Machu Picchu

Map Of Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu was built around 1450, at the height of the Inca Empire. The construction of Machu Picchu appears to date from the period of the two great Incas, Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui (1438–71) and Tupac Inca Yupanqui (1472–93). It was abandoned just over 100 years later, in 1572, as a belated result of the 

Spanish Conquest

Machu 

Although the citadel is located only about 80 kilometers (50 mi) from Cusco,

 the Inca capital, the Spanish never found it and consequently did not

 plunder or destroy it, as they did many other sites. 

Over the centuries, the surrounding jungle grew over the site,

 and few knew of its existence 

   

Love at first sight. Walking up to Machu Picchu for the first time

My First Glimpse of Machu Picchu: 6:14am

After about an hour tour of the grounds with Juan Carlos, he bid us farewell and I split with the girls to hike up Huayna Picchu (or Waynapicchu, is the big mountain you see behind Machu Picchu). The 35-minute hike was steep and intense, but the view down was breathtaking. You could see Machu Picchu and all it’s dramatic surroundings. I sat up there for about an hour watching the fog roll in and out, just trying absorbing and appreciating the moment.

The year at Machu Picchu is divided between wet and dry seasons, with the majority of annual rain falling from October through to April. It can rain at any time of the year

Machu Picchu is situated above a bow of the Urubamba River, which surrounds the site on three sides, with cliffs dropping vertically for 450 metres (1,480 ft) to the river at their base. The area is subject to morning mists rising from the river

Machu Picchu is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since its discovery in 1911, a growing number of tourists visit Machu Picchu, reaching 400,000 in 2000. As Peru's most visited tourist attraction and major revenue generator, it is continually threatened by economic and commercial forces.

 In the late 1990s, the Peruvian government granted concessions to allow the construction of a cable car and development of a luxury hotel, including a tourist complex with boutiques and restaurants

View from the Homestay

Great experience if tourist get to Machu Picchu

PYRAMIDS OF GIZA, NEAR CAIRO

The pyramid is located on the border of what is now El Giza, Egypt. Egyptologists believe the pyramid was built as a tomb for the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu. They believe it was constructed over a fourteen to twenty year period with its completion in 2560 BC. 

They also believe that the original structure of the pyramid stood 480.6 feet tall however with erosion, the current height of the pyramid is 455.4 feet tall. The length of each side of the base is 755.9 feet long and the mass of the pyramid is an estimated 5.9 million tons. 

Photo of Pyramid

One of the original wonders of the world, and with good reason. Stand on the cliff of sand overlooking these three geometric monuments to the dead and see if you can resist the temptation of taking a silly tourist snap with a finger pointing down on top of a pyramid. The camel drivers are infuriating but the rides are fun

Throughout the history of the world, some of the largest and

 most extravagant architectural wonders have been built as homage to the divine. 

This was especially true in ancient Egypt. 

In the dynasties of the Old Kingdom, the ancient 

Egyptian religious beliefs brought together a society to

 build some of the greatest structures on earth, the great pyramids at Giza.

The pyramid shape was significant in that it provided an 

avenue for the buried pharaoh to ascend into the heavens and join the gods. 

Therefore the construction of the pyramid was important to

 both the pharaoh and the common Egyptian.

The Great Pyramid at Giza, which was built for the pharaoh 

King Khufu, was built by several tens of thousands of workers over a 

period of several decades. 

These builders were not slaves. 

They were paid workers, whether conscripted or volunteer; 

they believed in the work that they were doing. 

The sense of community and devotion to the king and the various gods brought the people together to build these wonders, the only of the

 Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to have survived. 

The pyramids were not only a religious monument and 

tomb for their all powerful leader, but a symbol of the 

solidarity and might of Egypt.

In ancient Egypt, the building of the pyramids also brought the country together. 

It was not only a marvel of engineering and building might, 

but also an incredible feat of organization and administration. 

Great Wall of China

NOTABLE SECTIONS OF THE GREAT WALL

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials, generally built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China in part to protect the Chinese Empire 

Several walls were being built as early as the 7th century BC these, 

later joined together and made bigger and stronger, 

are now collectively referred to as the Great Wall

Other purposes of the Great Wall have included border controls, 

allowing the imposition of duties on goods transported along the Silk Road,

 regulation or encouragement of trade and the 

control of immigration and emigration.

The Chinese were already familiar with the techniques of

 wall-building by the time of the Spring and Autumn period 

between the 8th and 5th centuries BC

The sections of the Great Wall around Beijing municipality are

 especially famous 

they were frequently renovated and are regularly 

visited by tourists today. 

The Badaling Great Wall near Zhangjiakou is the most famous 

stretch of the Wall, 

for this was the first section to be opened to the public

 in the People's Republic of China, 

as well as the showpiece stretch for foreign dignitaries

The Great Wall

Before the use of bricks, the Great Wall was mainly built 

from rammed earth, stones, and wood. During the Ming Dynasty, 

however, bricks were heavily used in many areas of the wall, 

as were materials such as tiles, lime, and stone. 

The size and weight of the bricks made them easier to work 

with than earth and stone, so construction quickened.

One of the earliest known references to this myth appears in a letter written

 in 1754 by the English antiquary William Stukeley. 

Stukeley wrote that, "This mighty wall of four score miles in length 

(Hadrian's Wall) is only exceeded by the Chinese Wall, 

which makes a considerable figure upon the terrestrial globe,

 and may be discerned at the Moon."

