We caught the train to Cusco late afternoon and for some reason there were people dressed up going from carriage to carriage singing and dancing to "entertain" us on the 3+hr journey.
It was early evening when we arrived at the Casa Andina hotel which is a beautifully decorated, old colonial type place and our room overlooked an inner courtyard. Derek sorting out the bill after dinner.
I had the most dreadful night's sleep with blinding headaches and the most vivid dreams. The worst thing was I felt as though someone was kneeling on my chest and I could barely get enough oxygen to breath. I think I spent most of the night sitting up as that was the only way I could get air into my lungs. Clearly the affects of Altitude Sickness.
Today we had the morning to ourselves to look around the old Inca capital of Cusco.
This is Piedra de los doce angulos (12 sided stone) - it's part of a large wall and is laid without any mortar whatsoever. It is so perfectly made that you cannot even get a piece of paper between the stones - testament to the skill of the stonemasons.
There was some kind of parade going on in the Plaza de Armas so we found ourselves a spot on the balcony of a café and watched proceedings.
The military, bands and students were all involved but no clue why.
Cocoa Tea is recommended as an antidote/preventative to Altitude Sickness - let's hope it works.
Desperately
trying to catch some locals.
I thought I'd be cunning and send Ian in as a decoy, but she knew what I was up to.
Finally, a head on shot and no scowling (shame it's not in focus).
A few other random shots of the town. Different types of corn (maize).
After lunch we had a group tour of various Inca sites outside Cusco including Tambomachay which is a water temple and held sacred to the Incas because the spring water always flows out of the mountain at the same rate and is clean.
Such beautiful blue eyes.
We had great views over the city.
An early dinner tonight we leave tomorrow at 7:15 to catch a train to Lake Titicaca (9 hour journey but quite a nice train by all accounts with a viewing carriage etc.).
