Yucatan

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. On the Mexican peninsula of YUCATAN, the Maya founded Chichen Itza, `City of Pyramids', in the fifth century. Relief-type pictures and sculptures describe the customs and gruesome rituals of this submerged yet advanced civilisation. Stone pillars and mosaic tiles show the highly-developed culture of the Maya people and complex images illustrate their advanced knowledge of astronomy, mathematics and architecture. Here, the harmony of god-given life was maintained only by the strict fulfilment of all the divine commandments. This, however, called for many human sacrifices?

DVD. Travel With Kids. 80 Minutes. Join the Roberts family as they explore Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula in the award winning Travel With Kids Series. Travel With Kids Mexico: The Yucatan presents the history and culture of Mexico and the Mayan civilization that once inhabited this area in an innovative, family friendly format. Discover the ancient Maya at pyramid complexes like Chichen Itza, Tulum and Cova. Husband-Wife director team Jeremy and Carrie Simmons have won many awards for their travel documentaries including: - Telly Awards - iParenting Media Awards - Dove Foundation Family-Rated Seal of Approval - KIDS First Endorsement - Communicator Awards - Associated Press Awards

DVD. Alternate Routes. 30 Minutes. Tulum, on the coast of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is an unspoiled laid-back stretch of beach where two young English blokes sling their hammocks and settle in for the joys of beach life. Experience the rush of traveling the world for the first time with a crew of international back-packers, ages 16 - 22 on their quest for adventure, romance and the perfect moment. A variety of hosts from around the globe and the young people they hook up with on location are relentless in their pursuit of fun (and don't forget that culture, mate!) American girls explore Rome, Brits take on Thailand and things get wild when the Aussie's arrive in Copenhagen. Five continents, Unlimited Adventure. Take the alternate route, dude.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. It is in Uxmal where historic Mexico is at its most beautiful and that our journey through the millennia begins, along the Yucatan Peninsula, land of Maya culture. The Cuadr?ngulo De Los Monjas comprises four buildings with many entrances that lead into various small rooms, typical of Puuc architecture. The forty two metre high Fortune Teller Pyramid is situated in the centre of the complex and the main entrance to the Nuns' Quadrangle dates back to the 9th century and is flanked on both sides by columned halls. Since the 10th century the remains of the Pre-Columbian architecture of Chichen Itza have combined two cultures, the Maya and the Toltecs. The total number of steps that lead up to the temple, including those on each of its four sides, number an amazing three hundred and sixty five - one for each day of the year! The facades of its buildings are adorned with mosaics. Geometrical ornaments alternate with images of numerous deities and the heads of fantastic animals. Today, the Isla Del Cozumel, an island close to Yucatan, is the destination of luxurious cruise liners that lay anchor so that passengers can enjoy the local scenery. Whether feathered or scaled, the abundant variety of Yucatan's animal kingdom is a fascinating sight both above and below water. The turquoise coloured water of the bay makes it possible to view the seabed to a depth of thirty metres. Women in traditional costume prepare tortillas: what Cortez once referred to as a `corn pancake' is today an international favourite. Daily routine is just as it was hundreds of years ago and each season of the year determines the daily work of the rural population. Ancient culture and snow white sandy beaches, this is the YUCATAN Peninsula!

DVD. Cosmos Global Documentaries. 52 Minutes. Myths, secrets and mystery surround the archaeological sites of the Maya and Inca in both Middle and South America. The city of Teotihuac?n is no exception. The founding of this ancient and historically important city probably dates back to the second or third century A.D. when construction of the mighty Sun Pyramid crowned by a temple, was completed. The rain god, Tlaloc, and the Feathered Snake, Quetzalcoatl, were the major deities in the flourishing ancient city in some parts of which the magnificent decoration of various sanctuaries, including beautiful reliefs has been preserved to the present day. In Chich?n Itz? the association between the beautifully decorated ancient monuments and temples and their function as a place of human sacrifice is more than evident. Heavy stone tables and human-shaped sacrificial altars such as the Chac Mool create a rather disturbing and mysterious ambience and even today little is known of the true nature of the horrifying rituals that once took place there. Despite its rather modest size the magnificent location of Tulum, located in the northern part of the Yucat?n Peninsula on the Caribbean coast, is still one of the most popular and well-known Maya sites in the world. Tulum was once entirely surrounded by a massive defensive wall with towers and battlements and in the 14th century the small port developed into one of the most important trading centres in the region. The desolate and extensive desert in Southern Peru hides one of the most spectacular secrets of Nazca culture, the legendary and mysterious geoglyphs engraved on the surface of the desert. There are illustrations of various animals that measure a hundred metres and further images that extend for several kilometres. The precision and huge dimensions of these lines is simply breathtaking. For some time it was believed that they could only be discerned from the sky but the truth is that they can be seen from the neighbouring hills. Perhaps at some time in the future and with the help of more archaeological discoveries there will be further revelations with regard to the mysteries of the Inca people. However, in this region, each discovery leads to a new mystery!

