Saturday evening – coca tea

Its about 8pmm and diane and i are sitting in the wonderful Apu Lodge iin Ollantytantambo Peru. Im sipping coca tea… And am really likeing it. The locals recommend it for altitude sickness.. So.. Why not ?! Its a sacred plant in these parts.

Diane and i began the day in Lima.. I had a high fever last night.. But somehow woke up feeling pretty close to 100 percent better.. We spent the morning repacking, ate a nice breakfast (who says you cant put hot fudge sauce on oatmeal ?) then took a short walk along the ocean.

The flight to Cuzco was pretty quick,. they sell oxygen in spray cans at the airport ..because it takes work to find enough airmolucules to squeeze together into a breath here at 11,500 feet

Our new freind Lenin was there to meet us at the airport. My buddy Carlos had hired Lenin to drive he and his wife around when they came to Lima.. And really liked him.. I see why. He'S a really nice guy, fun to talk to.. Andspeaks spanish slowly enough for me to understand (at least when hes talkign to me) he is goign to help us get around during our stay in the sacred valley.

I have to say thanks again to carlos for helping us find Lenin.. And for helping with lots of other details of or trip. What a great friend

The drive from Cuzco airport to Ollantytambo (or Ollanta) was about an hour and forty minutes. Great scenerey.. Like these two little girls who sold me a coke

There were a few cool historical sights along the way as well

We got to ollanta around 3:30 and it was already getting close to sunset. We walked up the beutiful narrow cobbled street to Apus Lodge.. Its an amazing setting…

Apus is quiet and welcoming.. Its right up against the hills. Here are a few views from our room beelive it or not

We headed out for an explore and an early dinner around 4:30. Everyone says to take it very easy the first day or too to reduce the risk of alltitude sickness or Saroche.. So we wanted to get to bed ealry..

The town is so wonderful.. Here a few scenes from our walk down town