Peru honeymoon « Thread Started on Mar 28, 2012, 5:46pm »
In the fall of 2007, my husband and I had spent our honeymoon exploring Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley in Peru. The Sacred Valley of the Incas, formed by the Urubamba River, contains a wealth of interesting archeological sites and villages.
We made our base in Ollantaytambo, a lovely town dating from the 15th century. It is the best surviving example of Inca city planning and is noted for being the only place where the Incas successfully resisted an attack from the Spanish. In 1536, Manco Inca fled there, pursued by Hernando Pizarro and his force of cavalry and foot soldiers. Manco Inca cleverly stopped their advance by flooding the plain, making it difficult for the horses to manoever, and then raining down arrows, spears, and rocks on them. Victory was short-lived, though. Pizarro retreated but returned with four times the number of men and Ollantaytambo soon fell into the hands of the Spanish.
This is our very knowledgeable guide, Chino. Knowing that “chino” is the Spanish word for “Chinese,” I hesitated to call him that. But that what everyone called him so that’s the name he answered to.
Here you can see the extensive agricultural terraces that surround Ollantaytambo.
Overlooking the town is an impressive temple complex.
Here are some examples of traditional Quechua clothing. I love the radiant colors.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,287 Location: Mexico
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #1 on Mar 28, 2012, 7:13pm »
What joy! Peru is a country that really fascinates me, and your pictures and commentary are a delight.
Amazing to think of the work involved in settling in such a place and creating a town and incredibly engineered agriculture.
The fitted stones on the temple complex are mind-boggling.
Did your guide have curly hair? Don't know about Peru, but in Mexico curly hair is called cabello chino & curly-haired people are often nicknamed Chino or China.
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #2 on Mar 28, 2012, 8:27pm »
It is incredible what they were able to accomplish without modern technology, isn't it? I think they moved the stones from quarries by rolling them on wheels and by using levers and pulleys. As for how they fitted the stones together so precisely, I have no idea. Scientists and archeologists have their theories, but I don't remember. As interesting as it was, I unfortunately forgot most of the information I learned on this trip.
About Chino, no, he got that nickname due to the shape of his eyes. In fact, everyone in Peru had stick-straight hair. My curly hair provoked a lot of stares. Once I woke up from a nap on a bus to find a little girl petting it like a cat. And here I thought that I was going to blend in.
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #4 on Mar 28, 2012, 9:20pm »
What a beautiful choice for a honeymoon! I love the way the children are dressed and of course their darling puppies! The terraces are incredible, something that must be even more impressive to see for real. Cheers! Mich
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #5 on Mar 29, 2012, 5:02am »
Komsomoi, we happened to find decent airfare prices and thought, why not? Peru may not be viewed as a conventionally romantic spot, but my husband's not a cruise or resort kind of guy. We both thought it would be a beautiful and fun adventure, and it was.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 34,431 Location: Paris, France
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #7 on Mar 29, 2012, 12:12pm »
South America is the only continent that I have not yet visited, so this is all particularly interesting and Machu Picchu is indeed one of the wonders of the world. So thanks for not forgetting your camera on your honeymoon!
It is interesting to note that there is an expression in French for being very disappointed by something: "It's not Peru." (Strangely enough, the expression exists only in the negative.)
[quote author=nycgirl7664 board=sthamer&qstat=partial thread=5795 post=133025 time=1332966435]Well, if you'd taken notes during the day & studied them at night instead of honeymooning it up, you wouldn't have this problem now.
I hope you've learned a valuable lesson.
Yeah, I’m a big slacker. Gonna have to rely on internet research to fill in the blanks.
South America is the only continent that I have not yet visited, so this is all particularly interesting and Machu Picchu is indeed one of the wonders of the world. So thanks for not forgetting your camera on your honeymoon!
It is interesting to note that there is an expression in French for being very disappointed by something: "It's not Peru." (Strangely enough, the expression exists only in the negative.)
I’m surprised, I kinda assumed you’ve been almost everywhere imaginable.
I just read your “It’s not Peru” thread. What a funny expression. I guess it just goes to show that Peru really has that “wow factor.”
