MachuPicchu & the Galapagos 2019
Part B-1: The Sacred Valley
On to Aguas Caliente & MachuPicchu!!
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One of our daughters said the photo on the left LOOKS like it was green-screened! It does, but it IS real. As is this entire site of Incan ruins. The glory of WaynaPicchu ("young peak") rises above the ancient ruins; intrepid hikers CAN "hike" up its face - with the right permit, of course.
The goal was MachuPichhu, but OAT took us there the slow way, savoring the Sacred Valley and what it has to offer.
[Note: I've always seen it spelled Machu Picchu, but in Peru, it's one word. I've decided to capitalize the Picchu part; if I offend your spelling sensitivities, so be it.]
After we flew into Cusco (pop: 430,000; elv: 11,150), they whisked us by bus north into the Sacred Valley; we would return.
As we rolled down into the Sacred Valley, we visited potato farmers (150 varieties in Peru, we were told) and a small coca farmer before ending up at our hotel in Urubamba. (note: All of the OAT accommodations were very good; I don't think I heard of any major complaints from our fellow travelers.)
The next day, after visiting a small alcohol producer, we went to an open market to buy produce for our anticipated family home visit. Most places had small guinea pig enclosures because, yes, roasted guinea pig ("cuy") is a local delicacy. Those of us who raised the buggers as kids had trouble partaking in this local custom. We also visited a local chocolate maker - and most of us helped in the processing (and eating).
Most homes were topped with a pair of "lucky bulls"; not all had a lucky llama tied up out front. Melinda & Tracy peer out from behind the magic curtain.
The market visit was a highlight, and the locals provided the color and customs, especially the scarves and hats!
Before our lunch home visit, we all piled into tri-wheeled taxi cabs for a short (and circuitous) ride up a hill to the chocolate maker. Think of it as something you might have to do if you participated in one of Tracy's favorite shows, The Amazing Race.
Two of our favorite American doctors (Sherry & Mason) wonder how they pretzeled into those little cabs. All hands and a smiling Pat help prepare the cocoa. Ellen, Melinda, Tracy & Sherry toast the results.
After a short, downhill hike back to the bus, we went around the corner from our hotel to our family lunch. All hands helped to prepare the meal - and Leeanne found fascination with three-year-old Nathan! Then, Nathan in mom's arms.
A fun visit to a local pottery and arts studio (Manuel ran into the owner at a local bar, and a beer persuaded him to hop back and surprise his guests).
The next morning, we walk through the town of Ollantaytambo (we'll return after MaPi to tour Incan ruins) before boarding PeruRail for the 90-minute ride to Aguas Calientes at the base of MachuPicchu.