Summery

I've now been home for a few days and slowly is it sinking in, what I have experienced, done, smelled, tasted etc during my time in South America. It takes a while to digest it all and turn it in to memories.

One thing that helps is all the photos, and yes, there are a few! 

Some things was really easy to get back into, like throwing toilet paper in the toilet and not in a bin next to it. To brush teeth with water from the tab. 

Other has been more difficult, like not having three meals a day served (however my sister and BIL has helped a lot on that point. Thanks!), doing laundry and wash dishes... 

Hardest is the time difference. I didn't think it would be so difficult. The first two days was ok, but after that I've really struggled. Well, I'm sure it will be fine shortly. It's been worth it though! 

The trip I did was amazing! Absolutely fantastic! It is difficult to find words to describe it without having it sound OTT. 

It was exciting, interesting, beautiful, breathtaking... Yip, it was fantastic and I'm so happy I decide to go.

One of the highlights was of course the Inka Trail, even if it also was the hardest part. To end of on the Galápagos was a good decision.

Thanks to you whom followed me! It was great sharing my experiences with you.

Finally I can also share some pictures.

Follow this link and I hope it works for you. If not please let me know! 

https://plus.google.com/photos/107744381702141923223/albums/6090547848141678033?authkey=CNyR0J6Jh-L09QE

Thanks again! 

Hope to see you soon again on a new adventure! 

Quito - centre of the world

Day 25 Quito

Woke up after a pretty ok night sleep. I was still deciding what to do with this day. Last night I was pretty tired and had switched off my holiday mood. However I had some new energy this morning and wanted to do something with the day.

I decided to get up, get ready and see what the others were up to. Couldn't find anyone so I decided to go by my self, and after talking to some taxi drivers I decided to go to the Equator. 

Found one of the group as I was about to go, but he didn't want to come, so off I went with my new "friend" Raul, the taxi driver. 

We couldn't communicate but he understood where I wanted to go and we negotiated a price. 

I got a bit concerned when he pointed out the monument with a big smile, but passed it. First I thought it might be you have to drive in a different way, but he went quite far.

We stopped at a place with some sort of gate, and parkings. It was a crater. Don't know it so I have to read up on it later. We had a look. He loved to take pictures with my camera of me and the view. 

Then we drove back the way we came from, towards the monument, but he said something about a museum and turned in between some houses. 

He took me to a guy that wanted $4 and then I was told to wait there. I asked and the tour was to take 30min. My time was a bit short since I had to get back to the hotel and then to the airport. But I thought I could make it.

The museum was outdoor and looked like it was showing different cultures. Could be interesting. 

We started in a small house build similar to the ones one tribe lives in in the jungle. Next stop was a tomb.

However after that I realised that I was for sure where I should be. This is where the real equator is. There was a line and along the line clocks, calendars etc to show how the equator works and differs the south and north hemispheres. We got to see some experiments too.

I was great.

I balanced on the equator. There are only about three places in the world where you can do that. And what place is better than in Quito (that means Centre of Land) where the studies of the equator was done and where the real measures has been done.

After the visit to the museum that also showed some more old houses, one build on the place 1847 and some shrunken heads. A very strange tradition from before.

Next visit was the actual monument for the equator. But well, as I said the real equator is where the museum is. When they first found out about the equator passing just here they didn't have the right equipment or something, at least they measured it a little bit wrong. But hey. It is close enough. So now I've seen both equators! Stood on them both and stood with one foot on each side of them both.

My driver was happy to do this for me and even more happy when he understood I had to go to the airport. He insisted to take me there, and why should I say no after a morning like that?!

So, after a refreshing shower and final packing I was back in his taxi on the way to the airport. Time to leave and go back home. Mixed feelings about that. 

The flight home is going to be long. The flight from Quito to Amsterdam is going down in Guayaquil to pick up more passengers. Total flight time around 14 hours. Then a short transfer in Amsterdam and hopefully working trains from Copenhagen to home. 

See you back in Europe!

Galapagos to Quito

This morning the packing had to be ready. The check-in luggage was left in the room to be taken by staff to the airport for check-in.

