There was always an important role in ritual and tradition for tattoos. Women in Borneo used to tattoo symbols on their forearm indicating their particular skill. If a woman was to wear a symbol showing she was a skilled weaver, her status was then considered as prime marriageable material. To ward away illness tattoos were place around the wrist and fingers. All throughout the history of tattoos, they have signified membership in a clan or society. Even groups today, like the Hells Angels, tattoo their group symbol. It has sometimes been believed that the wearer of an image that was tattooed calls the spirit of that particular image. If that belief holds true, the ferocity of a tiger would belong to a person with a tiger tattoo. That tradition seems holds true even today shown by the images of tigers, snakes and bird of prey tattoo on a person's body.
The word tattoo is said to come from the Tahitian word "tatu" which means "to mark something". Tattooing has arguably been claimed to have existed since 12,000 years BC.
Tattooing's purpose has varied from culture to culture and its place on the time line. The earliest tattoos can be found in Egypt during the time of the construction of the great pyramids (It probably started much earlier) but this is the earliest recorded history. After the Egyptians expanded their empire, the art of tattooing began to spread as well. The ancient civilizations of Crete, Greece, Persia and Arabia picked up tattooing and expanded the art form. Around 2000 BC tattooing was then spread to China. For communications among spies, the Greeks used tattooing. Certain marking identified the spies and showed their rank. The Romans used tattoos to mark their criminals and slaves. This tradition continues even today. In western Asia girls coming of age were tattooed to show social standing, as were the married women.
The Ainu people of western Asia were known to show the Japanese the art of tattooing. It Japan tattooing was developed to be used in a religious and ceremonial rites. The women of Borneo were the tattooists. They were the one to produce designs that showed indications of the owner's station in life and what tribe he belonged to. New Zealand developed a facial style of tattooing that is still used today. It is called Moko. There are even tribes found in Alaska that practiced tattooing. Their style indicated that it was learned from the Ainu. There is even evidence that the Incas, Mayans and Aztecs used tattooing on rituals.
William Dampher is the one who is responsible for re-introducing tattoos to the west. He was once a sailor and an explorer who traveled the South Seas. In 1691 he brought a heavily tattooed Polynesian named Prince Giolo to London. He was known as the Painted Prince. He would later put on exhibition, a money making attraction showing off his tattoos and became the rage of London. Before that it had been 600 years since tattoos had been seen in Europe. It would be another 100 years before tattoos would make it's mark in the West.
Chatham Square in New York City was the birthplace of the American style tattoo. At the turn of the century, Chatham Square was a seaport and an entertainment center that attracted working-class people with money. Samuel O'Reily came from Boston and set up shop there. Samuel O'Reily was the first one to patent the first electric tattooing machine. The machine was based on Edison's electric pen which punctured paper with a needle point. The basic design of this machine was with moving coils, a tube and a needle bar, are the components of today's tattoo gun. The electric tattoo machine allowed anyone to get a reasonably priced and readily available tattoo. As the average person could easily get a tattoo but it was the upper classes that turned away from it. He took on an apprentice named Charlie Wagner and when O'Reily died in 1908, Wagner opened a supply business with Lew Alberts. Lew Alberts had trained as a wallpaper designer. He then transferred those skills to the design of tattoos. He was noted for redesigning a portion of early tattoo flash art.
It wasn't until the late 1960s that the attitude towards tattooing changed. A lot of the credit should go to Lyle Tuttle. He then tattooed celebrities, particularly women. Television and magazines went to him to get information about tattooing. Tattooing has made a strong comeback. It is more popular than ever.
Overseas adventure travel is all about seeing jaw dropping sights and having unforgettable experiences. It's no wonder that more and more people are getting drawn into the exciting world. But if you've never done any adventure travel and want to know what you're missing, this really is the crème de la crème: 7 Adventure holiday trips you need to take before you die...
The Antarctic Circle
Amongst the least travelled places on the planet, The Antarctic Circle is the perfect place to start your overseas adventure travel. For nature lovers, this is particularly brilliant with some beautiful and unique wildlife and some truly breathtaking sights. Penguins, seals, whales and albatrosses can all be spotted during your trip.
Galapagos Islands
The islands that inspired Darwin, unique wildlife found nowhere else on the planet makes the Galapagos Islands a must visit for the adventure travel enthusiast. Amongst the wildlife you can expect to see are giant tortoises, lava lizards, and land iguanas. The region has a fascinating history and some incredible sights and sounds - the essentials of any adventure holiday.
Great Wall of China
Walking along the Great Wall of China is an amazing experience - as man made structures go, it just constantly amazes with its sense of scale and grandeur. Adventure travellers will find visiting this most famous of Chinese icons an unforgettable experience.
