Chat is not for Dummies

Trip To Machu Picchu

mizdi — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 10:01:07 +0000

So I was in Machu Picchu.

Dream come true? Yup, because I had been wanting to get here at least once in this lifetime.

Machu Picchu

Planning the Trip to Machu Picchu

So how did I go about it?

First, I planned my trip and after a very serious brainstorming with Google, I decided I am ready to conquer Machu Picchu. Second, I arranged my schedule, then booked my flights, hotel reservations and the train trip to Aguas Calientes (you can book the train online via perurail.com, the only railway company operating trains to Machu Picchu).

Basically I had to get my butt and the rest of me to Lima, Peru first. From Lima, I had to fly to the city of Cusco, the first and foremost connection to Machu Picchu.

Cusco Cathedral

Downtown Cusco

Lima to Machu Picchu

From Cusco I took the train for 3 1/2 hours to Aguas Calientes. Aboard the Hiram Bingham Express, the journey was very pleasant and enjoyable as we passed through Peruvian towns, fields, valleys and mountains. The scenery was rustic yet refreshingly beautiful.

Hiram Bingham Express

Aguas Calientes is a quiet a small town at the foot of the mountains leading to the citadel of Machu Picchu. The town’s economy rely on tourism services such as hotels and restaurants and a fair share of souvenir shops and stalls.

Peru Rail's ticketing office at Aguas Calientes

souvenir shops at Aguas Calientes

From Aguas Calientes, I took the bus ride (included in the Hiram Bingham ticket; along with the entrance ticket to Machu Picchu, an English speaking tour guide and an afternoon tea and snacks at Machu Picchu Lodge) with some other tourists for about 20 minutes.

Buses to Machu Picchu

We went up the winding roads around the mountainside until we reached the entrance to the ruins. The climb was gradual and the driver was cautious enough to make us feel safe.

Bus Route to Machu Picchu

The bus then deposited us in front of Machu Picchu Lodge, a few meters from the main entrance.

Machu Picchu Lodge

“This would be your last chance to pee! There are no toilets anywhere inside the citadel. You are not allowed to pee anywhere else inside the ruins! Remember Machu Picchu is a sacred place and sacred places has no toilets!”, our tour guide announced.

That made us all scramble to the nearest WC at Machu Picchu Lodge as the journey around the ruins would take at least 3 hours.

Main entrance to Machu Picchu

As soon as you’ve passed the main entrance, you’ll find these commemoration plaques in honor of Machu Picchu’s discoverer Hiram Bingham, hanging on the wall on the left side.

On the right side would be the carved stone stairs that goes around the agricultural sector but which is normally the “exit way” for tourists finishing their exploration of the ruins.

side stairs by the agricultural sector

The Machu Picchu Ruins

Overview of Machu Picchu

The moment you enter Machu Picchu, you are confronted with a variety of choices of which way to go. Confused of whether to climb up, go down or go straight ahead, as your excitement to explore the ruins before your eyes overcomes you.

From the main entrance, climbing up would take you to the Watchman’s Hut which has a spectacular view of the ruins below. This hut was used by the Incas to oversee both the Agricultural and the Royal sectors.

Watchman's Hut

You could also go down the side stairs by the Inca hut next to the terrraces (it has been said that the Incas invented terraces farming) and from there and straight ahead,

Inca hut by the terraces

you’d find yourself in the midst of the Royal and Sacred sector, you know… temples, priests, altars.. chief’s residence, etc.

The Priests Residence also known as Ñusta Palace

Our guide led us in a roundabout way from the Watchman’s hut going down to the Old City Gate.

Note: the walking and climbing paths around the ruins are mostly carved stone steps or flattened ground that even candidates for the Biggest Loser would find the place not too difficult to navigate.

Old City Gate

The Old City Gate led us to the Dry Moat, which gave a stunning view of the Watchman’s Hut above us,

Our Tour Group

and this spectacular view below us

view from the Dry Moat

The Dry Moat

Going down from the Dry Moat, we proceeded to the Temple of the Sun easily recognized by its semi circle wall. This was accessible only to the priests and the Sapa Inca (their chief). It served as an observatory for measuring the winter and summer solstices which the Incas used on planning their crop rotation. In the middle is a big carved boulder that was used as an altar for sacrificing animals offered to the sun god Inti to ask for a favorable harvest.

Temple of the Sun

Beneath the Sun Temple is a cavernous room named the Royal Tomb. Here the nobles and priests, were laid to rest in their mummified state.

