Walbok Walkabout: 2015-November-17 Peru, Cusco: Visiting Inca Country

We are still in Peru - but this week as tourists. We had to take the opportunity while we were here to see Machu Picchu.

We opted not to do the Inca Trail. We took an overnight bus from San Ramon to Lima, flew to Cusco and stayed there for a few days. We then took a taxi to Poroy, 20 minutes away, and caught the 4-hour train to Agua Calientes (aka Machu Picchu Pueblo).

Main Square Cusco - Ladies Weaving Tablecloths, Hats etc

Being tourists (really for the first time this year) was nice BUT everything here is extremely expensive especially when we compare it with our little village in the mountains. The return train ride alone cost us USD350! On the upside we got to have our first hot shower in Peru yesterday in the Machu Picchu hostel!

Cusco is a very nice looking town and we enjoyed our wander around the backstreets.

View of Cusco

The only downside is all the street dogs (they are everywhere in Peru but a there seems to be a concentration in Cusco). They appear to be well fed, probably from the trash that is left out for collection in the roads, and not too unhealthy - there are just so many of them!

Actually, speaking of dogs, we saw a few Peruvian Hairless Dogs around too – really quite weird looking!

Peruvian Hairless Dog In Machu Picchu Town

We have also spent more time out at restaurants this week as well. The top three types of restaurant seem to be: (i) Typical Peruvian which is two course of thin soup starter followed by boiled rice with chicken and one of about five sauces, (ii) Chifa (Peruvian twist on Chinese), and (iii) Pollo A La Brasas (rotisserie chicken served with chips). We have tried all three and also eaten Llama (we also saw them live grazing at Machu Picchu). We skipped Cuy (Guinea pig) which is served in most tourist restaurants and is apparently a speciality here.

Note: We are most likely doing Peruvian food an injustice. There are probably a lot more options than these especially within their own homes.

What can we say about the day at Machu Picchu itself? It is such an iconic place with photographs well known but to visit it is very special. We spent 5 hours walking around in wonder at what the Incas had built and how well preserved it is and the magical surroundings. We have included some photos but it really is hard to describe what it is like to be there!