Ticket to Antiquity

By: Excellent Student #2 Geography 1303

Professor Max Beauregard

My Trip Around the World

The purpose of my trip is to chronicle and observe ancient and magnificent places from around the world. I leave for my adventure from Houston and arrive in Mérida, México to visit the Mayan city of Chichén Itza. I will be departing from Bush airport on United Airlines on this leg of the trip. So my bags are packed up and ready to go.

So, I bid my hometown farewell, and begin the adventure of my lifetime.

1. Houston, Texas, U.S.A 2. Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico 3. Lima, Peru 4. La Paz, Bolivia 5. Santiago, Chile 6. Melbourne, Australia

7. Phnom Penh, Cambodia 8. Konark, India 9. Petra, Jordan 10. Baalbeck, Lebanon 11. Lalibela, Ethiopia

13. London, England 14. Houston Texas

2. Merida, Yucatan

3. Lima, Peru 4. La Paz, Bolivia

5. Santiago, Chile

6. Melbourne, Australia

7. Phnom, Penh. Cambodia

8. Konark, India

9. Petra, Jordan

10. Baalbek, Lebanon

11. Istanbul, Turkey

13. Lalibela, Ethiopia

15. London, England

1. Houston, Texas

Legend Travel Route Text Identifier

My Destinations

Houston, Texas to Mérida, Yucatán, México.

Depart from Houston, Bush Airport arrive at Mérida, Rejón Airport.

Itinerary Flight: $421.77 (USD) Duration: 3 days Hotel: Presidente Mérida (2 nights) $268.00 (USD) Dining: $120.00 (USD) Taxi: $100.00 (USD) Excursion to Chichén Itza*: $91.95 (USD) *via: www.chichenitzatours.net Approximate total: $1,001.72 (USD)

Paseo de Montejo Catedral de Mérida

Governor’s Palace Old house in Mérida

Market in Mérida

Why Chichen Itza?

This pre-Columbian, Mayan city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. The city itself is considered one the biggest and most diverse in the Mayan world. Also, Chichen Itza boasts architecture from three different

periods of the Mayan civilization, which demonstrates the importance of this city to the Mayans. FUN FACT: On the Spring and Autumn equinoxes, in the late afternoon, the northwest corner of the pyramid casts a series of triangular shadows against the western balustrade on the north side that evokes the appearance of a serpent wriggling down

the staircase.

Temple of the Warriors

Pyramid of Kukulcan, aslo known as “El Castillo” The Observatory

Sacred Cenote Kukulcan during the equinox The “Church”

Mérida,México to Lima, Peru, to Cusco, Peru

Depart from Mérida, Rejón Airport to Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru.

Depart from Chavez International Airport in Lima, Peru to Astete Inernational Airport in Cusco, Peru.

Itinerary Flight: $878.32 (USD) $260.06 (USD) Duration: 3 days *Hotel: $519.00 (USD) [Includes excursion to Machu Pichu] *via www.perurooms.com

Dining: $100.00 (USD) [$266.08 (PEN)] Approximate Total: $1757.38 (USD)

Cusco Main Square at night.

Machu Picchu stands 2,430 m above sea-level, in the middle of a tropical mountain forest, in an extraordinarily beautiful setting. It was probably the most amazing urban creation of the Inca Empire at its height; its giant walls, terraces and ramps seem as if they have been cut

naturally in the continuous rock escarpments. The natural setting, on the eastern slopes of the Andes, encompasses the upper Amazon basin with its rich diversity of flora and fauna.

Reference [short description of Machu Pichu] : whc.unesco.org/en/list/274

Machu Pichu Temple of the Sun Scenic View of Machu Pichu

Inca Trail Intihuatana Stone Different angle of the city

Why Machu Pichu?

