The Inka Museum In Cusco, Peru

Located up a side street in Cusco’s historic district sits a 17th century building called Casa del Almirante. The mansion was originally the estate home of Spanish Admiral Francisco Alderete Maldonado. The Inca Museum (Museo Inka) is located inside. The estate was built on the foundations of Inca buildings that were part of Tahuantinsuyo Inca Empire, under the rule the Inca Huascar.

Easy to find it is located on Cuesta del Almirante, 103, in Cusco, a short walk up from Plaza de Armas to Plaza Nazarenas.The Inka Museum is state-owned and managed by Cusco’s San Antonio Abad University.

It is home to one of the best collections of artifacts from the Inca era but also contains artifacts from pre-Inca civilizations as well. Interestingly it also has exhibits demonstrating how Inca culture was impacted by the Spanish conquest and the changes colonial times had on the Inca ruling class and cultures. The largest area offers rooms of Inca jewelry, ceramics, textiles, vases and even furniture. The museum’s most notable items are contained in the world’s largest collection of queros, ceremonial Inca wooden drinking vessels along with a number of Inca mummies. 

The museum’s collection also features exhibits of pre-Inca native cultures that include:

The Chavín Culture was one of the most important of the pre-Inca cultures in the region. Dating from 1200 BC to 200 BC, its centers of worship were noted for the architecture along with the design of its terraces and plazas, surrounded by impressive carved stones.

The Marcavalle Culture, which flourished around 1000 B.C., was actually centered in Cusco at the same time the Chavin culture ruled outer Ica regions.

The Nazca Civilization flourished on the southern coast of Peru between 200 B.C. and 600 C.E. They settled in the Nazca region and other surrounding valleys and are principally known for the giant Nazca drawings.

The Wari, also known as Huari, were the first culture to use military force to conquer surrounding civilizations, they soon reigned over much of the highlands and coast of modern Peru. The Wari culture dated from about 500 to 1000 A.D.

Operation Hours – Admission:

From Monday to Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 

Saturdays and holidays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Closed Sundays

Admission For The Inca Museum is about US$1.50 for Peruvians and US$3.00 for foreigners.

Singapore’s Fantastic Mass Transit

One of the worlds truly great subway systems is the Singapore MRT and it is a solid innovator. Many of their systems are recognized and implemented worldwide. If you are lucky enough to get to Singapore for a visit you must use the MRT to get around the city. From the time you arrive at the airport you can take advantage of this remarkable transportation system.

The Marina Towers and the Omni at night.

First thing you need to know is one of the official languages of Singapore is English and virtually all signage here is in English. So not understanding the language is not an excuse. Second, the MRT is spotless as is all of Singapore. Saying a place is so clean you can eat off the floor is a common expression but it might actually be true in the MRT.

MRT Station
Click the map to download a printable pdf copy

The Singapore Tourist Pass is a special ez-link card that offers tourists unlimited travel on Singapore’s basic bus services, MRT and LRT trains for the duration of the days purchased. You can now take in the sights and sounds of Singapore in the comfort of the island’s extensive MRT system and public bus network. If you are going to be in Singapore for a day or three you need a Singapore Tourist Pass. You can purchase the Singapore Tourist Pass at “Changi Recommends” counters at all Changi Airport terminals, SMRT Passenger Service Counters, and TransitLink Ticket Offices at Changi Airport or HarbourFront and all 7-Eleven stores. Be sure and have your passport.

Gardens By The Bay

TOURIST 1-DAY PASS $10   2-DAY PASS $16   3-DAY PASS $20

The pass also requires a $10 rental deposit that is refunded when you turn in the card. You can collect your deposit at the airport before flying out.

If you don’t have a chance to get your ez-Link card the system offers an all-day ticket from the vending outlets in the stations. They are easy to understand and accept major credit cards. Since we were in Singapore three different times in some cases we found it cheaper to purchase one-way or roundtrip fares to specific destinations but in any case the fare on the MRT is a truly great deal.

