Flew from Cuzco to Arrequipa.
The flight was more like a bus jouney landing at 2 stops dropping off and picking up new passengers on route.
Arrequipa is the white city (because it was largely a Spanish population initially) and had a quick explore of the city to see the Cathedral and sites, and then for dinner and cocktails - woop woop!!
Friday, 8 October 2010
26th Sept - Machu Pichu
Up at 4am and breakfast by 5 for Machu Pichu. Saw the rest of the Lares Tek guys in the queue including Petey, Doris, Leo, Claire and Emma. Got in nice and early at MP for the best photos and yes I took about 5000 of the classic shot, and some stupid ones.
Explored the city apparently there was about 800-1000 people living there when it was active and there is no explanation why it was abaondoned (only theories). It would also have been expanded further if they had not left the site. Went the sun gate to get another view and that was impressive.
The whole scale of MP is impressive but perhaps the locations and geography are more so, as it is in such an inaccessible site.
Train back to Cuzco and went out with some of the guys from the Lares andhad a big night out till the early hours. Cuzco really is a good party town!!
Explored the city apparently there was about 800-1000 people living there when it was active and there is no explanation why it was abaondoned (only theories). It would also have been expanded further if they had not left the site. Went the sun gate to get another view and that was impressive.
The whole scale of MP is impressive but perhaps the locations and geography are more so, as it is in such an inaccessible site.
Train back to Cuzco and went out with some of the guys from the Lares andhad a big night out till the early hours. Cuzco really is a good party town!!
24th Sept - Lares trek day 2
Glorious morning meant we sat out for breakfast eating porridge and omlette. Really enjoying camping and love the outdoors. Even more fun at altitude - perhaps the wet camping crew should try it out some time. LOL.
We moved on and visited a small village who make a living on subsistance farming (over 4000 potatoe types in Peru) and herding Llama and Alpacka (which are from the camel family). The hut in which they lived was stone and had a thatched roof. I also got to play with some guinea pigs (poor things) who are a food for the locals.
The next xtep was the highpoint of the trek - sorry. A hike up to 4600m. I managed to show everyone a clean set of heels and hit the summit just behind the guide (training in the lakes was a really good idea). The views were fantastic and we all had a sip of whiskey to celebrate. We trekked down into the valley below for a good rest overnight and a couple of sly snickers bars (wow - what have my Friday nights become)
We moved on and visited a small village who make a living on subsistance farming (over 4000 potatoe types in Peru) and herding Llama and Alpacka (which are from the camel family). The hut in which they lived was stone and had a thatched roof. I also got to play with some guinea pigs (poor things) who are a food for the locals.
The next xtep was the highpoint of the trek - sorry. A hike up to 4600m. I managed to show everyone a clean set of heels and hit the summit just behind the guide (training in the lakes was a really good idea). The views were fantastic and we all had a sip of whiskey to celebrate. We trekked down into the valley below for a good rest overnight and a couple of sly snickers bars (wow - what have my Friday nights become)
23rd September - Lares trek
Up and out for 5 am this morning for the start of the Lares trek. This was an alternative to the Inca trek because there were not enough permits. Steve got the golden ticket for the Inca trail but Lucy, Andrea and I are all on the Lares. The Lares apparently is more of a challenge and goes to a higher altitude (I say apparently though as Inca trail has more stone steps).
The bus joureny to the strat was a challenge with logs being placed across soem roadworks to get the bus across, I thought we were going to see the bus stuck in a hole at one point. Then alighting the bus as we crossed some dodgy landslide on a cliff edge - fun times ahead.
The first incline was meant to be hell but seemed to be OK. The altitude didnt effect me as I had shoved 50 odd cocoa leaves in my mouth to avoid any effects.
After lunch I had the bit between my teeth and walked into camp first and before the guide and the rest of the group, and well ahead of schedule and the Austrians (Danger Doris and Leo).
Overnight was really cold (below freezing) and it is rare for me to feel that, especially with some thermals on.... bbbbbrrrrrr
The bus joureny to the strat was a challenge with logs being placed across soem roadworks to get the bus across, I thought we were going to see the bus stuck in a hole at one point. Then alighting the bus as we crossed some dodgy landslide on a cliff edge - fun times ahead.
The first incline was meant to be hell but seemed to be OK. The altitude didnt effect me as I had shoved 50 odd cocoa leaves in my mouth to avoid any effects.
After lunch I had the bit between my teeth and walked into camp first and before the guide and the rest of the group, and well ahead of schedule and the Austrians (Danger Doris and Leo).