We were anchored in San Cristobalite harbour. San Cristobalite is the second biggest town in Galápagos, 7000 inhabitants. 

The group when to "Centro De Interpretacion", where they have a museum of the history of the islands. How they appeared. The first animals arriving and adapting. The first humans arriving. And also about how it is today.

It was interesting.

After the visit we had some free time in town before it was time to go to the airport and catch the flight,back to Quito.

A boring flight with s long stop over finally ended and we were back on mainland, in Quito.

We got bused to the hotel and on the way the group made plans to go visit the equator tomorrow. I'm not,sure,if I join. I'd love to, but I'm very tired and my holiday mood is kind of finished. 

I have to sleep on it, which I will do in a big and comfy bed, satisfied after a good dinner.

Even more Galapagos

It was a rocky night, but not as rocky as I predicted from what we were told. I was fine. Didn't sleep too well, but that's not the end of the world. 

Most of the group was pretty tired after a night with lack of sleep.

We went to Suarez Point on Espaniola Island. The weather was fantastic. The sun was shining and brought out the colours of everything, sand, water, plants and animals. We went for an approx two km walk on a rocky trail. We did frequent stops looking at animals or plants, listening and learning from our guide of what we saw. We were again very lucky. We got to see a lot. For example; sea lions, iguanas, lava lizards, Nazca Boobies, the biggest of the Boobies, albatross. To see albatross was a very lucky. It is the end of their moving season and most of them are already gone. The ones we saw was babies, still not able to fly. 

It was a great walk. The island is absolutely stunning and with the luck of seeing all this animals it was amazing. 

Back on board it was time to move Xavier a little,bit to find nice snorkelling waters. While moving we were served lunch and we also managed a short siesta before we took of for some snorkelling, the last chance for me, so I had to go. We found a few playful sea lions in the water, not many, but what was there was great. Apart from that I saw more or less the same as before. Beautiful fish. One was new for me today though, a green and black one that almost wasn't visible when sitting still, but when it moved it sparkled. Someone said it was very poisones, but I don't know. I couldn't get confirmed what it was. 

Snorkelling was really fun. I have never done it before, and when I got my breathing right I enjoyed it very much. However next time I need to have a waterproof camera to capture some of the beauty in the under water world.

After the snorkelling Xavier had to move slightly again. To get closer to Gardner Bay. A beach with pure white sand, turquoise water, like a paradise beach with no Palm trees. We were the only humans on the beach but we shared it with lots of sun bathing sea lions. 

We got some time to walk alone along the beach. It was now late afternoon, the weather was stunning, but the worst heat was gong. A perfect afternoon. I could see myself spend a day or two on this beach.

It's amazing how time flies when you are having a great time. It was time for our little farewell party. Most of the group is leaving the boat tomorrow. 

We gathered in the lounge and got to see the staff in a more formal way, to thank them and say good bye to them. We had six staff and one guide on board. 

We were given a tropical cocktail before our last dinner was served.

The food has been good, nothing special, but nice, pretty healthy, and very generous. Desert for both lunch and dinner takes a bit of the healthy part though.

Some of us stayed up a bit later chatting and having a glass of wine before it was time to sort out and pack bags and go to bed. 

Tonight they moved Xavier to our final destination earlier in the evening to give us most of the night on calm water and hopefully better sleep.

More Galapagos

After a bit of a rocky night we were no at Floreana Island. It was a bit cloudy and windy today. But still rather warm. 

We got to the "green beach". The beach got its name from a green shiny stone that is in the sand turning the sand a bit green in the sunlight.

A bit higher up on the island you find a lagun where, if you are lucky, you can see flamingos. And how lucky were we?! The first thing we saw was a flamingo chick, about two months old. Still whit and not able to fly.

A bit higher we could even see around 15 pink flamingos further out in the water. Our guide hadn't seen flamingo chicks here in the last five years.

On the other side of the hill we reached this beautiful white beach with turquoise water. But the best of all was the fresh tracks of turtles, and in the water we could still see them, they hadn't managed to go to far yet. 

