From Cape to cape. Expeditions by land and sea.

[drron]

More of the middle depression.Not yet restored fully.

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More wildflowers-

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The main site from ground level-

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[drron]

And now the climb back up the hill-

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Now back in the car,the clouds descend and some more rain.Perfectly timed.

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[amaroo]

And now the climb back up the hill-

We watched a father and son run back to the top ..... they made it around 2/3 up before dropping to the ground in pain. Lesson - never run at altitude

 

[drron]

More scenes from the car.A young girl was looking after these sheep,some pigs and a couple of cows.she saw the camera and hit the deck-

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The scenery is spectacular.but here are some of the potatoes growing.Flowers in many shades of light pink through to purple as well as yellow or white-

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And finally the salt ponds of Moras.But as it is wet season no salt-

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[drron]

The salt ponds at Maras were established in pre-Inca times.The oldest ponds are closest to the feeding spring and new ones are still being developed.

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There is a small chapel overlooking the ponds-

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The timing of the visit was perfect.There were 3 busloads about to leave when we arrived and for 15-20 minutes I had the place to myself.

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The spring which feeds the complex.The water is very salty having tasted it-

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[love_the_life]

We found Moray and Maras both fascinating.
Hope mrs.dr.ron was able to have a quiet day while you were out and about.

 

[drron]

The system is simple.Channels cut in the rock with small connections to each pond.Opening or closing the channels is done with rocks-

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I don't think this new control system will work-

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The ponds drop off sharply-

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The views are also impressive-

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Now back to the hotel.that is it below us in the foreground.Plus the rest of Urubamba-

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Back in the hotel it did remind me of a couple of W's we have stayed at.

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[drron]

And some more of mrsdrron's day.She walked the grounds and a little outside.So a local and a popular means of transport-

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And more views-

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Hotel art-

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[drron]

A fantastic day and it finished once again in thehotel restaurant.I went with the local tastes-Andean soup and crispy cuy.Mrsdrron went the safe way with fettucine and prawns.

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The cuy was very bland.A mild chicken taste.Went well with the beetroot puree.Also there was a layer of potato roesti.So I can say I have tried it but see no need to ever have it again.Mrsdrron had a glass of Sav Blanc and I a half bottle of a Mendoza malbec-nice.

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We both ended the night with a mint and muna tea made freshly.Muna they said is like a mint and I couldn't tell them apart-

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So to bed ready for our early morning departure for Machu Picchu.

 

[drron]

So Saturday arrives and we are up at 0500,brekkie at 0535 and walk to the station on the hotel grounds.It had rained all night and the forecast was rain all day.But only a drizzle as we walked to the train.Now there are lots of pics of MP so I will show Mrsdrron's first then some of mine.
So our train,the 3 staff for our carriage and we are ready to go-

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The weather wasn't great as we made our way slowly to Ollyantambo-

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Only 3 passengers in our car to start but it was full when we left Ollyantambo.Unfortunately a Chinese tour group so a very noisy trip to the base of Machu Picchu.We are also on the wrong side for this part of the trip.Wasn't a major problem as any non Chinese pax on the river side became acquainted with several new Chinese friends.Continued raining as we walked to the bus and until we entered MP itself then it stopped.
So our first view.Note what conditions you would have had if you were in the early group going up Huanya Picchu.Basically no view-

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Today it was not the altitude that took your breathe away.

 

[drron]

More MP-

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[drron]

The magic continues-

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[drron]

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Finally those up HP get a view.now midday.

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And our guide Carlos.Certainly did a great job though I suspect a few facts embellished such as only 20% of what you see has been restored.

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[amaroo]

Ah, great memories! Keep em coming...

 

[love_the_life]

Ah, great memories! Keep em coming...

Yes, it is a most magical place. Takes your breath away.

 

[drron]

So now it is a collection of my pics.So back to the start with the train-

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It is a Vistadome service so great visibility.For the journey to Ollyntambo it really didn't matter what side you were sitting on as with only 3 pax in the carriage you could move about.The first thing passed was the impressive hotel veggie garden-

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It was not looking great weather wise-

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There are small chapels everywhere plus we get a glimpse of Maras-

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Then pass a cemetery-

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Glimpses of the river and new construction.Throughout Peru a lot of housing appeared unfinished but occupied.

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[drron]

A very fertile valley-

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That is a hotel on the side of the mountain.Our guide had stayed there.You reach it by climbing up with the help of ropes and ladders.Then the floors are glass.No thank you.

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Quite a few caves-

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Just before you get to Ollyantambo some more terraces-

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[drron]

Some more coming into Ollyantambo-

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And the opposition trains-

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There was still farming for a little while after leaving Ollyntambo but the weather wasn't improving-

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[drron]

On this part of the trip we were served refreshments.We had the mint and muna tea again as we both quite enjoyed the flavour.For a snack they served quinoa pie.Now I have never been a fan of quinoa.here in Peru it is in everything even desserts.The pie was simply awful.I got givcen 2 pieces and this is what I ate-

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Now although we were on the wrong side of the train for the views it was interesting with orchids and epiphytes growing on the rocks and occasional creeks coming down from the mountains-

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About 15 minutes out of Aqua Calienties we had to wait for a train going back to pass us.It was at the start of their hydro power station where water is diverted into large pipes going into the mountain.Later you will see the other side.After reaching the station we then transferred to a bus to go up to MP.Raining all the while and was a little hairy as the driver didn't slow for the conditions.So crossing the river and the surrounding mountains-

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The rain continued as we got off the bus but stopped as we left the ticket gate.after that just a light drizzle at times.The first sight of MP leaves you spellbound.

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[Milboo]

So now it is a collection of my pics.So back to the start with the train-
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Glimpses of the river and new construction.Throughout Peru a lot of housing appeared unfinished but occupied.

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I asked our guide about this. In Peru you don't pay land tax until the building is complete so they leave them like that to avoid the tax.