Traveling Wildcats: The photos you take along the way in South America
By Tim Schrag '12
Earlier this month I hosted a Traveling Wildcats trip to Peru and Ecuador, Machu Picchu to the Galapagos. We visited sites in Lima and the Cuzco region including Saqsaywaman, Ollantaytambo and Machu Picchu. We also took in Quito and the Galapagos Islands.
Here’s a look at what we saw.
The ruins of Saqsaywaman
Saqsaywaman, also sometimes spelled Sacsayhuamán, is an Inca ruin near Cusco, Peru.
It means “Fortress of the Royal Hawk.” The large boulders were built on site and made
to fit tightly without any mortar. I think it’s cool that I came across a hawk during
my time there.
The village and ruins of Ollantaytambo
Ollantaytambo is an Inca ruin and village in the Cusco region of Peru. Our guide told
me when we reached the top that Ollantaytambo is a steeper and more challenging climb
than Machu Picchu.
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu was easily my favorite part of the trip.
Its beauty is a mixture of nature and ancient accompaniment. The stonework, terraces, drainage, walls and more were impressive and inspiring. The local guides kept mentioning the Incas believed in the power of architecture. It’s easy to see why. So many angles. Lines and trapezoids.
The mountains look exactly like they do in The Emperor’s New Groove. The city was lush and green. I’ve never seen so many butterflies in one place.
The Galapagos Islands
In the Galapagos Islands we saw all kinds of animals, especially iguanas and birds,
but the star of the show is the giant tortoise.
Also, along the way…
We stood on the Equator
We received a blessing from an Inca Shaman
Spent some time on planes, trains and boats
Visited the famous Pisac Marketplace
Had the opportunity to hold an alpaca
Learned how to make ceviche
Explored a lava flow cave
Tried exotic foods like cuy … yes, that’s a Guinea pig
And visited all sorts of interesting cultural spots
… And so much more.