Questar Video. You and Shari explore... Merida's elegant, old-world architecture before relaxing at a free concert in the park. You also ride to the peaceful town of Progreso on the Gulf Coast and visit the pyramids at Chich?n Itza and Uxmal that bring to life the ancient Maya and Toltec civilizations. Cancun Shari shows you around Cancun, describing how this glitzy resort has grown from the tiny hamlet it was just twenty years ago. Then she takes you snorkeling in the blue Caribbean waters at Akumel and Isla Mujeres. Finally you visit Mayan ruins both on the high cliffs at Tulum and in the jungle at Coba. Belize You and Shari visit the world's second largest underwater reef at Ambergris Cay then unearth the Maya past at Altun Ha, Xunantunich and Lamunai. You also visit Belize City, dance to the hypnotic beats of Punta drums and stay overnight in an exotic jungle lodge.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Mexico City is a vivid metropolis and cosmopolitan city situated on a plateau in the central highlands at an altitude of 2, 286 metres - where the food is spicy and the Tequila flows freely! The city's fascinating history is reflected in both its art and architecture with age old charm, Indian roots and elegant buildings. Until the Spanish conquest the Templo Mayor was the setting of coronations and human sacrifice. The remains of the walls within which thousands of priests once lived are only a few steps from the buildings of the country's former Spanish conquerors. Construction of the country's largest cathedral, the Catedral Metropolitana, took two hundred and fifty years. The lower section is quite plain but the upper section is of Baroque and Neo-Classical design. Spanish administrative buildings and private houses in the heart of the city have replaced the temples of ancient Mexico and has resulted in a synthesis of both old and new architectural styles. An elevator ascends the Torre Latino America, an earthquake-proof tower that was built in 1958. A viewing platform provides a wonderful panoramic view that includes the Palacio De Bellas Artes and the Juarez Monument. Located fifty kilometres from Mexico City are the ancient remains of Teotihuacan that was once a centre of trade, art and ritual ceremonies. At its zenith in 500 A.D. it was as large as Rome and its Sun Pyramid is one of the greatest building achievements of ancient times. In 1988 Unesco attributed this complex as being `one of the most important cultural centres of Mankind'. The author Pablo Neruda once said: `No other land on Earth possesses such remarkable human profoundness than Mexico and its inhabitants'. For surprises, sights and history galore, Mexico has to be at the top of the list!

DVD. Worldwide Travel Films. 88 Minutes. The central highlands from Mexico City to Colima are known to savvy travelers as the "Land of Eternal Spring". In this all new digital production, filmmakers Fran and Brooke Reidelberger explore this special part of our southern neighbor far from the daily headlines. Ancient Aztec ruins, colonial silver towns, modern retirement meccas for adventurous gringos, colorful markets older than America, the real Tequila, arts and crafts, festivals, rodeos, "dancing" dogs, volcanoes, and butterfly heaven at 11,000 feet. All of this, plus the incredible people are part of "The Other Side of Mexico" Ancient and modern sections of Mexico City; Aztec pyramids at Teotihuac?n; P?tzcuaro and other Michoac?n villages with their diverse arts and crafts, including copper, "catrina" dolls and wooden masks; the story of Christ's life on earth, hand painted on the ceiling of a tiny 16th Century church; Mexico's highest fresh water lake and the net fishermen of Janitzio Island; dance of "The Little Old Men" in the small village of Capacuaro; Highway 120 through the Sierra Gorda mountains, the beginning of the Mission Trail and a fanciful "garden" created by a mad Englishman; the artists of San Miguel de Allende and its large North American population; Guanajuato with its tunnels, trams and strolling troubadours. Guadalajara's modern facilities and mariachi bands; Mexico's largest fresh water lake, Lake Chapala, and the towns of Chapala, Ajijic and Jocotopec with their large number of North American retirees; the south side of Lake Chapala where acres of raspberries are cultivated and flocks of white pelicans spend the winter; the town of Tequila and the uniquely Mexican beverage of the same name; fourteen generations of knife makers in Sayula; a rollicking Mexican rodeo (not bullfighting!); tranquil Colima with its active volcano; the winter home of millions of Monarch butterflies.

DVD. 1 Hours and 40 Minutes. Host Shari Belafonte in a climb up the pyramids of Teotihuacan. Explore the Reforma, Zocolo and the Zona Rosa. Appreciate the architecture of Guadalajara, and then head for the beaches at Puerta Vallarta. In Cuernavaca, visit glitzy Ixtapa and laid-back Zihuatanejo. Marvel at the wealth of silver in Taxco. After touring the Palace of Cortes, explore pre-Aztec pyramids at Xochicalco. Peruse the marketplaces of Oaxaca, and then unwind in Puerto Escondido.