Chilling Out In Cusco

We have had a few lazy days in Cusco compared to our normal vigorous travelling itinerary! We have been really lucky with the weather but the last few days have been freezing cold, perhaps contributing to our desire to relax in a warm hotel room watching movies on the Cable TV! Yes we have Cable TV... a real luxury for us!

The day after we returned from the Inca Trail we went for our as of yet most expensive meal out in South America. We went to the 'Inka Grill' on the main Plaza with a lovely couple from Sydney that we met on the Inca Trail... it was their honeymoon! We both said that was the sort of silly active honeymoon we would do! Ash dined on his first Cuy (Guinea Pig!), deliciously basted in chilli, garlic and rosemary. It tasted halfway between chicken and duck for those that don't wish to try it for themselves!

Apart from that we have spent the last few days planning our itinerary for the next few weeks, doing LARGE amounts of laundry, cleaning our bags which were completely caked in filth after 3 months of travelling, and eating at the same two restaurants for lunch and dinner! We have found 2 great places so we are making the most of the opportunity to put some weight back on before we head to Bolivia after our trip to the Amazon. We have also been to the Coca Cafe which serves many different products made from coca leaves, including cookies, chocolates and delicious coca tea with lemon and honey... all good for helping with the altitude.

Yesterday we mustered some energy and took a tour around Cusco's main cathedral and visited the 4 Inca archaeological ruins close to the city. The cathedral was beautiful and contained an interesting take on 'The Last Supper'. Jesus and disciples were painted sitting down to a feast of Guinea Pig and Chicha (Corn Beer)! We also visited the Qorikancha museum and saw more freaky shrivelled Inca mummies!

Afterwards we headed up several hundred metres above the city and walked around the ruins of Sacsaywaman (amusingly pronounced 'Sexy Woman'), Q'Enqo, Tambomachay and Pukapukara. From Sacsaywaman there were really great views across the whole of Cusco. Inca history is shrouded in mystery and a great deal of it seems to be based on assumption because nothing was documented by the Incas other than through the symbols they created and which historians are still deciphering. We have heard somewhat conflicting stories from different guides but it is nevertheless fascinating.

We're off now for our daily 3 course set lunch (bargain for 2 pounds 50 each!) in our favourite Cusco restaurant, Granja Heidi. Later on today we head to a briefing on our Amazon trip before heading out early tomorrow morning. We will be back with more stories in a week!