In the shoreline was also rays, even some sting rays, so we were not allowed to walk very far out in the water. 

Back on the boat it was time to get the snorkelling gear and head out for a new snorkelling, this time form the dinghy. It was deep and rather rough. 

I got in the water and as I put my head in the water to check my gear I saw a turtle just below me. Priceless!! 

However I had to return to the dinghy because my mask was suddenly leaking. Luckily they had some spare and I found one that worked better and could continue my swim and experience the underwater world. 

Unfortunately the new snorkel missed the top part so the rough water got in. That wasn't too bad though, I managed the rest of the swim pretty well and enjoy the colourful palette under me. Even got a glimpse of a sea lion in the water.

After this amazing experience we were back on the boat for lunch and siesta while Xavier moved a bit. 

It was time for a new snorkelling, this time we were looking for turtles, so of course I had to jump in the water again. Couldn't miss that chance. 

The water was rather murky but we managed to find turtles. I saw about five or six before I gave,up due to the murky water. I felt a bit lost under the surface. 

Happy I did it though.

The Last activity for the day was a visit to "Post Office Bay". The place where the old sailors stopped to drop of and pick up letters, as a postal service. Still today it is in use for tourists. You can put post cards or letters in the barrel and at the same time look through the post in there to see if there are any that is addressed to a place close to you. Then you take them and send or deliver them to the recipient.

Let's see if any of you receive a post cards from a barrel in Post Office Bay, Galápagos.

After the postal service our guide told us about the first humans coming to live on this island, which were actually Germans. 

On tonight's briefing we were told about tomorrow and it looks like it will be another fabulous day, with lots of animals. 

After dinner and some chatting we all went to bed. It is going to be a hectic night tonight. They say it will be really rocking, and rocking the wrong way. 

Let's hope for the best. 

Boat is about to start moving, time to get my head on that pillow.

Galapagos

Welcome 2015. 

We anchored outside Rapida Island where we went a shore on the red lava beach meeting a lot of sea lions and their pupps. We took a walk up on to a hill watching over the ocean, the evergreen terrain and the lagun. Our guide told about animals, plants, the islands etc. very interesting. 

After the walk it was time for one of the highlights for me on this trip, the snorkelling. My very first time. We went from the beach so my first struggle was to to get the,hurting sand out of my flippers. 

However that turned out to be a minor problem when it came to the most important thing about snorkelling. Breathing! Above water I was fine breathing in the snorkel. As soon as I put my head in the water I started to hyperventilate... the more that happened the more frustrated I got and the worse the breathing got. Finally I got it to work and I could enjoy the experience. And if I did!! Wow!! That was just awesome. Watching all this beautiful coloured fish swimming under you. What a feeling! 

I got up and I was like a kid on Christmas! 

Back on the boat we got served lunch and had a siesta on deck while the boat moved to the north side of Santa Cruz. At the start of the journey around ten dolphines were playing and swimming in front of the boat. 

We arrived and entered Bachas Beach, where we took a walk to a lagun where we were very lucky to see three flamingos. They are rather rare in the area. We saw some blue-footed boobies in a distance, marks after turtles and  iguanas, and even a few iguanas. 

Before leaving the beach I had a quick swim in the lovely turquoise water. It wasn't very warm, but lovely and refreshing.

On the way back to the boat we saw a group of around 15 dotted dragon rays. 

After a shower, dinner and a glass of wine it was lovely to get in to bed. 

It was a fantastic day and tomorrow there will be another one to follow... 

Going to Galápagos

On New Years Eve I flew with my new group to the Galápagos Islands for a four-night cruise. I had arrived in Quito from Lima the afternoon before. 

We arrived in Ballasta Island where we were taken across to Santa Cruz Island on by bus cross the island to Porto Aynor where our yacht was waiting, together with a few other people. We were now 16 in total for this trip.

We were taken in dinghys to the big boat, Xavier III, which was to be our home for the coming days. Got our cabins, guess if I was happy to get one to my self. Lunch was served, security information given and then we went back to the island. To visit a place where the giant tortoise lives. 

They are just awesome these animals. 

