Alpaca for lunch

Later, we ventured out again to have some lunch.  It was still raining, so we stayed local and went to Los Toldos Chicken, a restaurant Nikki had recommended.  Neither of us had chicken, though.  I had a pork chop, and Mark had alpaca skewers!  Both were cooked over a wood fire and were absolutely delicious.  The meat had been marinaded in chilli, garlic, and herb.  It was the first meal in South America that didn't need seasoning!

Cusco feels like a really nice city.  We will definitely enjoy being here.

Cusco is the undisputed archaeological capital of the Americas.  It is the continent's oldest continuously inhabited city and the gateway to Machu Picchu.  It is also my favourite city on this trip so far!

Originally the bustling heart of the mighty Inca Empire, Cusco (or Qosqo in Quechua) was considered the navel of the world, a centre of power, culture, and worship.  The city reached its golden age in the 15th century under the reign of Pachacuti, the legendary emperor who reshaped the empire and gave Cusco its iconic stone streets and intricate temples.  Then came the Spanish in the 16th century, mixing colonial swagger with the city's indigenous roots.  You can still see Catholic churches perched atop old Inca walls (talk about a cultural mashup!).  Today, Cusco is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  It is a vibrant melting pot of history, tradition, and the hum of modern life.

Back at the hostel, Jesus, a representative of the company we have booked our Machu Picchu trip through, came to see us to give us our tickets and answer any questions we had.  It all seems very well organised.  We're excited for the day after tomorrow!

This evening, those doing the four and two day Inca Trail hikes met with their guides to get all the information they need for their epic trips!Read more