BajaNomad - Not Baja- but Machu Pichu

Not Baja- but Machu Pichu

Oso - 1-9-2007 at 04:14 PM

Sorry, but had to share this fantastic zoom site for Incaland.
http://www.docbert.org/MP/

Ken Bondy - 1-9-2007 at 04:42 PM

Magnifico Oso!!! Here's my best from Incaland:

DianaT - 1-9-2007 at 05:14 PM

Machu Pichu is fantastic, and I really enjoyed all the places around that area. The train going in and out of Cuzco is something!

However, I really fell in love with the ruins at Silustani outside of Puno----it really looked and felt like the place the mother ship landed----Art Bell would agree. :yes:

Also, the train trip across the Atiplano from Cuzco to Puno is one of the best.

Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories.

Diane

Skipjack Joe - 1-10-2007 at 01:40 PM

The train ride from Cusco to Machu Pichu along the Urubamba river is a great adventure (if you don't get robbed). I've got some great shots, but alas they are all on film.

Minnow - 1-10-2007 at 01:44 PM

The Green Minnow says."you people really pee me off". :mad:

That goes Double for you Ken Bondy. :lol:

[Edited on 10-1-2007 by Minnow]

thebajarunner - 1-10-2007 at 03:02 PM

We were there six months ago....
Very interesting, and stunning place to visit, and yeah, train ride is really something.
Actually we liked Cusco as well, or better. It too had a great fascination.

Interesting sidebar...
Our guide had us all sitting in one of the building shells and he was carefully explaining that no reconstruction had ever been done on that particular one, Nope, it was all just like it had been built thousands of years ago.
I looked up and broke into his spiel, "And the wood in that header over the door, what kind of 2000 year old wood might that be?"
Just could not resist...

The bajarunner------a guides worst nightmare-----

Barry A. - 1-10-2007 at 03:12 PM

-----was there also a couple of years ago with OAT (overseas adventure travel)-------------incredible, but we loved Cusco the best, and the people there were just great. Actually Lima was pretty fasinating, too, and we spent several nights at all 3 places. Highly recommend Peru------wonderful!!!

"A guide's worst nightmare"

thebajarunner - 1-10-2007 at 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
-----was there also a couple of years ago with OAT (overseas adventure travel)-------------incredible, but we loved Cusco the best, and the people there were just great. Actually Lima was pretty fasinating, too, and we spent several nights at all 3 places. Highly recommend Peru------wonderful!!!

Barry, I like it... can I borrow that for my next batch of bizcards?
Bernie calls me the "Schoolmarm" but both have a nice ring.
Actually, the guy was such a 'know it all' and pontificating on and on and on..... it was just one of those sweet moments when you can put a small pin into a large balloon....

(after Peru we went on to Quito and Galapagos.... Quito and driving around the equator was great, Galapagos was waaaaaaay overrated!)

Bajarunner

DianaT - 1-10-2007 at 05:27 PM

Quote:

(after Peru we went on to Quito and Galapagos.... Quito and driving around the equator was great, Galapagos was waaaaaaay overrated!)

When traveled quite a bit of Peru and Ecuador by bus and local plane, but we did not have the time nor the money to visit the Galapagoes when we were there.

Now we have talked about going to Galapagos----real curious as to why you say it was overrated???

Thanks
Diane

Galapagos gripes

thebajarunner - 1-11-2007 at 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdtrotter

Quote:

(after Peru we went on to Quito and Galapagos.... Quito and driving around the equator was great, Galapagos was waaaaaaay overrated!)

where do we start??

you can only do it by tour cruise ship
you only get a brief morning and a brief afternoon outing to land (like 1 or 2 hours)
half of the outings are to a beach that has a lot of smelly sea lion pups lying around in their own poop
less than 5% of the place is open to tourists
you see what they show you, and that is it.

the giant turtles/tortoises that you see in all the promo fotos..... they are in a cage, crawling around on a concrete slab... San Diego Zoo has a better show than that!

on the plus side, you see a lot of tame birds, blue footed boobies, etc, but no better variety than on one of Baja's estuaries- they are just tame.

beyond a variety of lizards/iguanas, sea lions and some birds there is not much more to see

the landscape is bleak- you yearn for a cactus or a boojum

it is very expensive

we were on a "first class" boat (spell that expensive) and the food was mediocre

the morning we were leaving I was having breakfast with a nice old guy from San Diego and he commented on our short 3 day visit.... "I signed up for 5 days, wish I was going with you!"
That one comment summed it all up for me.

I guess the bottom line is this, you see better specimens at the San Diego Zoo, and better landscape anywhere south of El Rosario.... I mean like waaaaaaay better!!

