The New Seven Wonders

"Our Heritage is our Future"- after months of speculations and conjectures, the final 7 have been declared. With the ultimate verdict coming from the world community, the coveted new seven wonders are listed, followed by the their significances.

1. Chichen Itza, Mexico- Served as the political and economic hub of the Mayan civilization.

2. Christ Redeemer, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil- A 38 meter tall statue of Christ, perched atop the Corcovado mountain overlooking the city of Rio de Janeiro. Designed by Brazilian Heitor da Silva Costa and created by French sculptor Paul Landowski, it took 5 years to construct the statue, and was inaugurated on October 12, 1931.

3. The Great Wall of China, China- Dating from 220 BC, this is the largest man-made monument ever to have been constructed and "is the only monument visible from space".

4. Machu Picchu, Peru- Built in the 15th century by the Incan Emperor Pachacútec, this is an extraordinary settlement lying halfway up the Andes Plateau, deep in the Amazon jungle and above the Urubamba River. A wonder in itself, going by its location in the clouds!

5. Petra, Jordan- Situated on the edge of the great Arabian Desert, Petra was the sparkling capital of the Nabataean empire of King Aretas IV (9 B.C. to 40 A.D.). The tunnel constructions and water chambers, a 4000 capacity Graeco-Roma-styled theater, the Palace Tombs of Petra, with the 42-meter-high Hellenistic temple facade on the El-Deir Monastery, exemplifies the high culture of the Middle East.

6. The Roman Colloseum, Italy- Dating from over 2000 years, this amazing amphitheater in the centre of Rome was built to give favors to successful legionnaires and to celebrate the glory of the Roman Empire.

7. The Taj Mahal, India- Completed in 1658, this majestic mausoleum was built by Shah Jahan, the fifth Muslim Mogul emperor, in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal. It's an epic of love created in white marble.

But my own judgement is somewhat different-

Instead of the Roman Colloseum, I vote for the Acropolis, Greece. The symbol of the Greek Civilization, the Acropolis was believed to radiate power and protection for its citizens.

I think, Kremlin/St. Basil, Russia, deserves to be in place of the Christ Redeemer!


The finalists-

The Acropolis, Greece
Alhambra, Spain
Angkor, Cambodia
Statues of Easter Island, Chile
Eiffel Tower, France
Hagia Sophia, Turkey
Kiyomizu Temple, Japan
Kremlin/St. Basil, Russia
Neuschwanstein Castle, Germany
Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
Statue of Liberty, USA
Stonehenge, United Kingdom
Sydney Opera House, Australia
Timbuktu, Mali

Whatever our individual judgments be, let's work for the restoration and preservation of these monuments that symbolize the human race itself.

Ancient Cities III: Copan

Copan takes us to what can possibly be called the Mayan world of rituals and ceremonies. This was basically a religious center inhabited by priests and other members of the Lowland Maya ruling class.

This culture, which reached its pinnacle during the period between A.D. 600 and 800, was nurtured by a chain of city-states running south from the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico to Honduras.

Today, on a tour of Copan, one comes face to face with the mammoth pyramids, streets and causeways, each replete with tales of humiliation and torture perpetrated on the captured rivals as well as the bizarre rituals of a bestial nature, where the rulers cut or pierced the ears, cheeks, tongues and genitals of the captives.

However, the most interesting part of your visit to Copan is the Ballcourt - the place where teams played a rubber ball game in front of spectators from the royal family. Another must see is the Hieroglyphic Stairway, depicting the royal lineage of Copan.

Where is Copan?

Copan is located in western Honduras, just 5 miles from Guatemala.

Book cheap airfares to Guatemala

Ancient Cities II: Tikal

Going forward, if Chichen Itza is the paradigm of Mayan adaptibility and city architecture, Tikal gives us an insight into what the largest city of the Classical Period of Mayan culture could have been.

Rising all of a sudden from the unforgiving Peten forest of Guatemala, during its prime, Tikal served as home to an estimated 50,000 residents! Time was when Tikal was dominated by pyramids soaring towards the sky, paved streets, water reservoirs and intricate stone carvings reflecting the rulers and the founding myths of the Mayan society.

Thanks to the archaeologists and researchers, many of the ancient temples and structures have been meticulously restored. What you can't miss on a tour of Tikal is the Temple of the Great Jaguar. This is the tomb of Ah-Cacaw, the greatest king that Tikal ever saw. A sight of the statue of Ah-Cacaw on the apex of the Temple of the Great Jaguar illumined by afternoon sun is a feats for the eyes. Besides, over 3,000 buildings and 200 stone monuments remain concealed in the surrounding forest!

Where is Tikal?

Tikal is located in Peten, Guatemala, 60 miles west of the Belize border.

Where to Stay?

Tikal offers fantastic accommodation facilities. Check these hotels:

1. La Casa De Don David
Aldea El Remate
Tel: (502)306-2190

2. Hotel Isla De Flores
Avenida La Reforma
Tel: 926-0614

3. Hotel Bar and Restaurant El Faisan
Ciudad Flores
Tel: 926-1322

Book cheap airfares to Flores

Ancient Cities I: Chichen Itza

History has been good to us! For families who're looking for a historical vacation, an ancient kind, the Americas alone brags some of the most spectacular cities from the ancient world.

The Anasazis, the Incas, the Mayas, Aztecs, and Olmecs — all of them were master architects, astronomers and mathematicians, with their cities showcasing their art of building cities. No doubt, human achievement is fleeting, but the tides of time do bring us face to face with fragments of past achievements.

So, the Mayan city of Chichen Itza, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico (southeast of Merida)is a miracle of ancient achievement. You'll be surprised to know how the Mayas settled and adapted to the hostile nature of this region. The region consists of merely a few inches of soil on hard limestone and receives little moisture. However, the adaptability of the Mayas is sensational!

Chichen Itza was developed as a powerful city and trade center dealing in for cloth, slaves, honey and salt, which reached its pinnacle from circa 800 to 1200.

What's most prominent here, today, is the ruin of El Caracol, a sophisticated astronomical observatory. Did you know that Chichen Itza has one of the largest ball-playing courts of the Mayan world. This is perhaps one of the best kept secrets of the city. A bas-relief at the site depicts the captain of a losing team being decapitated before the ruling-class audience. Another cool sight here is the the image of a serpent created by shadows on Kukulan Pyramid.

So, next time when you think about Mexico, think beyond Cancun and Acapulco!!