The Royal Tomb

The Mummy

The roof of the Ceremonial Center lies next to the Temple of the Sun and to see its interior you need to get one level lower.

Ceremonial Center

Ceremonial Center from below

The water supply of Machu Picchu originates from the Ceremonial Center going all the way down through holes and ducts carved on stones and pavements and continues to the terraces. Even up to this day, a small amount of water still flows along the ducts and fountains.

Water System of Machu Picchu

water duct

The Quarry, where granite boulders were supposed to had been left by the Incas proving that their construction was unfinished yet when they abandoned Machu Picchu.

The Quarry

Alongside the Quarry is the Sacred Plaza where religious rituals are held and where stood the Temple of Three Windows, characterized by its trapezoid shaped windows, the Principal temple and the Chamber of Ornaments.

Sacred Plaza

The Temple of Three Windows is shaped like a bracket with the open end facing the Sacred Plaza. The three windows are situated to frame three distant mountain peaks when seen from an angle, which unfortunately we didn’t see as they were hidden amongst the clouds.

Temple of the 3 Windows

The Principal Temple lies on the right side of the Temple of Three Windows with the Intihuatana Pyramid a few feet behind.

The Principal Temple

The Chamber of Ornaments is annexed to the Principal Temple on the rear side right below the Intihuatana Pyramid.

The Chamber of Ornaments

The Intihuatana Pyramid on top of which lies the sacred Intihuatana stone.

The Intihuatana Pyramid

The Intihuatana was used in a ritual that binds the presence of the sun on winter solstice, hence its common name of “The hitching post of the sun”. It was so called to stop the sun from going away any further during the shortest day of the year. It could indicate the position of the sun during its solstices and give useful information for agriculture in respect to the time of plant and harvest.

The Intihuatana

This picture was taken at the Intihuatana Pyramid with two Filipino-Canadians (pointing at me) and an Indian-American lady whom I met during the trip.

Mizdi in the Middle

From the Intihuatana Pyramid, we crossed the Main Square (that green, green grass you see) to the eastern side, where the Workshop and Industrial Sectors are. The Workshop features the private dwellings, craft shops and storehouses while the Industrial was for the production of pottery, weavings and would you believe? …Beer!

Main Plaza

On the farther northern end of the Workshop sector are these two huts mainly used for crop storage. Behind them is the Wayna Picchu also known as Huayna Picchu. Machu Picchu means “Old Peak” in the Quechua language, while Huayana means “Young Peak”. Beyond the two huts is where the trail to Huayna Picchu begins. It is a separate climb and would take at least 2 hours. It may not be suitable for candidates of the Biggest Loser.

The Two Huts

Two huts and the trail

Our last “guide-suggested must-see attraction” is the Temple of the Condor, burried within a cluster of structure next to the Industrial Sector.

The Temple of the Condor are stone carvings resembling a condor with stretched wings. Its head and beak are located on the ground while the wings are the two enormous slanting boulders behind it. An entrance to an underground labyrinth have been used as some sort of prison. The condor for the Inca was the god of the sky, the all-seeing god that punishes those who commit wrong doings.

Temple of the Condor

Wings of the Condor

Head of the Condor

From the Temple of the Condor, it is just a few steps down to the terraces (where I spotted a solitary llama) that leads to the way out.

Wrapping up

way out by the terraces

the Llama

So there you go… or there I went. From the main entrance to the exit point, I walked, I climbed, I sweat… and stopped once in a while to catch my breath (and take pictures). But every step is worth the effort. Every climb is worth the try. Every sweat is worth wiping and don’t forget to bring a bottle of mineral water, because kiosks there you wouldn’t find.

Me at MP

Conquering Machu Picchu is an awesome experience… exhilerating and incredibly fascinating. Reward yourself with something extraordinary. Do it this lifetime. You’ll never know… you could be an elephant in the next one.

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Inside the Amsterdam Palace

mizdi — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:30:47 +0000

Does the Dutch Queen Live in Amsterdam Palace?

No. The Queen of the Netherlands, Queen Beatrix, lives in a royal residence called Huis ten Bosch Palace, located in the northeastern part of the Dutch city of Den Haag (The Hague). Her main offices are also located in Den Haag, at Noordeinde Palace.

Brief History of Amsterdam Palace

The Koninklijk Paleis, or Royal Palace of Amsterdam was originally built as a town hall for Amsterdam’s administrative and judicial authorities. In 1648 the burgemeesters (mayors) and magistrates of Amsterdam commissioned the famous architect Jacob van Campen to design their new building.

