7 Wonders Revealed
http://www.new7wonders.com/
Well the vote is in and the "new" 7 Wonders have been revealed. The voting just recently ended..although the top picks were announced in June. The new list being:
• The Great Wall of China
• Petra in Jordan
• Brazil's statue of Christ the Redeemer
• Peru's Machu Picchu
• Mexico's Chichen Itza pyramid
• The Colosseum in Rome
• India's Taj Mahal
Most of the list seems fair enough, however, (just a personal opinion here), Christ the Redeemer seems a bit out of place. It is a compelling site for sure but to rank it in the class of other architectural marvels of the ancient world seems a little misguided. Stonehenge or the Acropolis may have been a bit more fitting. What do you think? How many of these have YOU been to?
Upcoming Posts
I know these have been slow in coming but the real world gets in the way of writing (particularly when your not a writer to begin with!)
1. The rest of Peru (Urubamba and Lares Valley, Machu Picchu..complete with stunning pics). Check out the pics we just posted from Day 1..
2. Kalalau - yes, we're still going to do it..just got the permits!
3. Upcoming trips....Kili and Acongagua (we'll see about that one)
Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts
Monday, July 9, 2007
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Peru - Day 2 Touring the outskirts of Cusco
Still....acclimating..to the..altitude. Yes, Day 2 is all about relaxing and roaming around Cusco. Our guide company set up a comprehensive tour around the outskirts of town to see some of the Inca sites. It's our first glance at the scale at which the Inca's did things. So we piled into our private transport with our driver and guide (turns out we will come to rely on our driver more than we thought..sort of in a guardian angel sort of way!)
Sacsayhuamán
First stop was the The Fortress of Sacsayhuamán (located to the north of Cusco's main square, 1km away from the Church of San Critobal). Referred to as the Royal Houses of the Sun. The complex was for the Inca elite and was where they went to worship (you guessed it) the Sun. The fortress was set up like a small city, complete with running water. This is where you can get an up close view of the amazing stonework the Inca's were able to achieve without modern tools. Estimated weights of some of these stones is estimated between 90 and 125 metric tons. The sheer weight combined with the precision at which these stones were interlocked is in itself worth the trip to see this site. So much to say about this site so, instead of me rambling on, take a look at some of the pictures.
We spent about an hour here roaming the site with our knowledgeable guide. We are realizing at this point that booking a private trip was worth the extra few hundred bucks. The company we used (email us for the name) provided trained guides that spoke perfect english. It also allows you to move at your own pace and not be subject to 10 other people!
Q'enqo (Kenko)
Next stop is Q'enqo, an Inca temple which consists of two significant archaeological sites: Q'enqo Grande (closer to the road) and Q'enqo Chico (about 350 meters west of Grande, located on a hillside). Both are places of worship but their meaning has not been determined yet. Another example of fantastic stone work.Q'enqo Chico is a recent discovery and archaeological work is still going on. Our guide used to play "football" on the pitch that was above the site before it was found.
Facts of note are the amphitheater that surrounds the natural stone of Q'enqo Grande, the "ZigZag" Gutter (drainage for water/blood?). There is also an underground passage that is quite interesting with altars and niches carved into the stone (secret rituals??). Follow the slightly difficult staircase (or easy rock climb) to the top where rituals were performed at it's altar.
This turned out to be a quick stop but was well worth the time spent exploring. Again, your experience at any site is only as good as your tour guide. This site might have been a quick photo op of some more rocks had our guide not taken the time to explain its history and significance.
This short day ends with door to door service back at the hotel where we promptly headed out into the streets of Cusco to do some more shopping.
Meeting the Trek Guide
This evening we have a meeting with our trekking guide to go over trip details for our Urubamba/Lares Valley adventure. Our guide was an warm and endearing figure, however he tactfully made it clear that he would be in charge (this is a positive as long as it is communicated properly to the client). To hear his experiences over the years set us at ease that we had a seasoned veteran who was looking out for us. Outcome of our meeting:
Lesson 1 - Verify, verify verify. When booking through an outfit in the U.S., be sure that whichever company they "outsource" your trip to locally (and most will), knows everything you told the primary booking agency. Of particular note, communicate medical and dietary needs in writing and verbally to all agents and sub-contractors. We told the primary agent and assumed they would pass along the info, they did not. This was the the only major gaff by our booking company, but it's a big one.
Lesson 2 - Confirm every detail of trek itinerary. Our guide company told us 4-5 hours of hiking per day and to "bring a book!" for reading during down time. Our meeting in Cuzco revealed that we would be hiking between 6-9 hours per day at altitudes averaging 12,000 feet. No time (or desire) for reading...again, planning and coordination spectacular, minute details: a bit fuzzy.
Of interest: they say the coca tea helps you acclimate to the altitude and eases any stomach "issues" you may have with the food..we'll see...
