活得精采，劉偉澍的學習網站

記者：李宜庭

圖片提供：福特六和汽車主計長劉偉澍先生

傳說中的黃金國度－祕魯

如果你喜歡古文明，如果你喜歡自然景觀，而神秘的祕魯不在你旅遊計劃名單上的話，那你將錯過所有旅行中將遭遇的最精采部分。2005年三月，福特六和汽車主計長劉偉澍 (David) 花了十九天走訪南美洲五國，首站抵達的是南美洲文明古國--秘魯。

沒去過秘魯，你就無法了解南美洲輝煌的過去，就無法體驗南美洲神秘而獨特的歷史文化。去南美旅遊而不去秘魯，那絕對是一大憾事───那相當於你沒去過南美。 福特六和汽車主計長 劉偉澍 先生，從台北搭機飛往美國西部第一大城洛杉磯，隨即轉機飛往秘魯首都利馬，展開其長達19天的南美洲之行首頁。

秘魯位於南美洲的西北部，約為台灣的35.7倍大，西部海岸線長達1500海哩，這個神秘的古王國，仍裹著好幾層不為人知的神秘面紗，等待有心人的了解與探訪，這裡或許不夠富庶，先進、但可是世界上最具觀光價值的國家之一，它擁有極古印加帝國珍貴的文化、及自然遺產亞馬遜雨林蝴蝶、昆蟲、植物等，這也是為什麼祕魯在交通和氣候很差的情況之下，仍然未探險家們所嚮往之故。

利馬/陽光下的君子之都

   秘魯的首都利馬，四季如春，幾乎不下雨，是難得一見的海岸沙漠裡的綠洲都市。走在利馬市中心的Plaza de Armas廣場上，拱廊、馬車、大教堂，交織成一幅令人迷醉的畫面，城區分為新舊兩部分，舊城在北面，多殖民統治時期的建築。舊城多廣場，聖馬丁廣場是首都的中心地區，廣場上矗立著美洲獨立戰爭中建有奇功的民族英雄聖馬丁將軍騎馬塑像。

  第三天一早，劉偉澍隨即展開利馬市區觀光，「阿瑪斯廣場」最利馬最著名為的中央廣場，廣場內有大噴水池，周圍是總統府、市政府、大教堂、大商店和一些殖民地時期有歷史性的建築。

  位於市區的米拉佛羅倫斯，為首都利馬高級住宅區，有露天咖啡廳座、購物場所和浪漫的愛的公寓，位在利馬市的東南邊，新設的飯店、銀行、精品店、商業中心都集中於此，是相當舒適的高級住宅區。

伊基多/ 亞馬遜河密探之旅   

  提到亞馬遜河熱帶雨林，一般人常聯想到的是巴西。其實，全長6788公里的亞馬遜河，上游在秘魯，下游才在巴西。四天的行程中，劉偉澍從首都利馬搭機飛往亞馬遜河流域最大的城市─伊基多，再搭乘機動小船，深入支流水草河，一探黑白顏色分明的河水，運氣好時，還可以看到粉紅色河豚。

  在這個讓原始叢林環抱、以亞馬遜河及其支流作為交通聯繫的城市，乘船沿河而上，可以盡覽兩岸原始風貌。 到了雨林的「旅館」，兩層的木屋，下一層只有四根柱子支撐著第二層，是為了適應當地環境而建的特殊設計。

  深入這個被喚作地球之肺的地方，四周看似安靜、枝幹藤葉緊密交纏，看千百種的綠色植物，如何以緩慢卻強壯的力道織就成濃密的叢林窗簾。劉偉澍一行人，就沿著亞馬遜河，搭乘印地安人的傳統獨木舟，造訪亞馬遜河叢林小屋，不時還得提防大蚊子的襲擊。

  這裡就像是遠離文明世界的一切，村民生病時，有巫醫替她們醫治，還有些就地可取的傳統藥草，四周盛開的熱帶鮮豔花草、旅遊探險頻道才可見到的鱷龜，就如此近在眼前，對都市人來說，花錢踏足雨林沼澤，終究是最珍貴難得的經驗。

庫斯科/太陽子民的住所
  庫斯科是古印加帝國的首都，相傳在十二世紀時，太陽之子－Manco Capac，在旅行時將一條金繩投入人間，這個金繩掉落的地點被稱為「世界的中心」，Manco Capac便在此成立了印加國，成為印加國第一任國王。

