Visitas en Cusco
Trip Start
May 11, 2006
1
5
15
Trip End
May 21, 2006
Loading Map
Map Options
Show trip route
Hide lines
Cusco,
Peru
Friday, May 12, 2006
http://www.cocatea.com/.
After we have settled in, we phone our local travel agent, Rita Vargas, who had been contracted by Yuri at Turinet. We had been recommended to view the ruins in the surroundings of Cusco on horseback. Rita arrives within minutes and arranges the horseback ride at US$ 10.00 a head, as well as a city tour for that very afternoon
1.Plaza de Armas
. We also confirm arrangements for the van we had hired for Sunday and Monday.Health wise we seem all in good shape except Michael. We are all pretty hungry by now, so Cecilia scouts out a Hare Krishna restaurant nearby that serves good organic breakfasts. The walls are covered by painting of indians, not Amerindians, but real Indian indians, with six arms and everything. It seemed strange to see Hindu influence so far from its origin. Naturally we enjoyed a very healthy breakfast devoid of the flesh of dead animals.
By noon we are ready to go exploring. Michael and Charlotte elect to stay at the hotel so they will be in good shape for tomorrow's equestrian experience. First task to get more soles from the ATM machine, then purchase the Cusco Tourist Ticket at S/. 70 (US$ 21). This genial ticket covers sixteen archaeological sites, many of which we will be visiting. We also notice a tourist trolley circulating in the streets. On enquiry we discover it runs a complete one and a half-hour circuit of the city and costs only S/. 7 (US$ 2.15). Visitors 70 years or older go for free (no comments, please). Tightwads that we are, we immediately phone Rita and cancel the city tour, which would have cost US$ 9.00 each, alleging sickness.
We decide to take the 3:30 departure, which gives us time for a quick visit to the famous stone of the twelve angles, set in a wall in Hatunrumiyoc Street, once part of the palace of the Inca Roca
2. Suntur Wasi St.
. There a fully garbed Inca stands for Kodak moments, as well as to stop anyone from touching the stone, just in case it gets worn away by sweaty tourist fingers. We notice many streets where the building bases are of fine solid Inca stonework with a Spanish colonial construction superimposed on top. http://www.cusco-peru.org/cusco-attractions-cusco-hatun-rumiyoc.shtml.I'm beginning to feel the pressure of leading such a large and diverse group. Each time I turn my head one or two of the group is missing, generally to be found guiltily lurking behind artifacts in a handicraft shop.
At 3:30 we await the trolley at the Plaza de Armas, which turns up right on time. There is just one other family aboard, and after waiting to see if there are any more takers, off we go. It's pretty basic stuff, but it takes you right around town with an illuminating commentary by a guide. We also pass by the archaeological site of Sacsayhuaman and halt a while at the White Christ for a panoramic view of the city.
After the trip, we stop off in a small Italian restaurant beside the hotel. Everyone has an excellent pizza, though I'm a bit under the weather now, and decide to return to the hotel.
This evening the group decides to try a slap-up dinner. Michael is still feeling woozy, and I'm not up to a night on the town, so the rest decide to try a special restaurant recommended by Cecilia. The experience seems to have been outstanding. The food is good and inexpensive, the folklore show brilliant, and to enjoy all this within what was said to be Inca Pachacutec's palace, priceless.