The Burgomeesters and Jacob van Campen

With the signing of the Treaty of Münster in 1648, the new town hall was envinsioned to be a monument to peace that had returned to Amsterdam after an 80-year war against Spain.

From Town Hall to Royal Palace

The building served as the city hall for some 150 years. In 1806 Louis Bonaparte, Emperor Napoleon’s brother, became King of Holland. He first lived in The Hague, but in 1807 he moved to Amsterdam, which was of greater economic importance. In 1808, he took the city hall on Dam Square as his Royal Palace

Loius Napoleon and King Willem I

After the fall of Napoleon in 1813, Prince Willem of Orange, later King Willem I, returned the palace to the city of Amsterdam. After his investiture, however, the new King realized the importance of having a home in the capital and asked the city authorities to make the palace available for royal use once again. It was not until 1936 that the building became state property.

The Citizens’ Hall

This is the heart of the town hall. It served as a meeting place for the public. It is 90 feet high, 120 feet long and 60 feet wide. Here a visitor would literally have the world on his feet as the eastern and western hemispheres are depicted on opposite sides of the floor with the map of the northern sky in the center, in marble inlay.

The Citizen's Hall graced with the sculpture of Atlas by Artus Quellinius. It was mounted 1663.

Above the entrance, on the east side of the Citizen’s Hall across Atlas’ sculpture is the Personification of Amsterdam beneath the sculpture of Peace. Her attributes, sprigs of olive and palm, symbolize peace and prosperity. The two women seated beside her signify wisdom and strenght.

Maid of Amsterdam

The Tribunal

The tribunal presided over by the magistrates and sheriff was used solely for pronouncing the death sentence. The hearings were held elsewhere and the room was purely ceremonial. The municipal secretary occupied the alcove where on the backrest of his desk was an allegory of death, represented by a skull and three weeping children.

The Tribunal

The magistrates would be seating here in front of four marble carvings standing on collums with three scenes of metaphors of justice. These female figures were emblems of guilt and remorse in both Greek and Roman traditions.

The West Wall

The burgomasters would watch the proceedings from their chamber overlooking the tribunal and would them confirm the sentence.

Burgomasters' Chamber window

The Burgomasters’ Chamber

The window where the burgomasters used to watched the proceedings at the Tribunal below them, is nowadays, fitted with glass.

The Burgomasters' Chamber

The Magistrates’ Chamber

This is where the sheriff and magistrates held office and proclaimed new laws. The overmantel painting is by Jurriaan Ovens depicting Justice seated in between two tormented souls that personify Greed and Envy.

The Magistrates' Chamber

The opposite end of the Magistrates’ Chamber. The painting Moses Descending from Mount Sinai with the Ten Commandments of Rembrandt’s pupil Ferdinand Bol hangs over the enormous fireplace. This room later became The Throne Room.

The Throne Room

The Council’s Chamber

The lavishly decorated Council’s Chamber is where the thirty-six councillors convene on an ad hoc basis, the meetings being chaired by the burgomasters. The painting on the left is by Jan van Bronchorst showing Jethro advising Moses to elect a council of seventy leaders to help him lead the people of Israel into the wilderness. The painting Solomon Prays for Wisdom by Govaert Flinck hangs above the fireplace in the north wall of the Council’s Chamber.

The Council's Chamber

Details of the painting Moses by Jan van Bronchorst.

Moses and Jethro and the Istraelites

Close-up view of Solomon Prays for Wisdom.

Solomon Prays for Wisdom

The Bankcruptcy Chamber

The Bankcruptcy Chamber was founded in 1643 to wind up insolvent estates. Its commissioners mediated beween debtors and creditors and tried to help them reach an agreement. This was one of the services the city provided for the business sector.

Banckruptcy Chamber

Empire in the Palace

T he palace was decorated and furnished in the style of the time, called Empire because this style was the fashion at the time of the emperorship of Napoleon Bonaparte. The decorating and furnishing of an Empire interior was also of architectural character. The furniture was placed as much as possible, symmetrically against the walls of a room and symmetry also determined the design of the ornaments.

Chamber of Accounts

The Oath of Horatii clock is found in every room of the palace of relative importance. For instance, this one in the Burgomasters’ Chamber. It is a copy in bronze, of the scene painted by Jacques-Louis David, his depiction of the three brothers swearing to defend Rome together.

de eed de Horatiers

This round table was made by Carel Breytspraak. The mahogany leg of this table was described at that time as being ‘en forme d’autel’ (altar shaped) because the shape of this three-sided leg with its concave lines, was based upon a Roman altar.

