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.

Peru: Cusco, Sacsayhuaman National Park, Sacred Valley of the Incas

....and the best birthday cake ever!!!

We retraced our steps back to Iquitos for a flight to Lima where our crew from Atlanta joined us. Due to a transportation strike, we sat on the runway for thirty minutes. People waited patiently as all seemed thankful that the plane would GO to the destination of Cusco. Seated near the wings, we saw why no flights enter Cusco at night. The pilots must fly between a narrow pass in the mountains.

Now at a higher altitude, we sipped the coca tea available all the time at the Imperial Cusco Hotel.  Eager for clean clothes, most of us had laundry to send out. To go ahead and end this part of the story....some of the laundry came back; some slightly damp; some pieces were returned to other people, but it was all within our group; some laundry was left, and we collected it upon our return from Machu Picchu when we spent one more night here.

Another wonderful guide with us, we set out for the center of Cusco decorated for Christmas.

The Cathedral of Cusco

Probably the most recognizable building in Cusco

and known for its famous painting of

The Last Supper with cuy (guinea pig).

David, Ritchie and I woke up early the next morning to

make sure we didn't miss it.

JP and Lewis took a break from the rest of us....but,

not for long!!!

Matt joined them just in time for the bargaining.

After JP and Flint, I had known David and Ritchie longer than

anyone else on the trip. Maryellen, a former colleague and

'Golden Girl'. (Three of us who retired together used that

as our theme.)

Photo credit: Ritchie

After the delicious meal, what a surprise!!! Especially since

my birthday was the following day! But, I'm sure the people

who were responsible for this knew how good this cake

would taste. Tres leches baked over a charcoal fire.

I know that I have eaten some fine cakes in my life,

but this had to be the BEST!

Photo credit:  Ritchie

Early on the trip, we made a pact not to share

any pictures that weren't flattering of everyone

in them. This one isn't, but the surprise factor

 won out. Andean music and dancing

followed. Tankar Peru at

Tayta Inti

 

Photo credit:  Someone else with Ritchie's camera

Our guide who would be with us for the next few days and

our crew who enjoyed the evening for a while longer.

Such a memorable evening!

Thank you, Ed!!!

 

 

Beginning the day at Sacsayhuaman National Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of Cusco

Good view of the Main Plaza where we were last night

A minor setback when the bus had a problem...

time for contemplation and checking for fever

 

 

 

 

A happy customer with a happy vendor!

 

When there are no customers...

 

 

 

 

 

The best shoulder ever to lean on!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Official Birthday Portrait

 

Flint and I had another discussion just the other day

about this moment.I did not plan to climb up that high

as it's more of a bother on the descent.

 

Bless his heart, he came down to get

me, immortalized this moment, then let me stick

like glue to his back going down the

stony steps.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We enjoyed another birthday celebration at

La Casona De Yucay Hotel....

one of my favorites - maybe since it

was built to be a hacienda. I would love to spend

more time in this beautiful location.

 

Early morning wake up to catch the train to Machu Picchu.