After all it was New Years Eve, why we later after dinner got back to the mainland to get the feeling and to see the local new year traditions. 

What they do is make papier-mâché dolls, only male, of a person the want to forget/get rid of. They are painted and sometimes even dressed in human clothes. At midnight all these dolls will be burned on a big fire to get rid of negativity and start the new year fresh. 

As a part of this traditional guys dress up as women to symbolise the widows of these burned men. Lots of them carry dolls as their babies. All day they walk around the streets crying for the lost husbands and collecting money to be able to take care of the babies. 

A very strange but quite fun tradition. They do it very organised and in a good way. Everyone enjoys and there is a lot of fun around. 

I didn't stay in town for midnight, I was on the boat for that. Watching the fireworks and Bonfire from there. 

Not a bad way to end one and start a new year.

It had been a long day so when fireworks were done, so was I. 

Happy new year everyone! 

I wish you all a great year.

Amazon to Lima

Woke up to a serenade of jungle sounds. Such a lovely wake up call! A little later there was added something sounding like fighting monkeys. 

Lay there and listened for a while, what a great finish of the first part of this trip. Tomorrow a new adventure starts, new country, new group. 

When leaving the bungalow "Homer", the lodge parrot sat on the veranda as saying goodbye to us.

After breakfast we took the boat downstream and back to town. To the office to repack and off to the airport. 

The flight took us from the jungle in Puerto Maldonado via Cusco to Lima. Back where everything started. 

A last dinner with the group, a few drinks, hopefully some sleep will finish this part of the trip. 

Tomorrow morning, early, I'm off to the airport again. This starts to look like my job days. :)

See you in Equador! 

Amazon jungle

Amazon Jungle

The last adventure on this part of my trip is the Amazon Jungle. 

We flew from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, a flight of 35 min. I thought it would be a tiny little plane going there, but it was surprisingly an Airbus A380. 

When arriving in the jungle the heat and the humidity slaps you in the face. Phew!

We got taken to the travel providers office to repack our luggage and only bring a small bag with the essential stuff for a few days in the jungle.

After a 2-hour boat ride in a speed boat we reached our lodge. An Eco lodge.

We are four (2+2) in the bungalows. Here is running water. The water is warmed with solar panels, meaning, no sun - no hot shower. 

The bungalows has no electricity. Candles and lighters are provided. The main area; dining room, bar, reception have electricity four hours a day starting around 5.00pm. 

First evening after dinner we took a short walk in the dark. We found some insects to bugger with our torches. 

After a short (hung in the bar last night) but really good sleep it was time for an early star to explore the jungle. 

The boat took us a short distance upstream where we got off and had a walk to a lake . We again saw some insects, a small little frog, plants etc, but the best part was when our guide managed to get a tarantula out of her nest. Really cool!

During this walk the rain in the rainforest got worse and worse. By the time we got to the little lake the rain was quite heavy. From the barge on the little lake we managed to see some birds; stink bird, heron (white), kingfisher, macaw, toucan and some other small ones, most of them in a very far distance.

On the other side of the lake we took a walk to see two very big and very old trees. The rain was now so heavy it was difficult to see anything. We headed back to the barge, over the lake, cross the vegetation back to our boat, and back to the lodge. 

Before lunch we had time to dry and get a bit cleaner.

After lunch a few of us sat chilling on the porch when one of the guides came running asking us to come. There was monkeys in the trees. Small saddle  tamarinds. It was awesome to see them jumping around in the trees. 

After a while we had to leave though, because it was time to go visit one of the local fruit farms. 

It wasn't really like a farm that thought of, it was more like a piece of land looking like a forest of mixed fruit trees and plants. We got to taste most of them too.

In the evening we went for a tour on the river in the dark to try and spot caymans. Our guide was amazing. By sweeping a strong flashlight along the river banks ha managed to spot the eyes and the boat took us really close. 

It was an amazing experience to be on the river with only the stars as lights (except for the searching torch) and surrounded by the sound of the jungle. 

On return dinner was served and than some of us sat in the bar for a while before we headed back to our bungalows for a last night in the jungle.

