If You Are A Tourist – Be A Tourist

A few lovely days off in Cusco at the centre of the Valley of the Incas and a day trip by boringbus-twistytrain-scarybus to get to Machu Picchu, the former country retreat of the Inca kings. Cusco really is a beautiful city that has retained enough of its different periods of greatness to have rich pickings for the wandering tourist. Machu Picchu was breathtaking (literally if you started to rush around the ruins at 8,000 feet elevation) under the glowering rain clouds.

Photos here: Plaza de Armas in the Centro Historic with the Basilica Cathedral on one side and the Iglesias de la Compania on the other. Panorama of Machu Picchu from the postcard photo spot where the Inca Trail drops into the city. Typical tourists visiting Machu Picchu. Tourist picture of woman and grand-daughter and pet lamb. Tea selection in the lobby of my hotel – Coca, Coca, Coca, or Coca – Oh I’ll have Coca please.