We have a free day in Cusco today. This UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1983) is considered to be the mecca of Peru. It is a beautiful colonial town which has ruins, cobblestoned streets, museums, churches, and a lively atmosphere. It is filled with Spanish arches and squares, and wooden balconies jut out over the narrow cobblestoned streets.

The Incas lived in Cusco and the surrounding area for 2 centuries. It is said that Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the children of the Sun and the Moon, looked for a place to establish their kingdom. When they reached the valley of the Rio Huantanay, Manco Capac was able to thrust his staff into the ground until it vanished, a divine sign indicating that this was the site for the Inca capital. It is said that 13 Inca emperors ruled over the valley between the 12th and 15th centuries. Pachacutec, the 9th Inca emperor styled Cusco into a shape resembling the sacred puma. In 1533 Francisco Pizarro and his Spanish troops defeated the Incas and founded their own city by changing the Incan structures into Colonial mansions. Cusco's architecture is known as a mix of Colonial Spanish and Andean.
 
There was an earthquake in 1650 which damaged most of Cusco's Spanish structures but the Inca foundations remained and the city was rebuilt under the patronage of Bishop Manuel de Mollinedo y Angulo. 

This is our free day to do as we wish. Since we were here for 2 days some of the group asked if we would take them to the San Pedro market. So off we went. We looked around again and bought some souvenirs.

Then we went to the Inca museum. This building is also known as the Palacio del Almirante (Admiral's palace), named after the original owner, Admiral Francisco Aldrete Maldonado, it is one of the finest Colonial homes in Cusco. We saw lots off pottery, ceramics, metal and gold objects. We also saw textiles and ceramics belonging to earlier civilizations dating back to 2000 BC. We also saw some actual Inca mummies that were very well preserved. We weren't allowed to take pictures unfortunately.

Because we were so impressed with the Cathedral we decided to check out the church - Iglesias de la Compania. It was built in 1571 on the palace of Huayna Capac, the 11th Inca emperor. It had to be rebuilt after the earthquake if 1650. It is considered to be one of the best examples of Colonial Baroque architecture in Peru. It has a spectacular 21 meter high cedar altar covered in gold leaf, sculptures and many paintings by Cusco artists.

Some of the group were finishing the tour so most of us went for a last lunch with them at yet another fantastic restaurant. Edith gave a little speech and gave the people who were leaving Quechua names. She is good at identifying people's characteristics. I'm not sure I want to know what name she gives me!

After a rest at the hotel we all went out for a Pisco Sour and then on to an Irish Pub (Paddy's Bar) for snacks and drinks. All the other "mature" adults went home to bed after Paddy's but the young ones wanted to go to a disco. Vic and I just couldn't let the young people go dancing without showing them how it's done. So we went out with them and danced the night away. A great time was had by all.