Ollantaytambo

We left Aguas Calientes in a rather bedraggled state after our dose of food poisoning but we had to leave as we had purchased non-refundable PeruRail tickets. What should have been an incredible journey was definitely not as brown paper-bags were being  filled 🤮 throughout as one of the world’s most scenic rail routes passed us by! 😳 poor people around us, we apologise and hope we didn’t spoil the view!


Finally we arrived at our next stop in a little mountain village called Ollantaytambo, where on arrival the poor hoteliers wondered what on earth had arrived! We all looked terrible, and all apart from John were collapsed in the courtyard - what an entrance! As we have learned throughout our journey, when you look like you need help it is so often immediately offered and this lovely family were no different. Out came the medicinal drinks, advice and a helping hand with our gear to our ‘recovery’ room where we collapsed for the afternoon. Spending the last ounce of energy Daddy-bear wondered down to the square to bring home some life giving soup; a delicious veg, quinoa local recipe which we ended up returning for twice. (Of course Han demanded to see the chef for the recipe on our return)!


We went to sleep excited for the next day as John reported back about the stunning historical centre and its network of ancient Inca built cobble streets and the channeled mountain water streams that ran through them. We spent the next few days exploring the streets and ruins and we’re embraced by the Peruvian family we stayed with. 

An extra day there paid off as our visit coincided with the town’s annual Solstice fiesta. We watched parades and dancing through the afternoon, with some of the costumes adorned with taxidermy alpacas strapped to their backs!! It was a beautiful sight and the carnival would continued for 4 days. After an afternoon kip (unheard of) we returned for the evening parades. Again we were treated to an incredible carnival of cultural celebration through dance, music and variety of costumes and masks which we think berated their conquistadors. (The reading list keeps growing).

The night was capped off with the most fantastic firework display in the main square which was as about as close above our heads as you’d comfortably want!

Thanks Ollantaytambo!


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