The Trans-Siberian Railway
The Trans Siberian Railway may sound a less gruelling trip than some of the others because you're not walking, but it still presents its own challenges. An epic railway trip that takes you all the way from Moscow to Siberia and on to Beijing, the real beauty here is that you get to take in sights that would normally be well off the tourist track. It's an experience like no other, and one that anyone interested in overseas adventure travel should make sure they enjoy before they die.
Mount Kilimanjaro
Sure, this one is going to be exhausting and it only for experienced trekkers, but if you manage to reach the snow covered peak of Africa's tallest mountain on an adventure holiday, you can actually see the curvature of the planet. That's something that you never, ever forget.
The Grand Canyon
If you're looking for adventure travel in America, you really cannot beat hiking along the Grand Canyon. The stunning landscapes mean that even after two day's hiking, you're unlikely to be bored of the sights. You may have seen pictures, but actually walking along it is the kind of unforgettable experience you will be recounting for years to come...
Machu Picchu
The lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu is one of the most beautiful ancient sites in the world. Clinging to the steep hillside, and surrounded by jungle covered mountains, it's no wonder this site took quite so long to find. Suffice it to say that photos, website, travel brochures, and indeed, these words cannot do the site justice - you cannot fail to feel inspired when surrounded by the beautiful ruins.
Whichever of these adventure holidays you wish to take first will not disappoint. Just remember to take your camera so you can showcase the amazing sights you saw to your friends and family!
Cotopaxi is a stratovolcano in the Andes Mountains, located about 45 kilometres (1 km = 0.621 statute miles) south of Quito, Ecuador, South America. It is the second highest summit in the country, reaching a height of 5897 m (19347 ft) Cotopaxi has an almost symmetrical cone that rises from a highland plain of about 3800 metres (12500 ft), with a width at its base of about 23 kilometres (14 mi). It has one of the few equatorial glaciers in the world, which starts at the height of 5000 metres (16400 ft). The mountain is clearly visible on the skyline from Quito. It is part of the chain of volcanoes around the Pacific plate known as the Pacific Ring of Fire. Cotopaxi means "Throne of Moon". The mountain was honored as a "Sacred Mountain" by local Andean Indians even prior to the beginning of Inca domination in the 15th century. It was worshiped as rain sender, that served as the guarantor of the land's fertility and at the same time it's summit was revered as a place where gods lived. The first European, who tried to climb the mountain was Alexander fon Humboldt in 1802, however he only reached a height of about 4500 m. In 1858 Moritz Wagner investigated the mountain, but he also could not reach summit. On November 27, 1872, geologist Wilhelm Rajss finally reached the summit of Cotopaxi. In 1873 it was summited by Moritz Alfons Shtjubel (Moritz Alphons Stübel), then in 1880 by Edward Whymper. Painters Rudolf Reschreiter and Hans Meyer reached the summit in 1903 and many of ...
The sanctuary of the inka empire. This huge mud city is located a few kms outside of Lima. God Wiracocha was housed and worship here (April 2007). www.kipu.com
Qheswa or Runa Simi Language Output CL-0.13: ¡¡LENGUAJE INKA, LENGUAJE QUECHUA, AVANZANDO HACIA EL SOL, SE QUEDO LA NOCHE ATRAS, Y TRAS DE MI, MI SOLEDAD...!! Popurrí de canciones quechuas (Cusco-Perú), interpretadas por una singular artista cusqueña en el genuino idioma Inka de la gran nación continental del Tawantinsuyo. Rindo un homenaje a las mujeres que, como ella, hacen posible la preservación de la identidad peruana a través de la práctica y divulgación diaria del KHESWA o RUNA SIMI (EL lenguaje de la gente)...KAUSACHUN PERU..!!
Travel Channel Places of Mystery Mystical Machu Picchu. The city of Machu Picchu was a spiritual and astronomical center for the Incan culture. Walk the paths of ancient kings as experts and Incan descendants share their knowledge of the mysterious healing powers of the Inca's rocks and water fountains.
www.toursyaventuras.com Complete video with the condor flight in Colca Canyon. Peru Trek & Tours Adventures its arranging trips to Peru specially in the southern andes Arequipa city tour and the Santa Catalina monastery (1d/1n), Colca Canyon and watch the condor flight (2d/1n); Puno and the Sillustani chullpas (1d/1n), The Uros floating islands, Amantani and Taquila island (2d/1n); Cusco and the city tour, Sacsayhuaman fortress, Sacrad Valley, South valley(5d/5n), Inca trail traditional (4d/3n) or the alternative (5d/4n Salkantay) Machupicchu and Lima 3d/2n. 20d/19n adventure tour! Info: www.toursyaventuras.com Miguel Flores kontakt@toursyaventuras.com (más)
The Maya Indian Civilization flourished from 250AD to 900AD; this is known as history's Classic Period; there were as many as one-million Maya Indians in Belize.
