The capital of the Inca Empire.
After leaving Machu Picchu we hopped on a train back to Cusco (Cuzco), a journey of several hours and passing through some of the most narrow ravines I’ve ever seen. In some places the train had to climb down switchbacks by going forward, backward, forward because there was no room for turns! Although we had only a few short hours in the city, it was fascinating. Read on!
An incredible visit to an iconic site.
Machu Picchu is one of those world-renowned, iconic locations that has long been on my bucket list. Despite having seen photos, videos, and documentaries about this marvel of Incan engineering and culture, for decades, none of those things can possibly prepare you for being there. We were fortunate to visit on a beautiful day with a chance to spend a couple of afternoon hours exploring the grounds. They did not disappoint! read on, and check out the photo gallery.
The start of a week-long journey in Peru.
Until this year I had never been to South America. Astonishing, I know, given the amount of travel I have had the good fortune to pursue over the past forty years. Now, in just this year I have been to South America twice: in February to Buenos Aires (Argentina), albeit only for one night… and now to Peru for a nine-day visit to both Lima (on the coast) and Cusco (in the highlands). Our trip had four parts – so I will report in four posts. Our first stop was in the ‘Sacred Valley’ of the Incan civilization, outside the historic city of Cusco. There, we passed through small towns, toured some archaeological sites, enjoyed fabulous meals, and met with the delightful people of a small highland faming community. Read on!
An abbreviated but beautiful overnight hiking trip.
We had planned this outing for months, and I was jealously guarding these dates on my calendar. Alex and Jeff and I were determined to make a four-day, three-night backpacking trip in the White Mountain National Forest (WMNF), here in New Hampshire. The weather had other plans, with heavy rain and strong thunderstorms in the forecast. We squeezed our trip into two days, and it all turned out well; read on!
Hot, humid, and muddy.
One of my favorite go-to hikes is to climb Mount Cube via the Rivendell Trail. Today, after three weeks of nearly non-stop rain, a friend and I planned an early start to avoid the forecast of hot/humid temperatures, and likely thunderstorms, later in the morning and afternoon. We arrived at the trailhead at 6:30 and climbed through the morning fog. The trail was extremely wet, requiring us to step over, around, or through many muddy patches, but the going was otherwise easy. We snatched brief views at the two outlooks along the way, but arrived on the summit in the clouds. After about 10 minutes, the clouds (really, fog) rose and allowed us a glimpse of neighboring smarts mountain.
It’s always a good day when one is out in the mountains.
Hike stats:
Distance: 4.1 miles
Time: 2h43
Gain: 1995′
Early morning is best!
Mount Cardigan is one of my local go-to mountains when I want to get up and out, without a long drive. It is extremely popular because it is a relatively short hike and offers a bare granite summit with long views in all directions. I tend to go early, to beat the crowds, but that was especially important today… at 7am the temperature was already in the high 60s and extremely humid, with thunderstorms possible in late morning and afternoon. Read on!
Not one, not two, but three!
Earlier this week I came home to find this brown fuzzy critter browsing the grass and the clover in our yard, as the sun set and the dusk began to creep across the lawn.
One of my favorite things…
It’s that glorious time of year when the strawberry fields fill with luscious red berries. I enjoy picking a whole flat (eight quarts)… one or two to eat immediately, and the rest to freeze and enjoy the rest of the year. As it happens, this morning I finished off my supply frozen last summer – just in time to pick a new batch today.
Pam and I managed to pick two flats this year, all at their peak of ripeness. Yum!
A few final thoughts.
Well, today we wrap up a fine week in Cyprus. We’re beginning our long journey home – 12 hours of flying, 5 hours of ground transportation, two 2-hour layovers and one overnight layover. Before we go, a few more observations about Paphos, about food, and other random thoughts… and of course, a gallery with a few photos and videos.
An eight-hour tour across three-thousand years of history.
For our final day in Cyprus we signed up for a bus tour to the east, along the coastline, to the city of Limassol. Along the way we were able to visit the legendary birthplace of the goddess Aphrodite, the ancient Greek acropolis of Kourion, the medieval Kolossi Castle, and the medieval Limassol Castle. We enjoyed our lunch in a breezy café beside the old harbor of Limassol city. Read on, and check out the gallery of photos.
David Kotz 