Blogs from Cusco, Cusco, Peru, South America
May 31st 2012
Well I survived the 20.5hr bus journey, the first 15 were ok. Thankfully the scenery on the last 5.5hrs made up for the turns and twists and the not so great road surface...needless to say I survived and I am looking forward to walking for a couple of days before having to venture onto another bus. Checked in to the hostal I will be meeting my trekking group tomorrow evening to save moving my gear around. The owner recommended I catch a couple of hours sleep before venturing out to help with the acclimatisation....very wise words indeed. Only mild altitude symptoms: sore head, dry cough and feeling thirsty. The coca tea is definitely helping as well as the nurofen. Having stuck to vegetarian meals over the past couple of days I decided to bite the bullet ... read more
May 20th 2012
So after 32,000 kms travelled by air sea and land, (4,500 km Punta Arenas-Cusco direct), 72,500 words typed out with one finger on my I-touch and uploaded into 49 stories I find myself sat at a Starbucks cafe in Lima airport with a tall mocha and cream typing out my 50th and final tale. Destination -London and then onto the west country and home for a decent bath and pint of real ale. I have just flown into Lima from Cusco and have 5hrs on the ground before next flight. It was a choice between a $50, 26hr uncomfotable bus ride or $120, 70min smooth flight. No contest really. I have spent the last few days resting after the Inca Trail hike and have used that time wandering around Cusco visiting buildings and museums to gain ... read more
May 19th 2012
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
May 18th 2012
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
May 17th 2012
Hello friends and family, We are currently sitting on the beach in Equador, after making our way through Northern Peru. However, I must start where I left off........The Bolivian/Peru border. We thought some trouble might arise as we were 10 days over our visa, but thanks to the Custom officers poor math skills and Alanas tears, we were able to cross without issues. We travelled down to Arequipa, Perus second largest city (Sits at the base of Mt Misti, a snow capped volcanoe). After of few days of relaxing by the pool and eating nice foods we were off again. Onto ANOTHER bus and back up into high altitudes. This time to the famous city of Cusco. Insert small history lesson>>>> There are sooooo many churches in Cusco because when the spanish destroyed an Inca 'temple' ... read more
May 9th 2012
Have arrived at my final destination, Cusco. A smooth and trouble free 40 minute flight instead of 11 hours on bumpy bus to a town of 400,000 soles nestled high in the Andes. My purpose of visit is the 4 day Inca trial to the lost city of Machu Picchu. Well I say lost, it is clearly now found, but is was lost up until 1911 when it was found and it's location remains known until this day, until I presume, it will be lost again. Why it was lost in the first place I hope to discover whilst here and I just hope that it remains found until at least the end of my trek. Otherwise we will all be lost and may never to be found. So the usual bullshit from the taxi drivers ... read more
May 3rd 2012
Machu Picchu yestarday! Excited for pictures? I bet you are but you're going to have to wait. I just finished transfering 368 shots from my camera and we've yet to pull any from Sams. With editing and uploading the photographic excellence it may be a few days as we are en route to lake Titicaca tomorrow. In the mean time we have been busy checking out Cusco city and we have a few images to unload. Cusco is a pretty big city and the highest one we've been to yet at 3400 metres. First impressions, the place is old, really old and for the most part it has aged well. On the way in seeing all the redish brown mud brick and tin roofs gave us the impression that we we're heading into some sort of ... read more
April 22nd 2012
So, after a quick flight from Lima to Cusco (landing in between mountains, surrounded by houses around the runway might I add!) we prepared ourselves for the onset of altitude... Roll on tingly fingers, toes and noses and radpido breathing! We were met by GAP adventures rep at airport, where they sold oxygen by the can... Then we headed to our hotel with members of our Inca Trail group who seemed quite nice! We met the rest of the group in the evening at the hotel - an American family (eek!), an English couple (boring), 3 norweigan girls (fantastic fun) and 4 x 19 year old posh boys on their gap year (turned out to be lovely lads and really great fun - Crosland felt like she was back at school again). The next day we ... read more
Cusco Part III and onwards to Arequipa
Published: April 19th 2012South America » Peru » Cusco » Cusco
April 10th 2012
Monday night, after a long long day getting back from Machu Pichu, it was another quick dinner of the day and off to sleep. Tuesday became a relaxing day as we planned to take the 8:00 PM overnight bus to Arequipa. It is a 10 hour ride and almost all the bus companies go overnight. We are both very much ready to leave Cusco. While the adventures outside of Cusco have been amazing, neither of us have really loved the city itself. Again, for me, I think it is just too big. Good luck Jessica and Francois in the next 7 months of your travels! The bus ride to Arequipa was yet another adventure. We arrived at the bus terminal at about 7:00 PM and the negotiating began. Prices ranged from $25-60 soles (which was awesome ... read more
April 5th 2012
From our incredible jungle trip, we returned to Cusco exhausted and very smelly Thursday evening (7ish). Hostel Andrea did not have one of the nice rooms that we had previously stayed in so we shared a room with a young French couple. They had just arrived from Arequipa after a challenging bus ride. They were the perfect people to share a room with as they were exhausted as well and planned to be in bed early. So, after a nice nearby dinner, the entire room was asleep by no later than 10:00. Friday, the 6th, was a relaxing catchup day. We explored Cusco a little more. Had an awesome lunch with Alpaca. It was Good Friday so there were some small parades and things. We changed hostel rooms so we could get a clean shower. We ... read more
