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Peru trip 2010! Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca and more

By : Lynessa Nelson
Trip Begins January 13, 2010
Trip Ends January 23, 2010

Our Peru travels took us from Lake Titicaca to the Sacred Valley and the fantastic Inca ruins of Machu Picchu. We finished our Peru trip with a few days in Cusco. Good people, great food, inspiring culture and unforgettable landscape.
See my photos : Peru trip 2010 (Part 2) Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman and more

Want to go? Machu Picchu by Train

I went to: Peru, Cusco, Lima, Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu Ruins, Puno, Amantani Island, Machu Picchu, El MaPi, Taypikala Hotel Cusco, Lake Titicaca, Ollantaytambo
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January 13, 2010
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Lift Off!

Orlando, FL

Four hours of driving, three hours of sleep, and two lattes down and we are lifting off from the Spokane airport on the way to our first adventure in Peru! As the plane's wheels come off the ground, I feel a slight sense of the butterflies in my stomach. I always remember flying for the first time when I was younger and the overwhelming feeling of excitement it brings. I kind of miss that feeling. I guess I have to settle for the butterflies that are stirred up with thoughts of our first look at Machu Picchu! My husband and I look at each other every few minutes and smile at the realization that we will be in Peru in just a few short hours. I look at the passengers around us who do not have a clue of where we are going or what our story is. I have just a pinch on anxiety about the next step of our adventure - 30 minute layover in Salt Lake. Praying for clear skies and helpful flight attendants. Here goes!

Spent the night in Orlando – 2 planes failed on us. Emergency landing in Orlando, FL.

January 14, 2010
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We Made It!

Lima, Peru

Thursday – Finally made in to Lima this evening after a horrible layover in Orlando. Ready for some sleep at this time. We arrive into the airport half asleep and irritated at the unhelpful Delta crew. But we’re here in Peru so the irritation slips away at we step onto the jet way. The sound of the crowd and humidity from outside hit us at we exit baggage claim. Several taxi drivers try to lure me into their cars, but we are on a mission to the Ramada Inn directly across the street.

We settle in and are so thankful for the peace and quite, and the AC! The Ramada was beautiful and the staff very helpful. We relax in the bar, sipping on our complimentary Pisco Sours. Now we’re ready for the adventure tomorrow. I call our local contact on the tour voucher to make sure all arrangements have been made for our tour on Lake Titicaca tomorrow, since our travels were delayed 24 hours. Everything’s set!

January 15, 2010
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Sleep walking on the Islands

Amantani Island, Lake Titicaca

Friday – We stagger out of our hotel room in a rush at 2:45am to catch our 4:00am flight to Juliaca. Our alarm didn’t wake us at 1:30am as planned. We race across the connecting walkway from the hotel to the airport – thankful that we don’t have to run across the street. We made it - with plenty of time to spare.

January 16, 2010
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Altitude Sickness

Puno, Peru

Altitude Sickness

January 17, 2010
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Bus ride to Cusco

Cusco, Peru

Bus ride to Cusco

My Photo Album: Peru trip 2010 (Part 2) Machu Picchu, Sacsayhuaman and more
So many beautiful sites like this in the countryside of PeruThe Sacred ValleyDinner in OllantaytamboOllantaytambo ruinsSuch precision even in the cornersIncan symbol carved into the stone foundationFirst Incan computer monitorView of the market from the ruinsThat string will keep you from plummeting to the rocks belowsuch advanced water systems for irrigationFountains for ritual bathing before religious ceremonieswater drainage down the middle of the roadtwo toros and beer for good luck!Lunch! guinea pigs!Garlic and Jesus for good luckOn the trainTracking our coordinates on the GPShow many workers does it take to change over the tracks?skylightsthe raging Urubamba Riverthe damnAguas Calienteschecking in to the MaPi Innrestaurant directly across from El MaPiComplimentary Pisco soursgourmet pizzaOn our way to Machu Picchu!Our diligent tour guidefirst sight of Machu PicchuThe dalai llamathe crowds of peopleThe chinchilas aboundPark employed Lawn mowersAyul explains the historyWayna PicchuCan you see the Condor in the rock?checking to see if the Incan compass is aligned correctly. Yep!Urubamba RiverLocal game of "darts". Whoever loses buys the chichaMmm. . . Chichapit stop on the way back to CuscoOld Inca entrance to the city of CuscoThe Market!Any fruit you could possibly want in a smoothieTincture "para hacer el exito" to make the successthe 900 different species of potatoes in Peruhandicrafts!!Please note the quail in the cage. Fresh eggs anyone?At SacsayhuamanHow did they move those?Largest rock in SacsayhuamanThe Incas must have been very tallLooking out on CuscoTaking a break. The altitude got to us! rock with 12 cornersCusco Cathedral - no pictures allowed inside :(The Temple of the SunThe Snake, the Puma, and the CondorColonial buildings built on top of the Temple of the SunSuch precision in the Incan arcitectureOut our Cusco hotel room, Taypikala Hotel.We don't want to go home!Back in Lima on the waterfrontOur gracious host, Milagros, and her sonPilar and GianinaBack in the USThank you Adventure Life for an awesome trip!