CUSCO/SACRED VALLEY, PERU
We absolutely LOVED it in this part of Cusco, talk about magical!!! We truly enjoyed every part of this location. We stayed at the Belmond Hotel Rio Sagrado and it was the definition of serene. It is on the Urubamba River and it is like you are one with nature. (and for those that know me well, know that me saying that does not come easy ;-)) Exploring the markets, hiking at Ollantaytambo, fighting like the Incans and sunrise spiritual yoga filled the next 2 days!!
Relaxing on our private balcony taking in the Sacred Valley.
Enjoying Andean cuisine at El Huerto. Almost everywhere we ate in Peru takes so much pride in serving local cuisine. Here at El Huerto, a lot was even picked from the garden right on site. It was AMAZING!!
Believe it or not, I was SO EXCITED to get up and feed the baby alpacas. I am not so sure how they felt about us, though 😉
Stunning, right?!?! We then took a guided tour/hike of Ollantaytambo. Ollantaytambo is a small town that has preserved an Inca archaeological site in Southern Peru. This was our first time experiencing any altitude issues. No headaches or nausea (thank goodness!!) but boy were we out of breath after only 10-12 steps. It shocked both Peter and myself as we are both in pretty decent shape, but that had nothing to do with it, we were over 9,000 above sea level.
Our guide was Jose and he was AMAZING. Born and raised and has only lived in Peru, Jose is so admirably passionate about his country and culture, he made the experience so much more magical and memorable.
Jose taught us how to fight like the Incans, with their weapons. Wark’a is like a slingshot (my weapon of choice) and a Liwi is lama tendons with rocks.
We learned here how the Catholic religion and Mother Nature (Pacha Mama) are so impressively synonymous. It truly fascinated Peter and myself. I am born and raised and still practice the Catholic faith. Peter is Presbyterian. We both absolutely loved how it was so natural to combine the two – Catholicism and Mother Nature. Yet, for most Peruvians, their traditional beliefs tend to outweigh their Catholic faith. For example, lightening hit the Catholic church behind us. A local women went to the priest crying asking why God would do that, the Church is already so old and fragile. His answer was “well, the earth needed the soil to be turned over for better crops more than this Church needed preserving…Pacha Mama took over.” Incredible, right??
We purchased this rug for our new kitchen here in Peru at this market. This Peruvian women made it by hand!! Pretty sure I will be framing this picture and putting it somewhere in our kitchen!!
This was such a highlight for Peter and myself…sunrise spiritual yoga on the Urubamba River. It was magical.
How adorable is our yoga instructor?!?
Next post on Peru will be from Manchu Picchu…I get excited just typing that!!
Traveling Black and Grey Outfit
// Black Jumpsuit BACK IN STOCK!! // Grey Cardigan // Chanel Espadrilles // Similar Espadrilles // Sunglasses //
All White Outfit
// My favorite white jeans // Thinner White Sweater ON SALE!! // Favorite Pink Tennis Shoes // Camel Turtleneck Sweater // Camel Scarf // Hat // Sunglasses //
Leave a Reply