Cusco

Today was a recovery day after the trek and for some a hard night out last night.

We all have very stiff and sore legs. Some went for massage to make it better.

I spent the day mainly walking around town, organising money and looking in shops and markets.

I also went to the Inca museum. A museum that could have been really interesting if it had been looked after a bit better. There are some really great items, but the information is bad and mainly in Spanish. 

Late afternoon a big part of the group went to the cinema. I didn't want to see Hobbit, so I stayed at the hotel. So did my roomie. We took a stroll around town and brought,some,take away pizza back.

Then it was time to pack bags again. Tomorrow we move into the jungle.

The Inca Trail

The Inka Trail

It's here, the day I've been looking forward to with mixed feelings. Very excited but also a bit worried. Will I make it? 

We had to weigh in our luggage. Max 6kg to be carried by the porters. Our own day bag can weigh whatever, that one we have to carry ourselves. Mine was over 12kg (scale only got to 12)!! That was including almost 2,5 litres  of liquid and my camera (can only blame my self for having such a big camera)

We are 10people in our group. We were taken to the first check point called "82km" for passport control and stamp of course! Then it all started!!

First day is a hike of 11 km in mixed terrain, going from 2800-3000m.

Not too bad, but pretty hard. 

Second day was worse, it is the worst of the four days. A hike of 9km only, but going from 3000m via 4200 to 3600 is hard, I can tell you that. Even harder in rain. I was so shuffed when I reached the campsite that day! I made it, the hardest part of the trail was done, climbing "Dead Woman's Pass"

Day three, Christmas Eve, started a little bit earlier than yesterday. At just after six we left the camp for a 16km hike to our last campsite. The first two hours were really hard going up, only a hundred meters or so in altitude but it was very steep steps. After just a few minutes I struggled, I had no control over my legs, I got no respond. But with a lot of willpower and a few tears I made it. Then we had to go down, down and down 1100meters in total. It was all uneven steps and slopes of wet uneven stones suppose to be flat. That is not done for me and my eyesight. Having trouble measuring distance makes it very difficult going down these stairs. I had a hard day, but I made it.

Day four, Christmas Day. The wake up call came at 03.20. It was time to get a good position in the queue to get in to the national park and reach the Sun Gate for sun rise. We got a pretty good position. Gate opened at 05.30 and our last 5km started. About halfway we reached the Sun Gate. The clouds hadn't managed to rise so it was thick as a glass of milk. Disappointing!

We continued to the "post card spot" but still same thing, clouds.

I didn't even wanted to think the thought that we were not to see this miracle place due to weather. 

However a bit later it did clear up and in front of us we had this magnificent place, Machu Picchu. What a feeling.

We were guided around parts of it and was then to explore our selves.

I left just in time for the rain to arrive. 

The group met up in a restaurant in town before taking the train from there. Mission was now completed and at the hotel we had a Christmas dinner waiting.

In our group we had as mentioned 10 hikers and also one guide, one assistant guide, 18 porters, a waiter and a chef. 

The porters are amazing. The organise everything around the campsites, meals and carrying all the stuff this same way as we hike. 

The rules now is that every porter can't carry more than 30kg. But hey, that is a lot on this trail. This poeters are amazing, they more run than walk with their big packs on their bags. Our youngest porter is 19 and the oldest 80!! 80, can you believe it?! 

The experience was amazing. The trek was very hard at times but in the end it was well worth it.

Sacred Valley

Today we left Cusco with only a small little bag each, all we are allowed for the trail. Today we started our adventure towards Machu Picchu. No trekking today though. We had a look around Sacred Valley.

First stop was a community where G Adventures (the tour operator) is running a local project for the women, a weaving and sewing studio.

We learnt about the different icons on the their materials. We also got shown how they make and die the alpaca and Llama wool. All with natural plants and materials.

We got to feed the Llamas and Alpacas, however they had probably got fed already, since they started to spit on some of our group. Not me though.

After some view point stops we reached our next stop, an Inka Ruin. It was awesome to wonder around this ancient place with so much history. It was steep and hard too! 

