Visiting Machu Picchu was a meaningful experience for me. How was it built and what was life like there over 500 years ago? I'll not forget my visit to this special place!

Machu PicchuPeruMachuPicchu2012

While staying at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge I caught this hummingbird about to depart its perch.

HummingbirdPeruMachuPicchu2012

Returning to Cusco high on a mountain overlooking the Andes we stopped at this remote location to view the wares of some local merchants

PeruPeruvian MerchantsMachuPicchu2012

A young mother and her child

PeruPeruvian MerchantsMachuPicchu2012

In Cusco we stayed in the fabulous Hotel Monasterio del Cusco

Hotel Monasterio del CuscoPeruMachuPicchu2012

In Cusco we visited the local market to get a flavor of Peruvian city life

Cusco MarketPeruMachuPicchu2012

This woman proudly offered her fresh baked breads

Cusco MarketPeruMachuPicchu2012

Fresh vegetables were offered by many vendors

Cusco MarketPeruMachuPicchu2012

At another stop was this weaver with her very young lamb

CuscoPeruMachuPicchu2012

We returned to Lima and visited the major city square

LimaPeruPlaza MayorMachuPicchu2012

As we strolled some of the quaint streets of Lima, we briefly were serenaded by this musician. And with that we ended our week visiting Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley of the Incas and flew to Iquitos, Peru to visit the Upper Amazon.

LimaPeruMachuPicchu2012