Between the Classic Period and Post-Classic Period the Maya Empire split into separate conflicting "City States," just like the Roman Empire, lasting until the Spanish Colonial Period in the early 1600's. Though not known why, there are many different reasons this split could have happened, such as, over population, a revolt, disease or drought. However, there is evidence that there was over population.
Unlike the Inca or the Aztecs, the Maya did not have one capital city that the Spanish could overthrow and cripple the entire Empire. The Spanish had many separate "City States" to conquer because the empire had split 700 years prior. The last Mayan city state of Zacpeten was finally overthrown by the Spanish in 1697.
The Maya had mathematics with a base 20 and base 5 numbering system just like math today. They had a numeral system similar to Morse Code, made of dots and dashes, however, the dots are on top of dashes. One dot was the number One (1), number Five (5) was a dash, number Six (6) would be a dot on top of a dash and the number Ten (10) would be two dashes, one on top of the other, resembling an equal sign.
The Maya had measured the length of the solar year to a high degree of accuracy. It has been discovered this was far more accurate than that used in Europe as the basis of the Gregorian Calender.
Today, in Southern Belize, there remains a little known cave system that stretches deep into the neighboring country of Guatemala. The Mayan Indians used these caves for travel, sacrificial and religious purposes.
To this day old Maya pottery, axes and skeletons can still be found deep in some of the Mayan caves in Belize. There have been reports of Mayan "spirits hauntings" in some caves: cameras and lanterns (even) stop working.
If you are ever in a cave and your lantern goes out, the light of a candle, lighter or match is enough to light the whole cave. Be sure and take a back up light, no matter when or where you explore a cave!
If you ever need help while in a cave 'calling' is ones best option because ones voice can travel more then a mile inside a cave.
When caving, take water, however, one does not need as much once in a cave because it is about 20 degrees cooler inside. It is not recommended to drink cave water because of sanitation purposes.
Sadly, many Mayan caves in Belize have been looted of precious artifacts. The current Government has enacted strict laws to protect Belizes' rich heritage. Anyone caught with Mayan artifacts will be severely prosecuted!
Anything one might find in, on or around the Maya Ruins and caves is for the enjoyment of all, so, please, take nothing but photos.
Modern day Maya Indians do not build temples and palaces like their ancestors. However, they keep traditions alive with their food, art and language. The Mayan people are soft spoken, kind and warm hearted.
Small Mayan Indian villages are scattered throughout Belize. A visit to one of these villages will be a memory of a lifetime!
This is a movie I made of our trek through the Andes Mountains. Our journey to Machu Picchu was extremely tough but we eventually got there (4 days later). This is one of the best things I have ever done. I strongly recommend to hike if you are able and not take the train. The Inca Trail is a mysterious place and the views are breathtaking. Hopefully this movie will inspire you to visit the Lost City. Enjoy and watch all the clips and tell me what you think... Every man dies but not every man lives!
Performance at The Natural History Museum on Jan 24,08 Featuring: Ulises, Fernando Popayan, Rodrigo Rodriguez,Gino Gamboa, Victor Vento and the director: Guillermo Bordarampe. For more information about INCA, videos, photos, soundbites and more, please visit: www.wheatmedia.com/inca. INCA, the Peruvian Ensemble "INCA", the Peruvian Ensemble was founded in 1981 in Los Angeles, for the purpose of researching, preserving and presenting Peru's rich multi-cultural heritage of ethnic and folkloric music, songs, dance and traditions. INCA performs music and dances form the Andean region (Inca heritage), from the central and northern coasts (Criollo, Hispanic heritage), from the southern coast (Afro-Peruvian, Black heritage), and from the Peruvian Amazon jungle (jungle natives heritage). Since its onset, "INCA" has gained steadily in artistic excellence and in reputation as one of the west coast's leading ethnic performing companies. Concerts at the Hollywood Bowl, the Redlands Bowl, The Fresno Civic Auditorium, Zion National Park, El Paso's El Chamizal Ampitheater, Santa Fe's Greer Garson Theater, Albuquerque's SBCC, Colorado State University, Colorado College, etc., are true indicators that the company has a feisty following throughout California and the western states. In '93-'94 "INCA" performed at Mingus Auditorium in Cottonwood, AZ; at the Luther Burbank Ctr. for the Performing Arts in Santa Rosa, CA; Saddleback Community College in Mission Viejo, CA; Fiesta Inn in Mesa, AZ ...
