祕魯南美探險，寫在馬丘比丘之前。 - 自助旅行

圖文好讀網誌版 http://tinyurl.com/8q23hju

抱歉這篇因為人在國外是用英文寫的，
但是希望還是能分享給同樣想去祕魯，以及想多了解當地景色的板友，
所以還是貼上來了!
還請大家多包涵囉:)


Just outside Machu Pichhu, Ollantaytambo provided a taste of an authentic
small Peruvian town.


Surprisingly, rather than the famous Machu Picchu, a small town named
Ollantaytambo became the highlights of my Peru trip last winter.

Over time, many travelers come to Peru in search of the lost city. However,
it would be such a pity to miss the chance to explore the Sacred Valley area
where I saw the beauty of the immense Andes. I still remember the weather was
not very pleasant in Cusco for couple of days, and it was so foggy when I
went off to Machu Picchu.

I thought that everything was ready for the trip to the ancient Inca ruins, a
journey of a lifetime. Only the first 400 people who purchase permits for
Huayna Picchuare allowed to climb the peak, per day, and I had gotten mine in
time.

Therefore, I was worried that the weather might ruin my visit, yet all my
worries just disappeared when I had my ride to Ollantaytambo where I took a
train to Aguas Calientes, the nearest town located at the foot of Machu
Picchu. I also realized why this area has been called Sacred Valley.

Not only was it close to the ancestral Machu Picchu, but it was also favored
by gods. Unlike many other parts of Peru, Sacred Valley has abundant water
supply – river, rain and snow –and was the agricultural center of the Inca
Empire. Maybe for ancient Inca people, the lush and green Sacred Valley was
just like Xanadu.

I guess one thing true for many travelers is that, when you have traveled
independently often enough, you will know what kind of experience you would
like to try and have and during a trip. If you are someone who prefers
exploring cities and cultures on your own over attending local tours, here
are some guides of traveling from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. You can simply take
a minibus/van on Calle Pavitos, which is between Avenue Grau and Belen. There
will always be drivers there are waiting for passengers. The fee was about
$20 soles/$9, and the ride took about one to one and half hours.

Actually, it was the most common way for local people moving between the two
cities, and I was the only foreigner/tourist on the bus! I was a little
afraid as we passed over valleys, terraces and mountain ranges at an
elevation of 3000m (9842ft) in what seemed to be a very small shabby-looking
van. Having grown up in a big city, this was never a carefree way to travel
in high altitude areas, yet I was amazed at the spectacular scenery and a
scattering of villages and hamlets set among deep mountain valleys. It is
amazing that those villagers have retained the ancient Inca lifestyle from
their ancestors for hundreds of years.

The minibus finally got to Ollantaytambo, dropping me at
the main plaza of this small town—the total population here was about 2000.
It was safe to walk around the town, and I just spent a relaxing afternoon
wondering in the valley, discovering this fields surrounding town. As a stop
on the train route from Cuzco through Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu,
Ollantaytambo now has developed some, but limited tourism activities. You can
find hotels, souvenir shops, money exchange houses and dollar-priced/English
menu at restaurants.

Most people still live in poverty if we judge by a modern standard, yet they
looked peaceful and wore smiles on their faces. I always come with a thought
that for some people I met on that day, this small town could be the place
they spend their whole life with when I visit rural areas like Ollantaytambo.
Let alone to Lima, even Cuzco could be a far city for them. I had no idea
that if people there would like to leave their hometown for a better life in
the future, but for sure they were proud of Inca heritages; cherishing what
they had owned so far.

If you are looking for dolce far niente experience in Peru and want to have a
taste of ancient Incan town, I would say never to miss Ollantaytambo before
heading to Machu Picchu!


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