Sacsayhuamán
First stop was the The Fortress of Sacsayhuamán (located to the north of Cusco's main square, 1km away from the Church of San Critobal). Referred to as the Royal Houses of the Sun. The complex was for the Inca elite and was where they went to worship (you guessed it) the Sun. The fortress was set up like a small city, complete with running water. This is where you can get an up close view of the amazing stonework the Inca's were able to achieve without modern tools. Estimated weights of some of these stones is estimated between 90 and 125 metric tons. The sheer weight combined with the precision at which these stones were interlocked is in itself worth the trip to see this site. So much to say about this site so, instead of me rambling on, take a look at some of the pictures.
We spent about an hour here roaming the site with our knowledgeable guide. We are realizing at this point that booking a private trip was worth the extra few hundred bucks. The company we used (email us for the name) provided trained guides that spoke perfect english. It also allows you to move at your own pace and not be subject to 10 other people!
Q'enqo (Kenko)
Next stop is Q'enqo, an Inca temple which consists of two significant archaeological sites: Q'enqo Grande (closer to the road) and Q'enqo Chico (about 350 meters west of Grande, located on a hillside). Both are places of worship but their meaning has not been determined yet. Another example of fantastic stone work.Q'enqo Chico is a recent discovery and archaeological work is still going on. Our guide used to play "football" on the pitch that was above the site before it was found.
Facts of note are the amphitheater that surrounds the natural stone of Q'enqo Grande, the "ZigZag" Gutter (drainage for water/blood?). There is also an underground passage that is quite interesting with altars and niches carved into the stone (secret rituals??). Follow the slightly difficult staircase (or easy rock climb) to the top where rituals were performed at it's altar.
This turned out to be a quick stop but was well worth the time spent exploring. Again, your experience at any site is only as good as your tour guide. This site might have been a quick photo op of some more rocks had our guide not taken the time to explain its history and significance.
This short day ends with door to door service back at the hotel where we promptly headed out into the streets of Cusco to do some more shopping.
Meeting the Trek Guide
This evening we have a meeting with our trekking guide to go over trip details for our Urubamba/Lares Valley adventure. Our guide was an warm and endearing figure, however he tactfully made it clear that he would be in charge (this is a positive as long as it is communicated properly to the client). To hear his experiences over the years set us at ease that we had a seasoned veteran who was looking out for us. Outcome of our meeting:
Lesson 1 - Verify, verify verify. When booking through an outfit in the U.S., be sure that whichever company they "outsource" your trip to locally (and most will), knows everything you told the primary booking agency. Of particular note, communicate medical and dietary needs in writing and verbally to all agents and sub-contractors. We told the primary agent and assumed they would pass along the info, they did not. This was the the only major gaff by our booking company, but it's a big one.
Lesson 2 - Confirm every detail of trek itinerary. Our guide company told us 4-5 hours of hiking per day and to "bring a book!" for reading during down time. Our meeting in Cuzco revealed that we would be hiking between 6-9 hours per day at altitudes averaging 12,000 feet. No time (or desire) for reading...again, planning and coordination spectacular, minute details: a bit fuzzy.
Of interest: they say the coca tea helps you acclimate to the altitude and eases any stomach "issues" you may have with the food..we'll see...
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Peru - Day 1
As we approach Cusco from the air, we feel as if we are going back in time, a city with mud brick homes and buildings which use Inca walls as part of their structure. There are many Spanish style churches and villas that intertwine with the mass of more modest buildings that cram the city. Cusco is in a valley the Incas believed was shaped like a puma. If you look closely you can talk yourself unto that that's what it looks like. This Old World feel is what we had been anticipating since we left..
So our plane lands and we make our way past the many drivers and tour companies vying for a piece of my American dream. We had instructions to collect our bags and proceed outside to the "pickup area, which turns out to be a guarded and fenced area that people meeting people line up at and yell for who they are looking for. So we listened..and heard a little voice repeating the name of our guide company. It was the wife of our main contact in Cusco! We felt lucky to have found someone, anyone so quickly. We shuffle our way past the throng and pile into our little transport. This was a private however to our (pleasant) surprise we discover that we have a private car and driver for our time in Cusco - nice! As we ramble towards the hotel Picoaga, we are told it is election time and the air is buzzing with the excitement that it brings. In Peru, voting is "mandatory" for their "democratic" elections so candidates pictures are plastered on every square inch of space on the tightly packed buildings along the street. There are rallies on many street corners with the local candaidate giving a passionate speech through a bull horn while standing on a box. Despite the electoral shortcomings, there is an unmistakable excitement in the air and the enthusiasm of the people is quite apparent.
On this barely 30 minute driver from the airport to the hotel, we had quite the entourage. We have a driver, guide from the company our trip was outsourced to, and the wife of our lead guide/main contact from the American company we booked through. All treated us as family from the moment we walked out of airport.
Our transport weaved between the hordes of traffic, around circles and through squares. Of particular interest were all the dogs that inhabit the streets of Cusco. These savvy locals are professionals at playing chicken with your vehicle and, from the looks of things..they rarely lose the standoff. Most roam the streets during the day, indifferent to what is going on around them. Seemingly well fed for the most part, we didn't have any problems with our 4-legged friends during our time in Cusco.
