On Sunday, June 3, excitement, joy, weeping, concentration and happiness were some of the feelings and emotions that appeared on the faces of the navigators who emulated the sacred journey of the ancient Maya, from continental Quintana Roo to the island of Cozumel to worship the goddess Ixchel.

The first canoes appeared on the horizon around 10:40 in the morning, at least two hours before their arrival was expected. Family, friends and tourists enjoyed this show as they awaited the canoes to come into the creek of the Chankanaab ecotourism park.

(Photo: SIPSE)

31 kilometers (19 miles) separate Polé (Xcaret), from Chankanaab in Cozumel, and this distance is covered using only the strength of the rowers’ arms.

The crew of canoe number 29, featured 10 rowers, 2 women and 8 men. They were the first to approach the entrance of the small inlet to Chankanaab.

Their faces denoted a mixture of jubilation and exhaustion, and although they were the first to cross the entrance to the inlet, they accidentally turned their course off the beach.

(Photo: SIPSE)

This mistake was used by canoe number 20, to be the first to bury the keel in the sand where 243 dancers were waiting for them with offerings, food and fresh drinks.

A total of 377 rowers, out of which 177 were women, participated in the 12th edition of the “Travesía Maya“, a fantastic event that evokes the journey of the ancient Maya that they used to ask favors to their Mother Goddess Ixchel, by visiting her sanctuary, the “island of the swallows” the beautiful Cozumel.

Source: SIPSE

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