The wonder of Machu Picchu

Being able to visit Machu Picchu the easy way (and not the 3 day treck and tent that many do) was a true blessing....this meant we could spend our energy climbing the Huayna Picchu mountain (restricted to 400 tickets a day) and viewing the sites.....with a restriction of around 2500 visitors a day we were blessed to go to the valley over two days. The 2nd day started at 5.30am where there were literally hundreds queuing for the buses to go up and down to the valley.

Ollantaytambo...a unique town

This small town is a stop off for those going to Machu Picchu. Its interesting pebbled and stone wall streets makes it interesting for photos.

Guinea Pig Farming (for food!!)

Urubamba and Maras Salt Ponds

The Maras Salt Ponds was another awesome sight in Peru. This was a perfect example of how a town has become wealthy utilizing a natural resource flowing out from the mountain.  Urubamba apparently has more donkeys than humans....which shows its wealth. Many families in the town are allocated a salt pond within the Maras Salt Ponds.......salt water flows out of the nearby mountain and into the salt ponds. Salt is then extracted and packaged to be sold.

Floating Straw Villages in Puno

We sometimes forget that there are many who live on straw villages floating on lakes.....and were privilege enough to see such a village in Puno Bolivia. Although these villages do make a lot of money off tourists....it must be uncomfortable to live on straw most of your days!