5th and Final Post - what a trip this has been. It seems like just yesterday we started, but at the same time like we have been in Peru for months, considering all we have seen!
The first photos on this post actually came before the 4th post on our way from Lake Titicaca to Cusco and through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, but the Ancient Lost City of Machu Picchu just had to have its own post. So do make sure to see the 4th post after looking at this one, as Machu Picchu really is something very special.
The Sacred Valley and Cusco are marvelous. Cusco was the capital of the Incan Empire and the Sacred Valley, at a lower elevation, was their agricultural area with special regions for nobility. The soaring Andes mountains, with snow and glaciers, cap off spectacular scenery. Cusco is a wonderful city for walking around and just exploring the Incan/Spanish architecture and little side streets.
The Main Square is one of the prettiest anywhere.
The first photos on this post actually came before the 4th post on our way from Lake Titicaca to Cusco and through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu, but the Ancient Lost City of Machu Picchu just had to have its own post. So do make sure to see the 4th post after looking at this one, as Machu Picchu really is something very special.
The Sacred Valley and Cusco are marvelous. Cusco was the capital of the Incan Empire and the Sacred Valley, at a lower elevation, was their agricultural area with special regions for nobility. The soaring Andes mountains, with snow and glaciers, cap off spectacular scenery. Cusco is a wonderful city for walking around and just exploring the Incan/Spanish architecture and little side streets.
The Main Square is one of the prettiest anywhere.
In Chinceros, in the Sacred Valley, we visited a textile center where they showed us the process.
All the colors are natural, from roots, berries, and various plants.
The weaving is an intricate process that takes many days for one piece.
The scenery on the drive from Cusco to Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu) is stunning.
The high Andes soar to over 20,000 feet above sea level.
Our Vistadome train for the ride from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes
Rick and Denise on the Vistadome train - Babs and Libby in the background
The wild Urubamba River flows right below our hotel!
From this point we spent a day in Machu Picchu (see post #4).
Photos from here are returning from Machu Picchu and include the Incan Capital of Cusco.
Ollantaytambo ruins - the second most important Incan site after Machu Picchu
The Incan masonry was incredible. Notice the jigsaw puzzle style of the walls that made them earthquake proof. Very important in this area of powerful quakes! Spaniards built on Incan walls and in earthquakes, the Spanish buildings came down, but the Incan foundations remained intact!
This 80,000 pound rock in Ollantaytambo was brought from elsewhere.
Our group could not budge it in the slightest!
Libby on the Ollantaytambo ruins with the town in the background
Our group in the Ollantaytambo ruins
In the little town we checked in on a local bakery.
Here the two guys are forming the breads from dough.
This fellow is pulling the baked breads from the oven with a long pole with a hook on the end.
Clothesline photo especially for my sister Vaughn.
Ollantaytambo town is built on Incan foundations
The Incans also had a canal along every street to provide fresh water from the mountains!
These 3 Quechan Ladies were just delightful, sitting there weaving.
The Sacred Valley, the Urubamba River, and the Andes in the background.
Cusco - The Monastery Hotel Courtyard
Incan Statue in the Main Plaza of Cusco
Dinner! This lady sets up a grill on the street corner and sells skewers of meat and potatoes.
Just over a dollar for a meal! Delicious.
The Sun Fountain in front of our hotel, the Sonesta Cusco
Our group behind the fountain
Santo Domingo Church, Cusco
A clear example of Cusco streets with Incan stones and post-Incan construction on top of them
Back to the Monastery Hotel in the daytime - a small chapel in the hotel
Monastery Hotel Courtyard
The Jesuit Church in the Main Square of Cusco
A very discreet McDonalds on the Main Square - no big golden arches!
Fruit vendor along the sidewalk
View of Cusco and Main Square from above
Saqsaywaman - one of the most important Incan sites / fortresses
Christ of the Andes Statue for Cusco
Presented to Cusco by the Palestinians!
A herd of Alpacas accompanied us at Saqsaywaman.
Babs and Libby enjoy their company.
Libby and a lovable alpaca
Temple of the Sun - Qurikancha
Again, the Spaniards built a church and convent on an ancient Incan Temple.
Chris Schlenker had to try the guinea pig for dinner.
Notice it's all there!
We celebrated Babs' birthday with a local musician and cake.
Peruvian dancers entertain us at the restaurant.
We had to have an after-dinner drink at the 5-star Marriott.
The courtyard is typical of Cusco and magnificent.
After an afternoon flight from Cusco to Lima, we had a few hours to kill before our overnight flights back to the USA. So went into the city and toured the historic Gran Hotel Bolivar, one of the most famous old hotels in the city. It must have been something in its day, but unfortunately, during the turbulent years of Peru it was let run down to its current state of merely a 3-star hotel. However, the pisco sours and the dinner were excellent, and we enjoyed walking around the pedestrian zones down to the Main Square before heading back to the airport.
Plaza San Martin from the balcony of the Gran Hotel Bolivar
Presidential Palace on the Main Square at dusk
The moon rises over the Cathedral on the Main Square as we bid farewell to Peru and a wonderful trip!
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