For good reasons, they always put the storage areas for the crops on the top. Why? Because this is where the wind blows and keep the crops fresh longer.

After a great tour around the place it was time for lunch.

Lunch was at another of G Adventures projects. We were given a fantastic lunch with only local dishes. Very nice and very generous! 

It was a bunch of very full people that stepped back on that bus making the last bumpy ride to. The hotel in Ollantaytambo. 

Here we made the last physical activity for the day, another Inka Ruin. It was massive and fantastic to explore. Me and two of the group spent quite some time exploring this awesome place before heading back to the hotel.

A good dinner, an nice shower and an even better night sleep is all that's standing between myself and a great adventure... 

Puno to Cusco

There is not much to tell about today really. 

We are half way through the tour and today we went from Puno to Cusco, a bus ride of about eight hours.

We stopped at the highest point between these cities, 4435m where also the Andes meet after a split and split again. 

Late afternoon we arrived in Cusco and had a wander around town. It's a quite nice town centre around the main plaza. Looks a lot like other places we've been though.

We had some time to gear up, because tomorrow we leave Cusco for the Sacred Valley, and then it's time, time for the trail.

Before dinner and packing for the trail we had a briefing, this is now going to happen. I hope I'll make it! 

The little bag of thinks I can bring is now packed. I'm a bit nervous, but very excited. 

I might be able to make contact tomorrow, but if not I'd like to wish you all a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Titikaka Lake to Puno

Day 10 Titikaka Lake - Puno

I woke up rather early after a chilly night. We were told to be ready by 7.30. Today we were meant to help with the shores on the farm. My family wasn't really good at trying to tell us what to do. I went to the kitchen and then I was welcomed in. I wasn't asked to help or do anything until I asked.

Breakfast was as uncomfortable as dinner last night. Sitting there at the table by our selves overlooking the rest of the family coming and going.

After breakfast it was quiet for a long time and only smiles were exchanged. 

Finally we were asked to come with to look after the animals.

First we fed the cows and the donkey, and then the sheep were to be taken for a walk and later taken two or three at the time to a different place where they should stay and feed for the day.

We were now meant to help in the garden or on the fields, but instead we got standing on the beach while our man talked to a neighbour. 

After at least half an hour we were asked to move a pile of big rocks closer to his garden. I was now rather frustrated so I just put my head down and carried this stupid rocks. Let's see how the body feels tomorrow.

Before we left we had to survive yet another meal. The lunch was so big I couldn't finish it. 

Finally it was time to say good bye and get back on the boat heading back to Puno.

I'm not sure what I feel about things like this. It is suppose to be genuine and give some insights to the culture, and I partly enjoy it. However, it doesn't feel genuine. For example, the part of the house we stayed in was so much higher in standard then the parts the used for them selves, which we didn't get to visit, apart from the kitchen. Anyway...

Back in Puno I had a lovely and warm shower, then I just shilled for the rest of the afternoon.

For dinner tonight we ordered the most famous dish of them all from Peru, guinea pig. Luckily we only ordered one for the table.

I never thought I would react much, but hey, that was difficult. I kind of lost my appetite when this little thing came in, cut open and butterflied, a bit of aluminium foil around the feet and head with teeth, laying on a bed of vegetables and ironically enough, a red sauce.

I tasted it, but it was difficult to eat after that first sight. Don't know how to describe it since I had to force my self to eat it. But hey, I did it!

Titkaka Lake

Day 9 Titikaka Lake

We were told to be ready at 8.00 am for pick up. Around the corner stood five cycle taxis to take us to the harbour. When we reach the harbour our boat was ready to leave, our group had our own boat. 

First stop was an Uru floating island. They didn't pick the closest most touristy ones, so we had to go for almost two hours before we reached our island. 

They told us how these islands are built and how they live there. Imagine living on a 200m2 reed island floating in Titikaka Lake your entire life. It was very interesting to see though. We also got to go for a short trip on one of their reed boats. 

