Adventures of North Star
Follow the Adventures of Kim and Steve aboard their yacht North Star!
09 July 2019
08 July 2019
04 July 2019
02 July 2019
31 May 2019 | Copra Shed, Savusavu, Fiji
05 May 2019 | RDM
04 January 2019
28 April 2018
28 March 2018
05 March 2018 | Queenstown view from the top of the gondola.
11 October 2016 | Marina Taina, Tahiti
21 May 2016 | Tahiti, French Polynesia
14 September 2015
12 September 2015 | In Maupiti
17 August 2015 | Huahine, French Polynesia
13 July 2015 | Anyse Amyot-North End of Taou
20 June 2015 | Fakarava-South Pass
18 June 2015 | Fakarava-South Pass
11 June 2015 | Fakarava-South, Harifa
06 June 2015 | Fakarava, North Pass
Cusco, Peru
26 September 2013
Please visit our new Photo Gallery
Cusco, another very large and sprawling town in Peru, was the next town on our journey. Our hotel, Los Portales, was situated just a few blocks below the main square on the main road. It had a good location and walking to most of the tourist spots was no problem. We stayed at this hotel on two occasions, for a few days at this point and we would return to Cusco for a few nights after we returned from Machupicchu.
We enjoyed one free day to just relax and casually check out the city and the following day we were scheduled for a city tour. It is nice to complete the city tour fairly early after arriving in a new city to get a lay of the land. Our travel agent had the city tour set up as early as possible when we arrived in a new location. This tour was very full as there are many ruins located around Cusco. We did not have time to see all of them while we were there. We did see Saqsaywaman ruins that took 77 years to complete (1431-1508). These were amazing ruins just up the hillside from the town. The stones were set from larger ones on the bottom to smaller ones on the top. No mortar was used. The stones were fashioned to fit together and stay together. Remember, this is an earthquake vulnerable country. These very old ruins are still amazingly, standing. Another site, Q'ENQO, also located very close to town is a labyrinth with a very cold stone table located below the giant rocks. Other ruins and structures we saw were Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, the Covenant of Santa Domingo and one of the most interesting churches called the Basilica Catedral of Cusco. There were no photos allowed inside the church but the walls were filled with giant paintings. The church in general was very large with a hand carved wooden choir room. The intricate and ornate carvings on the seats was amazing and very detailed. The church did have one very different item hanging on the walls. There were mirrors, which is usually not something you see in a church, placed high on the walls and angled down at the people. Our guide said the mirrors were used here to look at oneself and do an inward evaluation. We finished the tour with a stop to a shop that sells alpaca items but also has a great view of the city at night. The town below seemed to be nestled in a valley and gently climbed up the mountainsides emitting a glowing orange haze.
We had more time to explore the city on our own before we headed to Ollytatambo. We really enjoyed the town. The people were busy like any other large town, but the atmosphere was friendly with lots of shops, restaurants and things to see. We did see women dressed in very modern clothes but also women dressed in the traditional attire. Some with young children wrapped in a brightly colored material strapped to their back. It was difficult to figure out why some women were more modern and others held to the more traditional clothing. The best answer we could find was it was their customary beliefs. The men all seemed to dress related to their job whether it be business man or farmer. There are some photos in the gallery of the women with the children on their back and the more traditional clothing as we saw them in Cusco.
Around the main square there are several churches. The very large one I mentioned earlier and a few smaller ones. There is a central fountain with bright flowers planted all around. The square was full of shops and restaurants. Starbucks, McDonald's and KFC from the US and many good local restaurants. We tried the Inka Grill. There was also a chocolate museum in the next square over. Of course we stopped in there. La Valeriana is very close to our hotel and offered quick service with reasonable prices and the lasagna was excellent. We also had dinner and a show at Don Antonio's. The show here was very good and the music before the dancing was excellent. Every group was very fast paced and energetic.
Cusco, another very large and sprawling town in Peru, was the next town on our journey. Our hotel, Los Portales, was situated just a few blocks below the main square on the main road. It had a good location and walking to most of the tourist spots was no problem. We stayed at this hotel on two occasions, for a few days at this point and we would return to Cusco for a few nights after we returned from Machupicchu.
