Imagine ... Lago Titicaca, a lake at 4.ooo meters, sailing on
a boat.
And after an hour or so, you come to a village and set food on land.
On land? NO, you set food on a floating carpet of reed!!!
That has been my first acquaintance with Peru.
Peru is a marvelous country with very friendly people and lots
and lots of cultural and historical sites.
And besides you'll see beautiful nature and landscapes.
For many tourists, Machu Picchu is the main attraction.
I agree with that, but besides that there is so much more to see.
I hope this page will give you an impression of the beauty and atmosphere of
Peru.
Click on any picture for a full-screen wallpaper!
The journey to Peru actually started at (lake) Lago Titicaca. We
crossed the border at the city Puno. This city is worthwhile your visit, because of
the reed floating communities. The area around the lake was habited in the
past by all the main civilizations in the pre-Inca and Tiahuanacu period.
These ruins and the ruins on the previous picture, are actually tombs.
Pre- Inca civilizations buried their death near a lake (not lake Titicaca),
with a splendid view over the lake. This is known as the tombs of
Sillustani.
The first cool city we visit is Cusco. The picture of this fountain is
shot in here.
Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, until the Spanish conquerors
came. The city is a mixture of Inca ruins and Spanish colonial buildings.
At night you should go to Plaza de Armas (the main plaza).
The pictures here are taken on that plaza around sunset. At the
background of this picture is the cathedral.
Around the plaza are many nice shops and bars. The restaurants here
don't go unnoticed. Check the street called "Procuradores" and
you'll understand.
The church above is beautiful and is built next to the cathedral.
It is still used as a church. But it also houses a school (university) and
a very small museum.
The slopes of the hills around Cusco are also populated nowadays. All
tiny shining lights glitter when you look at them from Plaza de Armas.
Around Cusco there are many interesting historic sites. And on the way to
these sites you drive through beautiful landscapes.
This pictures is taken around sunset ...
Around sunset ... that means Plaza de Armas again, for there are still
so many pubs to visit.
With a little luck you'll find a bar where you can dance Merenque and
sometimes even Salsa. But also the local music is great.
Try to see a group called APU. This band plays around the Plaza and I
still like to listen to their music on CD.
The Temple of Viracocha is the biggest remaining temple of the Inca's.
Although the Spanish conquerors destroyed much of it, these walls still
stand. You can visit this complex during your stay in Cusco.
Have you ever experienced that you see a picture that you shoot
somewhere, but you can't tell where it was or what it is?
Well this has been the case with this picture, but now I know that this
is Tambo Machay (a spring shrine). Thanks to Alfhild Halland, a visitor of
these pages.
This remarkable wall above was made by hand. Inca hands that is! It is
probably Puka Pukara, which means Red Fort in Quechua. But today's
scientists believe it was a Tambo or post house.
Back in Cusco there is this picturesque view of a household. The woman
here is washing clothes by hand.
Now get ready!
For Cusco is a very popular city for many tourists, just because of
that ONE "thing".
From Cusco many tourists start their trail or trip to Machu Picchu.
There are several Inca trails to Machu Picchu. In former days many
Incas followed a trail in order not to get lost or stuck in the mountains.
Now these trails are known as "the Inca trails".
Anyway ... because the trails are quite exhausting, small tourist villages arose where the tired Inca's could wash, feed, sleep and prey.
The ruins of these deserted villages are still found around the Inca
trails. Many of them are in pretty good shape or are restored.
My first view of Machu Picchu, as seen from the Golden Gate (with a
telelens). Our journey started around 4 o' clock this morning. Around
seven we arrived in time for the sunrise over Machu Picchu.
It is really great to travel over an Inca trail and then at the last
day, tired and excited, watch the sunrise over this beautiful ancient city.
Machu Picchu is very well preserved and restored.
As the sun rises, more and more houses can be seen. Watch the little
house at the upper left of this image. It is the former guard-house, where
guards watched over the city and over the steep mountain slopes for possible
attackers. An other picture of this guard-house is placed below.
Not only tourists are tired when they arrive in Machu Picchu after
following an Inca trail. Probable due to the tranquil scenery and the
thought of all the labor force that was needed to build this city, even
Lama's have to lie down and rest.
This is a fully restored guard-house (including roof). From this
building you have a splendid view over the city. But you also have a view
on all entrance ways to the city. Lama's and probably virgin women were sacrificed
near this guard-house. The remains of many lama's were found
here.
Who laughs last has got the best laugh, is a Dutch saying.
Probably the same goes for this Lama. This one won't be sacrificed and he
knows it. What he doesn't know is that he'll probably end on a plate.
Ha, ha, ha, ha !
Lima is much like a deception for me. Although it is the main capital
of Peru, it is not a very nice city. The sky is almost 360 days a year gray
and clouded. The temperature is o.k., but you won't see the sun, moon
and stars.
Anyway this picture shows the presidential palace and the always
present guards.
Felix Espinoza is a fantastic artist. This painter, woodworker and who
knows what else, has no arms. But without these he creates fantastic
paintings and wooden plates.
The "Monasterio de San Fransisco" is also known as the jewel
of colonial Lima. This monastery was established soon after the foundation
of Lima. It has suffered earthquake damage over the years, but has been
sensitively restored ever since.
It's outstanding features include the 17th century library, with 25.000
leather-bound volumes and 6.000 parchments dating from the 15th and 18th
century.
This is the monastery's garden. The monastery's collection of religious
art includes paintings from the workshops of Rubens and Zurbaran.
San Fransisco has probably survived more recent earthquakes because of the
solid base provided by it's catacombs, which were used as Lima's cemetery
until 1810. A network of underground chambers, which are open to the
public, contains hundreds of skulls and bones, stored in racks according
to type.
I don't put a picture of that here, for we should end this travel log
with something less dramatic.
Don't miss this monastery and definitely don't miss Peru, when you are
able to travel this country (and are in good health!).