The Table by Carel Breytspraak

Empire furniture has sober lines and gives massive impression with its balanced structure and harmonious proportions of components. The armchairs and sofa on the Queen’s sitting room clearly illustrate this architectural principle.

The Queen's Sitting Room

Most of the furniture of the palace’s main floor was made of mahogany including the most typical piece of Empire furniture which is the console table. Here in the dining room and in almost every room can be seen these console tables placed against the wall, the top of which are made of marble.

The Dining Room

The Amsterdam Palace Today

The city fathers commisioned a building that would be both functional and impressive, as splendid as any of its predecessors in ancient Greece and Rome. The building that Van Campen had in mind would not only be impressive, it was a majestic example of classical architecture and superb craftmanship.

Amsterdam Palace op de Dam

At present the Royal Palace is used for State Visits, the Queen’s New Year receptions and other official functions, including the annual presentation of the Erasmus Prize, the Silver Carnation, the Royal Awards for Painting, and the Prince Claus Prize. When not in use by the Queen or members of the Royal House, the palace is open to the public under the auspices of the Amsterdam Royal Palace Foundation.

References:

The Palace of Amstedam by Eymert-Jan Goossens
The Koninklijk Paleis Official Website
Empire in het Paleis
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How to Survive Biking in Amsterdam

mizdi — Fri, 27 May 2011 05:51:23 +0000

“When in Holland… Do as the Dutch do… Bike.”

Holland is a flat land (if you look past its horizon, you can see Japan).

Utrecht countryside

That makes it ideal to navigate by bike. Aside from that, the Dutch government had encouraged more the use of bicycles through policies they had implemented over the past 30 years, to make it more attractive and safe for bikers. See them here.

grote oost bridge

If you plan to live in Amsterdam for longer than a few weeks, buy a bike. A second hand bike is more sensible than a brand new one and you can get them from as low as 50 euros to 250 euros. But don’t forget to buy a reliable lock, for your bike’s sake. There are a lot of second hand bike stores around Amsterdam and there should be one close by any train station in the other cities or provinces.
Biking around Amsterdam and even in the whole of the Netherlands, is the best way way to go to see the city and the scenic countryside.

Rijks museum gardens

Traveling local or long distance, you could always take your bike with you. Bikes are allowed on the Metro (subway trains) for free. They had allocated a part of the metro for commuters with bikes. So people who need to cover long distances, usually take their bikes with them on the Metro, get off and ride their bikes again to wherever they are going and vice versa. That saves time, money and energy.

Ganzenhoef metro platform

Bikes are free to take on ferryboats crossing the dividing canal between North and South Amsterdam.

Ferrying across North Amsterdam

They are also allowed on trains. There are special compartments set aside for this purpose. Although not free, a bike ticket is cheaper than a passenger’s ticket and is good for a whole day. However, if you are carrying a folding bike, it is not necessary because folding bikes rides are free.

How to load bike on a train

If you need to bike to the stations but do not wish to bring your bike with you on the train or Metro, free parking spots are everywhere. Or if you choose, avail of the paid parking service on the train stations just to be reassured your bike would be there when you get back. These “fietsenstalling” as they call it charges on average a minimal 1.20 euros a day, 5 euros a week or 12 euros a month.

Difference between a free parking and a paid parking

If you mean to cycle all the way and leisurely meander through the countryside and suburbs, that wouldn’t be a problem. Every town or village has a cycle path called a “fietspad”‘ which links one to the other. This is true in the whole of Netherlands. In fact you can even cycle to Belguim or Germany if you want as Holland is covered with an extensive network of long distance cycle routes.

Fietspad along the countryside

With all the necessities all in place to support bikers, there is no reason why a foreigner living in Holland could not do as the Dutch do… Bike.

what people do in Amsterdam

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Boracay Island Treat

mizdi — Mon, 16 May 2011 04:33:58 +0000

What is so nice about Boracay?

The Beach

Aside from the beach…

The Boracay Sunset ?

Aside from the sunset…

The turqoise green waters ?

or the lazy afternoons in the sun ?

