Weekend in the Sacred Valley

Things just happen ... well I'm sure that's NOT the way it is really but it seems that way to me.  Zac and Milka obviously do a lot of planning and organising .... and communicating .. to make things happen, and I just love that!!!

They found us a fabulous hotel in the Sacred Valley - about an hour's drive from Cusco.  All sounds so easy - but we don't have a car and to be honest, I don't really want to drive here.  So it's a bus (which would stop frequently along the way) or a taxi, or a 'collectivo' - which could be a taxi or a small people mover type vehicle.  So a 'collectivo' it was - Milka does all the communicating - rejecting some offers and finding us a decent vehicle (taxi which could carry 4 and we were a group of 4) to take us without much delay. 

Trip up out of Cusco over mountains and down into the Sacred Valley was spectacular - the hour passed by very quickly.

Our hotel, Monasterio do la Recoleta was built in C17 and renovated in 2007 - it was beautiful and retained so many original features.  Nestled between Urubamba River and mountains on either side, views were spectacular.  It was like stepping back in time (the timber log beams in our room were tied together with leather strips) - but with all the mod-cons.  

 

 

Late in the afternoon, we set off in moto-taxis for S/1.50 (negotiated by Milka .... and she's a tough negotiator, rejecting the S/2 fare demanded by some drivers) .... destination - Seminario Ceramics  - workshop, gallery and shop.  Quiet suburban area - looked nothing like a shop or gallery.  Don't think we would have found this place on our own .... nor would we have thought to just ring the bell - high right of the door.  Even though it was after 5pm, we were greeted and welcomed inside - and it was AMAZING!!!!  Such a beautiful courtyard, filled with fabulous ceramic pieces and surrounded by several buildings.  What a dream place.  

 

We were shown into a really well set up video room - watched a short video of the history of the artist and his craft, and then taken on a tour of the place, where people were still working - on the wheel and decorating pieces.  Our guide spoke very good English and was so accommodating.  He left us at the gallery and sales area - 5 rooms!!!

So many beautiful pieces  - some inlaid with silver.  Haven't seen anything like these pieces before - it really is a 'gem' of a place!!!

Should have mentioned - this weekend was a belated anniversary weekend away for Zac and Milka - we're very privileged to be invited along - YES we were invited...  So we gave them some time alone....

Trip home was via Pisac .... markets and more spectacular mountain scenery.  Another fabulous weekend, and experiences which we would struggle to achieve on our own.  Really must try harder to use the little Spanish I have learnt!!!