On my motorcycle, I’ve discovered a little visited village of indigenous Indian peoples.
As I approach, I’m surrounded by the whole village.
They all begin to ask questions in Spanish which I find uncomfortable as I don’t really speak conversational Spanish.
Seeking security, I head for the village shop.
I can grab a beer, gather my thoughts and wait for the people to calm down and disperse.
Stayed here a few days back.
Ollantytambo is the only remaining Inca village in the region with 100% cobbled streets and the original irrigation channels in the middle of each street.
In Ollantytambo these irrigation channels are fully functioning, gushing full of fresh mountain water carrying it round and down on its way to the Urumbamba below.
Every other town has filled these channels in to make way for more roads and more traffic.
For this reason Ollantytambo retains a charm you won’t find in other Peruvian towns.
I have run out of petrol.
Its OK because I am in Ollantytambo.
TIP
If you run out of petrol on your motorbike, lay it down on the road and lift the wheels up in the air.
This lets the petrol in the tank move to the side you want it on.
Despite the fact there are many historical sites signposted along the sacred valley (and the guide enthuses I should visit as many as possible), the signposting isn’t the best, once you’re off the main road it’s up to you to make a decision to which direction you think the ruins are in.
This may be fun, for some.
I managed to find only 1 out of 3. I’m sure there are stickler out there who could do a lot better.
I’ve seen a lot of ruins over the past two weeks.
Along River Urubamba. In what is know as the Vale Segrado or Sacred Valley to us Grings.
My motorcycle, despite a deceptively dangerous sounding exhaust tone, is quite slow.
To combat boredom, I’ve taken the most muddy, bumpy rural roads, most of which are riverside.
Also, I can take my helmet and jacket off and greet the odd local along the way, shout at the dogs etc..
After doing the expected in Peru, having 8 hours to spare till my Cruz del Sur bus departed for Chilli border, I’ve hired a motorcycle. 400cc Honda.
They’re not too fussed on the technicalities of licenses and whatnot over here.
One of the guidebooks claimed there was a lake somewhere above Ollantytambo up in the hills.
I will seek out this lake and blog details.
Can’t be bothered coming home either, it’s too crap.