I tell you. Quite a difference seeing the grounds of the Green House, the bed and breakfast where we are staying for the next three days, during the morning light as compared to the non-view we had as we trudged in with our bags in the darkness yesterday evening (one of us was likened to a wild boar coming down the road). Such a pretty and peaceful looking place under the care of its owners—Bryan and Gabriel.
Location of the Green House - View from our room
The Green House sun porch
Gabriel talking with S over breakfast
After some good advice from Gabriel this morning and after filling up with scrambled eggs, toast, fruit and some good coffee, we decided to take a few buses towards Ollantaytambo, an important administrative center for the Incan empire. As before, there was something particularly satisfying in taking the public buses which we hopped on and off without any problem at all…getting more views of the countryside at the same time.
Bus ride from Urubamba to Ollantaytambo
Road into Ollanta
At Ollantaytambo (also known as Ollanta), we walked around a bit, figured out where the Peru Rail train station was for the following day’s trip to Machu Picchu, and had a filling lunch at the Pukarumi restaurant.
A more rustic storefront wall in Ollanta
The original Incan water channels still running
Tourist stalls heading into the Ollanta fortress area
Then it was on to the main fortress with its huge stone terraces, temples and rich history. S. pushed for getting a guide for our visit and it was well worth it. Rather steep in some spots, but the views and the experience more than made up for it.
Bright sun and entrance into Ollanta site
Many people visiting the former Incan administrative center
View of Ollanta fortress with mountains behind
Another view through stone window
Our guide Alberto showing a sacred fountain
Mountains behind and town below the fortress
Exploring the Ollanta terraces
Alberto showing S the valley below
Visitors walking the impressive site
How the Incans moved huge stones
Posing by the main gates to the sun temple
With only a few hours of afternoon light left after the visit to the fortress, we walked around what is known as the Incan part of town, now inhabited by local Quechua (and Spanish) speaking residents. They’re still living and working in buildings whose stone foundations were originally constructed by the Incas and accessing water from the canals they built as well. Something particularly good about visiting this part of the city…living.
Walking the still inhabited old Inca town of Ollanta
More buildings in the old Inca town
Late afternoon light on mountains in Ollanta
Remains of a building where we hiked
Friends we made along the way
Grasses along the walls of the ruins
Stone-piled entrance at one of the small ruins
And I just have to post a few pictures of the mountains and the fortress of Ollantaytambo in the late afternoon and early evening light. Competing and complementary edges against the horizon. Beautiful.
Mountain landscape in Ollantaytambo
Competing landscape edges of mountains and fortress
Tripled landscape in Ollantaytambo
A bit of an adventure heading back on the buses towards the Green House, including almost running over a cow in our colectivo (mini-bus) and standing in an absolutely packed bus for the second leg of our trip back, but all was good with a great Green House dinner and time by the fireplace. Looking at an early wake up to get to Machu Picchu tomorrow morning…
Enjoying the Green House and a Day Trip to Ollantaytambo
I tell you. Quite a difference seeing the grounds of the Green House, the bed and breakfast where we are staying for the next three days, during the morning light as compared to the non-view we had as we trudged in with our bags in the darkness yesterday evening (one of us was likened to a wild boar coming down the road). Such a pretty and peaceful looking place under the care of its owners—Bryan and Gabriel.
Location of the Green House - View from our room
The Green House sun porch
Gabriel talking with S over breakfast
After some good advice from Gabriel this morning and after filling up with scrambled eggs, toast, fruit and some good coffee, we decided to take a few buses towards Ollantaytambo, an important administrative center for the Incan empire. As before, there was something particularly satisfying in taking the public buses which we hopped on and off without any problem at all…getting more views of the countryside at the same time.
Bus ride from Urubamba to Ollantaytambo
Road into Ollanta
At Ollantaytambo (also known as Ollanta), we walked around a bit, figured out where the Peru Rail train station was for the following day’s trip to Machu Picchu, and had a filling lunch at the Pukarumi restaurant.
A more rustic storefront wall in Ollanta
The original Incan water channels still running
Tourist stalls heading into the Ollanta fortress area
Then it was on to the main fortress with its huge stone terraces, temples and rich history. S. pushed for getting a guide for our visit and it was well worth it. Rather steep in some spots, but the views and the experience more than made up for it.
Bright sun and entrance into Ollanta site
Many people visiting the former Incan administrative center
View of Ollanta fortress with mountains behind
Another view through stone window
Our guide Alberto showing a sacred fountain
Mountains behind and town below the fortress
Exploring the Ollanta terraces
Alberto showing S the valley below
Visitors walking the impressive site
How the Incans moved huge stones
Posing by the main gates to the sun temple
With only a few hours of afternoon light left after the visit to the fortress, we walked around what is known as the Incan part of town, now inhabited by local Quechua (and Spanish) speaking residents. They’re still living and working in buildings whose stone foundations were originally constructed by the Incas and accessing water from the canals they built as well. Something particularly good about visiting this part of the city…living.
Walking the still inhabited old Inca town of Ollanta
More buildings in the old Inca town
Late afternoon light on mountains in Ollanta
Remains of a building where we hiked
Friends we made along the way
Grasses along the walls of the ruins
Stone-piled entrance at one of the small ruins
And I just have to post a few pictures of the mountains and the fortress of Ollantaytambo in the late afternoon and early evening light. Competing and complementary edges against the horizon. Beautiful.
Mountain landscape in Ollantaytambo
Competing landscape edges of mountains and fortress
Tripled landscape in Ollantaytambo
A bit of an adventure heading back on the buses towards the Green House, including almost running over a cow in our colectivo (mini-bus) and standing in an absolutely packed bus for the second leg of our trip back, but all was good with a great Green House dinner and time by the fireplace. Looking at an early wake up to get to Machu Picchu tomorrow morning…