The desert coast and first Inca ruins

We traveled down to the coast to visit Paracas National Park. The desert landscape is part of the largest marine reserve in Peru. It feels a little like visiting the only ocean on the moon. Here is the "road" leading to our campsite:

The park is the windiest place we've ever been and Justin's left flip flop (already rescued once in Peru) blew over the cliff to the beach below. Knowing that a size 14 flip flop is not to be found in Peru, he went down the sand cliff after it...

Success!!!

While the park was pretty empty, the views were entertaining and the sea lions and fishing birds kept us company. The area's main industry is small boat fishing and tourism.  These little pengas (boats) usually hold 4-5 . Two stay aboard and monitor the air hoses while the other two dive for scallops.

A natural bridge formed along the shore.

 Sunset was a spectacle every night...

We left the shore and headed towards the Andes and the city of Cusco. Cusco is the jumping off point for all visitors to the Inca's Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu. Cusco is a lovely, if very touristy city and was originally the center of the Inca empire. All Inca temples are coincidentally now the sites of Cathedrals and monuments to Spanish conquistadores. The remaining buildings are lovely and the city takes care to be clean and attractive. 

The main Plaza de Armas, the historic center

View of the mountains from the center of town

The women still weave using traditional patters, a back strap loom and shuttle sticks to keep the yarn in place.  They count fibers as they weave and keep patterns in their head. The result can be remarkable.

We took a one day tour through the Sacred Valley, where the Inca farmed corn and raised llamas who carried heavy loads and alpacas who provided fiber and food. Both domesticated animals are kinds of  "camelids" and are still raised for meat and wool and to entertain tourists.

The alpaca doesn't appear to be entertained...

Peru has a third camelid, called Vicunas who have the best fibers for wool and were nearly hunted to extinction. A few are in captivity and they have a large reserve high in the Andes, where some 200,000 roam freely, by the highway. They are really shy, so we were happy to see one up close

Justin is making friends.  

  

At the end of the Scared valley,we visited the Inca ruins and town both named Ollantaytambo.  The Incan site was the personal estate of the ruler Pachacuti and the city was occupied in the Spanish colonial period. The ruins are impressive and include many engineering marvels, such as farming terraces, water canals with fountains and beautiful stone work. 

The terrace walls are 6-8 feet tall and are still perfectly straight and even

Temple walls and doorways feature masterful stone fitting with notched corners
and fine even finishes.  

Incas brought water into temples and bathing areas. Almost better water than Peru has today. 

We saw some Inca stone work throughout 

town. Later residents built Colonial houses 

right on top of ancient foundations.

 Other parts of town are more modern and fun to walk through. This kid's dad plunked him on the seat and ran to the market. He looks ready to ride.  

Is the owner a Simpsons fan???





And Justin's favorite find...

 Next update: Visiting Machu Picchu!