Travel Magazine by Anjoe D. Calamba

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Chichen Itza , Mexico

Great Wall of China

4-5

Taj Majal , India

Petra, Jordan

Colosseum ,Rome -Italy

8-9

Christ The Redeemer ,Brazil

Machu Picchu , Mexico

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GRETCHEN T. LATORRE MA106 Student 2

hichen Itza is one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destination, and rightfully so. The Yucatan’s grandest archaeological site is Chichen-Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage area of immense cultural significance. Chichen Itza is perhaps the largest, most famous and most accessible Mayan site, about 125 kilometres west of Cancun and Cozumel. This ancient Mayan ruin, a major tourist stop in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is a rugged place of soaring pyramids, massive temples, startling carved columns and do-or-die sports fields. Chichen Itza, El Castillo Chichen Itza, El Castillo The focal point of the region, an amalgam of an older Mayan city and newer Toltec settlement, is the towering Castillo pyramid, which is fraught with cosmological symbolism. Its four sides contain 365 steps (depicting the solar year), 52 panels (for each year in the Mayan century as well as each week in the solar year) and 18 terraces (for the 18 months in the religious year). Inside, the Castillo is an interesting temple accessible up a narrow stairway.

Mayan sports included a game with a soccer-sized ball that had its own intricate rules and provided exciting competition for huge crowds of spectators. The enormous Chichen-Itza court where this game was played is the largest ever found and is lined with fascinating carvings that display the rules and details of the sacred game. During the fall and spring equinoxes, the sun’s shadow forms an enormous snake’s body, which lines up with the carved stone snake head at the bottom of the Castillo pyramid. At Chichen Itza, the Sacred Cenote is a natural well 60 metres in diameter with sheer, escape-proof walls plunging 22 metres. Winsome maidens aside, excavations in 1882 and 1968 discovered that strapping six-foot warriors – old scores settled? – and infants were also tossed into the pit.

The Great Wall of China — All Things You Want to Know

he Great Wall was not just a wall. It was an integrated military defensive system with watchtowers for surveillance, fortresses for command posts and logistics, beacon towers for communications, etc. In the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), the Great Wall was reconstructed to be stronger and more sophisticated, due to better construction techniques being developed. The wall body: The Ming Great Wall usually had battlements 1.8 meters (6 feet) high with loopholes and crenels, and parapet walls 1.2 meters (4 feet) high. Flanking towers: Every 500 meters or less (1,640 feet) on the Great Wall there was a flanking tower allowing defenders to shoot arrows at attackers at the face of the wall. Fortresses were built at im4

portant/vulnerable

access China’s extravagant architecture and creativity. During the construction of the Great Wall, there were many interesting legends and myths, such as Meng Jiang Nü weeping over the Great Wall, a sad but romantic love story set in the Qin Dynasty. Read more on Great points (passes), such as Shan- Wall Culture — Legends, Sto hai Pass Fortress, Juyong ries, Poetry… Pass Fortress, and Jiayu Pass The Great Wall of Fortress. There were many China is the must-visit Chiarchery windows and gates na attraction. Perhaps the on the forts. The fortress most powerful advertising gatehouses were the stron- words in history come from gest and most impregnable the poetic pen of Chairman structures on the Great Wall. Mao: “Until you reach the Great Wall Culture — Leg- Great Wall, you’re no hero.” ends, Stories, Poetry… Figuratively this has come great wall legend of mengji- to mean ‘to get over difficulangnvMeng Jiang Nü weep- ties before reaching a goal’. ing over the Great Wall. became the world’s largest The Great Wall is a China military structure. Its hisicon. It shows us not only toric and strategic imporChina’s culture of national tance is matched only by its pride, grand projects, and de- architectural significance. termined resistance, but also

TAJ MAJAL , INDIA WELCOME TO PETRA ,JORDAN

The Taj Mahal is considered to be the greatest architectural achievement in the whole range of Indo-Islamic architecture. Its recognised architectonic beauty has a rhythmic combination of solids and voids, concave and convex and light shadow; such as arches and domes further increases the aesthetic aspect. The colour combination of lush green scape reddish pathway and blue sky over it show cases the monument in ever changing tints and moods. The relief work in marble and inlay with precious and semi precious stones make it a monument apart.

