The flat red felt hat known as a montera
Some Peruvian hats appear to serve little function. However, they often tell other locals where the hat wearer is from and their family heritage. The red felt hat is called a montera and can be filled with flowers, fruit and other adornments. These are worn by Quechua women throughout the Sacred Valley. When worn at such an angle, it may also tell others she is a widow. Continue reading
Looking like Three Blind Mice, I was anxious to try Guinea Pig
After a recent photography trip to Ecuador, I was disappointed to have missed out eating their national dish, guinea pig. So given the chance to once again try this unique local cuisine in Peru, I jumped at the opportunity. Better yet, our Peruvian cab driver let me know the Ecuadorians do not know how to properly prepare guinea pig like the Peruvians do … lucky me! Continue reading
Machu Picchu in January
Machu Picchu is a well known and all-too-well traveled Inca destination high above the Urubamba River Valley in Peru. During the 90 minute train ride from our base in Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes at the base of Machu Picchu, the Urubamba River was in view most of the time. It is the most turbulent, violent river with non-stop rapids I ever have seen. So this deep valley is still being carved out by nature at a steady pace. Continue reading
Traditional Peruvian lady in Chinchero, Peru
Many who travel to Machu Picchu are doing so as a bucket list item. They rush to Machu Picchu and see little else along the way after landing in Cusco, Peru. We were simply visiting to help fill the three-week void we had between one cruise terminating near Valparaiso, Chile and the next cruise departing from Lima, Peru. It was the less desirable rainy season. Like the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the Louvre Museum, if you are in the area of world-renowned sites, they are must-see attractions. Machu Picchu is one of them. Continue reading
The Pope will visit the city of Trujillo, Peru in January 2018
We did only a little research on the Internet about the port city of Trujillo we were going to visit during our cruise to Valparaiso, Chile. We learned Trujillo is generally referred to as “The City of Eternal Spring” and were looking forward to this cruise port stop. After visiting, we learned what a bunch of “marketing” that is… Continue reading