Boon's Brazil, Peru & Bolivia Trip (Dec11-Jan12): Day 15 - Machu Picchu & Cusco, Peru (7th Jan 12)

MACHU PICCHU

"Machu Picchu (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈmatʃu ˈpitʃu], Quechua: Machu Pikchu [ˈmɑtʃu ˈpixtʃu], "Old Peak") is a pre-Columbian 15th-century Inca site located 2,430 metres (7,970 ft) above sea level.^[1]^[2] Machu Picchu is located in the Cusco Region of Peru, South America. It is situated on a mountain ridge above the Urubamba Valley in Peru, which is 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of Cuscoand through which the Urubamba River flows. Most archaeologists believe that Machu Picchu was built as an estate for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438–1472). Often referred to as the "Lost City of the Incas", it is perhaps the most familiar icon of the Inca World.

The Incas started building the "estate" around AD 1400, but abandoned it as an official site for the Inca rulers a century later at the time of the Spanish Conquest. Although known locally, it was unknown to the outside world before being brought to international attention in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham. Since then, Machu Picchu has become an important tourist attraction. Most of the outlying buildings have been reconstructed in order to give tourists a better idea of what the structures originally looked like.^[3] By 1976, thirty percent of Machu Picchu had been restored.^[4] The restoration work continues to this day.^[5]

Since the site was never known to the Spanish during their conquest, it is highly significant as a relatively intact cultural site. Machu Picchu was declared a Peruvian Historical Sanctuary in 1981 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.^[2] In 2007, Machu Picchu was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in a worldwide Internet poll."

This is the fifth wonder that I have visited. Prior to visiting this place, I had STRONG desire to see it for myself (after seeing all the photos uploaded by friends on FB). It is definitely very beautiful and worthy of being a wonder. However, as I had so much expectation of this place, its beauty was within my expectation, so I wasn't overwhelmed.

Foggy morning.

(Woke up at 0415hrs and took the earliest bus ride at 0530hrs. It was drizzling and it was a long wait to get into the complex as the queue at the entrance was long.)

We joined a group of 6 led a guide for 2 hours tour (70 soles, S$35, US$28). In 2 hours, the Peruvian tour guide earned 420 soles (S$210, US$170). Tax-free!! That's really good money.

Peru GDP per capita is US$9,200, which is around US$25/day.

I would definitely want to be a tour guide at Machu Picchu.

The fog bring a mystical feeling to Machu Picchu.

Engineering Feat. Drainage system.

Terrace.

House

The Inca empire only lasted only for 100 years,

but it was the largest empire in South America (pre-Columbian America).

Inca civilization does not have any writings.

Hence, the transmission of knowledge is done verbally. Imagine, there was no engineering calculation involved in the planning of this great city. And all the knowledge and engineering designs were transmitted verbally. I still could not comprehend it.

Most of the other archaeological sites that I have visited in other parts of the world have wall inscriptions. However, this was missing in Machu Picchu and other Inca ruins.