Peru, Cusco to Puno

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Instead of just going from A to B without passing go, we decided to bite the bullet and take a tourist bus from Cusco to Puno. A bit cheesy and jampacked with rich Americans, but a good way to see a bit more of the area. Our first stop was the exceptionally ornate San Pedro de Andahuaylillas church, South America's answer to the Sistine Chapel. With murals across every inch of wall and ceiling, it's easy to see why. The inside was a bit too garish for our tastes, like an 80's medallion man in church form, but the workmanship was pretty impressive and the outside was beautiful. Next up was Raqchi, a pre-Inca archeological complex with temple, houses and even a 'post office' - though no stamps here instead the messengers ran from place to place on foot. It then went a bit too touristy. First we were deposited at an over-priced traditional market which sold the same stuff as every market in Peru. Then dropped at a 'local residence', which sold yet more of the same and had a couple of sorry looking llamas tied up for good measure. We stayed in the bus. Our final stop was lunch, with yet more tied up llamas (though in better condition), more markets and a traditional band. I use the word traditional loosely as this is all obviously set up for our benefit. But hey, everyone's got to earn a living. As you'll see from the pictures, some of the best bits of this journey were the bits in between. [Clare]