Enjoying Cusco

We got up very early this morning and spent some peaceful reflection time drinking coca tea on the benches overlooking the lake. I really had pretty low expectations for the amount of wildlife that I would see in just a 2-night trip in the middle of the rainy season, but I was amazed! I had gotten to see so many different species in such a short amount of time. After breakfast, we loaded up the canoes for our journey back to Puerto Maldonado. Our flights back to Cusco were delayed by several hours, but we eventually made it back to our home - El Balcon. This afternoon and evening was spent with star guide Marco Palomino. Everyone who has taken a trip with Marco raves about the experience, and I can understand why. He has a very magnetic and vivacious personality, and we were swept up with his infectious love for Peru. We went to a vegetable market and had fresh squeezed juice (I had Marco's favorite of pineapple and apple), went to the witch's market with herbal remedies for every affliction. He took us on a whirlwind scenic tour of Cusco, and wrapped up the evening watching the sun set over the Plaza de Armas of Cusco with a military flag procession.