Hello Peru! - Cusco

I could say, Iám indeed lucky during my stay in Colombia, for I get to know new friends and travel with them during long weekends.Last year, November 1-3, we went to Cusco, a city in southeast of Peru, known as the capital of the Inca Empire.

At the airport in Cusco:

After unloading our luggages at a 3-4 star budget hotel in downtown Cusco: Hotel San Agustin, off we went for a guided tour, on to our disappointment, was in Spanish language!
First itinerary was spent on the city tour of Cuzco. We went to some spots believed created by the Incas as their sun temples, but during Spanish regimes, those were destroyed and rebuilt as Church instead.Its like travelling back in time...

Cathedral Mayor at day:

Inside a believed sun temple (Temple of Coricancha) but was rebuilt as a Dominican Priory and Church of Santo Domingo:



At night had us a chance to walk at the Plaza de Armas, main plaza to look for a nice authentic Peruvian restaurant for dinner.One delicacy we didn't missed is the Cuy, a guinea pig, served roasted with herbs and spices. It does tastes like chicken, but since I had this thought of eating a rat gave a verdict of no more having them next time! :-)

Cathedral Mayor at night:

Cuy Asado for dinner, poor rat!

At the Plaza Armas at night:

The day after was our schedule for the Macchu Picchu tour, a Unesco World Heritage Site, located in the northern part of Cuzco.Known as the 'Lost City of the Incas', its situated on the mountain ridge. We took 2.5 hour train ride to the place.Its a bad timing during our visit, rains keep us from exploring more of the place because of its steep and slippery stone climb. But did make us amazed on how people of early ages managed to create a wonder like these. And at last, english speaking guests are segregated with Spanish speakers and we're provided with English speaking tourguides.Despite the rain, tourists keep coming in until midday that we haven't got to chance to claim our paid lunch due to a very long line to the restaurant or we'll lose our train!

Traditional Peruvian dolls, I got one for me! :-)

Peruvian women doing making clothes out of Lllama wool:

Train off to Macchu Picchu:

A sample house in Macchu Picchu:

Overlooking Macchu Picchu...

How to get there:

From Lima, we took LAN airline bound to Cusco. Train was the only mode of transport from central Cusco going to Macchu Picchu, a reservation should be made at least a day before the visit.