Sunday 12.10.14 – Lima to Cusco.

Alarm at 6.00am, 6.30 to breaky, Paloma arrived about 6.45. We caused confusion for the poor girl on the hotel desk, by leaving our room ‘key’ in the room. Hotel was OK – just, terrible pillow in room, so we asked for some more, couldn’t happen, we got some cushions off a couch eventually.

Off to the airport at 7.00, took about 30 minutes to get there, then OMG the queues were unbelievable, queues to check in, also at security, then at gate lounge too. They all moved quite quickly thankfully, but we certainly needed the time to get through prior to our 9.50 flight.

We were quickly out at Cusco, having flown over amazing Andes mountains, really dry and dusty outside Lima, then greener as we neared Cusco. It was a 45 minute flight. Took a little bit of time to find our Intrepid sign, Remi (our guide) was there, but waiting for some other passengers, so he sent us off in the van with the driver. Turns out he didn’t know where the hotel was, or what it was. I rang Paloma’s number and she was going to sort it out. Just then we found Remi and we were at our hotel – Awkis Dream Hotel. Not too bad, certainly looks better than last nights. We are only here one night, so no unpacking. At the hotel we learnt there are 14 of us on the tour, only 3 Aussies, we have 7 Brits, 2 USA, 1 Swiss and 1 Irish. All young and doing a trek it seems.

We had our briefing and provided Insurance details, then headed out for walking tour and lunch. We saw the stone of 12 angles (an Incan stone with 12 angles in a wall) then a delicious lunch at Nuna Raymi

Dry and dusty mountains near Lima.

Looking across to snow capped peaks in the
distance.

Looks like some ruins in Cusco.

Starting the walking tour. Very
narrow streets, Poor light, but Inca
wall on the left, with Spanish top
built on. cobbles, pebbles and stones
make the street surface.

Here's the group. L-R, Suzie, Sian or Emma, Jess,
Tony, The British boys obscured, Orlagh, Rob, Reni, ?,
Laura, Zac and Cass.

Very narrow, cobbled streets here, with even narrower footpaths, some of them are two way, not sure how that works. Anyway we have to be very careful as the cars whiz past very close.

We saw more walls and buildings, often with Inca foundations, upon which the Spanish built on top or Spanish buildings made from Inca stones, raided from Inca buildings. The construction of these Incan walls is enough to do your head in, how they could so neatly build these structures of solid stone, with no mortar etc is yet to be conclusively determined. There are lots of theories, but no-one really know HOW they did it.

There's a few bugs around.

Not AS many police, but still a few different sorts.

Walking down a steepish street.

We visited the Coca museum, where we learnt all about Coca, it’s history and various properties and uses. Most everyone bought some Coca product to assist with the altitude. (so far, so good, we are breathless up hills, but doing OK …so far)

Visited the main square, with it’s churches, fountains and buildings. There was a procession of representatives from ALL the Catholic schools in Peru, marching around the square and into the church for something or other. Very noisy and many people about.

The Plaza de Armas, with the procession of Catholic
schools in Peru. Lots of people around. Looking at
one of the Churches on the Square.

Some of the nuns carrying their
school banner.

Carrying the child in typical
Peruvian fashion.

Iglesia de la Compania de Jesus.

The bell shot.

Shiny street surface and cellular Inca wall on left,with
the block wall on the right.

Reni pointing out the Inca's clever
use of  rock and addition of drainage
holes.

We checked out an Incan Sun Temple, upon which a Dominican church had been built. We hope to get there to see inside, later in the week.

Back to the hotel, where the others are having their Trekking briefing. We tried to sort out our plans for our time around Cusco and think about packing etc. Then we found a place to eat and walked up to a nearby Barrio – San Blas for a vegan dinner at Green Point – very nice but we overordered – yet again, even though we were sharing. Home for showers and some downtime.

Out for dinner at Greenpoint. This young couple had
been eating and playing on their computers, then
suddenly there was a dog on his lap. Had been lying
beside the table throughout.© Suzie Sloan.

Meet Spooky, the 10 year old poodle.They had just
moved to Cusco from Lima and are looking for
work. © Suzie Sloan.

Tomorrow we pack and we will visit The Cathedral before the tour takes off at 9.00 for the Sacred Valley and Ollantaytambo.