PERU: Cusco – Inca Capital

This is my second visit to the capital of the Incan Empire. I can feel the effects of the altitude but have staved off any sickness with coca tea, the local remedy. I had a most successful trip to Machu Picchu on my last visit. The weather was great which is hit or miss during the rainy season. The benefit of the rainy season is that there are fewer tourists which are still quite plentiful, and the mountains are so beautiful and green at this time. I hate to imagine the hordes that descend upon the city during the high season.

I heard tell that there is much concern for the impact of tourism on Machu Picchu and that it’s likely that tourists will no longer be allowed amongst the ruins in ten years. Only viewing from above will be allowed. So, if you’re intent on seeing this wonder of the world up close and personal, I would start making plans. That goes for quite a number of other locations as well. Venice and the Great Barrier Reef come to mind.

I’m here primarily to relax, enjoy the local cuisine, and check out a few things I missed on the first go-round. On my next visit, I will go a little farther afield and get a little more adventurous.

If you want to check out my first trip just click March 2016 in the archive list on the right.

CASA SAPHI – This charming B&B is more like a Boutique Hotel, but the price is more like what you would find at a hostel. I’ll hate to leave.

PLAZA DE ARMAS – This is the main square of Cusco and there are portions of incredible Inca palaces just steps away.

INCA WALLS AND INCA ROAD

LLAMA STATUES

MORENA PERUVIAN KITCHEN

ANTAKILLKA – A TOURIST TRAP WHERE YOU ARE OFFERED ALL MANNER OF ALPACA PRODUCTS.

THE INCA CERTAINLY HAD AN INGENIOUS AND STYLISH MANNER OF FARMING.

LLAMA MAMA AND BABY LLAMA

PAPYRUS BOATS

COBRA FIGUREHEADS

SATURDAY’S ENTERTAINMENT

MAGNIFICENT INCA WALL WITH TRAPEZOIDAL NICHES

OUR TOUR GUIDE FILLS US IN ON EVERYTHING INCA

RESTORED MURAL DECORATION

SNAKE’S HEAD

Many locals dress up and take their favorite alpaca or llama to the local attractions and make themselves available for photographs for a small fee.

EL PERU – WRITTEN ON A MOUNTAIN BEHIND THE TOWN OF CUSCO

WILDFLOWERS

THIS IS THE SAME LADY I RAN INTO EXACTLY FOUR YEARS AGO

THESE THREE POOCHES GAVE ME A GIFT ON THIS CHILLY MORNING