Free time in the morning to explore the village, one of the only towns or villages in Peru to still have the original Inca grid layout. On my way back to the hotel I came across Lurda with her sister … Continue reading
As the Spaniards invaded Peru 500 years ago they pushed the Inca’s deeper into the sacred valley, west from Cusco. The Inca rebels set up base and fortifications at the perfect location in Ollantaytambo – with its steep cliffs around the river valley it was a tough place to assault, as the Spanish conquistadors found out when they arrived in the town to be met from all sides with a hail of spears and arrows. We found a more subdued welcome upon arrival in the sleepy village square. For many this is a quick stop before boarding a train to Machu Picchu, or beginning a trek, but it well worth spending a night or two here, enjoying the cobbled traditional Inca town layout, the gushing river, the village market and of course Incan ruins remaining on the steep hillsides.
Las Salinas (Salt Pans), Sacred Valley, Peru
Las Salinas (Salt Pans), Sacred Valley, Peru
We hired a taxi to pick us up from the Hotel (Sol) at 5am to get out to the Salinas (Salt Pans) for dawn, the trouble with being in this part of the world in January is that despite it being their summer there are a lot of overcast days. Frustrating but I will trade a week of them for one good session at Machu Picchu at the weekend…
I met Josephina in the small marketplace in Ollantaytambo, she was sitting with her family at their stall, the picture below is of her sister Edgar. (Both shot with a Nikon 135mm f/2 Prime lens at f/2.8.)
Portrait of Edgar, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Peru
Portrait of Josephina in traditional dress, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Peru
Street scene, Ollantaytambo, Sacred Valley, Peru
Another 4:45am alarm bell goes off, the destination – the same as yesterday at dusk, hoping to get some clearer light to do justice to the spectacular sight of the Pisac Ruins. 25 Sols pays for a taxi one way … Continue reading
Up early again, this time heading east from the lodgings in Cusco, the sky looks overcast from the bedroom window but it might be worth heading out, I walk down the pathways and come across a viewpoint looking towards these … Continue reading
Alarm clock goes at 5am, its time to climb a hill. Back up to the top of Saqsaywaman, we reece’d the location the previous day. A gruelling climb with kit at altitude, all the time the sky getting brighter around … Continue reading
Day 3, early morning start – out to the airport, window seats secured, a flight over mountaintops and sacred valleys – Lima to Cusco. Joined by my compatriot Justin we headed into the Inca heartlands. A big jump in altitude … Continue reading
Second day in Lima, after a spot of sunbathing on the beach at Miraflores it was time to brave the public transport system of Lima. Its always easy in a new, unfamiliar country of hailing a taxi and being chauffeured straight to your destination, but using the public transport you will rub shoulders with the locals, and get a little more of a glimpse into what living in this place would be like. I caught the (very efficient) bus from Miraflores near the Kennedy Park uptown. Figuring on a shot of the Plaza de Armas at night, and possibly some street shots beforehand if the light was there.
Lima, Peru
La Catedral de Lima, Plaza de Armas, Lima, Peru
La Catedral de Lima, Plaza de Armas, Lima, Peru
Plaza de Armas, Lima, Peru
Day one in Lima, fog lingers over the city throughout the morning. During my first exploration I find little in the Miraflores area of interest. A visit to Huaca Pucllana provides distraction for an hour but this is a modern, … Continue reading
12:55pm 09-01-14 – Newark Airport, Terminal C, New Jersey Sitting at the airport gate, my South American adventure about to begin, shortly I’ll step aboard a jet plane to transport me to the capital of Peru. I’ve had a quick … Continue reading
Earlier in the summer I had to chance to visit the danish capital of Copenhagen, and visit a friend who moved here from the UK. As with many trips of this nature it was a balance between leisure and work … Continue reading
BEN PIPE PHOTOGRAPHY 