Day Eight
Today started VERY early. We left the hotel at 3 AM to head to the airport. After getting checked in, and through security, we only had about 40 minutes before the first flight started boarding. A couple of hours later, we were all in Cusco, Peru! 11,300 ft above sea level. Our tour guide met us and brought us to the bus, we loaded up and we were on our way. It is a lot colder here. When we got off the plane it was 37 degrees.
On our way up the mountain, we got to hear about the history of this amazing place. The three valleys, one that goes to the Amazon, one where Ollantaytambo is (the town where we are staying), and the valley that leads to Machu Picchu.
Then we stopped at an Incan cultural center where we saw alpacas and llamas and where we learned about weaving and dyeing the alpaca wool.
It looks like I am not going to be able to post pics today....The WIFI does not appear to be strong enough. I have been trying for two hours now. I have some spectacular pics that I will post as soon as I can! I promise!
Then we got to the highest point we will be on this trip, 13,000 ft. and we got out and took some amazing pictures of each other and the valley below.
Then after about a two hour drive and sightseeing trip, we arrived at Ollantaytambo. The coolest little town, in the valley between the Amazon and Machu Picchu. There was an Incan civilization that lived here for thousands of years, before the Spanish Conquistadors conquered this land. Here, they had terraced areas for crops all the way up the mountain that led to the temple to the sun god. It was a long way up the mountain (we all now can attest to that!).
We climbed to the top and heard the amazing stories about how it was built and how each 4 ton red granite rock that makes up the temple was taken from a mountain peak 3 miles away and dragged 3 miles and then up the mountain to it's final resting place, with no horses or oxen. Manpower only. There were other terraced areas built to house store houses that were crafted to stay cool all year long. Like a refrigerator, to store food for up to 10 years. We climbed all over the mountain (wait until you see the pictures).
Then we took a quick tour of the town and then back to the hotel. We talked about our big day tomorrow at Machu Picchu and our schedule, and we headed to the market, or the town or to eat. We split into groups and went out to check out the town.
Some folks tried guinea pig, and alpaca (the alpaca I ate was amazing), and pizza, and ice cream and did some last shopping in the market, and then we headed back to the hotel to get some sleep and prepare for our adventure tomorrow.
Again, I apologize that there are no pictures today, but you WILL NOT be disappointed when you see the pics from this day.
Tomorrow, well, maybe we will just go see a wonder of the world. That might be fun.
Sic'em Jazz in Peru and thank you for following us on our journey.
Buenos Noches!
Today started VERY early. We left the hotel at 3 AM to head to the airport. After getting checked in, and through security, we only had about 40 minutes before the first flight started boarding. A couple of hours later, we were all in Cusco, Peru! 11,300 ft above sea level. Our tour guide met us and brought us to the bus, we loaded up and we were on our way. It is a lot colder here. When we got off the plane it was 37 degrees.
On our way up the mountain, we got to hear about the history of this amazing place. The three valleys, one that goes to the Amazon, one where Ollantaytambo is (the town where we are staying), and the valley that leads to Machu Picchu.
Then we stopped at an Incan cultural center where we saw alpacas and llamas and where we learned about weaving and dyeing the alpaca wool.
It looks like I am not going to be able to post pics today....The WIFI does not appear to be strong enough. I have been trying for two hours now. I have some spectacular pics that I will post as soon as I can! I promise!
Then we got to the highest point we will be on this trip, 13,000 ft. and we got out and took some amazing pictures of each other and the valley below.
Then after about a two hour drive and sightseeing trip, we arrived at Ollantaytambo. The coolest little town, in the valley between the Amazon and Machu Picchu. There was an Incan civilization that lived here for thousands of years, before the Spanish Conquistadors conquered this land. Here, they had terraced areas for crops all the way up the mountain that led to the temple to the sun god. It was a long way up the mountain (we all now can attest to that!).
We climbed to the top and heard the amazing stories about how it was built and how each 4 ton red granite rock that makes up the temple was taken from a mountain peak 3 miles away and dragged 3 miles and then up the mountain to it's final resting place, with no horses or oxen. Manpower only. There were other terraced areas built to house store houses that were crafted to stay cool all year long. Like a refrigerator, to store food for up to 10 years. We climbed all over the mountain (wait until you see the pictures).
Then we took a quick tour of the town and then back to the hotel. We talked about our big day tomorrow at Machu Picchu and our schedule, and we headed to the market, or the town or to eat. We split into groups and went out to check out the town.
Some folks tried guinea pig, and alpaca (the alpaca I ate was amazing), and pizza, and ice cream and did some last shopping in the market, and then we headed back to the hotel to get some sleep and prepare for our adventure tomorrow.
Again, I apologize that there are no pictures today, but you WILL NOT be disappointed when you see the pics from this day.
Tomorrow, well, maybe we will just go see a wonder of the world. That might be fun.
Sic'em Jazz in Peru and thank you for following us on our journey.
Buenos Noches!
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