  在庫斯科，可以看到世界上最為複雜的文明，它曾是雄霸南美大陸近五個世紀的印加帝國的首都，城市本身融合了印加及殖民式風格，在這裡，可欣賞其建築於印加文化基礎上的殖民式結構之神廟及教堂。再者，身為印加的首都，這是可發現最重要的印加遺跡的地方。

  上午劉偉澍從利馬搭機飛往庫斯科，稍事休息後，先適應高山氣壓之不同，隨後展開古印加帝國的廢墟之旅，俯看庫斯科城的軍事堡壘莎賽瓦曼堡、甘果印加廟宇、唐波馬查沐浴場及普卡普卡拉堡壘。

  於海拔3326公尺的庫斯科，舉目全是矮樓房、石板道，位於庫斯科高地上的沙賽瓦曼堡，曾是印加帝國的宗教、軍事、政治中樞，有如皇宮一樣，進入印加消失之城最令人印象深刻的方法是徒步，沿著美麗的石砌道路，爬上石階，穿過地下通道、通過無數令人注目的要塞，為沿路最主要的景色。

  普卡-普卡拉，意為「紅色要塞」，因為這裡的石頭在傍晚會變成美麗的紅色。爬上最頂端，可眺望遠處雪封的山頂，下至叢林，看起來更像是越過茂盛的熱帶植物的綠色隧道。

馬丘比丘/失落的城市

   1911年美國耶魯大學賓加姆教授，循著祕魯獨立戰爭的領導者Simon Bolivar將軍的足跡而至，他在原住民處聽說山上有遺蹟，便攀上長滿灌木與蔓草的危崖，發現了這一大片的遺蹟。

  馬丘比丘遺蹟即是聞名的失落之城，這個在印加帝國仍然存在的時候，就已經被荒廢了，她真正的歷史，為何人去樓空，至今仍是難解的謎團，為一探這個做雲端上的天空之城，劉偉澍接著從庫斯科搭乘約半天的火車，一訪這個沉睡四百年的要塞都市。

  高高在上、非常接近太陽神的馬丘比丘是神秘而聖潔的，站在馬丘比丘，會覺得整座要塞就像是浮在雲端一般，往下可以清楚的俯視烏蘭巴溪谷，但若從半山腰往上看，則根本看不到這個地方，無怪乎此處被稱為空中之城。

  馬丘比丘是座頂上築有神殿、宮殿、祭壇、澡堂、千級的階梯、梯田梯園等石造建築所形成的要塞都市，主要可分為三個區域：墓園區、監獄區以及神廟區。整座廢墟最壯觀的，是那一望無際的梯田。

  看到馬丘比邱那一剎那，長途跋涉的辛苦頓時化為烏有，位於海拔25200公呎高的這裡，周邊盡是懸崖及間如刀鞘的山峰，精巧排列的石造建築物，蓋在階梯式的築台上，印加民族最出色的文明特徵，就是以石頭作為建材的建築技術，建造房子石頭的間隙，薄到只有一張紙可以插進去的程度，可見其咬合的精密。

的的喀喀湖/蘆葦浮島自給自足

  的的喀喀湖是祕魯、波利維亞兩國的天然國界，也是南美洲最大、世界上可行駛渡輪、高度最高的湖泊。約1000年前，烏洛族的老祖宗為避開具侵略性的印加人和對岸玻利維亞西部的Collas族人，而建造浮島，將自己的族群「隔離」在的的喀喀湖中央，世代相傳，只跟同族人通婚，只講自己的語言直至今日，烏羅人仍堅持繼續自給自足地過著原始生活。

  湖上最新奇的景觀是烏洛族人的蘆葦浮島，這是由數層晒乾的蘆葦編織而成，僅靠幾枝竹枝插在水底固定位置，烏羅人居住其上，過著自給自足的生活，等到觀光客上岸，再兜售一些手工藝品。

  雖然在普諾港口有許多船家吆喝，招攬遊客搭乘草船到浮島遊覽，但島上的原住民還在過著最原始、最具傳統秘魯色彩的生活，縱使每日的遊客不絕，他們的生活仍沒有太大的改變，大概沒有剩下多少地方，可以像烏洛族人一般，在文明的入侵下，仍然能保持純淨的原始生活吧！

地理位置：位於南美洲西北部，西臨太平洋，北接厄瓜多及哥倫比亞，南鄰智利，東則與巴西、玻利維亞為界。

國土面積：1,310,575平方公里(約台灣36.5倍)

