After Mach Picchu we returned by train to Ollantaytambo and explored the Sacred Valley and Cusco for a couple days. Here is where it really starts to hit home, how incredible the Inca Civilization was and how much the accomplished in just 100 years before the Spanish destroyed them.
Cusco was the royal city and many of the buildings today are still built on solid Incan foundations. What an experience to stroll down little alleyways, with impressive Incan walls, and Spanish architecture on top of them.
As we stopped very briefly on the train ride, this lovely woman was hoping to sell a bouquet of flowers to someone on the train. Dave leaned way down out of the window and grabbed them and gave her some money. Everyone in the train applauded!
Carolyn was happy with her flowers as well!
Ollantaytambo Incan Ruins - the second most important after Machu Picchu.
Our guide, Marcial, describes the Incan ingenuity.
The huge blocks fit together perfectly without any mortar!
Incan foundations and Spanish architecture on top in Ollantaytambo.
A comfortable ride
A farmer feeds his alpaca.
Bright colors in the Chinchero Market Place
We bought beautiful table runners from this man.
This is just a small part of the big market
Cusco Main Square by night
Brightly colored balconies on Cusco's Main Square. The far left is our Hotel!
Incan foundations in Cusco
Incan engineering
Dennis and Leora at Qorykancha
Saqsywaman - the Citadel above Cusco City
Hold it up Liz!
Walking past the gigantic walls at Saqsywaman
The Jesuit Church on Cusco's Main Square
Our farewell dinner at Retama Restaurant with wonderful musicians and dancers.
On our 6-hour layover in Lima, we went downtown and wandered the pedestrian zone between a couple of the beautiful plazas.
The Lima Cathedral on the Main Square.
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