The Lost Pyramids Of Caral: The magnificent ancient city of pyramids at Caral in Peru hit the headlines in 2001. The site is a thousand years older than the earliest known civilization in the Americas and, at 2627 BC, is as old as the pyramids of Egypt. Many now believe it is the fabled missing link of archaeology - a 'mother city'. If so, then these extraordinary findings could finally answer one of the great questions of archaeology: why did humans become civilised? A lot has been discussed since this was put out. From Seattle Times (December 23, 2004): "A Peruvian site previously reported as the oldest city in the Americas actually is a much larger complex of as many as 20 cities with huge pyramids and sunken plazas sprawled over three river valleys, researchers report." Construction began in 3000 BC (300-400 years before the people of Kemet/Egypt began the Pyramid of Djoser). These cities flourished peacefully for more than 1200 years
Last of the 20th Century's World Fair's/ and those books
I said to myself, Dennis, you love to travel. You got a little business, and a professional job, and your 51-years old. The time is right. This is the last of the world fairs for this century. I sat on that thought for a week or so. Then I said, lets do it; meaning me. And so I took a flight to Lisbon, picked up a few books prior to my departure, one on traveling within Lisbon, and around it, and a book called: "The Night in Lisbon", by Erich Maria Ramarque; very interesting; about WWII. Not that it would have a lot to do with my trip. But I like getting into the mood. And such things help me set the mood for my adventure.
This was not the first time I used books, and great authors to pave my way mentally to visit a once in a life time geographic location in world, such as Lisbon, and a once in a century World's Fair. I guess if the Worlds Fair wasn't going to be there, my interest would not have been as passionate as it was. But being in Seattle Washington in l967, and going out to the Space Needle, helped me make up my mind. The Worlds Fair was their in l961 or l962, I think. Plus, Elvis made that move: "It Happened at the World's Fair", in l963. Put that all together, and along with the thinking period, the ingredients were just right.
Back to the books though, books with such great authors like Hemmingway, who loved Paris, and Mary Renault who loved Greece, I read most all of their books from cover to cover. And Ramarque, who loved to write about Europe and WWII, all inspire me to travel; some to their personal locations. The places they write about in their novels. Their books helped me make up my mind. And everyone needs a little help in such conspiring. And these people I mention, when I visited their locations where they have gone and lived, stayed, or visited, I which I call their cities, I always feel a little more at home, welcome when I arrive. As if I know some one there. I never feel the stranger. If I look up, it is because of something new, not because I feel like a tourist.
I travel a lot, as you may have figured out, and I put a lot of thought, planning into each trip. It's like having a great dinner at each location; if anything, one can due, and the rest, I really don't care about. And in making a comparison, with selecting a trip, vs. a dinner, you don't pick out the wine usually before you select the main course of the dinner. That is to say, you know what kind of dinner you're going to have [city or location] usually before you make all the plans. I like fish, steak, pasta, and Chinese food. And so there are many cities I can go to, and enjoy them. Now it's simply getting the right wine [author and the story] to help with the trip. That is, the wine, I mean. The mood will be set automatically thereafter. For some reason it fuels itself. Like passion. The fuel for Lisbon was the World's Fair. The passion was set probably a long time ago by Elvis, and his movie, in l963. And Ramarque refueled it in l996. And the passion too, was refueled. And when I heard about the Fair, the stage was set. I had the money. Passion is a most interesting thing some times. But you really need the package. And don't expect someone to make the party for you. You make your own happiness. I met a girl in Iceland once that thought like that. Oh, well, that's another story. I best say with Lisbon; anyways, a zebra.
That is to say, some times it is so strong, my desire that is, it is like the stripes on a zebra. You can't get them off, only cover them up. Trying to change is like trying to stop an alcoholic from taking the next drink. As long as there is a will, there will be a way. Or put the opposite, if you have a way, it's hard to counter the will and say no. But it is a good passion I think. It hurts no one, adds to the world economy. I have my bills paid. I do not drink or smoke, and so this passion seems to be in check.
I'm not sure what I would call my city, besides St. Paul, Minnesota; and although I was born there, and have a home their, so did F. Scott Fitzgerald, the great author who wrote: "The Great Gatsby", who, matter-of-fact, lived but 2-miles from my home. And so maybe it is really his home. It was before it was mine anyways. But there are other cities I could live in. Maybe call my own. Such as: Seville, but it was home to Hercules, his birth place, and so it belongs to him. I could say Paris or Lisbon, but we agreed it belonged to two other authors, Hemmingway and Ramarque.
I'd say Kyoto, but my wife would get mad, it is where I went after reading the book: "Memoirs of a Geisha", by Arthur Golden. And so I best allow him to take ownership of the city, and leave well enough alone. Now that were on Kyoto, let me share a moment. I went down to the Goon, district, the area Mr. Golden talks about so much in his Geisha book, and talked to a few Geisha's there. One showed me around her café-of sorts; maybe I should call it a tea house. Another Geisha allowed me to take her picture. Funny thing happened when I got back home from that trip, I discovered the Geisha I met on the main street in the Goon area was in a book I happened to pick up at Barnes and Nobel, in Roseville, Minnesota; small world.
