Blogs from Cusco, Cusco, Cusco, Peru, South America - page 11

The first city we visited in Peru definitely didn’t disappoint. Cuzco, once the capital of the infamous Inca Empire is now the capital of tourism in the country. And there is a reason why. The city is immaculately maintained and differs little from many years ago. It is a place that is steeped in history, South America's oldest and continually inhabited city.The main square, known as the Plaza de Armas, is a large area surrounded by two massive churches and lots of two story balcony laden buildings all restored to the colonial fashion (the Spanish finally attained the city from the Quechan people in the 1500s). The big US companies such as Mc Donald’s, Starbucks and KFC that are on the square are not immediately recognisable as they could not put their commercial signage or style ... read more

The Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) took place in Cuzco on 24 June. We decided not to buy tickets, which ranged from US$45 - $160, but to enjoy what was going on around town. We were woken at dawn by the sound of fireworks but we decided that a warm bed beat a splash of colour! At 10:00 am we heard drums beating and this time we ventured down to the street. As luck would have it we were only a few metres away from the parade route. We watched the dancers go by in colourful costumes, then the queen, the king’s entourage and the current Inca king, flanked by about 50 policemen. We rushed around to the main square to view what was happening there. We found a reasonable viewing place and found ourselves ... read more

שלום לכולם! יומיים אחרי הטרק למאצו פיצו, יצאנו לטיול רפטינג של 3 ימים, על נהר אפורימק שבפרו. סך הכל הרפטינג זה 60% של שייט נוח על מים רגועים ו 40% שייט על רפידים (בעברית תקינה זה נקרא - אשדות. זה רמת הגלים והאבנים והבלאגן שנוצר בנהר במקומות מסוימים). הרפידים ששטנו בהם נעו בין רמה 1 לרמה 5. ברמה 6 יצאנו מהנהר והלכנו - כי זה כבר סכנת חיים. רמות 1,2 זה לילדים, הסירה פשוט מחליקה עליהם. רמה 3 ו - 4 זה כבר יותר כיף. המדריך צועק -יאללה קדימה (כן, הוא צועק בעברית! מכיוון שרק ישראלים עושים את הרפטינג הזה, כל המדריכים יודעים קצת עברית), וכל החברה בסירה - היינו 6 - מתחילים לחתור קדימה. הגלים שוטפים אותך מכל הכיוונים, הסירה נמצאת במצב כמעט מאונך למים, ואתה כבר לא מבין אם אתה חותר במים או באויר.אחרי ... read more

1st June Last day before the Big Birthday (thank you for all the wishes). It has been a chilled out day, went for a leisurely walk up a small incline to ensure my legs will handle the trekking tomorrow and it went well. Not too many stops were needed other than to admire the scenery...views down to Cusco! First thing this morning I stumbled across what appeared to be a practise run of some form of ceremonial sequence in the grounds just round the corner from my hotel. The majority of participants were school children....what a great way to spend a morning away from the class room! In addition there were several public displays around the main squares with traditional Peruvian dancing and music, where the participants were in the local costumes....very colourful. Later in the ... read more

So after 32,000 kms travelled by air sea and land, (4,500 km Punta Arenas-Cusco direct), 72,500 words typed out with one finger on my I-touch and uploaded into 49 stories I find myself sat at a Starbucks cafe in Lima airport with a tall mocha and cream typing out my 50th and final tale. Destination -London and then onto the west country and home for a decent bath and pint of real ale. I have just flown into Lima from Cusco and have 5hrs on the ground before next flight. It was a choice between a $50, 26hr uncomfotable bus ride or $120, 70min smooth flight. No contest really. I have spent the last few days resting after the Inca Trail hike and have used that time wandering around Cusco visiting buildings and museums to gain ... read more