The uniqueness of Taj Mahal lies in some truly remarkable innovations carried out by the horticulture planners and architects of Shah Jahan. One such genius planning is the placing of tomb at one end of the quadripartite garden rather than in the exact centre, which added rich depth and perspective to the distant view of the monument. It is also, one of the best examples of raised tomb variety. The tomb is further raised on a square platform with the four sides of the octagonal base of the minarets extended beyond the square at the corners. The top of the platform is reached through a lateral flight of steps provided in the centre of the southern side. The ground plan of the Taj Mahal is in perfect balance of composition, the octagonal tomb chamber in the centre, encompassed by the portal halls and the four corner rooms. on a rectangular platform decorat

“Lost City” of Petra Still Has Secrets to Reveal By Mati Milstein

iterally carved directly into vibrant red, white, pink, and sandstone cliff faces, the prehistoric Jordanian city of Petra was “lost” to the Western world for hundreds of years. Located amid rugged desert canyons and mountains in what is now the southwestern corner of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Petra was once a thriving trading center and the capital of the Nabataean empire between 400 B.C. and A.D. 106. The city sat empty and in near ruin for centuries. Only in the early 1800s did a European traveler disguise himself in Bedouin costume and infiltrate the mysterious locale. In 1985, the Petra Archaeological Park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, and in 2007 it was named one of the new seven wonders of the world. Indiana Jones Location Several scenes from the Hollywood blockbuster Indiana Jones and the Last Crusadewere filmed in Petra. The movie’s fictional Canyon of the Crescent Moon was modeled on the eastern entrance to Petra, a 250-foot-high (76-meterhigh) sandstone slot canyon known as the Siq that leads directly to Al Khazneh (the Treasury)—perhaps the most stunning of Petra’s dozens of breathtaking features. In the film’s climactic final scenes, actors Harrison Ford and

Sean Connery burst forth from the Siq and walk deep into the labyrinths of the Treasury in their quest to find the Holy Grail. But, as usual, archaeological fact bowed to Hollywood fiction when Indy came to Petra. In reality, the Treasury is nothing more than a facade with a relatively small hall once used as a royal tomb. “You can’t really say that anything in Indiana Jones is accurate,” Haifa University archaeologist Ronny Reich said. “I was once asked in the United States if one of the responsibilities of Israeli archaeologists is to chase down Nazis. I told them, ‘Not any more. Now we just chase down pretty women.’” A giant urn carved above the entrance to the Treasury bears the marks of hundreds of gunshots. Bedouin tribesmen living in and among the ancient ruins say the damage was caused when local men would open fire with rifles, seeking the loot thought to be inside the urn (actually made of solid stone). There are dozens of tombs and other carved or constructed structures and sites within Petra. Advanced Society The Nabataeans, before they were conquered and absorbed into the Roman Empire, controlled a vast tract of the Middle East from modern-day Israel and Jordan into the northern Arabian peninsula. The remains of their innovative networks of water capture, storage, transport, and irrigation systems are found to this day throughout this area. Scholars know the Nabataeans were in Petra since at least 312 B.C., says archae-

ologist Zeidoun Al-Muheisen of Jordan’s Yarmouk University. Al-Muheisen, who has been excavating in Petra since 1979 and specializes in the Nabataean period, says no one has yet found any archaeological evidence dating back to the fourth century B.C. The earliest findings thus far date back only to the second and first centuries B.C. But more clues remain beneath the surface. “We have uncovered just 15 percent of the city,” he says. many of which were looted by thieves and their treasures thus lost.

THE COLOSEUM- THE RESOURCEFUL SITE

his great amphitheater in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire. Its design concept still stands to this very day, and virtually every modern sports stadium some 2,000 years later still bears the irresistible imprint of the Colosseum’s original design. Today, through films and history books, we are even more aware of the cruel fights and games that took place in this arena, all for the joy of the spectators. Rome’s great gladiatorial arena is the most thrilling of the city’s ancient sights. Inaugurated in AD 80, the 50,000-seat Colosseum, originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, was clad in travertine and covered by a huge canvas awning held aloft by 240 masts. Inside, tiered seating encircled the arena, itself built over an underground complex (the hypogeum) where animals were caged and stage sets prepared. Games involved gladiators fighting wild animals or each other. The emperor Vespasian (r AD 69–79) originally commissioned the amphitheatre in AD 72 in the grounds of Nero’s vast Domus Aurea complex. But he never lived to see it fin-

ished and it was completed by his son and successor Titus (r 79–81) a year after his death. To mark its inauguration, Titus held games that lasted 100 days and nights, during which some 5000 animals were slaughtered. Trajan (r 98–117) later topped this, holding a marathon 117day killing spree involving 9000 gladiators and 10,000 animals. The arena was originally named after Vespasian’s family (Flavian), and although it was Rome’s most fearsome arena, it wasn’t the biggest – the Circo Massimo could hold up to 250,000 people. The name Colosseum, when introduced in medieval times, was not a reference to its size but to the Colosso di Nerone, a giant statue of Nero that stood nearby. The outer walls have three levels of arches, framed by decorative columns topped by capitals of the Ionic (at the

bottom), Doric and Corinthian (at the top) orders. They were originally covered in travertine and marble statues filled the niches on the 2nd and 3rd storeys. The upper level, punctuated with windows and slender Corinthian pilasters, had supports for the masts that held the awning over the arena, shielding the spectators from sun and rain. The 80 entrance arches , known as vomitoria, allowed the spectators to enter and be seated in a matter of minutes. The Colosseum’s interior was divided into three parts: the arena, cavea and podium. The arena had a wooden floor covered in sand to prevent the combatants from slipping and to soak up the blood. Trapdoors led down to the underground chambers and passageways beneath the arena floor – the hypogeum . Animals in cages and sets for the various battles were hoisted up to the arena by a complicated system of pulleys. The cavea , for spectator seating, was divided into three tiers: magistrates and senior officials sat in the lowest tier, wealthy citizens in the middle and the plebs in the highest tier. emperors, senators and VIPs.

