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  Here is a nighttime view of the cityscape in Quito, Ecuador.  Taken through the hotel window, I had to turn off all the lights in the hotel room to eliminate reflections.

One the terrific hotels I stayed in during last month's trip to South America was the Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel & Wellness.  It is located along the banks of the Vilcanota river about a 1.5 hour drive from Cusco.  It is also 40 minutes from the train station in Ollantayambo which is where you travel to Machu Picchu.   The hotel, on the grounds of a 17th century hacienda is quite spectacular with beautiful surroundings and large rooms. 

Hand looms?  Threads dyed using various plants?  These Peruvian ladies work very hard to make incredible tapestries and clothing items.  There is no pattern to work from; it is in their head and - oh by the way - the pattern in their head has to be upside down!

The Monasterio is a Belmond hotel in Cuzco, Peru.  It is a former monastery, now converted to a fabulous (and photogenic) high end hotel.  During last month's trip to South America, I spent a couple of nights at this hotel and must highly recommend it. 

While in Lima, Peru and waiting for our guide outside the Larco Museum, I had the opportunity to play with the iPhone's built-in macro.  Here are a couple of macro shots of Western Honey bees enjoying the beautiful flowers on a warm, sunny day.  

 The Urubamba River runs through the Sacred Valley in Peru from Pisac to Ollantaytambo. It's provision of water for local crops such as maize in this fertile valley is why the Sacred Valley is called 'Sacred'.  These photos are taken on the way to Machu Picchu.

Ok, it's a llama not a dog and it is much friendlier than a guard dog would be.   Anyway, it is fun to see these guys wandering around amidst the tourists at Machu Picchu.

Taking a break now from all of the Galapagos creature posts, I spotted this little hummer at the equator in Ecuador.  He was quick but stayed just long enough for me to grab a shot with my iPhone.