The Sacred Valley... Mmmmm mmmm mmmm

Where to begin..... These days, I awake to ancient Incan-terraced mountain sides and mountain-top ruins overlooking the small andean village of Pizac near Cuzco, Peru. Machu Pichu among other incredible ruin sites are within feeling distance... There really is an amazing energy here. Likely why many travellers end up here for much longer than expected....

Since the last post..... Made my way to La Paz. Not much to say other than lots of people, lots of smog but all in all an amazing setting as you have 3 million people squeezed into a small valley with the houses literally climbing the mountain sides.












Near La Paz is the ancient city of Tiwanaku, the capital city of the Tiwanaku Empire which was one of the most influential (and brutal!) in all of the americas (existed from 1500 BC to 1200 AD!). Here are some pix of the tour I went on. The monoliths were amazing!






Gate to the Sun....






After La Paz I made my way to a beautiful mountain town north of La Paz named Sorata. What a stunning place. A small village nestled at the base of snow-covered peaks overlooking a beautiful open valley. I went to Sorata with some really nice Argentinean friends I met in La Paz and had a great time relaxing and eating some rockin meals!






Then we explored this amazing bat cave....




For a perspective, notice the little pedal-boat in the water...


From Sorata, I made my way directly to Copacabana. A crazy little town on Lake Titikaka very close to the border with Peru. Funny place with lots of wandering, jewellery-making travellers and drug-hungry gringro... a bit odd but i met some really nice people and the setting for this town is incredible. This famous lake (from the Incas) is a powerful place.








Nice pic Nacho!

From Copa I popped over to Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun - where the sun was born according to the Incas) for a couple nights. What a wonderful couple of days. I walked the length of the island twice, once along the ridges and then back the next day along the coastal path that passed through the various villages on the island. Both trails are original (parts have been restored) Inca trails - lots of lots of stones!


Southern tip of Isla del Sol.


Three-sided view of the lake, kitchen for me to use.... $7!

On the northern tip of the island is the major ruin site on the island. Incredible. I arrived after the throng of day-trippers as I had walked from the south so I had the whole place to myself. I set up on a comfy spot on the ruins and made lunch (pre-made rice, salt, raw garlic, tomatoe and cucumber.. mmm mmm!) and before long, the sheep decided it was lunch time too and they had a reservation at the same restaurant... About 20 sheep (including a stupidly cute baby - what the heck are baby sheep called anyway!?) strolled into the ruins and went to town. It was incredible. Complete silence other than the sound of squeaky grass in the teeth of the sheep and the distant rumble of the ocean far far below....


Table with a view please.


Baaaaa baaaaaaaaaaaaa




Well, that completes Bolivia! Onto Peru. But I am starving so I will finish this post here.

As always, much love to you all. I hope you are all happy and inspired. And don´t forget Mother´s Day!

Joel