Today began for us in Madrid airport. Sadly our flight to Cusco was fully booked and we had to stay in our allocated seats. We both managed to sleep off and on but we were both exhausted by the end of our 12 hour flight.
We changed planes at Lima and, after an hour in the air, we finally arrived in Cusco. On emerging from the airport, after so long in a false atmosphere, the fresh air and warm sunshine was very welcome.
Dean introduced us to our two local guides, José and Efrain, and we hopped on a coach that took us through to the centre of Cusco, passing street vendors selling all sorts, including cooked chickens still with feet attached!
We checked into our hotel, The Hotel Marqueses, and had our first experience of coca tea.
After an hour for a quick wash and brush up, we left for lunch in a local restaurant. The food was delicious (veggie salad, quinoa soup, grilled chicken and chips and apple pie) and we were serenaded by a local group of musicians complete with pan pipes! (The not particularly jolly people in this photo were on the table next to us. We were much happier to be here than that lot!)
After refuelling, Hosé and Efrain took us on a walking tour of the city.
We then had the choice of resting in the hotel or going off round the shops on our own. We of course chose shops!
We then had the choice of resting in the hotel or going off round the shops on our own. We of course chose shops!
At 18:00 we had a team talk with Dean and then we went to another restaurant for a buffet dinner and, again, the food was delicious.
We got back to the hotel about 20:00 and, after preparing our day packs for the next day's trek, we turned in for the night. We have a twin room and the beds are firm but comfortable. Think we would have slept on a washing line!!
We got back to the hotel about 20:00 and, after preparing our day packs for the next day's trek, we turned in for the night. We have a twin room and the beds are firm but comfortable. Think we would have slept on a washing line!!
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