The site chosen was a flat area on the floor of a low valley between the Caelian, Esquiline and Palatine Hills, through which a canalised stream ran. By the 2nd century BC the area was densely inhabited. It was devastated by the Great Fire of Rome in AD 64, following which Nero seized much of the area to add to his personal domain. He built the grandiose Domus Aurea on the site, in front of which he created an artificial lake surrounded by pavilions, gardens and porticoes. The existing Aqua Claudia aqueduct was extended to supply water to the area and the gigantic bronze .Colossus of Nero was set up nearby at the entrance to the Domus Aurea.

How to Travel to Machu Picchu Don’t get lost when you visit the Lost City of the Incas. Here’s T+L’s tip sheet on how best to travel to Machu Picchu. Even anti–beaten path travelers like myself are seduced by the idea of wandering among the iconic Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. But getting there isn’t cheap, and it involves some trickier-than-expected logistics. I finally ticked Machu Picchu off my bucket list last fall, and picked up some tips along the way. Here’s how to visit this famous spot. When to Go Machu Picchu is open yearround, but there are two things you can’t count on: dry weather and thin crowds. It can rain anytime, though officially, October to April is the rainy season. And while peak season is July–August, you should always expect crowds. S t r a t e g y Unless you’re hiking the Inca Trail, you’ll likely fly into Cusco and ride the train to Machu Picchu. You can do it in one day: take the 3.5-hour train ride from Cusco to Aguas Calientes (the town at the foot of Machu Picchu, now officially called Machu Picchu Pueblo), spend the afternoon at the ruins, and come back that night. But I think you’ll regret it if you rush through. Here’s what I suggest instead: when you land in Cusco, take the train straight to Aguas Calientes and spend one or two nights there, leaving a full day open to explore Machu Picchu. Then return to Cusco for another couple nights.

Why skip Cusco at the start? The city sits at 11,000 feet, which can cause altitude sickness, especially if you’re flying in from sea level. I had heard this advice but didn’t heed it, and regretted my decision. Altitude can do strange things: even though I’ve been to 14,000 feet and felt fine, I got very sick after just six hours in Cusco. Aguas Calientes, however, is only 8,000 feet, so it’s a better place to acclimate. I felt much better when I got there and was fine when I returned to Cusco. G e t t i n g T h e r e Hiking the Inca Trail is a strenuous affair that takes several days, which I unfortunately didn’t have. One word of caution, if you decide to hike: you’ll read that one highlight is walking through Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate at sunrise. It makes for good marketing, but be warned that the citadel is often foggy in the morning, ruining any kind of spiritual experience. If you’re taking the train, as I did, PeruRail runs the show. The 3.5-hour trip from Cusco to Aguas Calientes is a pretty one, right along the Urubamba River with canyon walls on either side. Some train tips: The Cusco train station is actually in the nearby town of Poroy. It’s a cheap taxi ride, but give yourself at least 20 minutes to get out there from your Cusco hotel. You’ll have to choose between different trains (at different price points): the Expedition, Vistadome, and the Hiram Bingham. I rode the first two. While some seats

on the Expedition are right next to a window, mine abutted the window divider—not good for checking out the scenery. The Vistadome was a bit more comfortable (and a bit more expensive), and every seat had a full-on window view. Still, I’m not sure it matters much which one you book: the best views are from the train doors between cars. The Hiram Bingham is the luxury option that’s run by OrientExpress. It’s a gorgeous train that serves a tablecloth meal with wine. It’s also much more expensive. Book as far in advance as possible on the PeruRail site. I can’t emphasize “far in advance” enough. Tickets sell out weeks ahead in some months. • If tickets from Cusco are sold out, all is not lost. Try to buy one that departs from the town of Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley—or that stops there on the way back. Then it’s easy to catch a taxi or minivan to/from Cusco. I got off here on my return and wish I had time to linger—it’s a quaint town surrounded by gorgeous countryside and Incan ruins. If you do stay, the Aranwa hotel comes highly recommended. Where to Stay Hands-down, the best place to stay in Aguas Calientes is the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel, where I spent two nights. It’s a sprawling resort set on the edge of town, away from the crowds and abutting the forest. Actually, this Inkaterra hotel feels like it’s in the forest: narrow stone paths cut through thick