Blogs from Machu Picchu, Cusco, Peru, South America - page 16

4th June - Day 2 Last night's excitment of having my own tent was short lived since I did not consider that the lack of another person's body heat would mean I would be freezing during the night, despite the 4 season sleeping bag, thermals, north face jacket, gloves and socks yes I was wearing all of that... So the 6am wake up call was almost a welcome distraction! In an unfortunate turn of events, my luck improved in the sleeping arrangements for day 2. One of the younger group members took ill over night and had to return back to the village we started off at (good news she joined the group again at lunch time on day 3), which meant I had a sleeping buddy for the night! This was ideal since we were ... 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

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

Having left La Paz unable to remember what a good nights sleep felt like, I spent a blissful few days recharging my batteries in Lake Titicaca. I started on the Bolivian side, in Copacabana. I decided to splurge and spend the shocking 25 quid for the nicest hotel in town, which was right on the lake. Tucking into trout (local speciality) and a glass of wine over dinner, I then headed to bed at 9, for a well earned rest! The rest was well needed, as the next morning I was up early for my boat to the isla del sol, and the 5 hour hike from the south to the north island. Unfortunately the island did not live up to its name, and when we arrived it was pissing it down with rain. My guide ... read more

Tuesday 3rd April - Cusco A fairly non-descript day doing menial tasks such as laundry, giving the fraud department at Nationwide a piece of my mind in an effort to get back our 2 grand and booking tickets for the train and Machu Picchu. We also had some fun bartering with the locals for their over priced gringo souvenirs. Unfortunately the Real McCoy is closed on Tuesday so we were disappointed not to have fish and chips and instead I had to make do with an amazing cheeseburger after we reluctantly visited the obligatory Irish Pub found in every tourist hotspot which are a magnet for every annoying septic in town. Wednesday 4th April - Cusco to Ollantaytambo Our nice hotel receptionist man who takes his work a little too seriously was kind enough to extend ... read more