Cuzco, Peru

The view from our balcony in Cuzco

Cuzco's main square and cathedral.

Many homes were adorned with a clay statue of two bulls and a cross.  The bull represents happiness, wealth and fertility, while the cross keeps the bad spirits away.

Around Cuzco

Even in the 3rd largest city in Peru, folks tied their animals to rocks to graze on whatever grass available.

Cuzco

Inkaterra Resort in Aguas Calientes

Views from our resort in Aguas Calientes

 Tea Plantation at the resort.  The resort grew their own black tea and green tea.

 View of the town from our resort

Victoria Glacier - through the train window

Road to Machu Picchu

Before you get on the bus to Machu Picchu you should address your fears.  If you are really afraid of heights, DO NOT sit on the right side of the bus going up.  When you look out the window, you see nothing but air.  If you are afread of head-on collisions, don't sit on the left side of the bus because around every corner, there could be another bus coming straight at you.  Fortunately, the uphill bus has the right of way and the down hill bus has to back up.  That is truly comforting....until you are on the downhill bus!

Terraces at Machu Picchu

More views of Machu Picchu

Agricultural Terraces

Architectural Terraces

More photos of the Agricultural Terraces

Machu Picchu

Train Ride to Machu Picchu

 

Views from the train...pardon the glare.

Veronica Glacier

 In Peru, you don't have to worry about anyone stealing your livestock.  This cow was tied to a rock for grazing.  In addition to cows tied to rocks, we saw pigs, llamas, alpacas, and donkeys tied to rocks, sticks, and stakes.

Train leaving Aguas Calientes for Ollytantambo

View of train leaving Aguas Calientes

Hotel Anwara Valle Sagrado (Sacred Valley)

 

One of the local Peacocks

 

Another Local

 Hotel Grounds.

 Very Baroque!

Ollytaytambo

Visiting our guide's (Alan) town Ollytaytambo.  This is the only true remaining Inca city as can be seen by the Inca walls and Inca water feature in the pcture below.

Notice the face in the center of the photo?  Storage facilities are to the right and left of the face.

 Here are the terraces of Ollytaytambo.  Very suitable for growing crops.

Kevin and I getting ready to climb the terraces.

View of the Sacred Valley from half way up the terraces.

Close to the top of the terraces.  Notice the Inca walls.

 View into the valley beyond the terraces.

 Imrpressive walls.

 Incredible joints in the walls along with an etching of half the Southern Cross.

A princess bath.  Notice the flow of water over the stone.

Sacred Valley, Peru

Sacred Valley, Peru

Pisac Market

 Pisac Market - great place to buy silver, alpaca scarves, pottery, and local fruits and veggies

Wooley, Wooley

The women of Peru weave beautiful cloth from the alpacas.  One of the most interesting facts we learned in Peru was that a woman's relationship status is evident from her hat.  The women in the top picture is in a relationship but not married. 

The woman below is married.  I think they should sue facebook for a patent infringement on relationshiip status.

The wool is dyed using the natural ingredients seen below.

The beautiful yarns below are made from all natural ingredients.  Alan, the best guide in Peru (in my opinions) shows off the finished goods.