Cusco, Peru to La Paz, Bolivia

Depart from Astete Inernational Airport in Cusco, Peru, to El Alto International Airport

Itinerary

Flight: $1,295.23 (USD) Duration: 3 days Hotel “A la Maison”: $120.00(USD) Dining: $100.00 (USD) [$701.01(BOB)] *Transportation [taxi] $60.00 [$30 USD per day] [$420.60 (BOB)] Excursion to Tihuanaco: $10.00 [$70.00 (BOB)] Approximate Total: $1,685.23 (USD)

Church of San Pedro Downtown La Paz Monoliths in Miraflores district

The city of Tiwanaku, capital of a powerful pre-Hispanic empire that dominated a large area of the southern Andes and beyond, reached its apogee between 500 and 900 AD. Its monumental remains testify to the cultural and political significance of this civilisation, which is

distinct from any of the other pre-Hispanic empires of the Americas.

Reference [short description of Tihuanaco] : whc.unesco.org/en/list/567

Why Tihuanaco?

Gateway of the Sun Another angle of Gateway of the Sun Ruins of Tihuanaco

Architecture at Tihuanaco Idol The steps of the Kalasasaya Temple

La Paz, Bolivia to Santiago, Chile

Depart from El Alto International Airport, La Paz, Bolivia to Benitez International Airport, Santiago Chile

Itinerary

Flight: $847.11 (USD) Duration: 3 days *Hotel Altiplanico: $840.00(USD) *[Includes excursion to Easter Island] Dining: $100.00 (USD) [$48,174(CP)] Approximate Total: $1,787.11 (USD)

Easter Island, called by its inhabitants Rapa Nui or Te Pito Te Henua, is the most remote inhabited island in the world. It developed a more complex cultures, comparable only with great megalithic cultures (Egyptian, Inca, Maya) - in extreme isolation. Myth and reality are

confused in this land that gave birth to a unique culture, which makes a valuable Rapa Nui archaeological treasure which transcends the borders of Chile.

Reference [short description of Easter Island ]: www.portalrapanui.cl/easterisland/index.htm

Why Easter Island?

The Moai

Santiago, Chile to Melbourne, Australia

Depart from Benitez International Airport, Santiago Chile to Melbourne International Airport Melbourne, Australia

Itinerary

Flight: $3049.78 (USD) Duration: 4 days Grand Hyatt Melbourne: $870.00(USD) Dining: $300.00 (USD) [$292.56(AUD)] Transportation to Mildura: $476 (USD) Excursion to Mungo $184.57 (USD) National Park [$180.00 (AUD)] Approximate Total: $4,879.57 (USD)

City of Melbourne

Mungo is one of the world's very special places. Aboriginal people have walked at Mungo in the footsteps of their ancestors since the Dreamtime. Scientists have discovered artifacts of this ancient culture dating back over 50,000 years across the expanses of the last ice age.

This makes Mungo one of the oldest places outside of Africa to have been occupied by modern humans since ancient times.

Reference [short description of Mungo National Park]: http://www.visitmungo.com.au/

Why Mungo National Park?

Walls of China Mungo National Park

Red Lake Kangaroos in Mungo Mungo National Park

Melbourne, Australia to Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Depart from Melbourne International Airport Melbourne, Australia to Phnom Penh International Airport in Cambodia

Itinerary

Flight: $821.77 (USD) [$ 800.95 (AUD)] Duration: 4 days Raffles Hotel Le Royal: $1,100.00(USD) Dining: $100.00 (USD) [$408,332 (KHR)] Excursion to Angkor Wat [Transportation included] $124.00 (USD) Approximate Total: $2,145.77 (USD)

Royal Palace Royal Palace – Throne Hall

Phnom Penh - Market Royal Palace – Different Angle Royal Palace – from boat

Angkor is one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia. Stretching over some 400 km2, including forested area, Angkor Archaeological Park contains the magnificent remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century. They include the famous Temple of Angkor Wat and, at Angkor Thom, the Bayon Temple with its countless sculptural decorations. UNESCO has

set up a wide-ranging program to safeguard this symbolic site and its surroundings.

Reference [short description of Angkor Wat] : whc.unesco.org/en/list/668

Why Angkor Wat?

