John and Gloria Travels

23.5.2012 On the road by 8.00a.m. Very scenic drive mostly following the shores of Lake Titicaca as it shores are shared with Peru and Bolivia. Very pretty snow capped peaks, blue skys and quite warm but they all think it is very cold, no freeze so not cold for us. Hit the border about 11.00a.m. our Bolivian guide met us and we changed all our money etc before crossing the border. It is not a very common border where we are crossing at Desaguardero but it all went pretty well, one of the officers was on a power trip but apart from that all good. Elder did his own thing and met us in the van on the Bolivian side, they don't get on too well with Peru and don't really like the tour guides so ... read more

21.5.2012 Got back to Cusco last around 10.00pm, was so wrecked didn’t even have a shower straight to bed up 6.30 to be on the road by 7.15a.m. A lot of small groups all congregated at bus station to get double decker bus to Puno. With a few stops along the way at more Inca ruins and of course a church, then lunch in in Sicuani, climbing all the way to 4335 metres, now feeling a bit headachy again and a bit of a heavy chest, we arrived in Puno around 5.30p.m. Pretty town on the edge of Lake Titicaca, which we will be exploring tomorrow. Lake Titicaca we are told is the highest navigable lake in the world, where the Uros people live. Looking forward to that. Elder took us to his mates restaurant ... read more

18.5.2012 Went out onto the highlands again today in a different direction to see Moray which is a huge terraced stadium like structure built by the Inca’s in a volcano base, a sight to be seen! Then onto a salt works, all these ponds built into the side of a ravine, lots of walking and very steep, Alison had a bit of breathing problems but we just take it slow and steady. Then back to Cusco early arvo for some free time which was great, as we have been on the go the whole time here. Elder went to hospital to visit Allan and then we all went out for pizza which was a nice change. Allan going back to Aus tomorrow or next day with a nurse escort to Lima. Heading to Macchu Picchu tomorrow, ... read more

16.5.2012 Had a great flight down to Cusco (or up!!!) took the 1 hr and arrived around 11. The climb up into the highlands was amazing, and then gazing over the glaciers etc it was very scenic. Cusco in a huge valley, and airstrip right smack bang in the middle of town, very interesting. Was taken straight to the hotel – briefed on our itinerary – and then for arvo Cusco tour – telling us to walk slowly etc because of the effects of the altitude. Well!!! the five of us all felt a bit HO HUM!! I can tell you, light headed, headaches etc, drinking plenty of water and electrolytes. I remember reading somewhere that you should take your time getting to Cusco to try and acclimatize, and don’t do what a lot of tour ... read more

14.5.2012 – 15.5.2012 Well dinner at La Gloria was sensational $60 head with wine but great food. Checked out of our house and over to Embajadores Hotel near the beach, quite a nice hotel. Met the other people on our tour, we are five, 2 melb, 1 Brisbane and 2 Cairns. Had a tour around the downtown today and what a combination of different architecture, just amazing. Did the usual cathedral, which I have to admit was absolutely stunning, and then onto the San Francisco Monastery, with all the catacombs which are on display, loads of bones and skulls, containing around 70,000 human remains, also went to the Museum of Antropology, so interesting. Also there are several sights of pre incas around here in Lima even one in Miraflores. The Peruvian people are so friendly. Had ... read more

5.5.2012 Had an early start today to go to Camaguey through the countryside it took a total of 7-8 hrs, 5 ½ driving, had a couple of stops on the way. Very agricultural, tobacco fields, sugar cane fields, bit cattle runs and also a lot of goats, the countryside is quite green but the animals look they are in poor condition. Like everything else in this country. 95percent of everything is state run, hotels, restaurants, travel agencies etc etc. The lines of people outside banks, bakeries, fruit shop (if you can call them that), butchers (yuk!!!) is incredible, the people here get rations on the 1st of every month and that usually can last them for 2 ½ weeks then they have to buy from their own money food for the last week or two. Stopped ... read more