General travel tips for visiting the Great Wall:

• Beijing is the best departure point for visiting the Wall (either tour, public bus or taxi)

• If you have a small group, hiring a taxi is a good option, allowing you to easily see different parts of the wall (4 people max). Hotels can arrange an English speaking private car, but expect to pay over Y1500 for the day. If you negotiate directly with a Beijing taxi driver, aim for somewhere around Y400-600 (depending on destinations, day of the week, weather, etc). It’ll be much more if you use the meter so negotiate directly with the driver (and don’t pay until the end of the day). Note: he’ll expect you to also pay for his lunch.

• Beat the tour bus crowds (especially if going to Badaling). Head out either super-early or late afternoon (bonus: you’ll have the best light for photos).

• Most of the tourists are domestic Chinese….who prefer to take tour buses. So,avoid weekends if possible, particularly during the summer (advice for any major tourist attraction in China).

• Though it’s the most touristy, Badaling is the easiest (least steep) section, so recommended if you have small children or will have difficulty hiking. It’s also the closest to Beijing if you’re short on time. On the upside, it’s the most popular for a reason: it offers excellent views.

Great Wall at Jinshanling

Staying at the Great Wall

Sleeping overnight at the Great Wall is a great experience and there are an increasing number of options available. For example, budget travelers can camp out on the wall itself at Jinshanling or find a cheap hotel around Simatai. Some tour companies, such as Cycle China, often include an overnight stay at a small village near the Wall.

Commune by the Great Wall

If money isn’t an issue, some unforgettable upmarket options are the Red Capital Ranch at Xiaguandi village (www.redcapitalclub.com.cn) and the Commune at Shuiguan (www.commune.com.cn)

BALI INDONESIA

Bali has a rich assortment of beaches, each of which is a favorite destination on its own. Bali beaches range from palm-fringed white sand coasts on the island’s south such as Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur, to the cliff-guarded ‘hidden’ shores of Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Dreamland and Bingin.

Hotel at Bali

Bali goes under many names. Some call it the ‘island of the gods’, others Shangri-La. The ‘last paradise’, the ‘dawning of the world’ and the ‘centre of the universe’ are yet more names for this truly beautiful tropical island inhabited by a remarkably artistic people who have created a dynamic society with unique arts and ceremonies.

Bali is small, just 140 Km by 80 Km and lies between Java, the most highly populated and influential of all the islands, and Lombok, one of the quieter and moderately slower paced islands. Like many islands, Bali has developed a world of its own. It not only captures what is special about Indonesia but also has a uniqueness of its own. 

Lying just 8o south of the Equator, Bali can boast a tropical climate with just two seasons a year and an average temperature of around 28o Celsius. It has a whole range of different environments and activities for the tourist, many of which are covered in these homepages.

some of accommodation at Bali

Bali of today is one of the twenty six provinces of the Republic of Indonesia, divided administratively between eight districts that take their names and boundaries from the island’s old Hindu kingdoms.

Bali is magical. 

As probably the most famous island in Indonesia, Bali blends spectacular mountain scenery and beautiful beaches with warm and friendly people, a vibrant culture and out of this world resorts.

LOTTE WORLD SEOUL SOUTH KOREA

" Perfect Place for Thrilling Entertainment Fun and Rides "

Entrance Lotte World

Located in the heart of the city, Lotte World is the perfect spot for entertainment and sightseeing. It is a theme park  filled with thrilling rides, an ice rink, different kinds of parades as well as a folk museum, a lake, and much more. About 6,000,000 visitors are welcomed every year, and about 10% of the visitors are foreigners. The structure inside makes use of the natural sunlight, and it is open for visitors all year round, regardless of the weather. 

Lotte World is divided into a '’Adventure’ theme once you are inside the building, and outside is a ‘Magic Island’ theme next to Seokchonhosu Lake. Lotte World Adventure has certain districts representing different countries with various kinds of facilities and souvenir shops. You can enjoy watching parades, numerous films, laser shows , and a variety of international cuisines even during the holidays. Magic Island is situated outdoors, where the dazzling Magic Castle is located as well as thrilling high-altitude rides that you can't experience elsewhere. Be sure to also check out the peaceful walking trail around the lake. 

Outside Lotte World

Inside Lotte World

One of the major reasons tourists are attracted to Lotte World is the amusement rides. The Gyro Drop and Gyro Swing are the top pleasers– a steep drop with an altitude of 70 meters, or taste the thrilling sensation of being inside a tornado. You may need to take your shoes off before you get on since mostly likely they will come off during the ride. The Flume Ride is a long boat with a high-altitude wave, and the Spanish Pirate Ship swings at an electrifying 75 degrees. Besides the excitement of these rides, Lotte World also contains a variety of parades and laser shows. The 200 performers sing and dance to music in the World Carnival Parade, which adds excitement to the theme park. 

After enjoying the rides, don't miss skating on the ice rink as well as visiting the museum. The ice rink is situated indoors on the B3 floor, and is opened throughout the year. Its pleasant atmosphere is perfect for family and couples to enjoy. The hours are from 10:30 am to 10:30 pm, and runs even during the holidays. Its facilities include a restaurant, a ticket booth, a snack bar, a sports shop, a skate rental service, and a changing room. 

ice rink

On the other hand, The Folk Museum is the most popular museum for foreign tourists. Folk cultural items are displayed and the items go back 5,000 years in Korean history as well as miniature villages, and a playground. The museum layout was arranged to attract the visitors' attention and the displays are easily understandable. In addition, audio-visual devices and miniature models will make it more enjoyable.

Korean History

'Lotte World Theme Park awaits your visit'