We are staying in a small town of Urutambo, The hotel is just amazing, I never expected such a lovely and luxurious setting in what I considered a remote place. The Sol & Luna hotel is just fabulous, with two restaurants and individual villas, casitas. This is our base of operations for the next two days as we explore the ancient ruins of a grand civilization, lost but whose influence continues in the many words, and crops they cultivated in this lush landscape.
The Restaurant & Pool 
Home for a couple of nights 
The grounds of Sol & Luna
Our first stop was in the town of Ollantaytambo. This is a surviving Inka town at the northern end of the Sacred Valley. Many of the streets and buildings still display the stone work of its original inhabitants.
On the outskirts of the town is a religious site that was built in the early 1500’s. It remains incomplete when work stopped due to a civil war between two rival siblings for the leadership of the Incas. Then came the Spanish invaders and work was never completed. But what remains is an amazing architectural wonder. The terraced slop leads to the incomplete Sun Temple. The stonework, all done from hand is extraordinary when you consider the Inca had knowledge of bronze but not of iron or steel.
Ollantaytambo “Fortress” 
The terraces 
Ollantaytambo from the top. 
Cathy on the staircase 
Sun temple 
The man in the mountain holding up the grain storage
From here, we went to a fabulous lunch in the hacienda Orihuela. This is a beautiful home containing many relics of pre-Colombian and Spanish era works of art. After lunch we were entertained by a show of horsemanship of the Peruvian Paso horses. These are purported to be the smoothest riding horses in the world due to their gate where never more than one leg is in the air. The show also included traditional Peruvian dancers.
The hall in the Hacienda Orihuela 
Dancers 
Peruvian Paso horses
Following the horse and dance demonstrations, we met with some weavers. They belong to a collective dedicated to the preservation of the indigenous weaving skills. This is of particular interest as I think there may be a possibility to bring some to the Brookfield Craft Center to demonstrate their techniques and teach.
We then had to opportunity to meet with Pablo Seminario, a local artist with works displayed all over the world, including in the Chicago Art Museum and the World Bank. I think after I mentioned my affiliation with the Craft Center he became very excited and gave us a tour of his private collection of ancient artifacts, inspiration for much of his work.
Making a plate 
Painting the pottery 
Pablo & Cathy
Before dinner at the hotel, we were treated to a show of dancers.
I had intended to also post about Machu Picchu, March 6 & 7, but it is late, and we have an early start tomorrow. Plane to Lima, I will try to post more soon.
Please let me know if you are enjoying this. Any suggestions for improvements are welcome. See you soon.
Pictures are great! Hope you’re enjoying the continuation of the trip. Wonderful to meet you two and look forward to meeting again in CT.
Best,
Joy Intriago
Cathy and Howard – what fun it is to travel along vicariously with you! Thanks for sharing so much of your trip. And of course I am loving the recruiting you are doing for the Center! – Kathi
Looks like you’re having an amazing, fabulous, and luxurious time! Loving following along.
Awesome pics. Keep them coming.
Awesome! Tell us what cool stuff you’re eating along the way, too!
Enjoyed it and am completely envious of you both looking forward to what is to come.x
(Did not mean to post anonymously….. but I don’t think I can edit my post…. this if Francoise).
Already a bit jealous of your adventures…… and they have just started!