Cusco

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What feels like Perú´s busiest and best city, Cusco is full of tourists and things to do and see, not least of which in Macchu Picchu.

Another pretty main plaza rivalling that of Arequipa, my first impression of the place came through my stomach - there are some really excellent eateries here, if not tradional or (by Peruvian standards) particularly cheap! Above the city hights lie the remains of many Inca ruins, the largest of which being the wonderfully named Saqsaywaman (yes, its pronounced exactly as you read it!). Like most of the Inca ruins it served a dual purpose as a fort (hence the massive wall made of 300 tonne blocks), living and ceremonial area.

Definately the best way to see these ruins is not with a tour group or guided tour, but by grabbing a taxi driver to take you to each place and wait for you there (we paid 50 Nuevo Soles, or £9, for three hours). That way you can go where you want and not be bored stupid, or be inflicted with the guide´s "retarded cousin".

The retarded cousin theory (© Aaron, our tour leader) is that whatever tour you go on, or whomever you speak to about getting something to eat, or getting a tour or whatever really, they will always recommend you their cousin´s place - hence that person becomes the retarded cousin. If you were here you would know what I mean!

As a group we also spent a day and two nights further into the mountains at a village called Chinchero, with its own vibrant Sunday market and Inca ruins. The family we all stayed with (yes, all 17 of us!) was very nice and we had some excellent home cooked meals here. It was extremely cold in the evenings, but with a bonfire going it didn´t matter.

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Photos

Chinchero at sunset
Chinchero is around a 45 minute drive up into the hills away from Cusco.

Cusco
Inca stoneowrk still exists here as foundations for colonial buildings. Look left.

Cusco Plaza de Armas
At night.

Put your hands up!
This is actually in a small cinema before the movie - Thank You For Not Smoking, quite ironic for some of the group!

Q´enko
Its that camp pose again! I´m not even trying ...

Saqsaywaman
Each of these blocks ways up to 300 tonnes. You can see why they have survived!

The ruins at Chinchero
Its great to just sit and read here, enjoying the fantastic views and warm afternoon sun.

Pisac
The agricultural sector. As usual most Inca sites have many purposes. The temple is further up.

Pisac
The temple area, including the temple of the Sun.

Comments

[Lari]

mikey mikey mikey!!! =p
how're you recently, i keep missing ur phonecalls! (typical lol) englands been having a bit of a hot spell, but i think the good weather has been forecasted to break just as we leave for dorset unfortunately! i noticed you in a (new?) orange t-shirt in 1 of these pics, and ur hair is looking very blonde in the sun! keep it up and it'll look like it did when you were little! just got ur postcard from Arequipa, looks nice there, hope you had fun! Alicia and Sid (Peruvian couple) came round yesterday and we had a look at ur piccies (the ones that loaded) on the wii. Alicia seemed really interested, she'll probably want to have a chat with you about it all when you get back. aaanyway talk soon my dear bruv (= love, lari xxx

[Steven Kew]

Caught up now on all your travels!!
Hi, Finally been and read all your entries since I last logged on here - still looks very fun. In particular your walk on/down the Colca Canyon, views look really spectacular! Hope all is still good in Peru... very interesting all the little tips on how to see the best of the country (taxi drivers) and can't get over that they double book the seats with the locals lol... Take care, Steven