FAREWELL TO THE LOST CITY

Bidding farewell to the mighty condor, we began to retrace our steps for our return journey to the ship. Again we marvelled at the roiling Urumbamba River, then smiled as we watched children playing near the train tracks. Our lunch was served in a thatched roof restaurant that had grass and vines growing in the thatch.

Many homes had a cross and/or a combination cross and bulls statue on their roofs as an offering to the gods. As a symbol of Christianity and request for good fortune, they would have the cross blessed in the church and would install it when their home was finished, and also add bulls as an offering to Pachimama, Mother Earth, asking for good crops and abundant livestock.

Some areas still have a barter society, and every Sunday after church they bring their products to a Farmers' Market to exchange -- potatoes, corn, wheat, cattle and sheep, wool from the high country and fruit and avocados from the lower valleys. There's over 1,000 varieties of potatoes and over 400 varieties of avocados! Often they're dressed in their Sunday best native clothing when they come to this market.

Arriving back at the ship, our heads swimming with information and visions of the magnificent ruins, we were greeted with a champagne reception at the gangway, and happily toasted to our magical mini adventure!