Aside from all of those, it is the way it has developed into a cozy hide away yet providing the basic necessesities a city dweller can’t live without, … without sacrificing its raw beauty and native ambience .

boracay beach house

Here everyone could find all sorts of accomodations to fit their budgets and preferences. Whether it be a high end resort hotel complete with amenities, a simple fan-cooled cottage or anything in between, Boracay is never wanting.

Boracay Regency

The accomodations are spread throughout the island that whether you want a relaxing private nook away from the busy crowd or something in the middle of everything, you’ll sure find what you are looking for.

Nami Private Villas

West Cove Boracay

Ambassador in Paradise and Pearl of the Pacific

Internet and WiFi are available, phone services, banks, ATMs. There lies a shopping center, drugstores, medical clinics and even a hospital. Everywhere in the island there is a “sari-sari” (mixed-items) store that sells almost everything you would basically need (at normally cheap prices) to enjoy your stay.

sari-sari store

For souvenirs and bargain hunters, there is the Talipapa (local market) and a scattering of small shops offering a selection of colorful beachwear, the ubiquitous souvenir T-shirts, flip-flops, native woven bags, finely crafted sinamay hats, all sorts of trinklets, pearl jewelry, and shell accessories.

talipapa

trinklets laid out for passers by

There is an array of international cuisine restaurants, seafood or barbecue grills, fast food chains and an assortment of bars, cafes, dance clubs, live-band performances for your evening entertainment.

Boracay restaurants

You could also enjoy a whole day of pampering in one of those spas and massage parlors…

massage center

or if you prefer, a massage service in the comfort of your hotel room or by the beach as you relax in one of those beach chairs provided.

white sand Boracay

Walking is the the common norm but if you find yourself too tired of walking back and forth you could always avail of tricycle services . They have their terminals ($1 to $2 per ride depending on the distance) but could be flagged down anytime anywhere along island’s main road ($0.20 or Php 8.00 per person and maximum of 5 passengers) located at the back of the commercial establishments along the beachfront.

tricycle

To top it all, water sports activities such as snorkling, scuba diving, helmet diving , canoeing, banana boating, etc. are also offered by certain certified establishments to complete your Boracay experience.

Banana Boat

pre-scuba diving intstructions

helmet dive

Keeping the idyllic atmosphere and tropical nature intact, while providing modern conveniences makes Boracay a very nice place to relax and chill or go on an adventure. It is what makes this island so fascinating, it has become a world-famous summer destination and a vacationers’ haven.

* you get your own CD with pictures and video of the helmet dive

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Boracay by Night

mizdi — Tue, 03 May 2011 15:29:03 +0000

Boracay in the evening transforms into a seafood festival. The main restaurants open their counterparts of tent diners right across their establishments.

Boracay in the evening

They set up simple tables and chairs along the beachfront just a few steps from the water’s edge with matching lamps or lighted candles. (They are folded and kept away during the day.)

dinner by the beach

Clustered in between coconut trees adorned with soft glowing nightlamps or lanterns,

what could be more romantic?

…the set up gives you a very relaxing atmosphere as you dine barefooted in the sands (if you want) while the refreshing night breeze blows gently as you engage yourself in a gastronomic treat.

candlelit dinner

As you walk along you will find a vast array of fresh seafoods sold in temporary stalls,

prawns, crabs, lobsters, lapu-lapu

tilapia, blue marlin, squids

freshly caught oysters

ready to be cooked the way you want them or turned into their specialities and then served with free side dishes and matching condiments.

some possible choices cooked right before your very eyes

For our last dinner on the island, we promised to eat what we had been wanting to have, which after three nights had not appeared on the menu of our hotel’s inclusive dinners (although they serve the finest cuisine as well).

So we decided to have dinner outside and after scouting for what we thought had the best seafood offer, my daughter picked out the biggest prawns she could find and the biggest lobster ever.

she liked holding the prawns but not the lobster

The prawns were charcoal broiled and served with grilled tomato/eggplant salad in vinaigrette dressing.

perfect combination

The lobster steamed, cut lenghtwise, seasoned with salt and pepper and poured all over with lemon and garlic butter sauce. And everything was served with boiled white rice.

up close and delectable

After dinner we had a short stroll along the beach and a visit to where some artists ply their trade.

T-shirts hand painters.. designs starting at 800 Php each

too early.. the band is still preparing

Finally, went up to the viewdeck of Starbucks where we sipped our coffee leisurely, while massaging our bloated bellies hoping the action would relieve us of the feeling of guilt of committing one of the seven deadly sins… overindulgence.

Starbucks Coffee viewdeck

Oh, what a night!

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