Maybe the Incacity, called Cuzco, at the top of the world, over 12,000 feet high, in Peru, I could call my own. And it is beautiful; but when I was there having dinner one night [gunny pig], a woman from Australia, happened to say to me as I was eating looking out the 2nd story window at the beautiful, Cathedral, "I love this city; I've been here over a dozen times. I'm going to sell everything and move here soon". So it is really her city. I had never been to other city 12-times; New York, 3 times, and Paris 3-times; but a dozen times. In my head, that means she owns the place. It's an astronomical figure to return to a place 12-tiems, unless you had business, or some other ties there. She has probably set up house there already. It was in l999, I went there.
And so I can't comment to any city. Wait a minute, I just thought of one; a city that is. Maybe, just maybe, La Paz, Bolivia, could be my city. But I've yet to return. I've only been there once. About six months ago. Someone said every time I return from a location, a city, to be exact, I say I want to move there. Maybe, more then one person has said that too me. Anyways, the city is grand, and it is higher then Cuzco. It has a beautiful Cathedral like Cuzco. It has an archeological site called Tiwanau, which has the famous: "Gate of the Sun, "and of course, like Cuzco, which has Machu Picchu. But I won't jump the gun. I remember what everyone said, and I need to at least return more then 3-times because I no longer want to live in New York, or Paris.
After traveling 490,000 air miles I've yet to find a place to say it is my city; as others have done. And it doesn't seem to bother me all that much. St. Paul and Lima, Peru are my homes. Family and friends are there. And for now they are great places. Maybe the world is my city. And I will have to live with that. Actually that is not hard to swallow.
Now back to the books. You might be surprised what you find in these books, novels if you will, about the locations you are going to. I started to read the book: Seville, by James A. Machinery, before I took my trip to Spain. I never did finish it. But Seville won my heart. I even went out and bought a car by that name.
After reading these books and then visiting the places I had read about, some of its history seems to fly right out into my face. The paths, city streets all come alive. You will remember them on your trip; and if you forget, you will most likely try to find out what that memory loss was, when within arms reach of it. If you are like me, you will take a few notes after reading the book. Like when I went to Asia Minor, and visited Troy. I took a book with me, although I had read it prior to the trip, three or four times. I'm not sure if I even looked at it while on the journey. But when I got back, I kind of felt the book and I had taken the trip together. And I did a little journaling. Not enough to distract me from my living in the moment though. I don't like to miss too much. That is why I do not take movie cameras. It takes the sport or fun, or whatever it is great, out of a trip. A camera does not seem to do that as much.
It is part of my adventure, the book reading that is. Troy will stay within me forever, as will Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, and Virgil's Aeneid; as will as Malta, and its sister island Gozo, where I ventured into Odysseus' cave. Where I was told, it was the very place he lived for seven years after leaving victoriously from the besieged city-fortress of Troy, journeying home, around 1260 BC [but of course not making it for a long spell]. I visited Troy in l996 and Gozo in 2001. In my mind, one is linked to the other; although I never knew I would be going to Gozo, '96. It kind of did a closing on Troy for me. When on Gozo I could visualize Odysseus' long journey home. And in a like manner, when I was at Troy I could visualize the 10-year battle that took place there.
Maybe Malta will be my city-state. There I go again. I have not even booked a second flight there yet. It is a country island. It is about 20-miles long, and 10-miles wide; and has two other small islands belonging to it. One could almost jump to each of the other islands as they are so close. I think the small one is something like 1-miles long, and half of that wide; and Gozo about 10-miles long and 5-miles wide. St. Paul, Minnesota could put all three of them city-states into its city boundaries I think. Yes, I love to travel as you can see.
Anyways, you end up having coffee at the same locations the people do in your books, automatically; or going to the edge of the docks in Lisbon looking out into the ocean and wondering about the great earthquake that took place there a few hundred years back, devastating Lisbon. You hear the romantic and tragic voices of the past. That makes ¼ of my trip. That is, trying to experience a moment of what they did, or what happened. Standing in their foot prints kind of. Not becoming them, just visiting them. I like being Dennis, so I don't take it to the point of trying to be like an Elvis imitator. But I like his music.
When I arrived in Lisbon, I went as usual, to my hotel first. And as usual, I could not really sleep. I figured out my system for jet-leg thought. I usually try to adjust either by taking a 30-minute nap after arrival at my destination, or look at the clock, and adjust to the time of the location, tired or not. If it is 9 PM then I get ready for bed. If it is 3 PM, I go get a cup of coffee. If it is 6 AM, I get another cup of coffee, and if it is 10 AM, I look for a nice location to have brunch. In 36-hours my body will start to shut down; shortly after that, I may sleep 13-hours straight, -- adjusting.