After the visit, we continued another hour and a half to the island Taquile. Here we had lunch overlooking the lake and the Bolivian mountains. The people on this island, 2000 inhabitants, are very good at handicraft. The men are knitting and the women sawing and weaving. The things they make are amazing. One very important item is their hats. The colour of your hat tells all about you, if you are single or married for example. The men making this hats have a competition of who is making the best one. The one holding water the longest is the winning one. They are so tightly knitted it is incredible.

On this island we got to test our fitness in the altitude again. A walk straight up from the harbour was rather difficult when it comes to breathing. Going down we took a different path, and going downhill is always easier.

The boat took us to our final destination for the day. A small village on the tip of the peninsula of Puno. This was to be our home for the night. We were to spend the night with a local family. 

First we met and greeted our family, then there was a football game, tourists against locals. We were three tourist groups here today. The locals won most of it. And my group is the least sporty group ever. 

It was now time for some local dance, not only were the locals to dance for us, we had to dress up in their costumes and dance with them. During the dance session the rain came, and turned into hale. But of course we had to finish the dancing before we could shelter. 

It was a rather heavy rain so. We stood there waiting for it to ease a bit so that we could go home to our families. 

Me and my German roomie ended up in a family with 7 children, the two youngest, a pair of twins, were only two weeks old.

It was a bit acquired to be guests in there home. We couldn't communicate very well, and it felt like both sides felt that way even if the family is used to have people staying there. They have even built a room with en suite, that is in better standard than their own home. 

For the first hour we sat in hour room having three of the kids running around us like maniacs showing their toys and wanting to play with us.

Luckily we got called for dinner. In the kitchen they had set the table only for us two. The rest of the family ate in shifts in the corner of the little room. Not very comfortable. Food was good though.

After dinner they asked if we were tired and I said yes, I couldn't stand sitting there looking at them any longer. 

So it became an early night. Outside the storm was really hard, thunder and rain. It is a bit cold, but I think I'll keep warm.

Chivay to Puno

Today was mainly a transportation day. Going from Chivay to Puno on the Titicaca Lake. An approx 6-hour drive. We started early and made a few stops along the way, just short stops for views, using toilets or having a cup of Coca tea. One stop was a bit different though. We passed here a few days ago too and made a brief stop, but today we made a proper stop at the very highest point where you can get by car in these mountains. It is 4910m. It was chilly and the air is very very thin. It was a great experience though, even if it only lasted for a few minutes. The trip felt long today. Most part of the road was in pretty bad condition so it was a very bumpy road too. Our guide played some great oldies in the bus which made it a bit easier to cope. After check in we went for lunch and then to the local market. Tomorrow we are going to visit and stay with families on an island in the lake and we are bringing some supplies for them. A short look around town before I headed back to the hotel for some rest. You need to rest when you are on these altitudes. Right now we are at around 3650m. The lack of oxygen makes you tired and you are asked to take it rather easy. It was just a small group of the group coming for dinner. And an even smaller group going for drink before bed. We found a really cool bar for that night cap. Time to hit the sack getting ready for an adventurous day tomorrow.

Colca Canyon

Alarm was set for 05.00 to go see if we could spot any condors at the beginning of the canyon. A freshly baked roll and a cup of coca tea later we were on the move.

The drive to the viewing spots were amazing. So stunning it's breathtaking, more than the altitude gives. 

To spot condors you need to catch them around 7.30 in the morning when they stretch their wings to get ready for today's flight to catch food. 

There is a bit of a battle between the condor and the albatross, of whom actually is the biggest bird. The albatross wins by length of wingspan, however the condor is bigger in body mass. The condor belong to the family of vultures. They don't hunt, they eat dead animals. 

At the first spot we saw one baby flying away in a very far distance and one bigger one sailing away the wrong way.

After spending some time there, we moved on to a new spot. At first nothing happened, but then there was a couple of birds circulating below us, and after a little longer there was even more. So in total we saw at least six.

Happy to have spotted this rare birds we went for a walk along the edge of the canyon for about 3km. Our guide stopped and showed us different plants and told about the life in the rural communities in the wally. Very interesting.

On the way back we stopped at two jaw dropping viewpoints, and in a small community called Maca, where we visited the little church.

