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Published: April 12th 2009
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Peru Rollercoaster
Greetings all, hope you are fine and dandy and preparing a good night out for our return. So we are now in Argentina and only 3 hours behind the UK, which is by far the nearest we have been in a long time. Peru was like a good night out, great when the beers were flowing but there were some real bad mornings.
We left Arequipa and headed to Lake Titikaka. A gritty little place and a long way from the home comforts of Casa de los Pengiunos (yes we stayed in a Penguin House in Arequipa). The floating islands of Lake Titikaka were exactly as you see in pictures back home. You found yourself walking like Mr Soft which was a little unnerving at first. The whole experiance was great, blue sky, clear blue still water, with the warmth of the locals made it an unforgettable (if not a little commercial) experience.
The plan was to catch the bus to Cusco the next day in order to walk the Inca Trail, however the farmers of Peru had a different idea. The day we were meant to leave Puno they decided to strike and block the
Lake Titikaka
Rach has really caught the sun over the last few weeks. road to Cusco. Apparently this happens quite often and can go on for weeks. So after much deliberation we decided to book a flight and ended up paying a stupid amount for 29 minutes in the air. Not to mention that the flight almost did not go because of the fog, and we got to the airport 2 hours before flying as instructed only to find that it was closed with the exception of the cleaners.
So, we eventually arrived in Cusco, and what a great little city it was. Full of history, great architecture, and coffee shop followed by bars and restaurants. We loved it. Unfortunately it did not love us back. Rach´s arm was still hurting from the IV in Arequipa so we called out the Dr. His first diagnosis was a load of rubbish (always builds confidence), however after Rach persisted he came up with a new problem which was more severe. Needless to say we went to a clinic for a second opinion.
It looks like Rach had an infection from the IV drip in Arequipa. Not good. It caused an inflammation and clotting in a 10cm section of her arm. Think it is
called Superficial Thrombophlebitis (or something posh like that). So, she is now back on Anti-biotics, anti inflamatory and paracetamol/asprin for the pain. Basically we are keeping Incafarm (boots the chemist in Peru) in business.
Needless to say we did not walk the Inca Trail. That said the Inca ruins and Machu Picchu are something else. We spent a couple of superb days in the clouds, sun and rain enjoying the ancient sights. I was a bit dubious at first thinking that it was some big hoax by the Peruvian government to con tourists, but it is well worth every penny and if it is a hoax then a damn fine one.
Next stop was Nasca, and if Machu Pichhu was a hoax, then the Coca leaves really hit home when they thought the Nasca lines up. A 40 minute flight over some of the wierdest sights I have every seen. Great scenery to boot.
Finally it was 7 hours through the desert to Lima (which was surprisingly interesting and enjoyable city). Far more to it than we expected. We even said our final fairwell to Anna & Vanessa whom we have been stalking since San Pedro. Had
Sexy Woman
One is "Sexy Woman", the other is my wife! a great final night overlooking the Pacific ocean, slurping down a Cusquena and trying to decide how much the poverty and deprivation of South America has changed us, or not as the case maybe.
Did we take the right flight???
So, now in Buenos Aires and loving it. A great city with loads to offer. Spent the last 4 days just wandering around the streets and taking in the sights and the sun. It is like being back in a european city, so different to anywhere else we have been in South America. Back on the Vino Tinto as it is so cheap. Rach dragged me to a Tango show, well worth every penny. They also know how to make coffee here, mind-blowingly good. An afternoon pick me up after too much walking.
Starting to get a little smelly now as the Hostal has managed to lose our laundry, which is pretty much all our clothes!
Next stop Cordoba, then maybe Uruguay (via a shop to pick up some more grundies).....
See you all, well in about 4 weeks.
Cheers
R&R
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