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Published: March 18th 2014
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Another Peruvian bus ride and another set of strikes to contend with. This time however, it was a little more straightforward and only ended up adding a couple of hours to our journey.
After finally managing to negotiate the craziness we were faced with at Cuzco bus station, we eventually managed to grab a taxi to take us across town to our hostel; a 300 year old converted colonial mansion which was perched up on the hill overlooking the city centre. With three days until we were due to catch a flight to the jungle we actually found ourselves with a couple of much needed rest days on our hands. We used this time to stroll around the various sights of the picturesque city centre, relax and do a little planning for the coming weeks ahead.
The next morning, after lazing about for a bit we did what all proper gringo's would do...went to Starbucks! The moment we walked in, who did we see again?! Matt and Vic! A good chin wag later and we were off to start our mini tour with a trip to Cusco's chocolate museum. As soon as well walked in, we were hit with
the intense chocolate aroma and then greeted with a cup of chocolate tea. Although clear and 'tea like', it still had a distinct chocolate flavour and a lot less of the bad stuff I bet! We had a quick wander around the museum, which displayed information about Peru's cacao production and of course we couldn't leave before sampling some of the produce on offer...a freshly cooked, scrumptiously warm chocolate brownie. Once we'd polished off the brownie, we licked our lips and headed off to do a spot of shopping. With the jungle in a couple of days, neither of us had a jungle suitable top to wear, however with so many outdoor clothing shops, it didn't take long before we were kitted out and feeling like Tarzan and Jane (less the loin cloth). Finally that day, we took a stroll down to San Pedro market. Selling everything from hats and gloves to frogs and guinea pigs, there wasn't much you couldn't buy here...we walked away with a snide pair of Ray Bans for Gem!
The following day we decided to arrange what we were going to do about an Inca Trail. With our original plans set to do an
'alternative inca trail', called the Lares Trek, things didn't go a smooth as we expected when trying to pay. Then we suddenly came across another agency which looked familiar which were offering the main Inca Trail at a reduced price. We decided to go for it and booked it for the day after we got back from the jungle. It was going to be an intense 9 days, but what was new?!
With one last day in Cusco before we left for the jungle, we made our final preparations for both the jungle and our Inca Trail trek before meeting up with Matt and Vic in the evening for a few drinks at a pub overlooking the main square.
With four nights of jungle and three nights of mountains ahead, we were super excited and couldn't wait to see what it had in store for us...next stop, The Amazon.
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