Angkor Bayon Angkor Ta Kheo Temple

Angkor Wat Carvings in Angkor Wat Angkor Wat - Doorway

Angkor Wat - Courtyard

Phnom Penh, Cambodia to Bangalore, India

1. Depart from Phnom Penh International Airport to Bengaluru International Airport

Itinerary

Flight: To Bangalore $425.00 (USD) To and from [$13,036.00 (INR)] Bhubaneshwar $244.00 (USD) Duration: 3 days Mayfair Hotel [$21,165 (INR)] $396.00 (USD) Transportation: [$1000.00 (INR) (Taxi) $18.75 (USD) Excursion to Konarak: (Entrance) $5.00 (USD) Food: $50.00 (USD) Approximate Total: $1,138.75

2. Depart from Bengaluru International Airport to Bhubaneshwar Airport (two way travel)

Lingaraj Temple in Bhubaneshwar State Museum in Bhubaneshwar

On the shores of the Bay of Bengal, bathed in the rays of the rising sun, the temple at Konarak is a monumental representation of the sun god Surya's chariot; its 24 wheels are decorated with symbolic designs and it is led by a team of six horses. Built in the 13th century, it is one

of India's most famous Brahman sanctuaries.

Reference [short description of Konarak] : whc.unesco.org/en/list/246

Why Konarak?

Main Entrance to Sun Temple Sun Temple Konarak – Aerial View

Sculptures at Konarak Sculptures at Konarak

Bangalore, India to Amman, Jordan

1. Bengaluru International Airport to King Khalid International Airport, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Itinerary

Flight: To Riyadh, Saudi Arabia $294.01 (USD) From Riyadh to Amman $319.97 (USD) [$1,210.00 (SAR)] Duration: 4 days Le Méridien Amman $541.83(USD) [$ 384.00 (JOD)] Transportation: $11.28 (USD) (bus to Petra) [$8.00 (JOD)] Excursion to Petra: $127.00 (USD) (Entrance) [$90.00 (JOD)] Food: $200.00 (USD) [$141.74 (JOD)] Approximate Total: $1,494.09 (USD)

2. Depart from King Khalid International Airport to Queen Alia International Airport, Amman Jordan

Amman at night

Inhabited since prehistoric times, this Nabataean caravan-city, situated between the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, was an important crossroads between Arabia, Egypt and Syria-Phoenicia. Petra is half-built, half-carved into the rock, and is surrounded by mountains riddled with passages and gorges. It is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, where ancient Eastern traditions blend with Hellenistic

architecture.

Reference [short description of Petra] : whc.unesco.org/en/list/326

Why Petra?

Entrance to Petra Entrance to Petra - Close Entrance to Petra – At night

Roads of Petra Temple of Winged Lions Camelman, Siq Wall

Amman, Jordan to Beirut, Lebanon

Itinerary

Flight: To Beirut, Lebanon [$293.09 (JOD)] $413.09 (USD) Duration: 3 days Hotel Albergo $1,310.00 (USD) Transportation: $70.00 (USD) (bus to Baalbek) Excursion to Baalbek: $7.97 (USD) (Entrance) [$12,000 (LBP)] Food: $100.00 (USD) [$ 150,499. 96 (LBP)] Approximate Total: $1,900.97 (USD)

Depart from Queen Alia International Airport, Amman Jordan to Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, Beirut Lebanon

Casino Du Liban Beirut at Night Beirut – Aerial View

This Phoenician city, where a triad of deities was worshipped, was known as Heliopolis during the Hellenistic period. It retained its religious function during Roman times, when the sanctuary of the Heliopolitan Jupiter attracted thousands of pilgrims. Baalbek, with its colossal

structures, is one of the finest examples of Imperial Roman architecture at its apogee.

Reference [short description of Baalbek] : whc.unesco.org/en/list/294

Why Baalbek?

