Ullantaytamba Nov. 4

This Inca ruins had great significance as it was the last stand against the Conquistadors. Manco Inca - the emperor held out here and actually killed one of the Pizarro brothers. It was not a fort but a place of worship, but because of its configuration it was hard for the Spanish to take.
From here the Incas retreated to the jungle and built their last city. They remained there until the Spanish found them and killed the emperor.
1. Coca leaves - we had a lesson in chewing them. We were going to climb many steps and we are at a high altitude. Coca is said to relieve altitude symptoms - help oxygenate the brain and the body. There is a special way to chew it and a bit of potash added as a catalyst. You chew the was for about 30 min. then spit it out as it is exhausted. It is very bitter but seems to work.
2. Inca gate to the temple, only high level Incas would pass through this. The finer the stone work the more important the purpose of the structure
3. Barrie at the top
4. Many steps up
5. Profile of Inca in the mountain across. On the left side
6. Beautiful stone work
7. Local people touring the site, babies and toddlers are carried in the manta
8. View from the top
9. Rob with coca leaves. He is the youngest member of the group, he just had his 35th birthday. He came with a good friend who is 85.
10. View looking down the terraces
11. Another view from the top
12. Barrie chewing coca
13. Stonework
14. Another face carved in the mountain. The structures near are storage warehouses.
15. View of the valley from the top
16. MJ communing with the gods