人口：２,339萬人

首都：利馬Lima

語言：官方語言為西班牙語、克丘瓦語

宗教信仰：羅馬天主教

時差：－13小時

氣候：西部海岸地區氣候溫暖少雨，年均溫攝氏20度左右；東部森林地帶潮濕且較炎熱，山岳地帶除了高原外，大部份地區都是常春的氣候，年均溫在攝氏28度以上。海岸區冬季從6月至9月，期間山區多陽光普照。豪雨多出現於山區及叢林區，從12月開始延續至4月。平均氣溫，海岸地帶在攝氏 14 度- 22度之間；山岳帶約攝氏9度-18度之間；森林地帶則終年氣溫都在攝氏28 度以上。

禁忌

匯率：須以美元兌換，1美元約為3.2９新索爾（Nuevo Sol）

電壓： 220伏特，少部份是110伏特。

重要節日： 八月三十日 ：聖太羅莎紀念日。

簽証：採落地簽，持中華民國護照，只要有來回機票及有效護照，不需簽證即可進入秘魯觀光旅遊，觀光停留期間90天內免簽證。秘魯駐台北商務辦事處：台北市基隆路一段333號2411室 02-27577017

A Trip to South America    by David W. S. Liu

 (March 1 to March 19, 2005 )   

 

 Columbus discovered America (landed on somewhere around Central America ) in year 1,492 with financial aid from Queen Elizabeth, Spain.  Therefore, a lot of people immigrated from Spain from 1,500 to 1,700 A.D. South America was conquered by Spain and most of South America countries speak Spanish (only Brazil speaks Portuguese).  In this connection, we also called South America as Latin America . After colonial control; they gradually overthrew Spanish ruling and were replaced by military ruling from the army and towards democratic politics nowadays.

Natural resources are very rich in South America , but their economies are still very much in the process of development. Personal income per person per year is relatively low, ranging from US$1,000 to US$5,000. Safety is a concern for tourist, while I took picture in Lima early in the morning by myself, two policemen warned me to be careful not to be robbed on the street.  In Rio de Janeiro , local tour guide reminded us not to bring camera or too much money (only keep US$10 in your pocket in case you were robbed) when we walked on the famous beach right in front of the Sofitel Rio Hotel. South America is very different from North America; South American speaks Spanish, still developing, majority are Indian and European white peoples; while North American are white and black peoples, speaks English, highly developed economy.

 

United States is unbelievable, we just “in transit” from LA to San Jose, still required immigration process for visitor arrival and visitor departure checks, baggage claimed and checked in again, security check in details, … and happen to be my US visa was due and I need to apply another US new visa + visa interview and cost me extra US$120!  We are also required to apply certification of our bank account and job certification for the visa application from Brazil , Bolivia ( Bolivia even asked for a visa interview in Taipei ), … Long distance travel plus bureaucracy are the two major reasons prevent visitors from Asia to travel in South America .

There is NO direct flight from Asia to South America .  We took Eva Air from Taipei to Los Angeles (12 hours + transit 5 hours), from L.A. to San Jose , Costa Rica (6 hours + transit 1 hours), then 3 hours from San Jose to Lima (the capital of Peru ); total 27 hours, a long way to reach and tiresome to start with our journey.



Peru is a fantastic virgin land for tourist to explore.  You can take a day to Iquitos (1,500 k.m. from Lima ) Amazon River and Indian aborigines in the original undeveloped rain forest.  There is no light, no current civilization, lots of mosquitoes (I was bite, swelling and very itchy), children were raised by mother land.  We gave them some pencils, ball pens, candies and I took a lot of pictures of them as well.  I wondered whether we can adopt a child and provide some financial aid for the children in the jungle.  They are so remote and not changed by the civilization and still live a way long time ago as we saw from the Discovery channel.

You also can spend a day or two in Cusco (3,400 meters height), an ancient capital of Inca Empire.  One day to Machupechu, the last missing city of Inca Empire , was build on the top of a mountain back to 15 century. 

 Titicaca Lake (4,000 meters) is located at the boarder of Peru and Bolivia .  The lake is huge, 8,400 square k.m. (quarter size of Taiwan – 36,000 square k.m.; 7.6 times of Hong Kong -1,103 square k.m.).  Boat sailing on Titicaca Lake is very enjoyable; the sky is so blue, the air is so fresh, the lake is so clean, … what else you can ask for your life when you were there. We also visited two small islands on the lake.  Some people are not suitable to travel on 3,000-4,000 meters highland.  If you are able to adjust your body to get used to 4,000 meters height; travel in Cusco, Puno, Titicaca Lake is highly recommended. 

