodia — home to the vast ruins of temple Angkor Wat, and much more. (If you missed Part I focusing on Angkor Wat, read it here.)

Here, Bob tours another huge temple complex complete with strangler trees, takes in a surprisingly good local circus, tangles with an oxcart, and takes a boat ride on a lake mostly devoid of water — all recounted with Bob’s deft descriptions and appropriately dry wit.

By Robert Waite

Siem Reap, Cambodia –

You come to Siem Reap for Angkor Wat, but you’d be wise to stay on and take in other area attractions. First and foremost there is Angkor Thom, another huge complex, one that served as the last and most enduring capital… Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Asia, Baby boomer travel, cultural travel | Tagged Angkor Thom Cambodia, Angkor Wat Cambodia, Cambodia travel, Phare: The Cambodian Circus, Siem Reap Cambodia, Tonle Sap floating villages, Tonle Sap Lake Cambodia | 2 Comments

Angkor Wat’s Stairway to Heaven

Published July 9, 2020 | By Clark Norton

Angkor Wat Temple from the west gate. Photo by Dennis Cox/WorldViews

Contributing writer Robert Waite, who lately has chronicled his journeys from Albania to Namibia, Rwanda to Laos, didn’t know how well-timed his recent visit to Southeast Asia would prove to be.

Bob says that he and his wife, Karen, had purposely decided to travel to Laos and Cambodia in January of this year — “because January is somewhat cooler and a lot drier than, say, July. As it happened, that was just as COVID-19 was beginning to wend its way out of Wuhan.”

And so, just in time, Bob finally made it to Angkor Wat, one of the top destinations on his life list and the featured topic of Part I of his two-part series about the memorable sights and activities in the area around Siem Reap, Cambodia. Here are Bob’s reflections on visiting one of the… Continue reading →

Posted in archaeology, Baby boomer travel, Bucket Lists, cultural travel | Tagged Angkor wat, Angkor Wat Cambodia, archaeological wonders, Cambodia, Cambodia travel, Siem Reap Cambodia | 2 Comments

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