| DIARY 6 |
| 14th Aug 2005 Lie in!!!! Didn't have to get up till 8.30am!!! After breakfast we walked down to the river past the ruins of the old Santa Teresa which was destroyed by a land slide. We crossed the river on a cable car contraption operated by a man each side pulling it - rather them than us!! On the other side a woman was being 'arrested' by police for carrying a large quantity of Coca leaves which is illegal apparently - they dragged her across the floor kicking and screaming to get her off the sack!!! We then walked for a couple of hours to the Hydro Electric train just below Machu Pichu (half the group walked and the others went in another truck with the bags - the horses had left us yesterday). We then had our final lunch and said goodbye to the cooks, before getting the train to Aguas Calientes. We stayed in a hostel with P&A again - they must have been so fed up with us and our feet!! Paula lent me a clean top and I went out and bought a pair of traveller trousers - I'm so cool now!!!!! Got to bed at midnight after playing guess the advert - I think the altitude might have got to us afterall!!! 15th Aug 2005 4.00am start to climb up to Machu Pichu - the hardest part of the trek (not for Terry) - steep, uneven steps up God knows how many metres. Didn't make it up before sunrise, but wasn't really one anyway because it was cloudy (after 4 glorious days weather). All so tired up there - was a struggle to stay awake through the guided tour, but was amazing to see it after seeing so many pictures of it. Terry climbed Wayna Pichu (the mountain behind it in all the famous pictures), while us three went up to the caretakers cottage for great views and loads of photos. We had to leave at 10 to get back down for our return train, but there was no sign of Terry so I got the bus down with everyone else and all our money..... so Terry had to run back down and only just made it in time for the train (oops.... not a happy bunny, but I did buy him a bottle of water and a steak sandwich!!). Got train to Ollantaytambo and then bus to Cuzco but saw most of the journey through eyelids!! We got copies of P&A's photos so we've probably got close to 400 of the trek to bore you with!!!!! Then after hot showers and clean clothes we met up with some of the group in the Irish bar for dinner and Yan came too. The 'four of us' and Ben stayed there playing cards and having a well deserved drink till 2am - not sure what time the place shuts!!! Said our goodbyes. Fell asleep before my head hit the pillow!!! 16th Aug 2005 Didn't wake up till 11.30 - bliss!! Checked emails, booked bus for tomorrow, sat in square and then went to Irish Bar for final time and met up with Nat & Steve (from Riobamba train) - good to see them again. Cuzco been great - gonna miss it!!! 17th Aug 2005 Bus to Arequipa (9 hours - Cruz del Sur) - got an aeroplane style meal and played bingo!!!! Will definitely use that bus company again!!! Booked into lovely but cheap hostal and had Mexican for dinner. Booked bus ticket to Puno for Sunday morning (21st) - we're getting organised!!!! Terry found a hot dog for 1 sole (20p) so had to try it - delicious and came with chips too!!!! 18th Aug 2005 Not too early start for Colca Canyon trip - got picked up at 8.00am. The Northern lads from ice climbing were on the same trip!!! Long bus journey to Chivay but a few stops on the way including a place to see the 11 volcanoes in this region. Had a small 'hike' in Chivay and then went to some hot baths - outside after dark but surprisingly warm!!! Had dinner and watched some local folk group, then stayed in a 'luxury' cottage. 19th Aug 2005 5am wake up call and bus to Cruz del Condor along the canyon. Stopped at Maca where Terry held a black chested buzzard eagle (or something like that) and had it hop on his head too. Waited for an hour or so before the condors left their nests and started to glide up the canyon in the thermals until they were circling overhead. Terry saw five at one time. Awesome sight - huge birds (3.2m wingspan, stand 1.2m high). Couple of viewpoints on the way back to Chivay. Then back to Arequipa after lunch. 20th Aug 2005 A day in Arequipa. Visited the monastary (Santa Catalina) - walked around it for a couple of hours - huge, used to hold 200 secluded nuns and 300 servants, until it opened to the public in 1970. Now only 30 nuns live there, aging from 18 to 90..... sorry - just trying to test each other on what we learnt!!!! Another hot day so just relaxed in Plaza de Armas. Terry ordered a huge piece of chocolate cake after dinner and ate most of it with a tiny little bit of help from me - delicious!!! 21st Aug 2005 Bus to Puno with another meal and game of bingo - didn't win again - still having trouble with 60's and 70's - they sound the same!!! Saw flamingos on a lake on the way. Puno not that nice, but quieter and Lake Titicaca looks very impressive - it's like being buy the sea rather than a lake. Bought four batteries for the MP3 player from a market stall for 20p...... don't think they'll last long..... in fact that's it - Terry just tried them and dead already - lasted about 50 secs!!!!! That'll teach us to stear clear of Durabat batteries!! Had a lovely chinese for dinner - not sure how long it will stay down or in though!!!! 22nd Aug 2005 Chinese is still there - phew!!! Got picked up from hostal and taken to port where we got our boat out onto the lake. First stop was to the floating islands of Uros - very weird and a bit spongy in places - made out of reed beds about 1.2 metres deep. Tried the root of the reed - supposed to be good for your teeth - bit bland but ok!! Had a ride on a reed boat between two of the islands. Then back onto the boat and on to the static island of Amantani where we met the family we were going to stay with that night and had lunch with them...... hmmmm... interesting!!! Walked up the hill and played football with locals kids before climbing further up Pacha Tata to watch the sunset over the lake - wow - huge, like an ocean!! Back down to eat dinner with Esteban and Wanika (our family), then dressed in traditional clothes and went to a 'disco'!! Felt a bit stupid as we walked there, but everyone was wearing the same and it was a laugh... lots of dancing, good fun!! |