Any trip I plan, must have either some historical value or
nature as the focal point.
I enjoy physical activity and like it all wrapped up in as
much luxury as I can afford. Sometimes the “afford” gets stretched but I have
never regretted it as the experience always overtakes the cost.
Peru gave me all that I look for ,and I am glad that I did the trip now..at my
current fitness level as it calls for both the ability to acclimatize and
stamina.
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It’s a loo…oong flight. 8 hours to Amsterdam; a 4 hour layover and then twelve and a half
hours across the Atlantic, over the Andes and onto Lima on the Pacific.
I had a wonderful gentleman sitting next to me. He was good
at fixing my T.V. cables ( the airline engineers locate points at impossible to
reach places) and was helpful with my overhead baggage; but my goodness, twelve
and a half hours next to one person familiarizes you with their taste in wine and movies and the number of times they need the loo.
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The genius of the Incas is to be seen to be believed.
Reading about it is like biting into a dry toast…and seeing it is like having your toast with butter and marmalade.
Reading about it is like biting into a dry toast…and seeing it is like having your toast with butter and marmalade.
It all comes alive as you see the
terraced agriculture, the use of stones to build walls, storages and living
areas and the thought behind the apertures.
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| IN A DOOR WAY |
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| 3 SISTERS AND I AT MACHU PICCHU |
The stark strength of the stones is offset with the rich
green of the land and the blue of the Urubamba river.
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| URUBAMBA RIVER |
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| STONE WEIGHT 90-120 TONNES |
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| THE INCAS FORTRESS |
The Incas acknowledged a force greater than themselves and built many temples to the Sun God.
The Spanish came, looking for Peruvian gold, conquered the country and built their churches on top of many of the Incan temples.
The Spanish Churches have massive wooden doors, beautiful
tile work, silver and paintings. There is a rendition of The Last Supper which
is very different than what I have seen in Italy.. On the table there is a platter with a guinea pig which is a favourite Peruvian food.
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| 17TH CENTURY TILES |
I had a beautiful moment exploring a church when I heard the sound of music coming from above me. On glancing up, there was a man in one of the balconies, longish hair, his back to me playing on the organ.
I had to move on. I was with a group. Had I indulged in the
luxury of a private tour I could have spent the entire afternoon listening to
him.
The visit to Peru was planned for Machu Picchu and the add ons were The Amazon River Rain Forests and Lima..a beautiful city..I could live there.
High Lights:
H.B. There are several ways of getting to Machu
Picchu. You can walk ..4 days on the Inca Trail or take a train, Peru Rail has
several options up to Aguas
Calientes..and then bus it to the top of the mountain and citadel of Machu
Picchu.
I took the Hiram
Bingham..paying for which caused a hole in my bank balance…the hole was
completely forgotten when I arrived at Poroy to board it.
H.B. cannot just
be referred to as a luxury train. It is an
experience which starts the moment you alight at the train station and are
welcomed by musicians and dancers in traditional costumes.
The waiting area has sofas, and trays with flutes of
champagne, fresh juice and canapés are being passed around..and this at 8.30am
in the morning.
A red carpet leads you into the train and an attendant takes
you onto a tour of the two dining coaches, a lounge, a bar, and an open deck
with a 3 piece live orchestra that encourages you to sing with them..dance if
you so feel like ..or just enjoy.
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| MUSICIANS AT PORAY TRAIN STATION |
Dining room seats are pre assigned, tables covered with damask, gleaming cutlery, and there is a four course meal that is served to and fro from Machu Picchu
If you can afford it…this is the only way to travel…and if you cant I suggest you immediately get a piggy bank and ask for donations.
Belmond Palacio Nazerenas. 3 Nights. This was a private residence,then a convent for nuns and now a hotel with just suites.
The lobby, a small room with a bench like sofa , two chairs and a counter..plenty of character but gives no indication of the luxury that lies ahead. You pass through courtyards with fountains , rosemary bushes and an tea is laid out…
My room the size of half a football field has an espresso machine, a decanter of Pisco Sour and a mini bar stocked with little snacks and soft drinks…all on the house.
The other half of the football field is a closet, a tub , a
shower area, and…
The flooring is heated and oxygen is being pumped in to help you acclimatize to the bump
up to 9000ft above sea level.
Lima..Larco Herrera Museum, and Miguel,
I’ve said this before…I loved Lima..the Pacific Ocean.. the vast sea front all along which there is plenty of green, playgrounds,and little seating
areas. Its clean…there are people but no stifling crowds.
The Larco Museum..I mention especially. It is family owned, beautifully maintained with a really nice restaurant in a garden and a gift shop.
Its difficult to express that while the museum shows a way of life approximately 5000 years ago yet there is a freshness .... not the usual mustiness that museums have. I found the jewelry collection quite contemporary..and very stunning.
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| THE ENTRANCE OF THE MUSEUM |
You are with a human being.and not someone that rattles off information to a group.
Miguel was in his 50s . His son was a Television Star..and he himself had been to Chicago to hear The Rolling Stones.
Miguel was in his 50s . His son was a Television Star..and he himself had been to Chicago to hear The Rolling Stones.
At the museum he wanted to know if I wanted to do the
Erotica room on my own!!
He was a Christian..but did not go to Church on Sundays. His job took him to at least two churches in a day and that he felt was enough .
In the church ,pictured below there was a huge shortage of monks. Only 12 were left and this inspite of the fact that they could dress in jeans..casually... and the Archbishop was very hopeful that laws requiring celibacy were about to change.
He was a Christian..but did not go to Church on Sundays. His job took him to at least two churches in a day and that he felt was enough .
In the church ,pictured below there was a huge shortage of monks. Only 12 were left and this inspite of the fact that they could dress in jeans..casually... and the Archbishop was very hopeful that laws requiring celibacy were about to change.
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| THE CHURCH - WITH A VACANCY FOR PRIESTS |
