I visit Cusco in Peru, and see some of the ruins in the nearby areas.

The flight takes us over the Andes’, and as advised by our guide, we all get seats on the left hand side.

I find myself sat next to a newlywed Japanese couple, who cant keep there hands of each other.

The pictures of the mountains bellow were spectacular.

Cusco was the capital of the Inca Empire, and means literally navel or center, to signify it as the center of the Empire.

All the traffic police seemed to be women in thigh length boots !.

Our hotel had a beautiful courtyard where I sat with a bottle of coke.

At the summer solstice, sunlight reflected into a niche in the wall where only the Inca were permitted to sit.

Much of the wealth was removed to pay ransom for the captive Inca ruler Atahualpa at the time of the Spanish conquest.

Atahualpa was later murdered and Francisco Pizarro awarded the site to his brother Juan.

Upon Juan’s death, the structure passed to the Dominicans, who began to construct the church of Santo Domingo, using stones from the temple.

On the left, the walls of an Inca Temple, on the right, the wall of a Roman Catholic Church.

The Cathedral took 100 years to construct and inside there is an amazing Basilica, and more than 400 paintings.

One of the paintings is of the Last Supper by Marcos Zapata showing Christ and the Apostles about to dine on guinea-pig, washed down with a glass of chicha!.

It was one of my favourite sight’s in Cusco, but you weren’t allowed to take photo’s inside, which was disappointing.

The whole area was made of large walls (they only go up so high, as the top rocks were removed by the Spaniards for building).

It is noted for an extensive system of underground passages known as chincanas which connect the fortress to other Inca ruins within Cusco.

Several people have died after becoming lost while seeking a supposed treasure buried along the passages.

This has led the city of Cusco to block off the main entrance to the chincanas in Sacsayhuamán.

I couldn’t see a thing.

Until 1934, the whole are was covered beneath 3 meters of earth.

On the right is the Condor monolith stone which in ancient times cast the shadow of a Condor onto the rocks behind it.

In the middle is a carved stone emplacement, which is either a throne or alter.

Some children were around selling mint leaves. I bought some (saved me picking it myself) and it really did clear my nostrils.

I was still suffering with AMS at this point, and at times appeared to stagger around, to the amusement of the other people on the trip.

I tried and tried, but I couldn’t get a clear shot of the fountain, without someone in it.

One the way back, I bought a warm hat for the trip from some stall holders.

An interesting thing about Cusco, is that traders near to tourist sites, are actually cheaper than shops in the main square.

This is the opposite of my experience in most tourist places around the world.

I also bought a meditation blanket, which Ash found hilarious.

We visit a nearby Irish bar, Dan quickly becomes a regular as we discuss professional ethics (“would you write the software for landmine’s, for 10 times your salary” etc).

Later we wander around the square, and visit a pretty good pub, called the Cross Keys. Only problem is, they didn’t do food, and we were hungry.

We find a “Restaurant” offering Steak and Chips for around a fiver and sit down. A decision I am happy to forget.

Many people who do similar trips, visit Colca Canyon and go white water rafting. This was a much shorter trip.

I wander around the square a couple of times, and to be honest, wonder what I am going to do with the rest of the day.

In the main square, in addition to the Cathedral was the Campania de Jesus.

If you look to the right of the Church, you can see messages, “drawn” into the hills around Cusco (Cusco is completely circled by hills and mountains).

In ancient times it was called Huacaypata. Some say this means “The Warriors Square” others that it means “The Place of Tears” or “Weeping Square”.

Anyway, there were plenty of latter day warriors out that day, celebrating something.

Not sure what, but a video here, shows what it was like.

We head out of the square, and through the back streets and squares, to the place referred to by the locals as “up the hill”.

I guess somebody has to walk up these stairs, each evening after work.

I am glad its not me !.

These 2 fine ladies pose in traditional dress with Llamas.

They only wanted about 50p, to be photographed and I thought it was well worth it.

A bit more modest than the touristy area.

Some of the marketing techniques, used by local dentists, really are rather sinister.

Between us, we bought most of the shop, from this friendly and helpful woman.

That isn’t a twinkle in her eye, she is wearing a money belt.

We wander down this alleyway (which I was able to photograph, as my new camera has adjustable shutter speeds).

Everyone came with me, and we had dinner there.

I really liked the place, and wished I could have visited it again.

There was another restaurant called Fallen Angel, that I really wish I had visited.

Right next to the modern town, that sells walking sticks and Mars bars, is the site of this ancient ruin.

The shape is said to resemble a llama.

It was my first sight of classical Inca terraces (apart from a scene in Halo 2).

They are used for farming.

Like many of the other ruins in the area, the enormous rocks, are so well carved, that its impossible to slide a piece of paper in between the joins.

It would be a feat just to move this rock, let alone, carve and position it to withstand earthquakes.

The mountain in the background, contains a sort of warehouse carved into the rocks, Petra style.

Apparently the temperature and humidity there are perfect for storing grain.