Cusco

Here are some shots of Cusco and Machu Picchu. Cusco is the sacred Inca city and Machu Picchu the sacred site of the Incas....if you have seen it you know what I am talking about....if you have not, put it on your list!! There are really no words to describe it...I had clouds and mist in the morning and then sun in the afternoon. It was like a cloud city floating above the valley. I will come back with Greta and the kids to do the 4 day walk on the Inca Trail....met some people that had done this and they said it was a great experience.

Cathedral - Cusco

Fountain in main square

There was a massive religious procession on the Sunday I was there.

Traditional dress and baby lambs.....one sol please as a donation.

Very cute

Mass of people

Cusco in the background

Waiting for the train to Machu Picchu

sorry sideways photo!!

First glimpse of Machu Picchu

postcard view

It is like a floating city

Temple of the Sun

"Intihuatana" or "hitching post of the sun"

An astronomical tool or sundial the helped determine the seasons and solstices, possibly also used as an altar for sacrifices (most likely small animals...not humans here!)

Llamas

The Inca bridge. Small walkway built along side the cliff face. The gap was covered by wooded planks that could easily be removed if the enemy was trying to get across.

Me at Intipunku or "sungate" the entrance to Machu Picchu if you had walked the Inca Trail to get there.  Machu Picchu is seen in the distance...about 30 minutes walk from this point.

View of the mountain Huayna Picchu through a stone wall. The name means young mountain and was likely used as an astronomical observatory or place of religious worship.

The original walls and shape of the roof. The roof would have been covered with straw and supported by wooden beams.

Late in the afternoon. I was about one of 5 people left at about 4:30 pm just before closing....truly amazing!!