New Angkor Museum Reviewed

The Bangkok Post yesterday took a look at the fairly new Angkor National Museum, the first modern museum in the city of Siem Reap near the magnificent ruins of Angkor Wat. This world wonder and the area surrounding it have become much more accessible and tourist friendly after the demise of the Khmer Rouge in 1999.

With looters and civil war taking its toll on the temple complex, the new museum looks to show visitors what it looked like in its glory days. It also brings many of the surviving artifacts back closer to the site instead of being stored away in Cambodia's National Museum in Phnom Penh.

While the new museum has its critics, it looks like a nice addition for tourists that should only add to the experience. Check out the article, as well as the Angkor Wat section on my corresponding World's Top Wonders website and feel free to make any remarks in the comment section.

Two Very Different Machu Picchu Tour Options

Having recently gotten back from Machu Picchu, I'll stay on that topic for today. There are two recent news articles out there that examine traveling to this world wonder, but they are bound to appeal to two very different types of travelers.

The first from the Canadian Press examines community tourism in Peru, where travelers not only get to explore the awe-inspiring Incan ruins of Machu Picchu, but also spend time at a local village away from the tourist circuit to get a more authentic Peruvian experience. Besides living with a local family, tourists will also pull some of their own weight by helping out with some light farming and chores. This looks like a truly unique experience, but obviously won't be everyone's cup of tea.

The second article entitled "Machu Picchu with Mickey?" discusses Disney's foray into the travel industry. So far, Adventures by Disney has drawn a sizable following despite little advertising, but the article points out that some kinks are still being worked out. Despite the title, the article only touches briefly on Machu Picchu and Peru, saying: "Hiking Machu Picchu with an 8-year-old would be daunting for most travelers. With Disney promising to handle everything, it might seem doable" Later adding, "After river rafting in Peru, guides surprise guests with hot chocolate and a warm towel."

While the article assures interested tourists that they won't meet any Disney characters on their adventures, the question is if you want your international experiences Disneyified?

So read the articles and express your opinion in the comment section if either of these two trips would interest you.

New UNESCO Sites Announced

UNESCO announced today that it has added 27 new sites to its World Cultural List, including 19 cultural sites. For travelers who have already seen a lot of the world's top wonders, or are looking for nearby sites to some of the major attractions they are traveling to, UNESCO's list is a good place to start. The list includes 878 sites in 145 countries. The newest additions include the first inscribed sites in Vanuatu and Saudi Arabia.

USA Today has an article on the newest UNESCO additions and the UNESCO website gives details and pics on each new site. Check out the links for more info.

First Post -- Trip to Machu Picchu

I'm starting this blog to go along with my new World's Top Wonders website. I just got back from visiting Peru and, of course, Machu Picchu. The site's dramatic setting definitely puts it in the top-ten man-made world wonders and is what really sets it apart from other contenders.

The trip was kind of last minute, but the travel agency I went through, CAT, did a top-notch job. A two-day strike less than two weeks before I left that cut off travel to Machu Picchu and other sites had me a little worried ahead of time, but everything went off without a hitch and everyone I met was extremely friendly. Apparently boulders were pushed onto the train tracks at some spots, making passage to the site impossible unless you had big bucks to afford a helicopter ride to the Aguas Caliente, the town right below the archaeological site. After missing out on going to Tibet and seeing the Potala Palace earlier this year because of protests, making it to Machu Picchu brought with it some relief to go along with excitement.

The most surprising part of the experience was how many other tourists were lined up for the first bus to the site at the Aguas Caliente station before 5:30 A.M. in the morning. I was expecting a decent crowd, but not 22 bus loads. If you go, make sure to wake up even earlier to get on one of the first ones. Many of the early risers are looking to climb Huayna Picchu, the picturesque mountain seen behind the site in photos (it is linked to the site). The climb is limited to the first 400 people in line, and people are split into two groups of 200 each, with the first starting at 7:30 and the second group starting at 10:00 AM.

Fortunately for me, I was one of the last people in the first group after snapping some classic post-card pics from the agricultural sector. Huayna Picchu is a fairly tough climb, and I'm in decent shape, but it was well worth it for the spectacular view. Although how tough it is a matter of perspective I guess, as I did see a couple of ten-year old girls make the climb too.

More later.