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Ollantaytambo Idyll

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South America » Peru » Cusco » Ollantaytambo
May 20th 2013
Published: November 26th 2013
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At the end of the Sacred Valley of the Incas, lies Ollantaytambo, a travelers' dream. Small and peaceful, with only 2000 people, it lies along two rivers and is tucked between mountains covered with Incan ruins. The old town is unique--the best preserved, still-inhabited Incan city with its original layout, stone walls and houses, and cobbled streets with their water canals. Truly a walk back in t... Read Full Entry



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Tara Cloud
taracloud
taracloud
I´m a one-way ticket, slow traveler, relishing the freedom of the open road and trusting serendipity to guide my journey. When I was younger, I used to travel for a year at a time. Then a few years ago, I roamed Europe and North Africa for three and a half years and liked that even better. On August 1st, 2010, I left my peaceful Mission Canyon paradise in Santa Barbara's mellow summer and emerged from a couple of planes a day and a world later in the teeming, sub-zero streets of Buenos Aires´winter. Now, with the Andes, Amazon and Galapagos between here and home, will three years be enou... full info
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Platform of the Carved SeatPlatform of the Carved Seat
Platform of the Carved Seat
at ceremonial site, next to Sun Temple Wall
unique step pattern carved into Sun Templeunique step pattern carved into Sun Temple
unique step pattern carved into Sun Temple
residential building in the ruins with niches for sacred objectsresidential building in the ruins with niches for sacred objects
residential building in the ruins with niches for sacred objects
cut stones, but in rough style
Inca trail linking Sacred Area with other areasInca trail linking Sacred Area with other areas
Inca trail linking Sacred Area with other areas
perfectly carved niches all over the mountainsideperfectly carved niches all over the mountainside
perfectly carved niches all over the mountainside
perfect stone work at ruinsperfect stone work at ruins
perfect stone work at ruins
granaries at the archaeological sitegranaries at the archaeological site
granaries at the archaeological site
one thatched as it was originally
granaries and tombs on my mountaingranaries and tombs on my mountain
granaries and tombs on my mountain
Incan town streets with ruins aboveIncan town streets with ruins above
Incan town streets with ruins above
street with water channel and stone stops bridging to housestreet with water channel and stone stops bridging to house
street with water channel and stone stops bridging to house
secrets of the Incassecrets of the Incas
secrets of the Incas
What were those long notches for?
pavement rising into wall for stabilitypavement rising into wall for stability
pavement rising into wall for stability
tongue for a groove?tongue for a groove?
tongue for a groove?
sacred bathsacred bath
sacred bath
Q'ellu Raqay--perhaps royal palace of the EmperorQ'ellu Raqay--perhaps royal palace of the Emperor
Q'ellu Raqay--perhaps royal palace of the Emperor
fun plank bridgefun plank bridge
fun plank bridge
two blocks would have this cut-out, then molten bronze poured in to seal them togethertwo blocks would have this cut-out, then molten bronze poured in to seal them together
two blocks would have this cut-out, then molten bronze poured in to seal them together
my hiking mountain looms over the town and has lots of trails to other ruins--free!my hiking mountain looms over the town and has lots of trails to other ruins--free!
my hiking mountain looms over the town and has lots of trails to other ruins--free!
with granaries and lots of other ruins--free for the climbing
Temple of Ten NichesTemple of Ten Niches
Temple of Ten Niches
Temple of the Sun--perfect masonry, monoliths & spacersTemple of the Sun--perfect masonry, monoliths & spacers
Temple of the Sun--perfect masonry, monoliths & spacers



26th November 2013
original gateway with double jamb door

Dancing Dave
David Hooper

WOW
I was going wow, wow with the amazing colours, costumes & scenery...and then I saw the stonework. Gotta say the photos of the stonework are what really takes my breath away. How can the Incas achieve such perfection?
26th November 2013
original gateway with double jamb door

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Amazing stonework!
Glad you enjoyed the visuals of this incredible place, David! Being a nerd and always wanting to understand, I read lots on how the Inca achieved their perfect masonry. Unfortunately, I never quite got it; maybe it was the problem with the explanations because moderns have never been able to duplicate this early perfection. You'll die when you see the stonework of Cusco--more to come!
27th November 2013

Roger
non-member comment

As usual, fantastic!
I continue to so enjoy your blog. I will miss it when it finally stops. Your pictures continue to amaze me. I once had a similar camera but was most disappointed with it changing to a Canon. My wife uses an expensive but really top Sony with excellent results. Roger
27th November 2013

taracloud
Tara Cloud

So sweet!
Thank you so much for your kind words, Roger! You may not have to worry about my blog ending. I still have catching up on northern Argentina from last year and Patagonia before that. Besides, I may be a rolling stone. Regarding the cameras, well, mine is fine when you're not looking closely. Reviews said the photos would be "soft" and indeed, when I enlarge on my computer, they're aren't as sharp as my previous tiny Lumix. But for blogs, it's fine. Glad you two have great cameras!
30th November 2013

Bernard Lemke
non-member comment

Incredible
Tara....I have just caught up with your blogs and find them, as always, incredible and illuminating.....what a gift you have, not only for traveling, but telling the story, and capturing exquisite photographs.....you are like some magical guide into canyons of mystery....a historical journey I never dreamed possible for me to experience.....I so look forward to each of your creations...thanks....Bernie
30th November 2013

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Magical guide into canyons of mystery!
Wow, thank you so much for your kind words, Bernie. You, too, have an amazing way with images, "magical guide into canyons of mystery"-- I'd love to live up to that. Glad you're traveling with me! Until Cusco!
2nd December 2013

Frankardenas
Frank Cardenas

What a writer
It is a pleasure to read your descriptions as it triggers lots of emotions at the same time which are even enhanced with the beauty of those pictures. I will definitely keep reading, congratulations!
3rd December 2013

taracloud
Tara Cloud

Thanks, Frank!
I'm glad you're enjoying my blogs, and even my writing, as I sometimes get a bit carried away. I'll definitely use your wonderful blogs to help me get around when I finally get to Colombia. Happy teaching and travels!
6th December 2013

Rob_n_Lorenza
Rob & Lorenza B

such amazing photos.

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