Our arrival at Hotel Picoaga went off without incident..thankfully our skilled driver got us there in one piece. We check in and immediately head downstairs to meet "McGyver", our lead guide and a character in his own right. By the time we leave we swear that he knows EVERY person in Cusco and is on a first name basis with all of them. After some instruction on acclimating to the altitude..Cusco being at 9k feet, we freshened up and received a personal walking tour (albeit a slow walk) around the sites in Cusco.
Plaza de Armas - the main square in Cusco. Great place to kick back on a bench and people watch. Be warmed you will be solicited about once every 2 minutes to buy something.
Politely say "no, gracias" and most will be on their way. Also the site of may an election rally during our stay.
The Church of La Compañia - On the Plaza de Armas,
this is a beautiful Spanish era chruch. The interior artifacts have not been maintained to the standards one would expect of such a site, however, the gold leaf alter is still breathtakingly beautiful..dust and all.
San Blas church
- The colonial San Blas church, destroyed by an earthquake in 1650 and later rebuilt by successive parish priests. San Blas was one of the most important mestizo neighborhoods in colonial Cuzco and housed 4 different indigenous communities as well as several hundred Spanish colonist.
The best part of Cusco is just wandering around the Old World style streets and discovering the many shops, museums, churches and squares. Just be sure to move at a slow pace or the altitude will get you!
Coming Next - Day 2..Shoeshines and Touring the outskirts of Cusco!
As we approach Cusco from the air, we feel as if we are going back in time, a city with mud brick homes and buildings which use Inca walls as part of their structure. There are many Spanish style churches and villas that intertwine with the mass of more modest buildings that cram the city. Cusco is in a valley the Incas believed was shaped like a puma. If you look closely you can talk yourself unto that that's what it looks like. This Old World feel is what we had been anticipating since we left..
So our plane lands and we make our way past the many drivers and tour companies vying for a piece of my American dream. We had instructions to collect our bags and proceed outside to the "pickup area, which turns out to be a guarded and fenced area that people meeting people line up at and yell for who they are looking for. So we listened..and heard a little voice repeating the name of our guide company. It was the wife of our main contact in Cusco! We felt lucky to have found someone, anyone so quickly. We shuffle our way past the throng and pile into our little transport. This was a private however to our (pleasant) surprise we discover that we have a private car and driver for our time in Cusco - nice! As we ramble towards the hotel Picoaga, we are told it is election time and the air is buzzing with the excitement that it brings. In Peru, voting is "mandatory" for their "democratic" elections so candidates pictures are plastered on every square inch of space on the tightly packed buildings along the street. There are rallies on many street corners with the local candaidate giving a passionate speech through a bull horn while standing on a box. Despite the electoral shortcomings, there is an unmistakable excitement in the air and the enthusiasm of the people is quite apparent.
On this barely 30 minute driver from the airport to the hotel, we had quite the entourage. We have a driver, guide from the company our trip was outsourced to, and the wife of our lead guide/main contact from the American company we booked through. All treated us as family from the moment we walked out of airport.
Our transport weaved between the hordes of traffic, around circles and through squares. Of particular interest were all the dogs that inhabit the streets of Cusco. These savvy locals are professionals at playing chicken with your vehicle and, from the looks of things..they rarely lose the standoff. Most roam the streets during the day, indifferent to what is going on around them. Seemingly well fed for the most part, we didn't have any problems with our 4-legged friends during our time in Cusco.
Our arrival at Hotel Picoaga went off without incident..thankfully our skilled driver got us there in one piece. We check in and immediately head downstairs to meet "McGyver", our lead guide and a character in his own right. By the time we leave we swear that he knows EVERY person in Cusco and is on a first name basis with all of them. After some instruction on acclimating to the altitude..Cusco being at 9k feet, we freshened up and received a personal walking tour (albeit a slow walk) around the sites in Cusco.
Plaza de Armas - the main square in Cusco. Great place to kick back on a bench and people watch. Be warmed you will be solicited about once every 2 minutes to buy something.
Politely say "no, gracias" and most will be on their way. Also the site of may an election rally during our stay.The Church of La Compañia - On the Plaza de Armas,
this is a beautiful Spanish era chruch. The interior artifacts have not been maintained to the standards one would expect of such a site, however, the gold leaf alter is still breathtakingly beautiful..dust and all.San Blas church
- The colonial San Blas church, destroyed by an earthquake in 1650 and later rebuilt by successive parish priests. San Blas was one of the most important mestizo neighborhoods in colonial Cuzco and housed 4 different indigenous communities as well as several hundred Spanish colonist.The best part of Cusco is just wandering around the Old World style streets and discovering the many shops, museums, churches and squares. Just be sure to move at a slow pace or the altitude will get you!
Coming Next - Day 2..Shoeshines and Touring the outskirts of Cusco!
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