With the MRT, even if you haven’t mapped out where you want to go it isn’t hard to figure out. The popular destinations are clearly named on the route map, like the Botanic Garden, Chinatown, Little India, Marina Bay, Bayfront, Promenade, HarbourFront and central Downtown.

Sentosa Island is a popular destination because there’s so much to do like special events, themed attractions like Universal Studios, spas, a rainforest park, and beautiful beaches. To get there take the MRT to Harbourfront stop and then either take the mono-rail train (follow signs) or take the popular walkway to Sentosa Island. You can also access the Singapore Cable Cars from the same HarbourFront MRT station. For the Singapore Cable Cars head towards Exit B that goes to the HarborFront Centre. Once there, cross the link bridge in order to reach the Singapore Cable Car station at HarbourFront Tower II.

Chinatown

A final thought about the MRT and Singapore in general; the people are great. They are always trying to be helpful and friendly. While riding on the MRT young people kept insisting we take their seats (and I didn’t think I looked THAT old). Even the train kept telling us to “mind the gap and have a happy happy”…

San Cristobal Sunset

Located on the equator some 625 miles west of Ecuador sits the Galapagos islands. Another day nears an end on San Cristobal the capital of the archipelago and the most populated island.  It’s only the fifth largest and is the easternmost island. San Cristobal island is what remains of three connected extinct volcanoes that originally erupted only five million years ago. Its name comes from the Patron Saint of seafarers, “St. Christopher.” 

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The View From Machu Picchu

Nestled amongst the peaks of the Andes, Machu Picchu is perched above the Urubamba River valley on a narrow saddle between two higher peaks—Machu Picchu (“Old Peak”) and Huayna Picchu (“New Peak”)—at an altitude of 7,710 feet. For an Inca emperor that’s one hell of view from your front porch. 

Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.

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Sea Lions San Cristobal, Galapagos

Pictured is the harbor of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Galapagos. Sea lions are everywhere on San Cristobal. They take over beaches, walk along town streets and occupy park benches. Young pups approach children trying to play, “retired” bulls can be agressive and threatening but mostly sea lions just lay around and occasionally go for a swim. San Cristobal is the most visited island in the Galapagos, the fifth largest and the easternmost island in the chain.

Join us as we visit historic treasures, natural wonders and vibrant cities set against backdrops that are endlessly changing and visually magnificent. Celebrate a world of travel experiences with these decorating accessories that are perfect for framing.

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Lima Peru And El Malecón

Looking For A Fantastic Urban Hike?

Without doubt the best walking trail in a major metropolitan area is the Malecón in Lima. It’s a six mile trail along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

El Malecón—Lima’s scenic cliff top walkway is an amazing coastal path, which stretches for about six miles, in three sections. High above the Pacific Ocean, it’s centered on the Miraflores district and passes through several districts starting in the south as Malecon de la Reserva in Barranco. Heading north it crosses the Villena Rey Bridge near the Malecón Cisneros that’s home to the upscale and very popular Larcomar Shopping Center. The center offers a large number of shops, restaurants, a bowling alley and a cinema and is a major attraction in Miraflores. El Malecón ends at Malecon de Marina in the north. The whole length of El Malecón is a popular route for joggers, and cyclists and numerous Lima residents out for a stroll to enjoy the views and the ocean air.

Eight impressive parks are spaced along the Malecón featuring flower gardens and sculptures. North of the bridge are two popular parks one being Parque del Amor with its large sculpture “El Beso” (“The Kiss”) by Peruvian artist Victor Delfín. It features a man and a woman locked in a passionate kiss. The actual park is said to be inspired by Parc Güell in Barcelona, which was designed by Antoni Gaudí in 1926. A bit farther is the larger Parque Antonio Raimondi. The largest park on the Malecón de la Marina, the northernmost section of the Malecón, is Parque Miguel Grau, dedicated to Peru’s greatest naval hero.

Love locks are popular here too

The view from inside the shopping center

Below the cliffs stretching for over eleven miles is an expanse of Pacific beaches. Lima residents make full use of their beach with regular concerts and numerous sports events and the bay provides a perfect environment for world class surf that attracts surfers from around the world.