Prior to this, as I have indicated, coffee, a little brunch, and I will have been so wound up thereafter, that there is not way of standing still, and so I usually go and see a site. For instance, the Tower of Belem, in Lisbon, is a reminder I to me that this area of the world was once a world power. It was built around AD 1515.
I think what I liked about Lisbon the most, was that it had a little of everything, at a decent price; that is to say, a little of San Francisco, some of Rio, and a lot of the old winding streets of Paris, or Malta; and a number of grand churches. But this is not why I came, even though it was one of the best hidden secrets in Europe.
Yes, you got it; it was the last World's Fair of the 20th century. About a year after I had attended the Fair, I heard that only about 100,000 Americans had went to visit the fair. Most were Europeans, to my understanding. I am not sure why, but they did very little advertisements on it. I had found two articles on Lisbon's world fair to be, about 6-months prior to it, in some newspaper, and magazine in St. Paul, Minnesota. And the second magazine I found, about 3-months prior to going, in an article while it was taking place. They did a marvelous job in cultivating the land scope for the project. It's clowns, and monitorial, space tower, along with its grand aqueous, many foods made it a success, but not in the advertising department, or in the number of American people that attended. I had heard not too long after the Fair, it fell quite short of a profitable attendance mark.
Although I like the Worlds Fair, what I guess I felt was lacking was the rides; or at list the kid in me felt that. The Midway area for what I am use to seeing a fair, was more of a plaza area for world cultural venders; what happened to the roller coaster, the merry-go-round is what my mind was telling me. No candy frost and very little circus type atmosphere. It was more on the scale of an international United Nations get together I told myself, so clean, too clean. No hot dogs, peanuts, or candy; but some real nice well looking restraints. But maybe that is the American in me. I am glad I went, but it was too conservative for my liking. But maybe that is how it is suppose to be. I guess I was judging it by the movie Elvis put out called: "It happened at the Worlds Fair"; which he acted and sang in during the early l960's.
That day at the fair, I had lost my travelers checks, which were replaced the next day; either someone pick pocketed me, or they simply dropped out of my spot coat sometime during my visit. And I did get to see all I wanted to, for the most part. But I was glad to go back to the hotel that evening. The fair was just something I had to do, like when I went to Japan, I had to go see an International Sumo wrestling tournament. It was costly, but it was great. But after a while it got boring. As in Maui, Alaska, and Iceland, I had to go to such things as whale watching, submarine diving, and exploring a glacier.
But Lisbon would remain one of the great cities I would tell myself I could live in if necessary. And to this writing there are only 5 or 6 locations in the world I could make the claim for; or would put into this category. Along with Lisbon's great scenery, and foods, it has a marvelous history. Portugal's Temple of Diana located in the town of Evora, about 100 + miles from Lisbon, was a grand, site; a monument the Romans were surely proud of, as well as the inhabitants of the area, to this day.
One of the other great features of Lisbon, especially by night is St Georges Castle [Costello de Sao Jorge] which I could see each evening and morning out of my hotel window, was a nice reminder of their beautiful stone work.
But the one thing I loved the most and I don't know why, was the "Elevator de Santa Justas". I went there about 5-times, going to the top of this cast-iron tower having brunch. I loved the view, and the uniqueness of it. I doubt there is another like it in the world. Maybe that was my Lisbon. I always seem to find something I like a little more then anything else. It reminds me of going to San Antonio, in Texas, and going to the Alamo five times. I just never got tired of it: --or Paris, which I've been to three times, and I seem never to get tired of the grand church of Notre Dame and walking along the river front.
There was no real suspense on this trip [which I am happy for], to make it stand out, other then at the World's Fair, when I got a little pushy trying to get ahead of few people, who would not let me to get into see the huge aquarium. The guy got a little resistant, and so I walked over to the police, and told him I needed to get ahead of the line, which consisted of about 3000-people, because of my heart condition [which I have, but for the most part, was not really a question of being in danger at the moment, although standing in line a few hours more could have provoked something, I'm still trying to justify it]. In any case, he put me in front of the line. As I was walking out of the aquarium, after seeing everything, that other trouble maker [me being the first] was just coming in. He looks at me, and didn't say a word. Revenge can be sweet, even if you really don't seek it, but it happens automatically.
Not sure if that makes me a trouble maker, but it didn't get out of had. It was just a nice low key adventure; the dancers on the sidewalks, the hiring a taxi for 4-days to drive me around the city, and country side, the site seeing, the people watching, shopping. And so good night my lazy city, sleep will, and prosper, you have done well.
