Incredible Incas

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Spent two days in Ollantytambo, which is a beautiful Inca town in the sacred valley, at the foot of a fantastic Inca temple. They build all their stuff as high up the mountain as possible and the architecture and engineering is incredible. They were way ahead of Europeans in so many ways eg they had sussed that the world was round long before we did. Unfortunately they were a long way behind in military hardware so their stones and spears were no match for Spanish cannon! Or smallpox, also brought by the conquistadors. However their legacy has done wonders for Peruvian economy, not to mention t shirt and plastic condor sales!

Ate my first guinea pig (Cuy) a couple of days ago and safe to say, it will be my last. It was orrible...... Crisp greasy skin.....like pork crackling and hardly any meat. No surprise there then! Also my first Pisco Sour..which is the Andean cocktail made from distilled grape juice, lime, and something else to make it frothy...they did tell me but after a few (cos they were rather nice) I sort of forgot. So probably won't be mixing them in the Vestry bar...sorry. Which reminds me...my altitude sickness has gone....funny, it was very similar to the illness that we call a hangover. Curious.

Now moved on to Machu Picchu village (Agua Calientes...yes they have a hot spring here which you can bathe in...gonna need to!). where we stay for 2 days. boarded train at 6am and only allowed to take one very small bag each so will be a bit smelly by Thursday when we return to Cusco. But so will everyone else so no one should notice. I hope.

Spent morning up there at Machu Picchu .....its WAY up....scary bus ride, but WOW.... It is an incredible, magical, experience. Highlight of trip so far. Its a whole original Inca city with palace, temples, houses and central square which the spanish never found so remained intact. Took 100 pics of MP and train ride up sacred valley today, and tomorrow we are going back for more. That's after a 6 am bird watching trip (eat your heart out Lyall !). Today we also saw the smallest kestrel in the world and a couple of days ago, the biggest bird in the world...the Condor. OK so that one was in a sanctuary! The village is very touristy, not surprisingly, but the surroundings are just fantastic. We were advised to bring warm clothes as we are in the high Andes and it would be cold. Its at least 20 degs and hot sunshine all day...we've too much luggage (yes even at 15kg). Even brought hat gloves and thermal base layer! Clearly Lonely Planet was not written for the Scots.

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Photos

Machu Pichu
Tote Amazeballs !

End of Inca Trail
OK…..I never said I did ALL of it, did I ?

More MP
I told you not to buy B&Q !

Llament
Do I smell alpaca Inca oven?

Aqua Calientes
Aka Macho Pichu Pueblo ...last stop before the biggie

MP Llama
Is this my best side?

The root of all evil
Inca building was quake proof but this temple was damaged by 300 yrs of jungle tree roots

MP
There are no words....

More llamas
Terrace or stand ? Just get the pies in...

Comments

[Kelly]

yer makin me want to travel again
Yup, Cris and I may need to sell our new house that we don't yet live in to visit some of these places. I am WELL JEL.

[Sis]

Wow
WOW, WOW & more WOW!! Thanks for sharing pics, amazing! Xxx