Cusco and then on to Sol y Luna, Sacred Valley

Up and at ‘em, breakfast, and off to the airport (about 50 minute away from the city).  All this hurry up and wait sometimes is frustrating, but it is what it is as my sister says!

Arrived around 11ish to Cusco, rounded up the luggage and headed to the city square for some lunch.  Caught the tail end of a festival which was fun and colorful.  We’ve been fortunate that we’ve been pretty much just eating the cultural food here.  Lots of new flavors and I love all the styles of corn.  Big chunky kernel, tiny kernels, all good!  Fish, Meat, Quinoa, again, new and interesting versions.  Thinking I like this Peruvian food!

After our meal, we headed for our next stop.  About 90 minutes through gorgeous countryside, mountains surrounding a gorgeous valley.  Stopped for a great photo op with us alone and the group.  We also stopped at an Alpaca/Lama Farm.  Those guys are so cute... but big and sometimes, can be ornery!  Especially to each other if one feels they are encroaching on their little area... SPITTING something atrocious!  

Back in the van and headed to our next dwellings for the following two days.  Sol Y Luna… GORGEOUS GORGEOUS GORGEOUS !  Yes I have to capitalize and shout.  It’s beautiful.  We have our own casita with the mountains surrounding us.  Gilmar arranged for a cooking demonstration with the chef there… and a Pisco Sour demonstration with the bartender… What fun and so good.  Had small plates of everything that was prepared.  When all done, Gilmar announces:  “Now it’s time for dinner!”… WHAT!  Then another three course meal. We skipped parts of that and didn’t finish the whole main dish.  This is like being on a cruise ship.  Finished up and headed for bed.  Next day was a new adventure.

Jerry and his friend!

Sacred Valley

Little taxis everywhere!

view from our patio!

Lima - We're in Peru!

Gee, what day is it???? Who knows? 

Got to Lima late, cuz guess what, yup, this plane was delayed.  Got to spent about 2 hours in the VIP lounge so that was nice! We arrived there approx. 4 since this would be considered an international flight, a lot of time to sit around…  After landing, the luggage took it’s time arriving to the carousal… finally arrived, and found our driver and off we went.

Nice hotel again, but, being so dark had  no idea what the  outdoors there was like.  Woke up to a view of the Pacific Ocean and a park… nice. After brekky, et with our new tour quide, Gilmur… nice guy.  Filled us in on our plans for the next couple days.  Also, two more couples joined up.  We have an outing planned at 1:30, till then we’re on our own.  Jerry and I opted to walk along the Malecon… found a geocache… yeah for us… on in Peru now! 

Our tour in Lima allowed for walking around and also some driving.  So much to take in and so much history.  Our history in the states is much younger than the history here.  They have a style of adobe and clay pyramids in the middle of this city… not the Egyptian type, but Incan.  Lots of artifacts have been discovered, including human remains within.

Went on a museum tour that was interesting, lots of Peruvian history with thousands of actual artifacts, but way way way too long for us.  So much information to take in, you head spins and pretty much shuts down!  Finally headed back to the hotel for an hour, then back out for dinner with the group.  Nice when everyone seems to get along.  Had my first Pisco Sour… YUMMMMMY!  And the restaurant was built right next to some of the pyramid ruins.  With tummies full, we headed back to the hotel for an early morning wakeup… Flying to Cusco tomorrow morning!

cute little face!

view from our room of the Pacific Ocean

rooftop pool

surfing competition.... cold, cold, cold water... Humboldt Current

See the hangliders right out there... view from our window

Paddington Bear

First geocache in Peru

Pic UNDER a bridge!

 Young girl being baptized...  dressy occasion

Oldest Privately Owned Colonial house in Lima... The owners still live in a portion

This home had a huge library

These little balconies with glass on them, were created hundreds of years ago when women were not allowed on the streets at all.  Finally, these were built, without the windows, so they could see the outside square, etc.  If the did go out that had to be covered head to toe with on little opening for one eye... orders of the Catholic Church there...

Only picture I took at the museum we visited...

 

Dinner View

 

Quito.... Here we are!!!!

Day 7 Quito

We were met at the airport and whisked away to our hotel.  Quite an awesome boutique hotel.  Only about 15 rooms, but each of those rooms, decorated like the Italian hotels we stayed at when we were in Italy.  Fit for a king I swear!

Antonio, our guide, took us to dinner… after a walk through the square we were next to in front of the Presidential Palace.  Down some streets and then we had arrived at a theater that included a beautiful Restaurant right within in.  Great food and wine and company.  We are enjoying Bill and Cathy who will have been with since the Galapagos and now Antonio.  Dinners here take a loooong time, so, after we were finished, a taxi took us back to the hotel.  We made plans to hook up again at 12:30 the next day for more touring, both walking and driving, in this city.  Cathedrals, Museums, Presidential Palace, Whee!!! Are you tired yet?  We were!  Then, we were whisked back to the airport for our next destination… Peru!

Traffic everywhere!

Our Hotel, on the right above the dome...

Brush Fire in the hills...

Pig on display!!!!