Thursday 10 April 2014

I for Incas

So, we have left Hong Kong behind, and traveled off again - this time to discover a wonder of the world, just like I promised you. Because today we are visiting the lost city of the Incas. I have never been there, but I am dreaming of going. And I hope you are not afraid of heights, because we are climbing high up in the remote Andes mountains in Peru.

And there she is, dramatically placed on a mountain edge over Sacred Valley, 2430 meters above sea level: The lost city of the Incas, Machu Picchu. Ever since I was a curious kid, and secretly (and way too young, mind I tell you) let the Conquistadors' tales keep me awake at night, this place has been on my want-to-visit-list. The scenery seems awesome and the ancient history and mystery coming to live here, makes it high up on my bucket list.

The city of the Incas is called a wonder of the world and is a UN World Heritage site. The Incas built it around 1450, probably for the Inca emperor Pachacuti (1438-1472). It was built in classical Inca style, and is the most important symbol of the lost Inca civilization. The city was however abandoned a century after it was built because of a Spanish conquest (ahmy ruthless conquistadors).

The historian and explorer Hiram Bingham is credited with finding the abandoned site and for bringing it to international attention in 1911. The site contained mummies and temples with various artifacts, and the stories and theories of the significance and mystery of both the items and the life in the city itself are many and colorful.

The place has become an important tourist attraction for Peru. Many of the buildings have been reconstructed so the visitors can get an idea of how the city originally looked like. The restoration work continues to this day.

So, dear reader, a world wonder today with ancient history and mystery. That makes it a dream destination for me. I hope you are ready for more travels?

You don't wanna miss the flight to tomorrow's destination. Mark my words. Get ready for an adventure you will not forget easily when we fly off to a little country with a lot of heart...Get ready for J...    

1-30 April I participate in the A to Z blogger challenge, and this post is written as a part of that challenge. Check out some amazing participating blogs hereMy theme for the challenge is Dream Destinations. I hope you had fun coming along? Please stay tuned for a new destination tomorrow. 

54 comments:

  1. Thanks for the informative post. I wish I can also visit the place sometime..
    Shalzzz|Loving Life
    Check out my latest at Tale of Two Tomatoes

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  2. Ancient history, pyramids, old ruins totally my style :)
    Thanks for the beautiful post !

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    1. So my style too:-) Thank you so much :-)

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  3. Beautiful... I wish I can travel the whole world but at my slow lazy pace though :D

    Latest A2Z Challenge Post-Random Thoughts Naba

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    1. Yes, this is getting hectic..:-) Thanks dear Nabanita:-)

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  4. I remember Incas and Machu Picchu from my history classes. Then further down, remember reading about them with references to mummies. A mysterious place indeed. Would love to visit there someday. :)

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    1. Yes, so I guess we shared that dream.. One day..:-) Thanks for following Vaisakh:-)

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  5. Another super one for the wish list. Eli, this sounds like a proper adventure holiday. :)

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    1. Yes, it does, doesn't it..:-) Thanks for following:-)

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  6. Interesting post. I've never been there either but hope to see it one day.

    Sunni
    http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks a lot:-) Maybe one day... Happy to see you here:-)

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  7. That is amazing. Can see why it is considered a wonder of the world! ♥

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  8. Dearest Eli,
    The son and wife of my dear friend Natacha have been there and I got to see some photos. Very interesting indeed, a lost culture and we only can guess...
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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    1. Wow, dear Mariette - I want to go even more now..:-) (if possible) Always so happy to see you here dear. Big hugs back to you:-)

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  9. This is another place, with old glory and a veil of history, attracts me a lot. Great post and the nice picture. Thanks.

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    1. Yes, me too:-) So fascinating.. Thanks for your kind words, Jayanta:-)

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  10. This is so interesting!!!! Sad that I can just read about it and not visit it :(

    ~S(t)ri
    Participant|AtoZ Challenge 2014
    Smile, it makes (y)our day!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it:-) Happy to see you here, as always:-)

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  11. wow...this one really raised my curiosity to visit it some day . Your writing engages the reader in such a way that one feels one is really out there :)

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    1. Oh wow, thank you so much:-) You made my day:-)

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  12. It truly looks like an incredible place, replete with history and mystery! Yes, should be in the must visit list! :)

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    1. Yes, so true:-) So happy you are following Shilpa, dear:-)

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  13. I think I should make a pin board with all of your 26 posts, titled "26 places to see before I die" Every place you write about is just so ethereal

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    1. Wow, thank you so much:-) You kind words make me very happy:-)

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  14. speaking of ancient history and lost cities, have u been to hampi in arnataka. I have a feeling you'll like it....

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    1. Oh, Mina, thanks for the tip - I will check that out for sure:-) Hugs to you

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  15. Aah...so many places to visit, so little time! A very good post Eli about a very special place today. Am putting this one on my wish-list too :)

    Beauty Interprets, Expresses, Manifests the Eternal

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    1. Thank you so much dear Beloo:-) Happy you enjoyed it:-)

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  16. Wow, the place sounds so interesting and mysterious. Would love to visit it one day maybe. Sigh!

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    1. Thanks Prasanna:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  17. Incas is a world wonder and so many beautiful places to visit. Amazing post and how I wish I could do so in this lifetime:)

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    1. Yes, me too Vishal:-) Always a pleasure to see you here:-) Best

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  18. Machu Pichu - Heard a lot about this place :) Thanks for writing about it !
    UR theme is so goood
    Droppping by from A to Z

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    1. Thank you so much:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  19. Great! That I got so much information about Incas; I had heard about it, but had no idea....It's lovely...... through your posts we are knowing more about different places...

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    1. So happy you enjoyed it:-) Thank you so much:-)

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  20. I have read so much about Inca civilization... The place looks fabulous n mysterious. Someday.... Someday!!!

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    1. Me too! Some day ...:-) Happy to see you here:-)

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  21. Machu Picchu is right at the top of my wish-list of destinations.

    Anabel at Anabel's Travel Blog

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    1. At mine too:-) Happy to see you here Anabel:-)

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  22. Ah the incredible mysterious Incas!! Thanks for the ride...and I'm with you all the way! :)

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    1. A pleasure as always to have you come along dear Aditi:-) Thanks

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  23. A great use of Incas for I - Machu Picchu has been on my travel bucket list for ages, I can't wait to get there someday :)

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    1. Me neither Calli! Maybe we'll meet in the Andes?:-) Ha ha - thanks for following:-)

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  24. Awesome view and wonderful post on the Incas. I've also been intrigued by the Incas as I read a lot growing up and loved the stories and history. Can't wait to see where you take me next time, Eli.

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    1. Thank you so much Michelle:-) Seems we share that passion then:-)

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  25. This is glorious! I loved how beautifully you've described it.

    The 2 AM Writer

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  26. Would love to visit one day, it's definitely on the must-see list!

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    1. Yes, me too. Thanks for visiting, Emily:-)

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  27. I've always been fascinated by the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas and would love to visit Machu Picchu one day.
    Debbie @The Doglady's Den

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    1. Seems we share that wish then dear Debbie:-) All the best, dear

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