Overnight was really cold (below freezing) and it is rare for me to feel that, especially with some thermals on.... bbbbbrrrrrr
22nd September Cuzco (yes still here)
Saw Paul yesterday, he was struck down by the belly bug and had to see the doctor. It also stopped him from starting his walk to Machu Pichu. Thankfully I am on the mend now.
Went on a city tour, and started to see evidence of the protests, apparently there has been a lot of trouble. We had to set off early as protestors were going to be out to play later. As we drove out towards the Inca ruins we saw were there had been barricades on the roads, and also scorch marks were they had set fire to the road. Apparently they are trying to disrupt the tourists at the airport and railway. Shyri said that a firebomb had been thrown at a tour bus recently!!
We went to see an Inca burial site and a sacrificial table at another Inca ruin. The highlight was Saqsaywaman (OK I cant help sniggering and saying Sexy Woman) which was an impressive Inca temple, partly destroyed by the Spanish. The Spanish tried to destroy the Inca culture by destroying a lot of these sites and also putting crosses on top of mountains. We also found an Inca slide which we all enjoyed having a go on and clattering into stones at the bottom. I was worried I might squash poor Andrea when we went down the slide together!! She didnt seem too bothered thankfully.
We were back in Cuzco by 10am (tour started at 6am) and had my staple diet of chicken sandwich which has been a saviour whilst on the cocktail of drugs given by the quack. Although I am getting very envious of the others eating nice pastries with apple etc.
Down town we missed all the fun with helicopters and tear gas as the protesters started their party in the afternoon. Sounds like a party night tonight!!!
Went on a city tour, and started to see evidence of the protests, apparently there has been a lot of trouble. We had to set off early as protestors were going to be out to play later. As we drove out towards the Inca ruins we saw were there had been barricades on the roads, and also scorch marks were they had set fire to the road. Apparently they are trying to disrupt the tourists at the airport and railway. Shyri said that a firebomb had been thrown at a tour bus recently!!
We went to see an Inca burial site and a sacrificial table at another Inca ruin. The highlight was Saqsaywaman (OK I cant help sniggering and saying Sexy Woman) which was an impressive Inca temple, partly destroyed by the Spanish. The Spanish tried to destroy the Inca culture by destroying a lot of these sites and also putting crosses on top of mountains. We also found an Inca slide which we all enjoyed having a go on and clattering into stones at the bottom. I was worried I might squash poor Andrea when we went down the slide together!! She didnt seem too bothered thankfully.
We were back in Cuzco by 10am (tour started at 6am) and had my staple diet of chicken sandwich which has been a saviour whilst on the cocktail of drugs given by the quack. Although I am getting very envious of the others eating nice pastries with apple etc.
Down town we missed all the fun with helicopters and tear gas as the protesters started their party in the afternoon. Sounds like a party night tonight!!!
20th September Cuzco - The Bolivian Belly strikes back!!
Was up over ten times in the night. Belly really has struck back with avengence. Called the Quack in the morning and he was out in 20 minutes (hell might just get travel insurance at home and get a quck on call rather than through the NHS). Might just be food poisoning but with the treck and Machu Pichu coming up want to make sure I am ok. The quack said everything was OK apart from belly, and drugs were dropped off 20 mins after his visit (cant fault the service).
Rest of the day was spent getting a guided tour of the USA courtesy of the CSI teams on Warner Bros TV.
Rest of the day was spent getting a guided tour of the USA courtesy of the CSI teams on Warner Bros TV.
19th September Cuzco
Room mate Steve left for the jungle this morning!!! Hope he gets there as there are concerns over the transport due to protests at the airport.
Explored Cuzco main square and Cathedrals etc, and went for a small walk with Lucy up to a small church overlooking the town. Impressive view of the square aswell.
Met Paul, Siemen and Julius for dinner, and it was reall good to catch up as not seen them for a while now. They were in good spirits and enjoying their hostel - they must have been as Paul was half cut when he met us. Although it might have had something to do with the strange tea bag thing he was chewing a gift from some Swedish girls!!!
The meal was poor though as we had to wait for ages and didn´t seem to be the best. Rather non-plussed so they didnt get a tip.
Explored Cuzco main square and Cathedrals etc, and went for a small walk with Lucy up to a small church overlooking the town. Impressive view of the square aswell.
Met Paul, Siemen and Julius for dinner, and it was reall good to catch up as not seen them for a while now. They were in good spirits and enjoying their hostel - they must have been as Paul was half cut when he met us. Although it might have had something to do with the strange tea bag thing he was chewing a gift from some Swedish girls!!!
The meal was poor though as we had to wait for ages and didn´t seem to be the best. Rather non-plussed so they didnt get a tip.
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