Our Peruvian Adventure
We recently set off on the trip of a lifetime to visit the South American country of Peru. Here we share some of the highlights from this amazing adventure.
Our first stop was Cusco. We stayed at the Casa Andina which was perfectly located just a few blocks from the Main Square (Plaza de Armas). The room was clean and comfortable and had everything we needed to rest up before our hike to Machu Picchu. The hotel provided us with a delicious buffet breakfast which set us up for a day of exploring the cultural highlights that this historic city has to offer.
We reveled in the New Years Eve celebrations in the city of the sun alongside locals who donned yellow as a sign of good fortune.
Next stop was Machu Picchu.... WOW! What a breathtaking sight! Reaching the summit of this ancient citadel and overlooking the beautiful Sacred Valley was a real "pinch me" moment that we will never forget.
Whilst in Machu Picchu we stayed at Inkaterra Pueblo Inn, a luxury eco-tourism Andean village. Whitewashed casitas are nestled between the terraced hills and the cloud forest on 12 acres of outstanding natural beauty alongside the Vilcanota River.
For this trip we packed warm sweaters, travel pants, walking boots, sunscreen and a good book to read on the plane.
Our favorite local Peruvian dish has to be the Lomo Saltado. Thin strips of sirloin are stir fried with onions and tomatoes and typically served with french fries and rice. This traditional dish shows the rich fusion of cuisines bringing the old world and new world together. It originates from the Chinese immigrants coming to Peru and combining the two culinary elements known as the "Chifa tradition". It's popularity made it part of Peru's mainstream culture we know today.
The most memorable part of this entire trip was spending time together and sharing this incredible adventure with our dear friends who turned 50.
Peru is highly recommended to anyone with a curiosity for pre-Colonial Latin American history and a thirst for adventure.
FAST FACTS
OFFICIAL NAME: Republic of Peru
FORM OF GOVERNMENT: Constitutional republic
CAPITAL: Lima
POPULATION:Â 30,147,935
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES: Spanish, Quechua
MONEY: Nuevo Sol
AREA: 496,224 square miles (1,285,216 sqare kilometers)
MAJOR MOUNTAIN RANGES: Andes
MAJOR RIVERS: Amazon, Ucayali, Madre de Dios
Where's next on our bucket list?.... The Netherlands to visit the Keukenhof and the famous Tulip fields!
We would love to hear your travel stories, so leave a comment and let us know about your recent vacation or any upcoming trips you have planned for this year.
Thanks for reading...Until next time...
Adam & Eric
