Machu Picchu Peru 21 Sept. We left Ollantaytambo and caught the train to Aguas Callientes, a 2 hr trip. The view from the train was awesome- the wild Urubamba River and the ever changing landscape from snow capped mountains, to high corn fields to rainforest with bromeliads and ferns! At Aguas C every tourist was herded onto buses to ascend to Machu Picchu. Greg and I and one American had an English speaking guide to ourselves. This was great as it means you ...

Sunday 23 September 2012 PLAZA MAYOR HOTEL JR. DEUSTUA 342 PUNO - PERU TEL (51-51) 366089 A big bus trip today from Cusco to Puno, with 5 stops. The most notable stop was to see a 14th century Inca temple at Raqshi (or what was left of it). It was said to be 90m long and although some walls were missing, it was an imposing sight. Buildings on the site included several granaries and a lane way specifically built to allow the winter solstice rays through. Terr...

Tuesday 18 September 2012 HOTEL MUNAY TIKA AVE: FERROCARRIL 118 OLLANTAYTAMBO - PERU TEL (51-84) 204 111 Greg received birthday wishes from the girls, since it's the 18th in Aus. He doesn't mind celebrating 2 days! On the way to Ollantaytambo Wendy and Joanne from Melbourne were with us on the bus plus a lovely couple from Pennsylvania. On the way we stopped at Pisaq at a market. Greg bought me a silver nugget! Later we ran into the Italian honeymooners we...

Monday 17 September 2012 and Friday 21 September 2012 RESIDENCIAL EL SOL PLAZA SANTO DOMINGO 263 CUZCO PERU TEL (51-84) 241739 I can't believe we have a 4.30am alarm set for a 7am flight. Off to Cusco where more adventures were ahead of us. A driver collected us from the airport and we were very impressed with the location of our hotel - right opposite an Inca temple. We wandered the town and quickly realized that this is a popular tourist destination. We ...

Friday 14 September 2012 ECO INN COLCA CALLE LIMA 513 YANQUE PERU TEL (51-51) 950 3140 We travelled by bus from Arequipa to Chivay ( our accommodation had changed to casa Andina, Chivay since blog was set up). The Colca Valley opened up to us on the way. We took our altitude pills, and our guide showed us how to eat our coca leaves, wrapped with a sprinkle of something sweet. You chew it just like chewing gum, and the juice can make your tongue go a bit num...