Back in Chivay we were ready for lunch, some time to walk around the small town and a little bit of rest before we went to a Thermal hot spring bath, where we soaked for a good hour. Nice and relaxing!

And then when you need a good shower, there is hardly no warm water left... Anyway, I got cleaned and I had a nice dinner after that.

Bedtime is early after long, but great day, and a new early start in the morning.

Arequipa to Chivay

We had the morning kind of free today. Our guide went with the ones that wanted to some good places for buying Alpaca.

So first I had a bit of a lay in. I didn't sleep very late, but I didn't have to get up either. Which was kind of nice. Breakfast was served on the terrace and it was a beautiful morning. This morning was also the one when I had my first coca tea. It wasn't very nice, but not too bad either.

I joined the Alpaca group and I did some small shopping.

Then I joined a few others and we went around town a bit more and had lunch before it was time to return to the hotel for departure.

Today was climbing day. We were going around the vulcanos in to a small valley village called Chivay at the one end of the Colca Canyon. This trip ment a four hour bus ride up and down mountain roads. Going from approx 2500 to 3650 m, via a spot of 4900!! The highest point you can reach by car.

Our first stop was at about 4000m where we had a cup of Coca tea, this time with mint and a dash of sugar. Not too bad actually. 

On the way we saw wild Vicuña and domestic Llamas and Alpacas. Beautiful animals.

After a quick stop at the highest point we started our trip back down to the village that will be our home for the next two nights.

We had our first power failure of the trip. The electricity went for about 10 seconds. :)

You can really tell we are higher now, not only is it a little bit pressure on head and breathing, but it is also pretty cold. Days will be fine, but mornings and evenings from now on will be chilly, even cold.

Dinner tonight was accompanied with traditional music and dancers. A very touristic set up, but nice to watch and especially listen to.

It will be an early night tonight, tomorrow morning the alarm goes of at 05.00!

Arequipa

Day 5 Arequipa

The bus ride was smooth, I managed to sleep most of the way. 

When it got light I watched the amazing landscape we travelled through. 

We were climbing up the mountains and the views are astonishing.

We reached Arequipa just after 9.00 am, and were taken to our hotel. Luckily our rooms were ready. But it was no time for resting anyway. After a refreshing shower our guide took us around to show us his home town, and pointed out what to see. He went of to see his family and the group divided up depending on what everyone wanted to see and do.

Some of us started with lunch on a roof top restaurant overlooking the main square, where today it was some Tim of parade with orchestras and people dancing in local costumes (mainly from Puno).

Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru, after Lima. The population is around 1 million. The city is surrounded by three big, still active volcanos. The highest one, Misti is 6000m. There is a lot of earthquakes in the area. Tremors going on daily, and small quakes now and then. Luckily the big ones are more rare, latest one was 2001.

Due to the earthquakes the buildings are not allowed to be more than 3 storage high in the city. So the building where we had lunch was one of the highest and gave a nice view of the city.

After lunch (I had Alpaca btw) the group splitter again and some of us went to a museum to learn the story of Jurgitha, a Nasca girl born approxy 550 years ago and found in the crater of Misti 1995. She had fallen out of her tomb when the vulcano erupted. 

In the are more tombs with children was found. These where all sacrificed to their Gods. 

Jurgitha is approx 13 years old, and was very well kept. When she was found she had been out of her tomb for around two weeks, so her face, that was exposed to the sun was dried out, however the rest of her was frozen. She had apparently become frozen straight at her death why her insides are still kept in very good condition. She still has liquids in her body. 

She is still kept frozen to try and keep her for as long as possible.

This found was great, not only for Peru, but for the whole world.

A very interesting story to learn.

After the visit to Jurgitha, I attended a free walking tour around town. A tour that was suppose to last for 2h30min, but took over three hours. Very interesting. The guide didn't just tell boring stuff about the buildnings we past, he told a lot of great stories about how the people lived and still live, what different ceremonies they have etc etc. we got to see Alpacas and Llamas too, and ended the tour with a taste of cacao tea (no, not coca) and a piece of organic homemade chocolate.

After another traditional dinner bed was calling. It was nice to crawl in to a bed tonight...