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