Say “hola” in Peru - Bolivia in 2009 - Part 1.2

Say “hola” in Peru - Bolivia in 2009 - Part 2

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu is an Inca settlement built around 1450, as an estate for the emperor, on a mountain ridge about 2,430 m high. It was abandoned 100 years later when the Spanish came. The Spanish never knew about the settlement and it was not plundered. So it remains as a relatively intact cultural site, became known to the outside world only in the 1910s. It is built in typical Inca style, with polished dry-stonewalls. The ruins contain about 200 stone structures for housing, sanctuaries, parks and temples.

The first photo shows a panoramic view of the upper part of the settlement. The 2nd photo shows a drawing of the settlement during its prime based on what the archaeologists' research. The next 2 photos show the steepness of its slopes on all sides. Very steep terrain with many terraces for agriculture. It is protected on 3 sides by the Urubamba River, with steep slopes up to 450 m height.

The next set of photos show the general layout of the settlement. Most parts of the brickwork are original. The last photo shows a "boh-kia-si" worker clearing the weeds.

And finally, a family group photo, 2 alpacas grazing at the edge, and the train connecting Machu Picchu with Cusco. Machu Picchu is accessible only by train. There is no road link to any place at all.

The ancient Inca Trail

From Machu Picchu we returned to Cusco by train. We then took a tourist express bus to Puno, some 390 km to the south-east. A full day journey with tourist stops. Saw some farm houses, an old monument at Pukara and ruins like those at Raqchi.

Lake Titicaca

This is a large highland lake shared by Peru (55%) and Bolivia (45%). The main attractions on this lake are the 30+ man-made islands, called Uros. They are made up with layers of reeds and the islands are movable. They are actually inhabited, by about 1,500 people, hunters and fishermen. Even the boats are made of reeds.

From Puno we crossed the lake to the Bolivian side by bus. In fact the bus crossed the river too, on a boat, shown rather "carelessly parked" on the boat. Before that, had a seafood lunch.

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