Sure is a long way to go, to spend a very large amount of money, to check one more thing off your "life list."

Galapagos-----

Barry A. - 1-11-2007 at 03:35 PM

We also went to Equador, and the Galapagos, after visiting Peru. With OAT (Outdoor Adventure Travel, a division of Grand Circle travel) we were in the Islands for 7 days, on a rather small motor cruizer, with 20 passengers, 2 excellent guides, and great food. We visited at least 7 of the islands, doing most of the "cruizing" at night while we slept.

All of what Taco says is true, but we really enjoyed it, in spite of that. I would not go back, but I really enjoyed it while I was there. All in all, a plus, and with OAT not really that expensive (tho I really don't remember how much). The islands did remind me very much of Baja, tho. The entire Peru/Equador trip was one of the highlights of my later years, and my wife agrees.

Just do it, and expect to enjoy it, and you probably will. It is a very unusual and exciting place, IMHO.

But still--------------Taco is right about a lot of it.

Galapagos

DianaT - 1-11-2007 at 03:38 PM

Hey,
Thanks for all the information---maybe I will focus on making it to Tierra del Fuego---lots to see in that area---I think.

We really enjoyed several places in Peru and Ecuador, and almost got to Bolivia---got to the floating islands in Lake Titicaca-----so much to see.

Again, I appreciate your report.

Diane

Diane-----in case you missed my comments---

Barry A. - 1-11-2007 at 03:46 PM

see above your last comments. ( I noticed that you posted almost the same time as i did, so maybe missed them.)

Bob H - 1-11-2007 at 05:59 PM

I have a great shot of Machu Pichu but it's on film. I will try to make a digital photo of it and post later on. We stayed in the little town of Agua Caliente down below that peack for two nights and explored all over the area. Loved it! The wobbley train ride to get there was excellent along the raging river.
Thanks for posting this subject. It brings back great memories.
Bob H

Titicaca

Skipjack Joe - 1-12-2007 at 01:19 PM

Lake Titicaca straddles the border of Bolivia and Peru. The Peruvians have a joke about it.

"Yes, we share Lake Titicaca with Bolivia. Titi for us and Caca for Bolivia".

One of my fondest memories of the lake are the islands of the sun (or moon - I no longer remember). The boat leaves Puno and takes about 2 hours to get to the island. The Indians run the operation. During the trip the men sit around knitting woolen caps while chewing coca leaves. You just cram a bunch into your mouth and let it break down over time.

Diane, I'm sure you've had coca leaf tea in Cusco. They use it to cure "soroche", altitude sickness. When you first reach the city you get this walloping headache for about a day.

I've heard that Tierra del Fuego is very windy and has a stark landscape.

Arguably the best thing about Peru is the Indian population. In that sense it's a lot like Guatemala, my other favorite Latin country. The jungle ruins at Tikal rival Machu Pichu. Tikal is less commercialized than Machu Pichu. And Lago Atitlan is the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. What a place!! Some day I hope to go back and walk it's banks again.

Bruce R Leech - 1-12-2007 at 01:31 PM

some day I would love to go to Machu Pichu, it has been an interest for me sense I was a child.

DianaT - 1-12-2007 at 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Lake Titicaca straddles the border of Bolivia and Peru. The Peruvians have a joke about it.

"Yes, we share Lake Titicaca with Bolivia. Titi for us and Caca for Bolivia".

One of my fondest memories of the lake are the islands of the sun (or moon - I no longer remember). The boat leaves Puno and takes about 2 hours to get to the island. The Indians run the operation. During the trip the men sit around knitting woolen caps while chewing coca leaves. You just cram a bunch into your mouth and let it break down over time.

Diane, I'm sure you've had coca leaf tea in Cusco. They use it to cure "soroche", altitude sickness. When you first reach the city you get this walloping headache for about a day.

I've heard that Tierra del Fuego is very windy and has a stark landscape.

Arguably the best thing about Peru is the Indian population. In that sense it's a lot like Guatemala, my other favorite Latin country. The jungle ruins at Tikal rival Machu Pichu. Tikal is less commercialized than Machu Pichu. And Lago Atitlan is the most beautiful lake I have ever seen. What a place!! Some day I hope to go back and walk it's banks again.

Ah yes, when we arrived in Cusco and found a small hotel, we immediately were served our first cup of Mate de Coca. (Landing in Cusco is NOT to be forgotten!) On the local tour we took out of Puno to Sulistani, everyone was served Mate de Coca out of thermos, poured into well used cups. Didn't like it as well as they sweetened it.

Good stuff---also helped with recovering from some bad pork in Ariquipa, Peru. Also, we hired a local guide to hike around some of the ruins near Cusco and he showed us another plant whose fumes help with the altitude---did help.