 

 La Paz (3.800 meters height), the capital of Bolivia, is the highest capital in the world.  The whole city is built on the valley and surrounded by the mountains.  All buildings, houses were built on the slope of the mountain, you can see white snow on the top of one very high mountain.  La Paz means ‘peace’ in Spanish.  Tiwanaka is their ancient culture which is far more earlier than Inca ancient civilization. 

We took LAN Chile from La Paz , Arica , Iquiqui, to Santiago , the capital of Chile and it took a whole day flight.  There are 10 flights in total in our trip.  From Santiago , via San Pablo to Rio de Janeiro , Brazil , it takes another whole day flight.  Several times we need to wake up 4 a.m. in the morning to catch up 7 a.m. 8 a.m. flight in the morning.  One-day city tour in Santiago , Chile took two-day travel; one day from La Paz to Santiago and one day from Santiago to Rio de Janeiro .

 

If there is one vital celebration in Brazil, it is Carnival.  Carnival and Brazil are synonymous with each other.  The Redeemer’s stature, the magnificent piece, hovering over the city against the sky; it stands for the dreams of the past comes true.  It is also the symbol of today’s Brazil , shining its light towards the future.  Rio de Janeiro means ' river of January ' in Portuguese.

Lago de Itaipu is the largest hydroelectric power plant in the world.  Iguazu Falls is the largest fall in the world and located at the border of Argentina and Brazil .  The waterfall is so magnificent when you stand beneath the falls.  Like a Chinese saying that thousand soldiers and ten thousand horses in front of you and suddenly, you felt that you were so little, you were so small when you stand in front the great water falls.

 

Buenos Aries (11 million population), Argentina is the largest city in South America . Argentina is the 31st countries I traveled. Buenos Aires , means ‘clean air’ in Spanish, is a very modern city and famous for 'the Paris of the South America '.  Again, dinner is very late (same as in Spain ).  We had a dinner at Chanta Cuatro (the most famous Tango show in Buenos Aires) from 9 p.m. to 12 p.m. (the first one and half hour for a beef steak dinner, red wine and the other one and half hour for the famous Tango show). 

You can see playing football all the time in everywhere over there.  While I stayed at Sheraton hotel in Buenos Aires , football is on air and right next the Sheraton, 2 football fields were playing football as well.  I found very few people speak English in South America .  I am surprised when I passed immigration office in Chile , even the immigration officer cannot speak English and have to ask the local tour guide to translate into Spanish for him.  Another thing I don’t quite like is oftentimes there is someone take a picture of the tourist (while at airport arrival, at dinner, attending Samba dance show, Tango show, or take boat, …) and ask for US$5 for the picture taken.  



On my way back, it took me 35 hours from Buenos Aries back to Taipei .  6 hours from Buenos Aries to Lima (plus 1 hour transit), 3 hours from Lima to San Jose plus 3 hours transit, 6 hours from San Jose to Los Angles and 2 hours transit, 14 hours from LA to Taipei.  I was exhausted and very tired after the long flight.  However, it is nice to see the South America in person.  To see is to believe.  It is nice to take a look of Latin America landscape; it is nice to see Samba, Tango in person not in TV; it is nice to taste South America foods; it is nice to learn a little bite of Inca ancient civilization; and it is also nice to meet South America people over there.  God bless South America .

  
Note was taken on my way back

David W. S. Liu

March 19, 2005

 

***************

 
 
 Travel 趴趴走
 
 David 帶你 環遊世界 行遍天下
 
 劉 偉 澍
 

 
 
「Travel 趴趴走
 
 David 帶你 環遊世界 行遍天下」by 劉 偉 澍
 
1. You can purchase this new book from 北中南 book stores at
 
     誠品書店, ... major book stores

2. MSRP (Market Suggest Retail Price) at NT$250 per book

3. Author 劉偉澍 David W. S. Liu 
 
4. Publisher 獨家 岀版社

5. Start to sell in October 2005; 十月新書上架
 
Your assistance on this will be highly appreciated.  Thanks.

Some friends told me that they cannot find my book at the book stores. I checked the PChome Google internet and found out following internet book stores do have my books available.  You can check with Google searching machine if you do need one. Have a nice day.
 
•         搜主義網路複合式書店 
 
•         國立台北科技大學網路書店 
 
•         新學友bookstore Travel趴趴走
 
•         http://www.books.com.tw/

•         博客來網路書店
 
** 20% discount special offer for internet book shopping at NT$198 per book.