Urubamba Boutique Lodge Cusco

... rat which they call Cuy or as we know it a guinea pig. Yes, I'm off to a good start 2 days in again on this trip with my culinary appreciation for traditional dishes no matter how weird or gag reflexing they may be. I specifically asked for them to prepare it the traditional way which is dishing it whole although they normally prepare it tourist-palately correct by just dishing pre-cut pieces of the meat. No - me bring the tail, head, and all. Rodent for dinner.....mmmmm ...

... 1510; 92; (קמצני
501;, כבר אמרנו?!). המצוד 92; ששטחה גדול משטחו של המאצ'ו פיצ'ו מחולק 14; לאזור 97; מלאכה, חקל ...

For our Machu Picchu entry I feel like writing, it was amazing - words can't describe the experience - please see attached photos...but I read somewhere that when people say that they are just being lazy - so here goes!

Machu Picchu was amazing, but I'll elaborate. We spent a few days in Cusco adjusting to the altitude and getting siked about the walk. Cusco is a very pretty city, but also very touristy - you cant walk a few meters in some parts without someone trying to sell something ...

... Line and the distance from Cusco} to the start of the Inca Trail.

At border control, I had my passport very thoroughly checked and stamped as I was no longer in Peru but Inca Country. After crossing a foot bridger over the Urubamba River, the Trail began.

DAY ONE
Started very well - probably lulled us all into a false sense of security actually!! The walk was relatively easy - a few small climb sections but nothing ...

... I am still standing there as this beast came closer and closer, eventually he was stood no more than 2 feet in front of me, he stopped, looked at me and tilted his head, my heart was racing and Dee was saying are you ok, all I could do was say shush to the bull, like that was going to make him go away. I relaxed a little when I noticed that he seemed to be more interested in just looking at me than charging me, although looking at the sharp points on his horns did not provide me ...

... products are made using traditional methods to clean the llama wool (with cactus root), to dying the wools using herbs and vegetable colours, such as onion, to spinning then weaving into goods such as scarves, rugs and hats.

Tomorrow (Saturday) we are off to hike the world famous classic Inca trail. A five day trek along the mountain tops that finishes at Machu Pinchu. Debbie tells me that it involves camping; something that I thought ...

... and it is quite remarkable that the stone work is still in such good condition after all this time and in some cases have proved to be stronger than the foundations built in present-day Peru. The stones are fit together perfectly like a jigsaw and not even a piece of paper can fit between the stones. There is no mortar between the stones and one can only wonder how they managed to achieve such great buildings, the Inca`s must have ...

... collar in full view, yet a street hawker selling fake Armani sunnies still thought that I was in need of ocular UV protection. Give him credit for trying is what I say!
Today, as my last full day in Cusco, I spent exploring some of the city´s sights, notably its famous churches, San Blas, Cusco Cathedral (which is actually 3 for one) and La Merced, as well as the incomparable ancient Inca temple of Quorinacha (spell?) of ...

... the top of the second pass: Abra de Runkuracay (4,000m). At last you’ll feel that you are walking along the trail of the Incas with paving, for the most part, being original. The descent down the steps from the pass is steep so take care. This section of the trail, up till the 3rd pass, is particularly beautiful as the path crosses high stone embankments and skirts deep precipices. After about 1 hour from the 2nd pass you’ll arrive at Sayacmarca ...

... to the fortress we saw 2 little girls sitting in some high grass playing with each other. They were having a good time together and were oblivious to anyone or anything else around them. They were so sweet and so cute it would have been a pleasure just to watch them for awhile. However, we pressed on and had about 15 minutes to explore the ruins. More climbing. Those Incas made some big steps on their stairs! Again we had a good view of Cuzco from ...