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #9 on Mar 29, 2012, 6:53pm »
Here we are walking through the little village of Maras.
It has buildings with neat carvings dating from the 1500s.
We visited Moray, a fascinating Inca farm. The terraces were formed in three enormous natural depressions, and a sophisticated irrigation system was also put in place. Air temperatures between the top and bottom layers can differ by more than 20 degrees, which has led some researchers to theorize that Moray was an Inca agricultural site where experiments on crops were conducted.
We went on a leisurely horseback ride. It was only my second time on a horse and I was pretty thrilled.
It was such a gorgeous day. However, my husband’s horse inexplicably collapsed at one point. Luckily, my husband just rolled onto the ground and wasn’t hurt. The horse wasn’t either, just a little shaken.
We rode the horses to the salt ponds that are nestled in the hills of Maras. These ponds, used since Inca times, gathers and evaporates salty water that emerges from an underground stream.
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #11 on Mar 30, 2012, 2:27pm »
Machu Picchu, of course, was the highlight of the trip. The famous Lost City of the Incas lies high in the clouds, spread across a lush green mountain, with the imposing Wayna Picchu looming over it. It is a breathtaking sight.
Llamas, a relative of camels, roam around the ruins, just as they did in Inca times. They don't generally bother anyone, although I read they do spit on people when they're annoyed.
We visited Machu Picchu two days in a row. The first day we explored on our own. There were lots of people but the site is so huge that I never felt it was too crowded.
Here I am wearing a cozy alpaca sweater I picked up at one of the markets.
A view of the switchbacks that the buses drive going to the ruins.
The next day we hired a guide to show us around. I recommend doing this once, otherwise you don’t really have any idea of what you’re looking at. Our guide was very knowledgeable.
There are varying levels of skill displayed in the masonry at Machu Picchu. If a building was very important, it would get the impeccable work you see here. These stones are so tightly fitted together that you can’t even slip a piece of paper between them. This was done without the use of mortar, though some of the common buildings do use a type of mortar.
This stone, called the Intiwatana, is believed to have been used as a sun clock.
This rock was formed to resemble the condor, which was greatly revered by the Incas.
At one point, while we were admiring the view of the valley below, we caught a glimpse of an Andean condor soaring in the distance.
This is the Temple of the Sun, designed to allow the sun of the winter solstice to enter through the central window and fall directly on the large ceremonial stone.
These rocks were carved to resemble the mountain peaks behind them.
The Temple of the Three Windows.
After our tour, we decided to hike Wayna Picchu. I was nervous because it looked scary (and it was!) but it was totally worth it.
Here I am on the trail, looking at the Urabamba Valley below.
Machu Picchu seen from the top of Wayna Picchu.
We spotted this handsome bird at the top of the peak. He looked like a small raptor. He was probably used to getting handouts because he was following us around.
There was a stretch of very steep and narrow steps. But it wasn’t a hike that required any technical skill. You just had to be careful.
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #12 on Mar 30, 2012, 2:44pm »
Nycgirl, your photos are wonderful! Never in a million years would I ever think, Mmmmm.....I think this year we should go to Peru! I've been to Rio and that's all for South America. You've got us all very interested Well done both of you for daring to honeymoon out of the usual places ( Niagara....... )
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 3,980 Location: South-West France
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #13 on Mar 30, 2012, 4:37pm »
Mmmm -- no technical skill perhaps, but no fear of heights either!
Interesting pics, nycgirl. The picture from the top of the mountain above Macchu Piccu is a nice change since most pictures I have seen seem to be taken from the same viewpoint as your first one.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 34,431 Location: Paris, France
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #14 on Mar 30, 2012, 4:43pm »
Those photos are extraordinary -- as is the road that goes there.
I also like the pictures from the top of the mountain for a change in perspective.
It's still hard to imagine why they chose such a difficult and inaccessible location to build something like that. After all, back then they were not expecting any tourists.
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #15 on Mar 31, 2012, 2:58am »
Thanks, everyone!
Tod, I actually really want to see Niagara but for some reason haven't gotten around to it yet.
Kerouac, I have no idea why the Incas built there. The theory is that Machu Picchu was a summer retreat for the emperor, but who would want a summer retreat that was a pain to get to? But on the plus side, the Spanish conquistadores never found it and tore it apart.
