2001………..6wks-2nd CYCLING TRIP-2,200kms IN SOUTHERN INDIA Today’s The Day! Finally after many months of thinking and talking about what must be one of the most researched and planned trips to the mysterious Indian Subcontintinent it’s actually going to happen. I’ve communicated into the ether of cyberspace to people in far off lands and got the lowdown on what to see, what not to see, what smells and tastes to see or more so to avoid, the charms of the people or the scams to be aware of. I begin my adventure by arriving in Bangalore, one of the sma [View Full Entry]

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1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU............ Colca Canyon …………………The travelling from Arequipa to the Colca Canyon was a 6-hour trip along a bumpy, dusty road going past countryside reminiscent of Mongolia or Ladakh. I have had so much dust in the last few days that I’m congested with the coughs and a sore throat. The Canyon, said to be twice the depth of the Grand Canyon, is more than 3,400m deep for more than 100km and is the territory of the majestic Condor. Well what a disappointment this tour has been [View Full Entry]

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1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU............ I decided to head off to Arequipa by plane, and give Lake Titacaca a miss, with a 7am, half hour flight. The view from the window was not amazing as they were dirty and the sun was shining on my side. Arequipa is Peru’s second largest city with 1 million people. It is set amongst the desert with the volcano El Misti (5822m) forming a close backdrop with other peaks. Arequipa is at 2,325m. The city has a nice Plaza de Aramas but it did not have the same feel as Cusco as it is busier. I [View Full Entry]

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1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU............ We were awoken at just after 4 am for the final dash to the Sun Gate to see Machu Pichu unfold itself at sunrise. It is about 1 ½ hour’s walk which is a bit up and down with the usual Inca steps. What I want to know is if the Incas could build such amazing precise walls and architecture why didn’t they make their trails a bit more even. You always have to look where you are walking and make those split second decisions to change the height of your step and where you put your [View Full Entry]

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…….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU............ “This is deservedly the most famous footpath in Sth America. It has everything: gorgeous mountain scenery, cloud forest and lush sub-tropical vegetation with numerous species of flowers, a stunning destination. There are Inca paving stones, Inca stairways, an Inca tunnel, and of course five sets of ruins, including Machu Picchu itself.” (Bradt) During the busy dry season months of June to September, up to a thousand people a day come to visit the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Machu Pichu remains a mys [View Full Entry]

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1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU............ Today was a day of getting things done. I decided to do the parasailing course- 3 days starting 6am to 11am and then some training at night. (US$95). There are only two of us doing it. The first day is running on a slope to get the idea. The 2nd day is going off an 8m hill. Day 3 is off at 800m. I didn’t sleep terribly well knowing that I had to get up at 5.15am to be ready. What an unforgettable experience! I hope I haven’t bitten off more than I can chew. We drove [View Full Entry]

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1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU.........It was absolutely freezing last night. Trying to read my thermometer was difficult but I think it was -10 degrees at least. When I got up at 6.30am, Martin was tucked in amongst his rocks and all you could see was his nose and eyes. He still had colour in his face, which was a relief. Puddles of water were frozen over and everything was white with frost. We must have been fairly high already (& that’s why it was so cold ) as trekking up the Campa Pass at 5000m did not seem as high a [View Full Entry]

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1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU.........Martin woke me at 6am I think as it was light and he would have been so cold as the ground was white with frost and small bits of water had frozen ice sheets on them. It's crazy, thinking of Martin, but my problem during the night was that the TWO compressed mattresses I have are not enough for my hip and I got too hot during the night! The cooking stove seems to take forever to boil...because of the altitude I guess. After breakfast of a stale roll (again) and a carrot, we set off about 8.30. [View Full Entry]

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1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU..................“This 5-6 day hike has everything: herds of llamas and alpacas, traditionally dressed Indians, hot springs, turquoise lakes, glaciers, ice caves, and even vicunas. Not surprisingly it is popular with trekkers. The route takes you right round the massif of Ausangate and over three high passes before returning you to your starting point, the small village of Tinqui.” Bradt Ausangate is South East of Cusco. The mountain, which is revered by the Incas, is actually a collection of high mountains with Aus [View Full Entry]

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1999……….6wks SOUTH AMERICA-ARGENTINA, PERU............ In Cusco there is a ticket (US$10 for 10 days) that allows you into a variety of sites, Cathedrals, Monasteries, and Museums etc. I first went to the Cathedral which commenced being built in 1559 and took 100 years to complete. The Cathedral is actually 3 churches in one. The earliest dates back from 1536. In the Sacristy there were several people doing restoration work to restore the wooden carved statues. There are many splendid side chapels etc. There are many paintings from the 16th/17th cent. This church was an o [View Full Entry]

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