While driving in the highlands of the Andes, we headed through rose fields, narrow dirt paths & windy steep roads to arrive at this hacienda (the main house on an estate) that was built on 15th century Inca ruins. There was a cobble stoned central courtyard that everything else surrounds. Alpacas appeared here most afternoons- much to the delight of myself & the Anthropologie team I was travelling with! The roof was covered in Spanish terracotta tiles, the ceilings were lined with over-sized wicker weave and the walls were thick, made of textured plaster & deep pigments. The exterior of the building is a traditional mustard colour, just the one that you would picture a hacienda to be. Everywhere there were overflowing potted geraniums, hens & chickens & succulents. Each of the rooms that surround the courtyard has a huge fireplace and the outhouses follow on from them. Other rooms, the ones that we didn't stay in, were just open & there was such beauty in their natural state. The light was gorgeous and walls were covered in handpainted murals. On the day we arrived we went horseriding: donning big furry alpaca chaps & handwoven, stripey, wool ponchos (they were quite the outfits!) & off we went for an early evening gallop.
FILED
13, Feb 2012