Tikal, is my favorite---last time we were there we drove from Honduras and were surprised to find the road 1/2 paved. Now it is totally paved and I guess there is more development.

Sometime I will find a couple of pictures of Lake Atilan---it is magnificent. We had traveled there before, and when we lived in Guatemala City, Panahachel on Lake Atilan was one of our weekend get-aways.

Barry, thanks for your take on the Galapagoes----

Happy Travels
Diane

CONTINUING TO NAME DROP PLACES----

Barry A. - 1-12-2007 at 02:36 PM

If you had trouble with the altitude in Cusco, Peru (which we didn't) be prepared for BIG trouble in Lhasa, Tibet (another OAT Tour) where we DID have a little trouble. As I remember, Lhasa is close to 18,000 feet.

Tikal is incredible, but most of it is hidden in the Jungle and hard to get a proper perspective, in my opinion. Machu Pichu is totally "exposed" (to high for much vegetation) and therefore I thought much more spectacular. We backpacked to Tikal (by bus) with an armed guard at our side----spooky!!! We took a daylong bus trip from San Ignacio, Belize to Tikal. We learned our lesson-----organized tours are so much more relaxing!

I highly recommend Machu Pichu, and stay at the bottom in Agua Caliente, as somebody here recommended. Really nice.

[Edited on 1-12-2007 by Barry A.]

DianaT - 1-12-2007 at 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
If you had trouble with the altitude in Cusco, Peru (which we didn't) be prepared for BIG trouble in Lhasa, Tibet (another OAT Tour) where we DID have a little trouble. As I remember, Lhasa is close to 18,000 feet.

Tikal is incredible, but most of it is hidden in the Jungle and hard to get a proper perspective, in my opinion. Machu Pichu is totally "exposed" (to high for much vegetation) and therefore I thought much more spectacular. We backpacked to Tikal (by bus) with an armed guard at our side----spooky!!! We took a daylong bus trip from San Ignacio, Belize to Tikal. We learned our lesson-----organized tours are so much more relaxing!

I highly recommend Machu Pichu, and stay at the bottom in Agua Caliente, as somebody here recommended. Really nice.

[Edited on 1-12-2007 by Barry A.]

I am afraid that 18,000 would be a bit much for me. :yes:

---but I bet it was a fantastic trip.

On the train trip from Cusco to Puno, a young ex-Israli soldier suddenly became quite ill from the altitude. We quickly got the porter to get the oxygen that the tour book said the train carries----we were probably at about 14,000 at the time. Of course, there was no oxygen, fortunately she came back around as we headed down in elevation.

We have never traveled with an organized tour from the U. S. , but I well imagine it is easier in many ways.

Most of Mexico, Central America, and a little of South America---that is it for us so far----need to augment that place name list. :spingrin:

But that first picture of the fantastic Machu Pichu sure brouht back a lot of great memories for several of us.

Thanks Oso for starting this!

Happy Travels
Diane

Bajalover - 1-12-2007 at 03:35 PM

Very nice Oso! Spent several years in South America (all countries except French Guyana, Paraguay). Your photos brings back fantastic memories.
Thanks.

Skipjack Joe - 1-12-2007 at 05:02 PM

That cloud cover in Ken Bondy's picture is a key element to all good pictures of Machu Pichu. I kicked around there for a couple of days photographing in direct sunlight with some success but when the clouds appear the mood totally changes and the place gets that mystical quality. If you look at posters of the ruins you will always see them taken with those low clouds.

Regarding soroche: I had a similar experience to yours Diane. We were hiking a glacier around Huaraz, Peru at about 16000 feet when one of the passengers went completely pale green. She just slumped on a bench and looked like she was going to die. I rushed back to the bus where the driver had a small oxygen tank and got her breathing from it. She improved, the color came back, but didn't really recover until we descended to 13000.

The hotels in Agua Caliente were great except for the bed bugs. Nevertheless a great memory.

On Tikal: It's interesting to compare Tikal to Chichenitza. Instead of clearing all of the foliage as they did in Chichenitza they left the ruins emerging right out of jungle. The result is night and day. Chichenitza had a manicured lawn around all of the pyramids with busloads of tourists arriving from Cancun. Tikal was isolated and you could sit on the pyramids and watch the toucans fly from top to top. You could hear the howler monkeys screaming through the jungle. What a place.

Machu Pichu building

Skipjack Joe - 1-25-2007 at 06:36 PM

Here's how the ruins look up close. The Urubamba river runs through the canyon far below.

[Edited on 2-7-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

thebajarunner - 1-25-2007 at 07:18 PM

Yeah, and just sit and listen while your guide tells you with a straight face,

"Been just like that for 2000 years, not a bit of restoration, none at all!"

