Hola!
We’re in Puno, right on Lake Titicaca, near the Peru / Bolivian border. Is a strange place, looks large from a distance, but small when you’re in it. Weird…
Left Lima for Cuzco on the 27th Dec. The previously mentioned 22 hrs bus journey didn’t turn out as planned. It took 34 hrs. Broke down: 5 hours to repair (stopped every 10 miles to top up water / oil before deciding to finally call a mechanic). Had an accident with a taxi: 2 hours inc. heated argument between bus / taxi driver & subsequent visit to police station for statements. Took unannounced detour to Arequipa: 5 hours – right pain in arse. Bus ran out of food: hungry. Developed altitude sickness: pounding headache as if head in vice. Arriving in comfy bed in middle of the night: timeless.
Despite above, Cuzco is fantastic. Picturesque Spanish colonial town. Only downside is 100% geared up for tourism. Is a vacuum which sucks money from tourists. As result decided not to go on Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Hired mountain bikes & did own thing visiting Inca ruins. 35 km ride from Cuzco to Pisac. First 5k uphill, took 1.5 hours. Needed a third lung as air so thin. Last 30k downhill took 30 mins – bliss!
Took train to Aguas Calientes, then bus to Machu Picchu. Didn’t quite know what to expect as it really is just a bunch of ruins, and have seen ruins before, right? It’s amazing. Fluked going on a gorgeous day as well. Decided to head up to the “sun gate”, a sedate 30 min walk. Took wrong turn and ended up hiking up to the top of the mountain – a 1.5 hr hike up a near vertical slope. Absolute killer. Needed that third lung again. Who the bloody hell build the path? Magali got vertigo. I looked like I’d jumped in a swimming pool. But made it! Spoilt with amazing panoramic views of Machu & Wayna Picchu.
Spent New Years in a small bar with a Peruvian band in Cuzco. Was hilarious. Had a real ensemble of instruments: electric / acoustic guitar, various panpipes, ukuleles etc. (anyone remember The Fast Show?). Kept on trying to play old school rock anthems. Didn’t quite sound right – but bloody entertaining! Drank two jugs of pisco sour. Only needed the one. Had craving for bacon so went to an Irish pub for a greasy spoon on New Years Day. Had the ultimate “breakfast in a bap”. It was about 12 inches high. Couldn’t work out why they didn’t just put the ingredients on a plate separately. But did the job anyway.
Half way through devouring the said sandwich, two woman came into the pub. They were dressed provocatively, had more cosmetic surgery than Michael Jackson and were about 50. In response to the entrance of the trollops, I asked Magali “What to you call an old sheep? To which she responded, “A goat?”. Had been a long night.
Going island hopping on Lake Titicaca & staying overnight with a family on Isla Amantani. Should be an experience…
We’re in Puno, right on Lake Titicaca, near the Peru / Bolivian border. Is a strange place, looks large from a distance, but small when you’re in it. Weird…
Left Lima for Cuzco on the 27th Dec. The previously mentioned 22 hrs bus journey didn’t turn out as planned. It took 34 hrs. Broke down: 5 hours to repair (stopped every 10 miles to top up water / oil before deciding to finally call a mechanic). Had an accident with a taxi: 2 hours inc. heated argument between bus / taxi driver & subsequent visit to police station for statements. Took unannounced detour to Arequipa: 5 hours – right pain in arse. Bus ran out of food: hungry. Developed altitude sickness: pounding headache as if head in vice. Arriving in comfy bed in middle of the night: timeless.
Despite above, Cuzco is fantastic. Picturesque Spanish colonial town. Only downside is 100% geared up for tourism. Is a vacuum which sucks money from tourists. As result decided not to go on Inca trail to Machu Picchu. Hired mountain bikes & did own thing visiting Inca ruins. 35 km ride from Cuzco to Pisac. First 5k uphill, took 1.5 hours. Needed a third lung as air so thin. Last 30k downhill took 30 mins – bliss!
Took train to Aguas Calientes, then bus to Machu Picchu. Didn’t quite know what to expect as it really is just a bunch of ruins, and have seen ruins before, right? It’s amazing. Fluked going on a gorgeous day as well. Decided to head up to the “sun gate”, a sedate 30 min walk. Took wrong turn and ended up hiking up to the top of the mountain – a 1.5 hr hike up a near vertical slope. Absolute killer. Needed that third lung again. Who the bloody hell build the path? Magali got vertigo. I looked like I’d jumped in a swimming pool. But made it! Spoilt with amazing panoramic views of Machu & Wayna Picchu.
Spent New Years in a small bar with a Peruvian band in Cuzco. Was hilarious. Had a real ensemble of instruments: electric / acoustic guitar, various panpipes, ukuleles etc. (anyone remember The Fast Show?). Kept on trying to play old school rock anthems. Didn’t quite sound right – but bloody entertaining! Drank two jugs of pisco sour. Only needed the one. Had craving for bacon so went to an Irish pub for a greasy spoon on New Years Day. Had the ultimate “breakfast in a bap”. It was about 12 inches high. Couldn’t work out why they didn’t just put the ingredients on a plate separately. But did the job anyway.
Half way through devouring the said sandwich, two woman came into the pub. They were dressed provocatively, had more cosmetic surgery than Michael Jackson and were about 50. In response to the entrance of the trollops, I asked Magali “What to you call an old sheep? To which she responded, “A goat?”. Had been a long night.
Going island hopping on Lake Titicaca & staying overnight with a family on Isla Amantani. Should be an experience…
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