| Ancient! Contemporary! Futuristic! Second | | | | To access the Chichen-Itza site, simply |
| LifeÂ(R)? Famed archaeological site and | | | | download the Second Life software and follow |
| finalist towards becoming a new seventh world | | | | the instructions. Once the user has entered, |
| wonder, Chichen-Itza, will be making its | | | | they must type into the search engine "Visit |
| debut in the virtual world, Second | | | | Mexico," where they will be automatically |
| LifeÂ(R) (SL) on June 10, 2007 at 1:00 pm | | | | tele-transported to the new site. |
| PTD, featuring a seven hour music showcase. | | | | |
| SL is a 3-D virtual world entirely built and | | | | Wonderful Chichen-Itza dazzles visitors |
| owned by its residents with the participation | | | | |
| of more than seven million people from around | | | | It is for good reason that Chichen-Itza, |
| the world. | | | | declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in |
| | | | 1998, is included in the finalist list for |
| Virtual tourists will be able to enjoy an | | | | the new Seven World Wonders. The sacred site |
| array of interactive and life-like | | | | is considered to have been one of the |
| attractions at the Chichen-Itza virtual site, | | | | greatest Mayan centers of the Yucatan |
| where they can climb or fly over the great | | | | peninsula, and today is one of the largest |
| pyramid El Castillo, dive and search for | | | | and most impressive archaeological sites in |
| hidden treasures in the sacred cenote (sink | | | | Mexico. |
| hole), and visit a (traditional Mayan home). | | | | |
| The area will also include a Mayan temazcal | | | | Today Chichen-Itza is the most visited |
| (sweat lodge), where the SL community will be | | | | archaeological site in the Yucatan Peninsula. |
| able to enter and lie on a floating mat with | | | | Many tourists add a day trip to their |
| visible steam and glowing lava rocks. The | | | | vacation to travel to the site, located |
| mystical experience will allow the | | | | approximately two hours away from Cancun and |
| participant to see visions of stars, | | | | two and a half hours from Merida. |
| butterflies and images from the past. | | | | |
| | | | The site's main attractions include El |
| In addition, an audio tour of the area with | | | | Castillo, or the Pyramid of the Serpent God |
| relevant historical information about | | | | Kukulkan, a magnificent pyramid topped by a |
| | | | temple, to which thousands of people from all |
| Chichen-Itza will be made available with its | | | | over the globe flock every spring and fall |
| very own transportation from the back of a | | | | equinox to witness a shadow depicting the god |
| Mayan butterfly. A gallery of images and a | | | | slither down it. Visitors can also explore |
| streaming video of the equinox will also be | | | | the sacbes, white limestone pathways used by |
| on hand. | | | | the ancient Mayans. |
| | | | |
| "We are proud to share with the world this | | | | Its immense ruins are surrounded by lush |
| Mexican landmark and heritage," said | | | | green vegetation, underground rivers, natural |
| Francisco Lopez Mena, CEO of the Mexico | | | | wells and limestone that the Mayans used to |
| Tourism Board. "We are very excited to be | | | | construct their magnificent buildings. |
| promoting Chichen-Itza in this new medium, | | | | |
| and encourage everyone to visit the site and | | | | About Chichen-Itza, the World Wonder |
| cast their vote for Chichen-Itza as a new | | | | |
| seven wonder," he added. | | | | Swiss-based New7Wonders Foundation is |
| | | | revising the original seven ancient wonders |
| Voting kiosks will be placed throughout the | | | | of the world, and Mexico's Chichen-Itza in |
| site and across the virtual world in | | | | Yucatan State is one of 21 finalists to |
| high-traffic areas, where you will be | | | | become a new Seven World Wonder. Declared a |
| transported automatically to the | | | | UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, |
| "new7wonders" website to vote for | | | | Chichen-Itza is considered to have been one |
| Chichen-Itza, upon clicking. As a token of | | | | of the greatest Mayan centers of the Yucatan |
| appreciation, the Mexico Tourism Board will | | | | peninsula, and today is one of the largest |
| be giving voters beautiful Mayan inspired | | | | and most impressive archaeological sites in |
| clothing and jewelry to wear in their SL | | | | Mexico. To vote for Chichen-Itza as one of |
| travels. | | | | the new Seven World Wonders, visit the |
| | | | "new7wonders" website. |