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5th July 2013- breakfast at the lodge before packing and taking the boat up stream for 2 hours back to the town of puerto Maldonado. We saw some large shifters along the river bank and these were used to pan for gold out of the river. Back in town it was back on the bus to the lodge office to pick up our main luggage before off to the airport. Sampled some brazil nuts that are grown locally in the region and one of the main exports of the city. They were delicious so we brought some crushed nut balls made from the brazil nuts, coconut, coca and a small amount of honey. They were really good. Made our way through security and then onto the plane at 11:45 am. It was a short 30 min flight to cusco. Landed and found the Tuacan guide. We started to feel the high altitude as we are now at 3400m compared to 600m when in the jungle. There was a large military presence around the city as there had been protestes earlier in the day. Arrived at the hotel just after 1pm and spent some time settling in and went out for a quick walk to find a snack. We meet up with the group and our guide and went for a walk around the old part of Cusco city centre. It was cold also having to wear multiple layers, scarf and gloves. It also rained a little while on the walk. We learnt that the incas settle here in the 13 century after traveling over from boliva and you can still evidence of the walls and foundations built during this time. The Spanish arrives in the late 15 century and have heavily influenced the architecture and lay out of the city since then. There is a large cathedral and church around the main Plaza de Arms. We walked along looking at the markets and then another catholic church that has been built on top of an old inca sun god temple. Went to a cocoa museum and factory and sampled some of there local dark chocolate. Also found some quinoa museli bars, they are made with a cooked quinoa that has been dried and then mixed with puffed wheat, coconut, nut and honey. They were good and not very sweet. Then had time for shopping. mum and I brought some alpaca jumpers to wear in Machu Picchu in a couple days time as the temperature is cool when there. Back to the hotel and then meet up with the group and headed out for dinner at 7pm. Went to a restaurant, Limo and tried Pisco strawberry sour and alpaca steak. It was really tasty... Like a beef but more of game flavor like and elk or deer. It was very lean and served with quinoa. Back to the hotel and back our overnight bags for traveling to ollanta tomorrow.
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