Last Full Day in Cusco

I had several things on the list today, as it will be my last full day in Cusco before I leave to start hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu!  I will be coming back here late in the day on Monday, but I expect I will be exhausted and not wanting to do much but shower, go out for a nice meal, and then go to bed.  My first stop this morning was back to San Blas to hopefully get some better photos.  Getting up early paid off, and I was actually able to get a few good ones before too many other people showed up.

[Photos above:  Siete Borreguitos, a very pretty stairway that everyone likes to photograph; Aqueduct]

After successfully getting these photos and walking around the area a bit more, I made my way down to Three Monkeys Coffee.  I had read that this was a must if you like coffee, but I kind of forgot about it until a friend suggested I go.  I chose a pour-over filtered coffee called Inkawasi from this region of the country.  The flavor profile highlights golden raisin, vanilla and almond.  It was a really solid cup of coffee, enhanced by a chocolate-filled croissant!

[Photos above:  Breakfast at Three Monkeys Coffee (thanks, Jarin!)]

Next on the list was a museum that was closed yesterday.  The Museo de Arte Precolombino showcases a variety of items from, as the name suggests, pre-Columbian in Peru (before the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas which brought European influence).  This includes several pre-Incan civilizations, as well as the Incan Empire which ultimately conquered/assimilated these cultures.  This was a small but well-produced museum, and certainly to worth an hour and $5.  Afterwards, I went back to the hotel for a bit, but they were cleaning my room so I relaxed in the little patio area just down from my room.

[Photos above:  Various artifacts from the museum (I have to go to bed soon, so I’m not going to explain them tonight.  Sorry!)]

In the early afternoon, I totally switched things up and took a “Bean to Bar Workshop” at the ChocoMuseo. This was super fun and informative, and we made our own chocolates to take home.   It was a very chocolatey day up to this point! 

[Photos above:  “Bean to Bar Workshop” at the Choco Museo.]

Since I skipped lunch, I used this time after the workshop to grab some something to eat.  I couldn’t resist stoping in for a quick bite at Paddy’s Irish Pub (below).  I also took an opportunity to hold a baby alpaca, but it won’t let me upload the photo for some reason, so I’ll have to figure that out later.  A good reason to check back in on Tuesday!

At 6:00, I went to Alpaca Expeditions, the outfitter I’m going on the hike with, for our introductory meeting where we discuss the details of the hike, ask questions, and meet the other members of the group.  Surprisingly, I’d say I’m middle of the pack age-wise, if not in the youngest third.  I have to be up, packed, and ready to get into the van that will transport us back to Ollantaytambo for breakfast and to pickup final supplies before we go to the trailhead by 4:00am.  Ugh.  At the meeting, they also gave us our duffle bags that the porters will carry for us during the day.  I’m all packed up and ready to go!  I’ll leave anything I don’t need for the next four days in my luggage that will remain here at the hotel waiting for me when I return.  So, I’m logging off until Monday because there’s no internet on the Inca Trail.  To be honest, I don’t know if I will have the energy to write anything Monday night; I may use Tuesday to work on catching up since that’s a travel day going to my final stop on the trip:  Lima.  Wish me luck!

Daily step count:  16,477