Sadly, we had to leave Machu Picchu this morning so while Sue did the last-minute packing, Dan went out exploring before we had to catch the train. Dan managed to find another statue of Paddington sitting on the bench near the train station.
Our guide, David managed to get us upgraded to the first-class rail car for the trip back. It was very nice surprise. In addition to having better seats, we had entertainment, a bathroom and snacks. The entertainment was a flautist and a couple who put on a 10-minute play about falling in love…we think.
After the train, we got back onto our bus with our driver Santiago and made the short drive to the Ollantaytambo ruins. This is a significant Inca archaeological site in the Sacred Valley, notable for its stunning Inca architecture, including agricultural terraces and temples built into a mountainside. Originally a religious and agricultural center, it was re-built as a fortress and served as a stronghold for the Inca during the Spanish conquest. The complex is one of the few places where the Incas achieved a major victory over the Spanish.
Dan, Becky, Kim, and Charles climbed to the top to check out the terraces and the interesting views along the way. Deb & gimpy Sue waited for us below. It was an interesting site.
We reboarded the bus and drove back to Urubamba where we stopped a huge lunch buffet restaurant, Don Angel Inka Cosana. After a very filling lunch, we rode an hour and a half to our next overnight stop, the city of Cuzco at the Hotel Jose Antonio Cusco. David had arranged for a local to do our laundry (yay!) so we got our dirty laundry bagged up and then went down to the bar with our friends for a light dinner. Due to Cuzco’s high elevation (>11,150 ft), we took it pretty easy the rest of the evening. We will explore Cusco tomorrow.