Then, find an early photo of the place, like shortly after it was discovered, and judge for yourself...

Agua Caliente

Skipjack Joe - 1-26-2007 at 03:27 PM

From railroad downstream of the village. Machu Pichu is up the canyon walls to the right.

[Edited on 2-7-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

[Edited on 2-7-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

Cusco street scene

Skipjack Joe - 1-26-2007 at 03:29 PM

Notice aqueduct on the right. All the old towns have this sort of water supply that was originally developed by the Incas.

[Edited on 2-7-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

Uros

Skipjack Joe - 1-26-2007 at 03:31 PM

The island people of uros. These people persevered by living on floating islands made of reeds on lake Titicaca.

uros.jpg - 49kB

Railroad rest area

Skipjack Joe - 1-26-2007 at 03:33 PM

All of you that took that train from Cusco to Machu Pichu must have stopped here. The food vendors are now waiting for the next train to arrive.

[Edited on 2-7-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

Sachsaywaman

Skipjack Joe - 1-26-2007 at 03:34 PM

My personal favorite inca ruin. Maybe I just hit it right or was in a receptive mood.

[Edited on 2-7-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

Sachsaywaman again

Skipjack Joe - 1-26-2007 at 03:35 PM

[Edited on 2-7-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

and again

Skipjack Joe - 1-26-2007 at 03:36 PM

[Edited on 2-7-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

Natalie Ann - 1-26-2007 at 07:38 PM

Skipjack - Wonderful photos, all of them. Thank you for sharing.

The Cusco street scene - the street, the women, and is that a child playing on the road in front of them? All in that photo seems timeless. Then there's the print itself... brings to mind an old postcard or somewhat forgotten painting. (surely it is film?) All the textures of that image seem... well, ancient as that wall, that road and the stream beside it. And at the same time there's a refreshing quality too, like the water gurgling from the wall, front left. There just really is a mood to this imagine. I like it very much.

Skipjack Joe - 1-29-2007 at 10:39 AM

Cool! I'm glad somebody liked something.

I actually took that shot out of a bus window and never knew how it would turn out. It's not very sharp and has other flaws but I too like that it conveys the feel of a timeless, ancient civilization. The Indians are really hard to shoot. So I took the picture before they got too close and covered their faces.

One note about the photos. Most were shot with Kodachrome but the Uros picture was shot with Fujichrome. That's why there are those gawdy colors. I didn't 'fix' it with photoshop and just left it as is.

Glad you liked them Natalie. I'm sorry I didn't respond sooner. I didn't have computer access all weekend.

[Edited on 1-29-2007 by Skipjack Joe]

DianaT - 1-29-2007 at 10:57 AM

I love your photos--- bring back such memories. I found it quite wierd walking on the floating island. Wonder how it would feel with kness that are not real stable yet. :biggrin:

Most of the time we photograph people from a distance unless we have permission. We have missed some wonderful shots over the years, but it just doesn't feel OK to just stick a camera in someone's face---yet I have seen tourists do just that with no respect at all.

Thanks for the memories
Diane

BAJACAT - 12-26-2012 at 06:45 PM

Hi Nomads, any ideas on who to get to book a book to this amazing place..Im shooting for 2014.since 2013 it will be ither Baja or Sedona.
I will thank you with alot pictures...

Bob H - 12-26-2012 at 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BAJACAT
Hi Nomads, any ideas on who to get to book a book to this amazing place..Im shooting for 2014.since 2013 it will be ither Baja or Sedona.
I will thank you with alot pictures...

We stayed at the Hotel Monasterio while we were in Cuzco. It was wonderful and they handled our train trip to and from Machu Pichu. We spent two nights in Agua Caliente, just below Machu Pichu. What way, you can get up early in the morning and beat the bus tour groups there. We had the whole place to ourselves (almost) in the morning.

http://www.monasteriohotel.com/web/ocus/hotel_monasterio.jsp

Spend a couple of days in Cuzco to get used to the altitude before going up to Machu Pichu.

great shots & art bell ....LOve it !!

captkw - 12-27-2012 at 07:23 AM

never been there myself.. but have wanted too..pics & nat geo help make a better pic in my mind..anyof you folks stay there for a while ,,like months and if yes can you share about living there ..............

Ken Cooke - 12-27-2012 at 12:17 PM

Quote:

I have been to Sedona. Baja is a much better destination. Nicer people, too. :yes:

Frank - 12-27-2012 at 01:03 PM

Thank you to everyone that posted, we were just planning our trip to Peru in 2014. Its really nice to get information and opinions from people that have been to Baja.

Ken Cooke - 12-27-2012 at 01:26 PM

Moyobamba

Tarapoto