I've watched this game here on youtube, and I can say this is a great game, even if it's a bit old! So I'm making a playthrough of it using the dosbox emulator. This is the first level: after El Dorado listens to Huayna Capac he sets off on his spaceship to reach the Inca City. But on the way he's attacked by an asteroid shower. Do you want to play Inca? Visit www.abandonia.com
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Rugged Crater Floor in Tyrrhena Terra Inca City Region Dunes and Seasonal Volatiles Possible Megabreccia, Coprates Chasma Seasonal Haloes and Fractal Patterns Russell Crater Dunes Rough-Textured Circular Feature
AGURTO CALVO, Santiago (1987). Estudios acerca de la Construcción, Arquitectura y Planeamiento incas. Lima: CAPECO. BINGHAM, Hiram (1923). «INCA LAND. Explorations in the Highlands of Peru». Cambridge, EEUU: The Riverside Press. Consultado el 2007. BINGHAM, Hiram (1964). La ciudad perdida de los incas. Historia de Machu Picchu y sus constructores. Santiago de Chile: Zig Zag. BOUCHARD, Jean Francois (1991). «La arquitectura Inca», Los incas y el antiguo Perú. Madrid: Sociedad Estatal Quinto Centenario. BURGER, Richard y Lucy Salazar, editores (2004). Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas. New Haven: Yale University Press. BUSE DE LA GUERRA, Hermann (1961). Machu Picchu. Lima: Nueva Crónica. GLAVE, Luis Miguel y Maria Isabel REMY (1983). Estructura Agraria y vida rural en una región Andina. Ollantaytambo entre los siglos XVI y XIX. Cusco : Centro de Estudios Rurales Andinos Bartolomé de las Casas. KAUFFMANN DOIG, Federico (2006). Machu Picchu, tesoro inca. Lima: Cartolan. KENDALL, Ann (1994). Proyecto arqueológico Cusichaca, Cusco : investigaciones arqueológicas y de rehabilitación agrícola. Lima: Southern Peru Copper Corporation. LUMBRERAS, Luis (2006). «Machu Picchu». Lima, Perú: Fundación Telefónica. Consultado el 2007. Mould de Pease, Mariana (2003). Machu Picchu y el código de ética de la Sociedad de Arqueología Americana : una invitación al diálogo intercultural. Lima: CONCYTEC. REINHARD, Johann (1991). Machu Picchu, the Sacred Center. Lima: nuevas Imágenes ...
On the 7th of July 2007 the official unveiling of the new 7 wonders of the world was made during a declaration ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal. The list voted for by over 100,000 million people, shown below are the newest wonders, they are not in any order of ranking.
Chichen Itza Mexico
Situated between Cancun and 72 miles from Meirda in Mexico, the ruins of Chichen Itza are the most visited site in the Yucatán. Due to this, it can get very busy and you should aim to arrive early or late and stop overnight nearby. Apart from the crowds another reason to avoid the midday rush is the sun is very hot. The temple itself comprises of a number of different structures including the enormous pyramid "El Castillo" which served as temple to the god Kukulkan, the temple of the Warriors or 1,000 Columns; the Ball-court and the well or cenote. The famous archaeological site that once served as the political and economic center of the Mayan civilization. It has underground rivers and natural wells which surround the site and limestone used in the construction of this stunning piece of architecture.
Taj Mahal, India
Due to its stunning beauty one of the most well known pieces of Architecture in the world is the Taj Mahal. Built in 1631 by the Moghul emperor Shah jahan in honor of his wife Mumtaz s Mahal who died giving birth to the 14th child. It took 22 years to complete with over 20,000 people working on it throughout the course it's construction and at a cost of 32,000,000 rupees. Situated in the city of Agra the Taj Mahal is a "UNESCO World Heritage site" built entirely out of white marble.
Petra, Jordan
Jordan's biggest tourist attraction is another world heritage site relatively new as far as tourists go, but is well known due to it being featured in various films from Indiana Jones last Crusade, Passion in the Desert, Mortal combat, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger. Although many people have seen pictures and read about Petra, you need to actually see it to appreciate the full splendor of this spectacular location. Petra was carved out of the rock by the Nabataen Arabs during the 6th Century BC and is almost camouflaged by the rust- colored sandstone hills surrounding it.
Christ Redeemer Brasil Situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the monumental Christ Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) statue is known throughout the world. Although only built in 1931, it has become one of the new seven wonders of the world. It is one of the tallest statues in the world with a height of over 100ft and standing on top the 2400 ft. tall Corcovado Mountain. The views from the top of the mountain are spectacular, giving a 360 degree viewpoint overlooking the party capital of Brazil Rio de Janeiro. Since it was built, the tourists and locals have flocked to the statue. Using an electrified train travelers are taken through the worlds largest urban forest to the base of the monument. The statue took 5 years of planning and 5 years of building to complete.
