INCANS: A Lost Civilization

Haven’t known much about South America, Peru, or Equador specifically,  let alone Incan .  Quite honestly,  nothing.  I came away with basic knowledge of their way of life, leadership and eventual defeat of what now is primarily a lost culture with no known living ancestry. 

They were astronomers, architects and agriculturists who built Fortresses and Citadels throughout the Incan Empire. The architecture of Machu Picchu is adapted to the Andean

mountain range precisely aligned to the Temple of the Sun with sunrise on each solstice beginning June 21^stthrough December 21st.

Why is this place so amazing?  Perhaps the location of the site, the terrain itself seems rather challenging to plant, grow and flourish as a society with little resources and in isolation.  With little "farming" space on the terraces, hardly enough to keep 750+ people sustained.   Because the Incans did not record their discoveries or progress we know little about them.  It's simply educated conclusions.

no mortar, simply carefully placed stones

terraces facing the sunrise

looking up at the Temple of the Sun

Steps and steps and steps!

Amazing trek and accomplishment!

Michael made the pinnacle! 

terraces for planting 

From atop Waynu Picchu, view of Aguas Calientes from where the train ends.











OLLANYATAMBO was built in the shape of the jaguar or puma. 

windows and niches always in this shape

fountain where only the ruler's daughter bathed

Store houses to the right and left. God in the middle?

MACHU PICCHU, the Condor.



Switchbacks from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu at the end of the road is a green topped building.  That is Belmond Sanctuary Lodge, the only hotel at Machu Picchu where we stayed the night before in preparation for first crack at the citadel.

South America Bound - first stop LIMA

Not wink of sleep; the first 3.5 leg. An hour the second 2.5 hours stint though finally caught a little more on the last and final leg at 5.5 hours from Miami to Lima.  The toughest part were the shorter legs, with long enough layovers to get from gate to gate but too worrisome to fall asleep.  Once settled in for final destination, relaxation began to set in.

Hotel El Tempo 2 is located in Miraflores district known for shopping and eating, close the the ocean and a relatively safe neighborhood. Michael (my travel partner on this trip and long-time college buddy, Kumu Hula. fellow foodie and so on, asks - if it's so safe, then why is everything locked down with barred windows and barbed wired?  Rightly asked. Mr Hernandez our guide and driver even talks of stoplight cameras monitoring activities. SAFE?  Hmm.

Mr. Hernandez on a night driving tour.

 

Micheal and I lolly gagged around the  Larcomar area, got a feel for Alpaca goods, silver and  general items.  We also took in AMAZING FOOD!

Waikiki Beach, no really - that the name!

Daily breakfast buffet, sets off just right!

Lima was a perfect was the perfect place for us to get through jet lag, acclimate our ears to the Spanish language,  set ourselves "right" for the the rest of this adventure.

Makaha area

583 Years of Christmas

An eight hour drive from Bruges, Belgium to Dresden, Germany was long but proved to be a magnificent destination in which to kick off the celebrations of our Christkindlmarkt adventures.  The Dresden Striezelmarkt is now in it's 583rd year, even through incredible destruction of war, economic and social changes and political upheaval.  Christmas uplifted the darkest times in Dresden's people who are now ever celebratory!

Angie's first gluhwein

The market's often replace the nightly Happy Hours in the bar for outdoor activities for Gluhwein, hot chocolate with a spirit and the traditional bratwurst in brotchen.

Traditional hand made wood ornaments from the Erzgebirger mountain region of Germany. 

Santa eating and drinking! Chugging one down. 

Plum people figures

Every vendor has their own unique display vignette.

Lebkuchen: a holiday specialty

Martin and I have been friends for YEARS, through Philip, through the
bank and through our  "citizens of the world" attitudes!

These characters look rather from Central Asia or Mongolia!

Angie choosing her first Christkindlmarkt purchase with the expert help and opinion of Martin.  Martin was my banker from West Seattle

   

Zwinger Palace Gardens

Beverage break at Striezelmarkt

Each kiosk/shop are uniquely decked!

Live sheep in this Nativity Scene

An overnight in Bruges

Super quick stop in Bruges to visit this quaint, romantic town most recently featured in a Hallmark movie that made me want to put it on our itinerary!  Our time was spent strolling the town, over the canals, peering into windows with handmade lace, incredible chocolate candy displays, and unique antique shops.

Waffles on a stick???





Hot chocolate on the center square where all activities took place, the horse drawn carriages trotted through, and the Christmas Market came alive when the sun set early.





Lighted trees juxtaposed against old churches, buildings and castles.