Blogs from Ancash, Peru, South America - page 11

The bus pulled in at first light, and I headed for a hotel I´d heard about. The chap at the front desk couldn´t have been more helpful, although a little more Spanish on my part could have made it easier, and he showed me to my room.. double bed ensuite, and wow, what a view... not a cloud in the sky, I could see at least 8 snow capped mountains stretching the whole length of the valley, but needed sleep! When I awoke it was still a lovely day, but a few clouds hugged some of the high points. I set out to explore the town, mostly dry and dusty, where every second shop was either a ferreteria, zapateria or a chifa - I think that 's an ironmonger, shoe shop or chinese restaurant. It seemed ... read more

The night bus from Cuenca, Ecuador left a little late and we changed bus at Machala to CIFA bus company. The bus was full and from what I gathered it actually came from Guayaquil. There was someone sat on my seat assignment so i sat where its empty, I am so tired to argue, most Ecuadorians I noticed dont really follow the seat assignment, they go wherever they want to. A lady with a crying child was sat next to me, this will be a long 6 or so hours to Peru. At the border some people got off the bus to get the exit stamp, the locals stayed sleeping. Then the bus drove to Huaquillas where the town changed to Aguas Verde which is now Peru just across the street. Went thru Peruvian immigration, the ... read more

Hola again Amigos and Amigas, Our travels from Ica to the nation’s capital of Lima only took about 4 or so hours in a pretty ordinary bus. 4 hours on a bus is easy these days. Lima is the biggest city in Peru with a population of close to 8 million. It’s a city with many faces. When I visited in 2006 most of my time was spent in the tourist zone of Miraflores, this time though would be very different. We were fortunate to have met a local girl from Lima during our time in Cusco named Ana. She took on the role of tour guide extraordinaire for a day, a long day. We were chauffeured through the suburbs of Barranco, Chorrillos, Miraflores, San Isidro and downtown Lima stopping at will, being presented with a ... read more

Absolutely amazing is the only way to describe the Cordillera Blanca. It is the second highest mountain range outside of the Himalayas and has 22 peaks over 6000m. The scenery has been stunning, glaciated peaks, pristine lakes and valleys. We stayed in the capital of the Ancash area, Huaraz. It was quite a busy town, with around 100,000 inhabitants it really had a lively feel to the place. The indigenous people in their colourful constumes coming and going. The area sees the Cordillera Negra (Black) on the west side then a long valley cuts through north to south where the main towns are situated, Huaraz, Carhuaz, Yungay and Caraz. And on the east side is the Cordillera Blanca (White). The Cordillera Negra acts as a natural guard and enables many of the peaks of the Cordillera ... read more

What can I tell you about our happenings, since my previous entry, that was made even before we have taken the flight to start our journey - so many things have happened. Well, Since Nitzan wrote you a little about our flights to Lima, and about our stay in Lima, I will jump directly to our last week, spent in Huaraz, situated 8 hours north of Lima. Well, first, I am happy that I can write you, that means I came back from the “Santa Cruz" trek. Though I am back, I cannot say I am in one piece, because I have just learned about the existence of muscles I was not aware I have in my body - and now that they are aching and contracted, I have come to know them. Nitzan is writing ... read more