Tomorrow we fly to Cajamarca. We don’t think there’ll be much to report so get ready for the quiz instead of a post! I am sure our regular readers will be very excited.
Today – more excitement. We were picked up from our eccentric hotel built by our charming host Avilardo (the rally driver) as his family home. Not only had he built all, but apparently he was getting ready to make another building as he continued to collect beautiful rocks from the mountains which he carries down on his back. He has also made at least 300 bonsai on display in the grounds:
He also recycles the trunks of trees felled to make the house as a home for succulents:
But enough of our hotel. We were picked up by the wonderful Wilber who drove us to Pisac, stopping to allow me to take a picture of this figure advertising a cuy (guinea-pig) restaurant:
And on to Pisac we went. Pisac has an extremely popular market but we were not particularly engaged by it and took Wilber by surprise by only spending a few minutes there and having to hang out while he ate his breakfast. A dog made friends with Sue (or Sue made friends with the dog). Like all the dogs we’ve met – and there have been a lot – it was incredibly friendly:
But the reason we’d come to Pisac was not the market but the ruins. And wow – what ruins! We climbed up and up above the town (in the car, you understand) until we reached 3,700 metres and remembered once more about the effect of altitude on one’s ability to move.
Pisac is an extraordinary citadel on top of agricultural terracing sweeping round the side of the mountain:
There is hardly any signage but we enjoyed this list of prohibited activities:
At the top of the site is a ceremonial centre which we climbed up to avoiding the terrifying shorter routes and using the handrails where they were provided:
Some beautiful ceremonial baths/fountains were still in working order:
We were also excited to see hundreds of holes in the cliff opposite which had been Inka tombs before they were robbed, though how the Inka or the robbers got to them beat us:
The requisite alpacas hung about the site waiting to be patted and trimming the grass (or fertilising it in this one’s case):
And as we started our descent, so too did the rain! So we finished our walk on slippy stones and muddy paths, hoping not to fall off the edge while the alpacas and a few tourists took shelter:
Ah, how lucky you got up to those ruins and scoped out the beautiful terraces before the rain. Perfectly stunning views up there. Good on you for all that climbing – and especially descending on wet slippery paths. You definitely look the part of the stylish trekker, Miriam!
It was a fabulous climb – and we took it slowly. The rain really swept in and the valley filled with cloud, and I agree, M looks very convincing in the hat. Next time we’ll remember to take our walking poles ( sadly still undisturbed at the bottom of the suitcase).
What a great view and site. Shame about the market as I know you love them. Aren’t there some other ones around? I seem to remember several in the area. Keep the adventures going
Just a off day for this market I think – sometimes it’s hard to rummage through the tat to find something special – I think we really like food markets – always something jaw dropping … Bits of meat, weird vegetables, stall holders, you get the picture..
The guinea pig appears to be flanked by a couple of cats – hope they’re not on the menu as well. Terracing looks absolutely stunning and who knew that alpacas can look cute even when evacuating themselves.
Yes, I hadn’t noticed the cats – probably not cats, more pumas or jaguars, honouring the Inka Guinea Pig? I have to say, this image made me laugh and laugh – there’s something just inherently funny about guinea pigs, roasted, running about or dressed as royalty..
I love the pictures of the ruins. Pisac was the place where I first saw alpacas.
You’ve had amusing encounters.
So pleased your Spanish flourishes, Miriam; and that your love of dogs expands to Peruvian ones, Sue
Alpacas are always enchanting somehow. M’s Spanish is coming on a treat – on the short drive to Cusco airport this morning, she had a lively conversation with the taxi driver about street names and language… At least I think that was what they were discussing..
Love the scenery – especially love the dog posing for photo next to the Guinea pig. Nice hat!
Excellent hat – keeps off the rain. The dog in the next place was very nice – sort of leant against me and sat on my feet
We too saw Pisac in the rain. Sheltering in old Incan buildings. Though unlike you we stupidly walked up from the bottom. Can’t remember how we got back down to our car. There were lots of wild lupins.
I can’t believe you walked from the bottom – that’s a seriously hard trek! The wild lupins were charming – much more delicate than cultivated ones I think..