Exploring Cusco - Day Three

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. 25 days into our 28 day trip the dreaded stomach bug has hit me. It looks like the Immodium we brought along has it under control. But just in case, I decided to stay in the hotel this morning and take some pictures.

We've probably stayed in over 200 different Marriotts during various travel adventures and a handful of those were their top-of-the-line J.W. Marriotts. The ones in Rome, Dubai and Shanghai have been the most memorable.  But none of them can top this one right here in Cusco. It's certainly the oldest. This building was originally an Augustinian monastery built by the Spanish in the early 1600's. By the late 1900's it was a bakery.  Marriott bought the property and refurbished/rebuilt it to standards imposed by its historic significance. As the pictures below will show, the transformation which took place between 2010 and 2013 is nothing short of amazing.

Front Entrance on the corner	As you come in the entrance, fresh flowers
Entrance courtyard	Reception with 3D gold and crystal mobile
Antique art from another monastery	Fireplace and lounge. Great piped in music but couldn't find the subwoofer. Xthe
Piano lounge with easy chairs	Bar area
"Relaxing" Pool connected to the spa	Preserved Inka and pre-Inka walls displayed on the lower level
3rd floor loggia behind the arched colonnade shown on the right	Courtyard and fountains
View from the windows on floor -2. Nothing but the original monastery wall is seen	View from our suite

By afternoon I was brave enough to venture out and visit a pre-Columbian art museum.

Pre-Inca jewelry made of solid gold.

We are always amused by the llamas and this one was no difference. The sign refers to perros (dogs) so the llamas think it's OK to do or go wherever they want.

 

It's time to go back to the hotel for one last supper and start packing for our flight tomorrow.  I hope everybody enjoyed our blog.