Blogs from Cusco, Peru, South America

Helloooo!!! We are currently in Cusco and it is really cool! Last time i wrote we were in Lima - this was a good city but not much to do and everything we seemed to do when we went was closed. One eve we went for a city tour and the taxi man charged us so much!! We met Sara´s friend from uni who is studying in Lima and we went out for food and a few drinks! I tried the local food which is cerviche - this is raw fish covered in lime its pretty rank! then we went to a bar with live music and the guy was so good! We have the local drink as well pisco sour and this has raw egg in it!! Is actually quite nice! We left the next ... read more

So much to update! Loving Peru, we started our time off in Lima met our new group who we will be sharing the next 2 weeks together with. Mixed bunch, few annoying Australians and mostly couples so as usual we are the fly in the ointment. Spent 3 amazing days in the amazon rainforest. So humid and is adeptly named as rained a lot! We caught little motorised canoes up the river to see parrots and crocodiles. We did a night trek through the forest and saw tarantulas bigger than my hand, I didn't sleep well that night! We slept in little bungalows with no electricity so had to do everything by candlelight, including checking our room thoroughly for any spiders..... The local drink here is pisco sour, it's made with egg white, lime and I ... read more

20.5.2012 MACHU PICCHU!! WOW!!! Left Aguas Calientes 6.20a.m. arrived at the entrance to Machu Picchu around 6.50a.m. which was just perfect. This place is unbelievable. When you see postcards sometimes when you get there it is a led down, exactly the opposite here, Machu Picchu is much more grander and spectacular than any postcard can ever show, you can see why people spend the whole day here. It is an exceptional and amazing place and not surprising it is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. We had a fantastic guide, Willi, who knew so much about the area. We walked up so many steps and along trails out of the Macchu Picchu area that we now need knee replacements !!! Alison who is with us couldn’t do all the areas it was too ... 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

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

So i've seen beautiful pictures of Machu Picchu on google with mysterious fog roling around the hills like some kind of scottish moor. The classic shot on all of the posters from all over Peru must be the easiest picture to get considering the multitude of variations out there. Wrong! Aparently the dramatic meteorogical effect is frightened off by the hoards of tourists and and you have to wake up in the middle of the night just to sneak up on it without being noticed. With an unpleasant look on my face this was the situation we were briefed on in an irish styled Cusco pub. With this helpfull information we headed off. Hearded like cattle with the other eager shutter bugs onto a train for a 4 hour tour at just past walking speed along ... read more