Colosseum Rome
Italy One of the biggest tourist attractions in Rome, the Colosseum has visitors from around the world queuing up to see this huge amphitheater. Originally capable of holding 50,000 people and over 2000 years old, it was used by the Gladiators and what would be classed as "Blood sports" to entertain the spectators. Instantly recognizable the Colosseum is a must see when visiting the Eternal city as so much of it still survives after Earthquakes and stone robbers have done the best to destroy it. The elliptical amphitheaters architecture is a complex series of arches and stone and a symbol of the once mighty Roman empire. Situated in the center of Rome it is easily accessible from the airports. The city of Rome is served by 2 airports, Leonardo Da Vinci and Ciampino International airports where a taxi, bus or train can be caught to the town center.
Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China the longest wall ever built, is 6300 KM long and stretches from the coast to the desert. Built to defend the Northern Empire of China against invaders, it was built over a period of 2000 years. The Wall is a huge tourist attraction with thousands of visitors every day, with the vast majority of tour companies going to Badaling section of the wall (50 m/75 km from Beijing) it can get quite busy especially in during holiday times. The other sections of the wall catering for tourists but less busy, include Mutianyu (45 mi/70 km from Beijing) and Simatai (55 mi/90 km from Beijing) for the more adventurous as it is has not been reconstructed but sweeps over a number of high mountains, but offers amazing sunsets and sunrises.
Machu Picchu
Peru Machu Picchu is a city located 2300 (7546 ft) meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains in modern Peru. Symbolic of the Inca empire, Machu Picchu was rediscovered in 1911 by archaeologist Hiram Bingham and often referred to as " the lost city". Built around 1450 and only used for around 100 years before the invasion by the Spanish. Most tourists to the site are eager to visit the city using the world renowned Inca Trail, although not for the unfit is a truly exhilarating experience which you will never forget. The Inca Trail usually takes about 4 days to walk up mountain passes into the cloud forest with a spectacular sight on the fourth day of the sun rising over the ancient citadel from the "Sun Gate"
Peru is a land that offers a grand setting for the hiking enthusiast. The Andes Mountain range running along its borders offers picturesque landscape for the tourist interested in exploring its beauty on foot. The moist tropical jungles of the Amazon Rain Forest are yet another unexplored region, which lures the avid hiker albeit with certain trepidations. This is home to a wide range of reptiles and animals that are typically not come across on hikes elsewhere.
One can begin tracing the path of the ancient Inca civilization at the city of Cusco, whose mighty stone walls are proof of the long history of the place. The city is at a height of 11,200 feet. A hiker can tour the city for the remains of Corincancha, once the grandest temple of the Inca Empire. The Sacsayhuaman ruins also are located in this city; they are one of the hot tourist spots. The Urubamba River Valley is another area of interest that can be explored by hikers. The ancient saltpans still exist; the natives of the region still farm them.
The Sacred Valley of the Incas is in the trail of the hike, which transports the tourist to the colorful and vibrant distant past of the ancient culture that still has its hold on the present Andean society. Machu Picchu, the magnificent wonder of archaeology, is part of this Inca trail. It is an ancient Sun City that has intricate stonework and mysterious astrological designs. The view of the city from the Gate of the Sun provides an unforgettable view. During the hike, it is possible for the traveler to visit colorful Quechua markets and marvel at towering glacier-capped peaks of the Andes.
Exploration of the Inca ruins, viewing the dazzling flora and fauna along the trail and staying in the beautiful lodgings makes hiking trip in Peru unforgettable.
Often referred to as "The Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu is the perfect place to vacation if you are looking for culture, history, and amazing architecture. It literally means "old peak" and it stays true to its name. Many people travel there just to see the jagged peaks that rise high above the city which has become a symbol of the Inca Empire. Since its rediscovery in 1911, Machu Picchu tours and vacation packages have increased in popularity with people all over the world.
Taking a trip to Machu Picchu has been primarily about seeing the ruins of this small but extraordinary city. As a completely self contained city, it has astonishing views and natural agriculture that you simply can't see anywhere else in the world. Bird watchers, eco-tourists, and nature lovers come from everywhere to experience this mind-blowing locale.
All Machu Picchu vacations start at some point in Cusco which is in the Southeast Andes of Peru. Usually travelers fly to Lima and then on to Cusco, which will then give them several options for traveling on to Machu Picchu. Most people opt to take the tourist train which takes just under four hours. Another way to travel to and through the city is by way of the Inca Trail. You can hike for either two days or four days depending on your experience level.
When vacationing in Machu Picchu you have two hotel choices, although there are more in the nearby city of Aguas Calientes. Both the Sanctuary Lodge and the Pueblo hotel are very different but very unforgettable. Many vacation packages include stays of up to seven nights in either the luxurious Sanctuary Lodge, or the cottages located right near the ruins at the Pueblo hotel.
The inspiring ruins are best explored with a guide who can truly do them justice. The guide will be able to explain and tell stories about the fauna, history, and people who once settled in this beautiful city.