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #16 on Mar 31, 2012, 5:14am »
We visited some incredible ruins in Pisac and Cusco, but the photos I took there aren't great, so I won't inundate you with them. But here's a few more pics of other stuff.
The markets had beautiful textiles, ceramics, and jewelry...
... as well as some quirky souvenirs for the coffee table.
One day we rented a dirt bike and went for a nice long ride. We were surrounded by stunning vistas.
Like a typical tourist, I stopped in my tracks to photograph the farm animals. Especially the baby ones.
This was a sad sight. Coming back from a bar in Ollaytaytambo at night, we saw these two magnificent pumas chained up in a truck, probably part of an illegal traveling zoo. So wrong. My husband wanted to set them free, but as much as I wanted them to have their freedom, I didn't think that letting him break into a vehicle holding large wildcats while he was inebriated was a good idea.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,287 Location: Mexico
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #17 on Apr 1, 2012, 4:36am »
I know "that's incredible" is a common thing to say, but really, I'm looking right at your pictures and can hardly believe them. Your pictures, besides showing amazing and amazingly beautiful scenes, are almost 3D in some cases.
It's the precision of the ancient buildings and techniques that are so mind boggling. Looking at that perfection perched so high up, the Chariots of the Gods ideas don't seem so far fetched.
What Bjd said about the steps! I'd still be at the top, gibbering & sniveling.
This is absolutely wonderful, NYCG. Is there more?
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 5,367 Location: Montana & Florida, USA
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #18 on Apr 3, 2012, 4:33pm »
Thanks for this travelog, nycg. Peru has been "on my list" since at least 1992, when it got passed over due to the activities of the Shining Path guerillas. (Did you ever feel unsafe?)
I can see that it might be time to move Peru back up to the top. (However, I'll need to replace my 1992 vintage guidebooks with more recent ones.)
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #19 on Apr 4, 2012, 3:16pm »
Kimby, I never felt unsafe at all, although my husband saw a guy tailing us in Cusco after we made an ATM withdrawal. My husband threw him a glaring look and he went away. I didn't notice a thing.
You have to be cautious in Lima. We spent a day there and we signed for a taxi at the airport, and also arranged for a taxi to pick us back up. Taking informal taxis apparently isn't advised.
But this is typical "have-your-wits-about-you" city stuff. There are no guerilla wars going on, that I know of. But you made the right decision avoiding Peru in 1992!
This is absolutely wonderful, NYCG. Is there more?
I was planning to quit while I was ahead, but since you asked...
Here's another pic of our bike ride.
Here we are at the Plaza de Armas in Cusco. Again, I wish I had taken better photos, as it's a lovely little city. Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire until the Spanish took over in the 1530s. Unfortunately, the conquistadores destroyed many Inca buildings. It may be difficult to notice, but if you look carefully you'll see the architecture leans more toward Spanish influence.
These are alpacas, presumably wearing ceremonial decorations. Alpacas are related to llamas, but they're smaller and have softer wool. Llamas are large and easy to train, so they make good pack animals. (By the way, I named the wrong animal on Machu Picchu. Those are llamas.)
Here I am being a dorky tourist again, but this baby goat was so cute I just had to hold it.
Well, that's about all I got. Thanks for reading, everyone!
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,287 Location: Mexico
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #25 on Apr 8, 2012, 3:59am »
That's a great series of pics, NYCGirl.
The bike ride must have been exhilarating. Were there times when you thought you wouldn't make it?
That fountain behind the two of you in Cuzco is something else ~~ Wedgwood meets Hollywood meets lawn ornament!
I wondered about the difference between alpaca and llamas. Those alpacas are adorably dainty.
That last picture has everything! There's a closeup of your excellent pink sweater, the little goat, two Peruvian ladies -- one showing a detail of the traditional clothes & ditto the other, plus she's spinning, I think -- stunning vistas in the background, & one very happy & beautiful newlywed.
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #26 on Apr 10, 2012, 2:09pm »
Thanks, everyone!
