2010 BMAF Book of Mormon Lands Tour
2010 BMAF Book of Mormon Lands Tour
February, 2010
   
Teachers Strike
As we began our bus trip from the airport at Flores, the road was blocked by these small three wheeled taxis as part of the nation wide teachers strike. |
Negotiations Failed
After trying to get them to let us through, we had to back up and make a detour around the area. |
Ferry
Our first stopping point on the trip was on the ferry to take us across the Pasion River. Note the guard with the shotgun. Most stores and places with valuables had an armed guard. |
Bus leaving the ferry
Note the rough uphill surface the bus and a small truck had to unload to.
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Water Taxis
In the town of Sayaxache |
Loading our boat
Beginning our one hour boat trip up the river to El Ceibal. |
This boat held 25 people
It was nice that it had a sun shade. |
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Gentle, sloping trail to CEIBAL
That's what we were told it was. |
Ryan explains
the significance of stela #3 at El Ceibal
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Some of the glyphs on a stelae
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First view
of ruins of El Ceibal |
Excavating
A very tedious job for native workers |
Stelae 4
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Close up
glyphs on stelae 4
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Reconstruction
Workers reconstruct a section of ruins |
Relief side view of warrior
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Main structure of site
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Scale model of site
Most areas of the site have not been mapped or restored.
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Roots of the giant Ceiba tree
The national tree of Mexico and prototype of the tree of life |
Reflections on the Pasion River
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 Pulling up to the trail to Cancuen |
Ball Court at Cancuen
Cancuen was a major city during the Classic Period and a major trade center in Jade, Pyrite and Obsidian. It's strategic position on the Rio Pasion helped it dominate trade in the region. Taj Chan Ahk built the city's palace in 770 A.D. It covered nearly 23,000 square meters and was the largest in the Maya area. It had two ball courts a market place and a dock on the Pasion River. |
Steps of a secondary building
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 Sacred reservoir possibly for washings |
Giant Steps to the Main Plaza
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Steps to the main palace
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Glyphs in Palace
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Candelaria Caves
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Hotel at Chisec
Although the hotel is several years old, it is still a work in progress. The top level is not finished and some not filled in.
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At the Coban Mall
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Mountain Clouds as we approach Coban
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Restaurant at the hotel in Coban
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Finca Valpariso
Earlier owned by Cordell Anderson
Proposed by Ric Hauck as the narrow pass |
Trench Warfare
One of many trenches strategically placed throughout the narrow pass. |
Ric lectures at Valpariso
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