Peru: To Lake Titicaca and Back

 

 

Raqchi

 

Some day people will pay to fly over to see these...

just like the Nazca lines!

 

Continuing to higher altitudes

 

'shopping lots' with a view

 

 

Arrival at Lake Titicaca

 

Approaching the island of Uros...one of the floating islands

made of totora reeds.

 

 Several families live on the sections

that are tied together. However, if a family doesn't work, they

cut that part of the island off...literally. The non-workers must float

around to find another island that will accept them.

The original group will take them back in a couple of

weeks if they are ready to work and make a contribution.

Very comfortable to the feet and to the seats

The reeds are edible...similar to celery.

 

 

Many demonstrations

 

 

 

 

The residents divided our group to show us their houses

and crafts.

 

Our family with our souvenir

Each island had it's own style of boat.

We rode in this one.

 

The boat ride to lunch....

...on the 'solid island' of Taquile

 

Knitting

 

I had heard about people who knitted while

they walked, but I had to visit Peru to see it.

 

Very natural soap

 

 

In Puno

 

 

Sillustani

 

Lake Umayo

Photo credit:  Maryellen

 

While in the Puno area, we stayed in the Taypikala Hotel Lago.

What a lovely place to be while the rains came down!

And, if we had only known from the beginning...the nicest

gift shop. Would we have waited until then to buy all?

Probably not!

 

Following this morning's adventure, we went to the airport for a flight

to Lima. A quick goodbye to some, then another night and a bit more

visiting with a few in Lima. Flint and I saw everyone else off the next

morning before our later departure.

 

Edda, who was our meeter-greeter-fixer, is one of the most

delightful people. Everyone who arrives and departs Lima needs

to receive her warm welcome and gracious farewell. 

 

 

Another trip of a lifetime! The 'new world' of South America

has opened, and we're ready to see more of it.

Peru: Machu Picchu

 

Yes, Flat Stanley, traveled with us!

Settling into our

seats on the train that would take us to Machu Picchu

 

 

View from the train as we followed the

Urubamba River.

 

 

The town where we spent the night

at El Santuario Hotel

  

 

 

We moved quickly to put our belongings away so we

could catch the bus that would take us to the

City of the Incas

 

Mystical comes to mind to describe this incredible site. And, mist-ical will do, too, as the clouds came in rather quickly with much rain.

 

 

 

 

People share the stairs with llamas.

 

 

No cement used in any of the stonework

 

 

 

 

The rain poured so we went to the only lunch spot within

the area at Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge.

Luckily, our tickets included the meal so we didn't

have to stand in the ever-lengthening line that formed.

In my opinion this meal ranks at the bottom of our

Peruvian experience as it was a buffet feeding frenzy...

BUT, only one less-than-wonderful hour or so

in two weeks isn't bad at all!

 

View from the room

El Santuario Hotel

 

As much as I love listening to running water,

waves, rain...the loud roar of the

Urubamba forced us to close the windows

for sleeping.

 

Recycling/reusing in action

 

 

 

The next day....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After meeting David, Ritchie, and Maryellen along the way,

I headed toward the Inca Bridge to meet Flint who

had visited the Sun Gate early in the morning.

 

At the beginning of the Inca Bridge trail, there is

checkpoint with a book that all hikers must sign when

they begin and end the walk.

 

Now this was the first time that I had signed my new

age. What a rude awakening!!! Could this be me on

the page/trail with all these 20-30 year old people?!

For a few minutes, I felt a bit old!

 

A trail marker

 

See how narrow this trail was!

 

As I planned this trip, I thought my only regret would be

that we didn't walk the Inca Trail. After seeing the heights

and widths of some areas, I only regret it a little.

 

I read Turn Right at Machu Picchu upon our return, and 

thoroughly enjoyed the author's adventure without having

to experience 'The Trail' myself. If you have any

interest in this area and its history, please read this fascinating

and entertaining book.

 

Meeting Matt and Christine on the trail

 

 

Deb and Kathleen

~ one of my favorite pics ~

 

After going back into town, we wandered around, tasted cuy (guinea pig),

ate ice cream, bought souvenirs, and stopped by the Inkaterra before our train ride

back through the valley, bus to Cusco, and finally to laundry sorting

and a sound sleep in Cusco.