Bixa, riding in the mountains on the dirt bike with no particular destination was a lot of fun. It felt good to get off the beaten path for a little while. It was completely safe, although at one point the kickstand on the bike fell apart and kept dragging on the ground. Luckily we ran into some local construction workers on the side of the road who helped us tie it on.
While on the bike ride, I was a little embarrassed when I stopped to speak to the locals in broken Spanish and they found it completely incomprehensible. I was told later that this was probably because in rural areas, many Peruvians speak only the Inca language, Quechua. So I felt slightly better about my terrible Spanish.
« Last Edit: Apr 10, 2012, 2:20pm by nycgirl7664 »
Joined: Oct 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 1,117 Location: UK
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #27 on Apr 15, 2012, 6:53pm »
Absolutely breathtaking - My husband has always wanted to travel to this area ..now I do too. I cannot believe that it was only your second time on a horse , you look very comfortable particularly in the second photo
"These rocks were carved to resemble the mountain peaks behind them" photo is fantastic
Joined: Jan 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 373 Location: NOLA,USA
Re: Peru honeymoon « Reply #29 on Apr 18, 2012, 12:30am »
I am just now getting to really look at this beautiful,stunning report! Fabulous pics of everything! You are simply glowing!!!! (And you look so natural and sexy on horseback!!!) Thank you so much for taking the time to share this with us.
![[Home]](http://static1.grsites.com/user/folders/nowdocking/r3920049/button23550481.png "[Home]")
![[New Topics]](http://images.proboards.com/menu/topics.png "[New Topics]")
![[Help]](http://static1.grsites.com/user/folders/nowdocking/r3920083/button28195714.png "[Help]")
![[Search]](http://static1.grsites.com/user/folders/nowdocking/r3920086/button25710789.png "[Search]")
![[Login]](http://static1.grsites.com/user/folders/nowdocking/r3920112/button20487816.png "[Login]")
![[Register]](http://static1.grsites.com/user/folders/nowdocking/r3920117/button97266159.png "[Register]")
![[Search This Thread]](http://images.proboards.com/search2.gif "[Search This Thread]")
![[Reply]](http://images.proboards.com/buttons/reply.gif "[Reply]")
![[Share Topic]](http://images.proboards.com/new/buttons/share.png "[Share Topic]")
![[Print]](http://images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif "[Print]")
Author
![[Quote]](http://images.proboards.com/buttons/quote.gif "[Quote]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01457.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01637.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/chino.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01639.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01474.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01647.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/kids.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/girl.jpg "[image]")
Logged
![[avatar]](http://i.imgur.com/23lJo.jpg "[avatar]")
![[avatar]](http://www.historic-route66.com/pix/santamonicapiera1.jpg "[avatar]")
![[avatar]](http://i635.photobucket.com/albums/uu73/nowdocking/moonatnight.gif "[avatar]")
![[avatar]](http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/qq228/kerouac2/frog.jpg "[avatar]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/town.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2293.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/stonecarving.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2298.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_23071.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/horse.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2338.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01490.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01500.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01497.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2355.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/salt2.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2495-1.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/alpaca2.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/munching2-1.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/mp.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/me2.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01541.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01553.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2486-1.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01517.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01556.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01578.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01587.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01555.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/coolrocks.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/stones.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2521.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01599.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2536.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01611-1.jpg "[image]")
)
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01644.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2413-1.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01702.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01688.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2546.jpg "[image]")
![[avatar]](http://hermitcrabpetcare.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/hermit_crab4.jpg "[avatar]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/IMG_2397.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01651.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01671.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://i1239.photobucket.com/albums/ff514/nycgirl2519/Peru/DSC01676.jpg "[image]")
![[avatar]](http://i234.photobucket.com/albums/ee13/swozzies/anniesavatar.jpg "[avatar]"){kind=avatar}
![[avatar]](http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OLBmV0-oiAE/T5QtUOEesxI/AAAAAAAAH8o/QViQZLXH_JA/s144/P1000054.JPG "[avatar]")
![[avatar]](http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-geCedqtD42k/T5nyULl9CqI/AAAAAAAAWGM/1EM9HKLEDUs/s512/IMG_2160.JPG "[avatar]")