Baalbek Roman Sculpture Temple of Bacchus

Columns at Baalbek Stone of Pregnant Woman Round Temple of Venus

Beirut, Lebanon to Lalibela, Ethiopia

Itinerary

Flight: To Lalibela, Ethiopia [$723,600 (LBP)] $483.50 (USD) Duration: 3 days Tukul Village Hotel $165.00 (USD) Transportation: $13.80 (USD) (taxi to village back to airport) $240.00 (ETB) Excursion to Baalbek: $17.26 (USD) (Entrance) [$300.00 (ETB)] Food: $50.00 (USD) [$ 887.91 (ETB)] Approximate Total: $729.56(USD) *Hotel is walking distance from Churches

Depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, Beirut Lebanon to Lalibela Airport

Priest of Lalibela

Foothills near Lalibela Tukul Village Hotel Traditional houses of Lalibela

The 11 medieval monolithic cave churches of this 13th-century 'New Jerusalem' are situated in a mountainous region in the heart of Ethiopia near a traditional village with circular-shaped dwellings. Lalibela is a high place of Ethiopian Christianity, still today a place of

pilmigrage and devotion.

Reference [short description of Lalibela] : whc.unesco.org/en/list/18

Why Lalibela?

Church of St. Geroge viewed from the top

Church of St. Geroge

Walls of Bete Medhane Alem – largest monolithic church in the world

Church of Bet Abba Libanos

Church of Bet Amanuel Church of Bette Maryam

Lalibela, Ethiopia to London, United Kingdom

Itinerary

Flight: To London, England [$10,971.00(ETB)] $631.46(USD) Duration: 3 days The Ritz London [$970 (GBP)] (Breakfast and dinner) $1,569.00 (USD) Bus to and from airport [$7.00 (GBP)] [Heathrow Hoppa] $11.32 (USD) Transportation: $127.87 (USD) (Excursion to Stonehenge) [$79.04(GBP)] Food: $100.00 (USD) [$ 61.81 (GBP)] Approximate Total: $2,439.65(USD)

Depart from Lalibela Airport to Heathrow International Airport London, United Kingdom

Big Ben

London Eye London at Night

Stonehenge and Avebury, in Wiltshire, are among the most famous groups of megaliths in the world. The two sanctuaries consist of circles of menhirs arranged in a pattern whose astronomical significance is still being explored. These holy places and the nearby Neolithic sites are

an incomparable testimony to prehistoric times.

Reference [short description of Stonehenge] : whc.unesco.org/en/list/373

Why Stonehenge?

Stonehenge at Dusk

Stonehenge

Aerial View of Stonehenge Church of Bet Abba Libanos

Different Angle - Stonehenge Druids at Stonehenge

London, United Kingdom to Houston, TX, U.S.A

Depart from Heathrow International Airport to Bust International AIrport

Itinerary Flight: $1,725.80 (USD) $1,063.09 (GBP) Transportation: None [picked up by family] Approximate Total: $1725.80 (USD)

World Trip Grand Total:

*$22,685.60 (USD) Total days abroad: 36

* Total price does not include visas to visit mentioned countries, permits [if needed]

or medicine needed for travel related illnesses, or gratuity at hotels, restaurants, taxis.

World Trip Thoughts:

I was initially surprised to see that the grand total for the entire trip, since it was so low, but after

reviewing what I did it is not too surprising. I took advantage of breakfast and dinner deals at the

hotels, leaving me only to pay for lunch and other meals that I may be tempted to try. I picked

hotels that offered transportation to my destinations, as well as lodging packages at the

destinations [if needed]. Also, I decided to take the most direct approach possible to the

destinations, avoiding other, more popular tourist spots, and leaving almost as soon as possible to

my next destination. Although, in reality, I might take a few days extra in some locations to take

advantage of all the sights, sounds and cuisine these places may end up offering. Also, I am sure

that jet lag will definitely take a toll on how I approach things had I actually been on this trip,

especially with hop scotching all those time zones. All in all I think it this a good first around the

world trip. Now, if I can only make this a reality.

Sincerely,

Excellent Student #2