Nov 2012: So I visit the Pyramid of the Moon

After visiting the palace compound, our guide took us through a little passageway and we then got down some stairs and emerged into the Pyramid of the Moon Plaza

There are these massive structures, mini Pyramids if you will, on the side.

restored, of course, but the sides are steep

we move forward, the shape of this pyramid is supposed to echo the mountain behind the pyramid..

this one is under repair

I managed to drag my carcass up to the top. Believe you me, it wasnt easy

The Pyramid of the Sun. You must be wondering how tall are these chaps? Here’s a nice graphic from Wikipedia.

Impressive, eh? So I haven't been to the ones in North Korea, Meidum, Xian, Cholula, Chichen Iza..hmmm, 5 out of 18 are left. lol.

And the Avenue of the Dead. It just looks like an air strip to me.

One of the restored tops of the side pyramids..

In the middle, looks like some kind of a temple complex, you can see the altars, the entrance on the right, the pillars..I wonder how it would have looked like in the olden days dating back to 200AD?

Coming in to land

I look back at the peak. One isnt allowed to climb up any further. 

There are structures at the base of the pyramid. Excavations here have shown some amazing detail. These pyramids werent built in one shot, there were smaller pyramids and then others added on top of it. See here for more information. I will show you more when I reach the centre of town in Mexico City in a future photo essay

So each of these steps indicate a phase of building..

quite a wide platform here..

The volcanic rock is strange..

  

You dont want to topple over here

The restoration was only on the front, lol, Potemkin pyramids?

I cant ever get tired of this view

Check out the folks climbing. It is a very very steep climb. Almost 70 degrees or so with steps at least 18-24 inches in height.              

The surroundings are quite lush and verdant

 

I couldn't climb up or down without having to hold the guide ropes..

 

See how steep the climb is? And all i felt was, the designers only want you to climb, coming down is easy, they just push you off, heh.

Down on terra firma

Somebody sitting and being highlighted

         

You always have somebody

The muppet managed to climb up to the top. While waiting for the others to turn up, moved here to see a local vendor showing off the local skills.

A cactus leaf

And just using the cactus plan juices and leaf juices, he will draw the diagram shown..neat, eh?

Walking down the avenue of the dead towards the Pyramid of the Sun

And I see two doggies..

The route was lined by these chaps selling all kinds of stuff. I didnt want to buy anything, knowing that I will still have to climb the long way up to the Pyramid of the Sun. Onwards and upwards, my fat self.