We enjoyed one free day to just relax and casually check out the city and the following day we were scheduled for a city tour. It is nice to complete the city tour fairly early after arriving in a new city to get a lay of the land. Our travel agent had the city tour set up as early as possible when we arrived in a new location. This tour was very full as there are many ruins located around Cusco. We did not have time to see all of them while we were there. We did see Saqsaywaman ruins that took 77 years to complete (1431-1508). These were amazing ruins just up the hillside from the town. The stones were set from larger ones on the bottom to smaller ones on the top. No mortar was used. The stones were fashioned to fit together and stay together. Remember, this is an earthquake vulnerable country. These very old ruins are still amazingly, standing. Another site, Q'ENQO, also located very close to town is a labyrinth with a very cold stone table located below the giant rocks. Other ruins and structures we saw were Puka Pukara, Tambomachay, the Covenant of Santa Domingo and one of the most interesting churches called the Basilica Catedral of Cusco. There were no photos allowed inside the church but the walls were filled with giant paintings. The church in general was very large with a hand carved wooden choir room. The intricate and ornate carvings on the seats was amazing and very detailed. The church did have one very different item hanging on the walls. There were mirrors, which is usually not something you see in a church, placed high on the walls and angled down at the people. Our guide said the mirrors were used here to look at oneself and do an inward evaluation. We finished the tour with a stop to a shop that sells alpaca items but also has a great view of the city at night. The town below seemed to be nestled in a valley and gently climbed up the mountainsides emitting a glowing orange haze.
We had more time to explore the city on our own before we headed to Ollytatambo. We really enjoyed the town. The people were busy like any other large town, but the atmosphere was friendly with lots of shops, restaurants and things to see. We did see women dressed in very modern clothes but also women dressed in the traditional attire. Some with young children wrapped in a brightly colored material strapped to their back. It was difficult to figure out why some women were more modern and others held to the more traditional clothing. The best answer we could find was it was their customary beliefs. The men all seemed to dress related to their job whether it be business man or farmer. There are some photos in the gallery of the women with the children on their back and the more traditional clothing as we saw them in Cusco.
Around the main square there are several churches. The very large one I mentioned earlier and a few smaller ones. There is a central fountain with bright flowers planted all around. The square was full of shops and restaurants. Starbucks, McDonald's and KFC from the US and many good local restaurants. We tried the Inka Grill. There was also a chocolate museum in the next square over. Of course we stopped in there. La Valeriana is very close to our hotel and offered quick service with reasonable prices and the lasagna was excellent. We also had dinner and a show at Don Antonio's. The show here was very good and the music before the dancing was excellent. Every group was very fast paced and energetic.
Comments
| Vessel Name: | North Star |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Tayana 52, Center Cockpit |
| Hailing Port: | Clearwater, Florida |
| Crew: | Steve and Kim |
| About: | |
| Extra: | North Star is a 1988 Tayana 52, center cockpit, a Robert Perry design. |
| Social: |
|
North Star's Photos - Main
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Dive Sites Eagle Rock, The Zoo and the Great White Wall
52 Photos
Created 2 July 2019
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
39 Photos
Created 29 March 2018
|
 |
 |
Curio Bay and Yellow eyed penguins.
60 Photos
Created 18 March 2018
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
O'nou Tahiti Graffiti Contest, Michael tattoo, roulottes
26 Photos
Created 2 June 2015
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Panama Canal Crossing and Shelter Bay Marina
31 Photos
Created 1 January 2013
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Back to the marina we go. The damage done by the lightning strike.
14 Photos
Created 7 May 2012
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Caouan, Tobago Cayes, Union Island, Mayreau
39 Photos
Created 25 May 2010
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Trip from Jolly Harbour north to Deep Bay
25 Photos
Created 16 March 2010
|
 |
old photos from Virginia to USVI'S
65 Photos
Created 12 March 2010
|
 |
additional photos from earlier in trip some of BVI's to St Kitts
120 Photos
Created 7 March 2010
|
 |
 |
About Us
Who: Steve and Kim
Port: Clearwater, Florida
Gallery
Contents
SailBlogs Friends
