10:00 PM

I've reached Cusco. The cultural capital of Peru! Writing this blog from a mid 19th century colonial hotel building of 'Nino's'. It was a long day today. Woke up in Puno, at 5:30 am, got ready for some Sunrise pics. It was almost near freezing point in the early morning. My hotel was just besides the Plaza Mayor or the city center. This morning, I hired the cycle-rickshaw at the city center to go to the lake Titicaca which is on the eastern side of the town. We were going towards the water body, so it was a fine slope, making it less difficult for the old man who was driving the rickshaw. He agreed for just 3 Soles. It took just 10 minutes to reach there. The sky towards east was still golden pink, coloring the whole brick-town of Puno in glittering brown color. Amazing view at the first ray of the Sun, an endless waterbody to the east with golden reflection of the tender sunrays... This is the lake Titicaca, highest navigable lake in the world! I spent few minutes to capture the morning glory in my camera and took that cycle-rickshaw back to the hotel.

At hotel, yummy continental breakfast was waiting for me, had breakfast and then checked out. The next journey was to Cusco in a tourist bus. The bus was leaving from the main bus terminal on the shores of Titicaca. It was around 7:30 that we started. Approx 30-40 people in the bus, mostly Spanish speaking, from neighboring countries and few Europeans and just two Asians, me and one Japanese chic.

First stop was in Pukara, a small town with a cathedral at the center. The cathedral has only one bell tower, the other one is incomplete and our guide explained that this is because the indigenous people who were not happy with the forced conversions to Christianity, showed their anger this way. There is a small archeological museum nearby with a collection of pre-colonial period artifacts found in nearby area.

The route next was pretty steep, going towards the snowcapped Andean peaks. At La Raya pass, we were at the altitude of 14,232 feet (4335 MASL). Took a brief halt there for taking some pictures, it was an awesome view around. There were few local vendors selling Handicrafts and stuff, an old lady with an Alpaca calf, people were taking photographs with her.

By this time everyone was hungry, we were traveling downhill now and small green patches were marking the high altitude oasis-like places. After crossing three four small villages, we reached Sicuani. Sicuani is a beautiful small town with neat small houses and a restaurant in the outskirts. This was our lunch halt. The outdoor buffet area was big enough to accommodate hundred people and food was enough as well. By now, me and the Japanese lady (Ikuyo) were friends with a Spanish couple. I was the only vegetarian and my plate was full of Salad and Cheese. Ikuyo had some meat at some veggies as well, whereas the Spanish duo had all sorts of Peruvian animals meat in the lunch. We were just sharing our experiences and stories and the further plans for the remaining Peru trip. Desserts were really awesome! We clicked few pics there although I regret, I don't have any pic with Ikuyo in my cam, hope she uploads a few on her facebook and I can copy from there...

Traversing though the green patches, which were now getting more frequent and dense, we were traveling further downhill. In an hour or so, we reached a small town of Raqchi. We got down at the central plaza, which had a small chapel, and a market place. A tiny village of not more than 30 houses, has a precious archeological gem. Now in ruins, this is an Inca town with a magnificent temple of Inca god Wirakocha. One can still see the stone walls, 4-5 feet tall, and the brick work above, amazingly angled little inwards a little, to make a more robust structure and support the roof, all walls meeting in exact 90 degrees, and 2 mysterious round shaped buildings. After visiting the ruins, I visited the small market place. Like elsewhere in Altiplano, here also people are very short, four feet average, with very low life expectancy. I bought two lockets here one for me and for my room mate.

Next stop on our way to Cusco was a chapel, known as "Sistine Chapel of America" at Andahuaylillas. Small but full of decoration with carvings and paintings, it is said to resemble the Sistine Chapel. Made out of adobe and brick, the church is a small structure consisting of one nave, apse and bell tower. Like most others, it has been built over the Inca holy place or 'Huaca'.

By dusk, we were in the city of Cusco. It's a mix of new and old. Through the congested road, taking a glimpse of the Inca walls and other structures, we reached at the city center. My current place is very near from the central plaza, hardly 4 blocks towards north. Overall it was a very nice travel today, good thing is, I could cover the places on the way, and not just travel for 5-6 continuous hours. Had a nice company as well, Ikuyo has now joined another group, as she is planning to visit Machu Pichhu tomorrow itself whereas I'm planning to spend one day exploring the city. I also found a pure veg restaurant to my surprise, and had an awesome dinner. More excitement coming tomorrow, bye till then...