Tag Archives: Andes

DAILY PHOTO: Plaza de Armas in Arequipa by Night

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Basilica Cathedral

Basilica Cathedral

Arequipa is known as the White City for the appearance of the stone that serves as one of its most conspicuous building materials. Above is the Basilica Cathedral located on Plaza de Armas, which is the city’s main square. Arequipa is a beautiful city, and is the second most populous in Peru. One sees a level of indigenous wealth here that one doesn’t in say Cusco. There is vibrancy to this town.

One of the most impressive local sites is the Convent of Santa Catalina. There are also some impressive views of volcanic mountains that can be seen from the city.

DAILY PHOTO: Sacsayhuamán in the Peruvian Andes

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This Incan site overlooks Cusco, Peru.

This Incan site overlooks Cusco, Peru.

Sacsayhuamán may well be the first Incan site you see, if you fly into Cusco. It sits on a hill overlooking Cusco. If you’re in the mood to stretch your legs and aren’t too queasy from the elevation (Cusco, 11,200ft), it’s  not too difficult a walk from the city center.  You can use the Cristo Blanco (huge white Jesus), which shares the same hill, as a navigational reference.

The Incans were the master masons. These stone walls were made without mortar. Yes, those irregularly shaped blocks sit perfectly on each other and have for hundreds of years.  The one thing that Sacsayhuamán has that other sites don’t is a naturally occurring fun park of slides. One can also traverse a pitch black cave, and get spectacular overview shots of the city.

Naturally occurring slides

Naturally occurring slides