The+Amazing+Voyages

Voyage #1, Traveling to the East: For Kublai Khan


 * in 1271, Marco was about 17
 * traveled to the port city of Acre
 * then to Jerusalem
 * got oil from Jesus's tomb
 * and letters from the new pope
 * from Jerusalem they traveled through (what is now) Turkey, Iraq and Iran
 * to the port of Humuz on the Persian Gulf
 * they hoped to travel east by boat
 * but the boats were not sturdy enough
 * decided to go by land
 * traveled along parts of the SILK ROAD
 * Polos traveled north and east
 * across deserts and mountains
 * journey: LONG AND HARD
 * traveled through Iran and entered Afghanistan
 * stayed in Afghanistan: 1 year
 * Marco was probably sick (historians think it was "malaria")
 * traveled across the Pamir Mountains
 * crossed the Taklimakan Desert
 * then the Gobi Desert (about a monthe to cross the Gobi)
 * saw no animals
 * finally they reached Cathay
 * they visited Kublai Khan at his summer palace in Shangdu
 * taken them 3 years

Kublai Khan:

Marco enjoyed telling the Khan about his journeys and the people he visited -Marco traveled to places rarely seen by Europeans -Marco journeyed to India -visited countries (that are now) Vietnam and Burma
 * was delighted with the return of Niccolo and Maffeo
 * took a special interest in Marco
 * -Marco could speak several languages
 * for more than 15 years the Polos traveled throughout China for Kublai Khan
 * sent Marco on missions


 * returning to Kublai Khan Marco entertained him with his interesting tales

Marco Polo impressed by:

-a system of rivers and canals started by the Chinese in 500 B.C. -more than 1,000 miles long -connects the two major waterways of China (the Yangtze and the Yellow Rivers)
 * the incredible riches of Kublai Khan
 * In Marco's book he talked about:
 * the beauty of the palace and grounds
 * the palace was surrounded with a huge park
 * parties for up to 40,000 people
 * the Grand Canal
 * used coal for fuel (Europeans did not yet do)
 * used paper money instead of coins
 * had a mail system

Return to Europe:


 * after many years in China the Polos wanted to go back to Venice
 * Kublai Khan did not want them to go
 * At last, he let the Polos leave
 * agreed to accopany a Mongolian princess to Iran
 * for her wedding to the Khan's great nephew
 * Polos sailed from China in 1291
 * 14 ships ; 16 people
 * sailed through South China Sea, stopping in Vietnam, Malaysia and Sumatra
 * spent some time in Ceylon (now Sri Lanka)
 * sailed along the west coast of India
 * on their way home to Homuz
 * took the princess to Iran - there they learned that the great Kublai Khan had died
 * on their way home, the Polos were attacked by bandits
 * robbers-stole most of their gold and other riches
 * finally reaching Venice in 1295
 * had been gone for 24 years
 * Marco: left Venice when he was 17; was now 41 years old