Xunantunich...

it's been a month of Mayan adventures for me. after having lived here for over a year, it's embarrassing to say that i'd only visited two of the many incredible Mayan sites in Belize. that is, until a couple weeks ago. and it's all thanks to the folks next door. Jonathan, Bria, Cameron and Jessica moved in to the house in front of me a couple months ago while Jonathan was completing research for his PhD in archaeology. they spent their days buried in analysis of Mayan pottery sherds (no, not shards. sherds.) evenings saw us hanging out on the patio, indulging in booze and burritos made with Erva's ginormous tortillas.


they generously shared their wine, and invited me to tag along on visits to Xunantunich and Caracol, two of Belize's most famous Mayan sites. Xunantunich is just up the road from San Ignacio, and can be reached only by a hand-cranked bridge across the Macal River. this is the site's largest pyramid.


Jessica, Cameron & Jonathan take in the view from the top. it's an incredible 360 degree panorama of the site's main plaza, the surrounding jungle canopy, and the villages of Succotz and Benque Viejo. on a clear day you can see Guatemala (which in truth isn't that far away).



the main plaza...













... and Xunantunich's famous frieze.