Copan Ruinas: A Mystical Mayan Journey-Day Two

Copan at Night

My Copan adventure continues. That evening we returned to LaCasa Rosada then ventured out to explore Copan at night.  Many people were out enjoying a Friday night, street vendors selling food, musicians on the plaza, and other people like ourselves, just exploring and enjoying an exotic spot. Because we had an early morning, we retired to our rooms and called it a night after a wonderfully exciting day.

Breakfast at La Casa Rosada

Saturday morning found us in another wonderful experience-breakfast at La Casa Rosada. The tables were set in the garden with linens and flowers. Coffee was waiting-local Copan Arabica coffee- delicious. We gathered together to enjoy this simple pleasure and start our day. 

Moving to the minibus we proceeded to the Copan Ruinas at about 8 in the morning with the idea that we could experience Copan before it became so hot. That is a good idea if you ever plan a trip.  We arrived and signed in, and as we walked toward the ruins, the macaws (sacred to the Maya) were enjoying the early morning cool air.  They majestically soared above our heads. It was breathtaking and one of many moments this day that took my breath away.

Macaw in the Trees at Copan Ruinas

Another Macaw

The Cosmic Turtle

Altar Where Hearts were Removed from Living Victims

Walter led us through the ruins explaining the glyphs and interpreting what we were seeing from the ball court, to the stele, altars and sacrificial temples where the Maya lopped off heads that rolled down the temple stairs. 

Heiroglyphic staircase which tells the story of the  13th Ruler
"18 Rabbit"

Ball Court

Stele of a Ruler at Copan

 Some parts of the area were especially strange and left a feeling of unease other parts were magical if you allowed yourself to feel the aura of your surroundings.

Temple of Death

After touring the actual sight and experiencing that, we entered the museum which was depicted as entering the underworld, very cool.  The museum contains countless original stele, altars and carvings to preserve and protect them from the elements.  You could spend hours studing each piece and reading descriptions of them.  The only reproduction is of the red temple which sits in the center of the museum and shows how this temple looked in its original state….painted and colorful, truly amazing to see.  When you look at the ruins today, you can detect small pieces of the color and stucco that originally coated them.

The Rosalia Temple

Heron Catching a Fish

Here are some additional pictures of Copan Ruinas and the Museum there.

After spending the cool morning hours at the ruins and museum, we traveled to Macaw Mountain Avery Preserve where beautiful macaws and other species parrots and native Honduran birds are protected and rehabilitated to be re-released back into the wild if possible.

I have one more installment of this trip to recount, and that is our afternoon and departure from Copan….yet another adventure!!!  Stayed tuned.

More pictures of the bird park: Macaw Mountain