GUAT07D-340_pan
July 8, 2007
While venturing through the sights of Guatemala, my main objective for going there was to see the Mayan ruins. And they didn't disappoint. My one hiccup was that they were very touristy. Now, this is to be expected, as the ruins at places like Tikal are restored and in fantastic shape, and they should be appreciated by all so they can be maintained. However, there is that part of me, as in most adventurers, who enjoys moving off the beaten track, seeing things out of the way. And that was what brought us to Yaxha.
This smaller site, located right on the river, is in various stages of decay and repair. The 90-minute jeep ride through the jungle to reach the site gave you an idea of how isolated, how off the beaten track it was. And the site did not disappoint. Ruins fading into the jungle, crumbled by centuries of disuse and steady rain and humidity. The royal astronomical observatory, which I climbed to take this photo, was in good shape, as were a few other pyramids. Best of all, these places were without any other visitors; besides us two and our guide, only two archaeologists were at the site, giving it a lonesome, first-discovery feel. It was fantastic. I hope you like the panorama I stitched together of the royal palace sitting near the river, with clouds stretching far to the horizon. Enjoy.
Technical notes:
Camera: Sony DSC-55
Lens: n/a
Focal length: 6.3mm
Exposure: 1/500 f/7.1 ISO 200
Post-processing: Toning and curves adjustment in PS4
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