Peru 2018! Cusco

My time in Cusco was short. We had one day of sight seeing before we went off to the Sacred Valley. I did return to Cusco after my inca trail hike (more later) but I was too sick to complete my sightseeing. Again, Cusco is another town I must visit once more. There were so many things I missed. I did enjoy my one long day there.

We started with a little walking tour and stop for a local snack.

Aji de Gallina Empanadas (Chicken)

We visited the narrow streets, some with example of Inca masonry. We were told how advanced the methods were for their time, made to withstand earthquakes. Also pointed out were the animal patterns hidden in the brick layout.

We visited a food market. You can tell from my past posts that I was in heaven. I was able to buy some dried fruit snacks for my upcoming hike but I really wish I had time to purchase more food stuff to take home.

Cusco is a beautiful city.

One of the more “touristy” things we did was visit a chocolate place. We made our own hot chocolate.

Half our tour group snuck in a dinner at a local restaurant. I tried alpaca meat and decided I wasn’t a fan.

Alpaca brichera

It was a nice dinner but it made us late for our Inca trail preparation meeting. The meeting is where I got this map, and questioned what I was getting myself into.

Some from the tour went out that night. I was exhausted and retired early. I wanted to save all I had for the Inca trail – I had a feeling I was going to need all the energy I could save up!

Peru 2018! Flying into Cusco

Our tour guide made sure we got window seats to get this marvelous view coming into Cusco.

Peru 2018! Lima

My visit to Lima was very brief and I spent most of my time in Miraflores. During my trip to Peru I let my tour company do all the logistics for my Lima sightseeing and therefore only had a little time to wander around historic sights. It seemed like there was more to see so I am due a trip back sometime.

Basílica y Convento de San Francisco

The Basílica y Convento de San Francisco had an amazing collection of old books that unfortunately were not well cared for. There is a huge room full of rotting books. I wanted to cry.
Other than the rotting books, I enjoyed my short visit to Lima.

Peru 2018! Miraflores

Travelers arriving in Peru will probably fly into Lima and if they are lucky they get a stay in posh Miraflores.

Miraflores is a relatively safe part of the city Lima. Located by the water, you will be amazed at the steep cliffs that lead down to the ocean. I would assume it gets pretty sunny and warm there due to its location but maybe because I was there off season there was a long lasting morning fog the few days I was there. The afternoons were perfect though.

My hotel was a short walk to this fancy outdoor mall with water views. I didn’t go shopping but I did eat breakfast there one morning.

Miraflores itself doesn’t take that long to explore by foot. There are plenty of good ceviche opportunities to take advantage of as well. I also enjoyed my journey of pisco sours.

Miraflores is a nice peaceful start to a Peruvian vacation, especially if you plan to do some hiking or high altitude activities.

Out West 2017! Moab

We only had one day for Utah and I wanted something on the way to Denver so I chose to visit Arches in Moab.

If you ask people who have visited Moab whether Canyonlands or Arches is better the answer will be 1/2 and 1/2 like what happened to me. So I chose one and I was utimately happy with my choice.

We arrived early at Arches National Park and obtained a map. We were up for a hike and there were many trails to take. Ultimately the Devils Garden Trail is selected.

Devils Garden had a rating of both easy and difficult. It appears that the first part of the trail is the easy part and you can turn around if you don’t wish to go on (1.9 mi/3.1 km roundtrip). We chose to go on past that as far as we could (5.1 miles/8.2 km).

The first part was pretty easy dirt paths that were well defined.

Then we come to the first sign that this isn’t no ordinary trail. All I see is stones that go straight up.

I am officially scared at this point. I have hiked many times but I only have one past rock scrambling experience and that was scary for me to complete (Hiking in Mohonk).

I see people of all ages going up and down that rock; even a guy with a baby on this back. If they can do it then I can do it. I hike up to the top.

Once over the first obstacle it continues on with more mini-hurdles to get over until eventually you get the view of more arches.

More obstacles for me to get up and over

We went over these rock formations that I can only describe as “trust the process” rocks. There are a few cairns but cairns don’t tell you that there is not a quick drop at the other end of the rock formation. You must trust the process and just move forward. There is always a (semi-safe) way down.

And finally the “dong” photo. It is actually called Dark Angel.

Yes I am a 40 something woman with the humor of a 12 year old boy

Shortly after the big rock it was time to go back. There was a “primitive trail” to go back but I figured the regular trail was enough work so I went back the way I came. Those rocks were much easier now that I knew what to expect. It was a lovely day at Arches. I feel like wonder woman now! I recommend a visit.