Day 4 - Urubamba Market, Raft Trip on Urubamba River, Pisac, & Home Hosted Dinner - March 30, 2003
We woke up at 7 AM, showered and were at breakfast at 7:30 and out of the hotel at 8. We went to the market in Urubamba and I was able to take many pictures of the population of the city while they bought and sold their wares.
We saw the indoor and outdoor market, took lots of pictures and showed many of these to the people. This was loved by all. People came from all around to see their friends. Gen was good at taking pictures of me showing the people their photos.
At 9 AM we took three wheel moto-taxis, similar to rickshaws, back to the hotel. There we met the bus, the three raft trip guides and were back in the bus to go to the Urubamba River to raft. We had three boats, and it was very easy as we did not have to paddle too much as the river was fairly calm.
We got a good explanation of the geology, geography and flora of the area. By the time we were on the water it was hot and we got a little sunburned. The river was brown due to the run off. It was 1½ hour float and when we met the bus the food for lunch was all prepared.
We sat around and had a picnic and it was good. Guacamole, vegetables, bread, tomatoes, chicken, fruit and drinks. Sun was still out but starting to cloud over.
We drove to Pisac, another Inca ruins in the foothills of the Sacred Valley. Pisac is situated in a spectacular location atop a buttress ridge, with gorges on either side. We went from 9,200 feet to 11,100. Very impressive.
The were large plots of agricultural gardens on the steep slopes terraced for potatoes, barley, corn and other crops. We had too many talks and not enough walking and climbing. Lots of vendors.
We stopped at town of Pisac and visited the very large market. By then it was raining hard and as we were not in the mood to shop we sat in a balcony of a little restaurant and tried the local soft drink, Inca Kola.
Then back through the valley to Urubamba and stopped at a local specialty pottery and watched a quick demonstration. We then looked around, bought a few things and went back to the hotel to change for dinner.
We left for dinner at a local home where we sat in their kitchen. It was very primitive but they served lots of carbohydrates - squash, two kinds of potatoes, corn, rice, and duck. Barley soup to start.
After dinner we celebrated the anniversary of a couple from Florida. We went outside and there was music and dancing around a bonfire. We returned to our room, organized our bags for tomorrow’s trip on the train to Machu Picchu.
Hotel: Incaland Hotel Meals: B, L, D
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Day 13 - Saturday, April 22, 2022 - Depart for U.S.
The hotel prepared a box breakfast for us as we had to be in the lobby way before the breakfast room was open.
Last night we found out that our departure flight back to...