People advise to stay a few days in Cuzco before attempting to hike to Machu Picchu. So I figured 3 days would be enought to get myself use to the altitude. Was I wrong!!!
On my 3rd day in Cuzco, I met Mariana (from Brazil) at breakfast. We started chatting and she mentioned she was going to visit Pisac and some ruins. I had similar plans so we paired up and took the local bus 32km weaving along the mountain roads. Explored some ruins and the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Had lunch, bartered with the local market people. I stuck my ground for a bunch of items. The lady wouldn´t budge either so I walked away. 2 minutes later she comes running up to me saying ´ok ok´! Boo yah!! I won!! Then again, I probably still got ripped off. There are always 2 prices when purchasing goods - Gringo and local. If you don´t know what gringo is, I´m sure you can find it on wikipedia.
After changing hostels, picking up my laundry, and running across the city to drop off my bag in storage, I managed to get 1.5 hrs of sleep before my tour bus picked me up at 4:20am.
Salkantay Day 1:
Picked up at 4:20am, drive around Cuzco to pick up the rest of the group. Drive 2 hours to Mollepata - a little town where we have a quick breakfast and embark on our 5 day hike to Machu Picchu. We hiked for 18km the first day, pretty much all up the mountain. Arrive at camp around 5pm. I try to eat dinner but felt sick so only squeezed down a few mouthfuls of soup. Bed by 8:30pm. WOke up at 11:45 to pouring rain and a huge puddle of water in the tent. My backpack was soaking wet! Great!! I woke up the guide and all he did was give me a cheap poncho to put under my sleeping bag. Did it work....no!!! It was a poncho! Rearranged everything in the tent and tried to get some more sleep.
Salkantay Day 2:
Wake up 5:30am. I couldn´t eat anything once again. Not good for the energy level. Going on nearly 6 hours of sleep in 2 days with no food...not good for physical activity. Today was horrible! I couldn´t walk more than 10 meters without having to stop to catch my breath. I was so close to using the oxygen tank. I asked for it once but was told to try to catch my breath first, and if I couldn´t than the O2 would be there for me to use. 4850 meters above sea level - there is not much oxygen!! Finally made it to the top of Salkantay mountain. I wanted to take pictures but decided to start the decent right away. Stopped for lunch, once again, could not eat much. The hike in the afternoon started getting better. It was all downhill!!! 20km hiking this day. Arrived in camp, beautiful spot. In a valley where you have the rainforest on one side and the highlands on the other. The downside, we were expected to dry our own sleeping bags and clothes that got wet the night before.
Salkantay Day 3:
Another 5am wake up. Got ready for the 13km hike today. I was feeling better! Had more energy and could stomach the food that was provided for us. So happy there was more oxygen in the air! Started hiking through the rainforest, such a difference from the day before. 6 hours hiking downhill, through streams, across rivers and passing waterfalls. We went from snow at the top of the mountain to the gorgeous tropical heat in the jungle.
Had lunch in a little village. There was a clinic across the street that was made of scrap metal and bamboo. 2064 meters at this point and loving the oxygen! Chickens, cows, dogs running around are all a regular sight by at this point. Bus ride down the twisting roads to Santa Teresa, where we set up camp. We stepped out of the bus and not within a minute, there were 2 monkeys climbing in and out of the bus. Across the street there was quite the site. On a concrete pad with a roof made of straw and 4 large bamboo posts, a group of Peruvians were preparing for a daily activity. A lady, who I coined ´´the lady of death´´ came strolling up the road with a bucket full of weapons. A cow was tied to the middle of the concrete pad and before you knew it, the lady of death came swooping in, putting an end to the cow´s life. 30minutes later there were fresh carvings of meat hanging all around. Unfortunately, they didn´t offer us any.
Salkantay Day 4:
5:30am wake up, really good breakfast (fresh papaya, bananas, quinoi (spelling) yogurt, pancakes and coca tea). Hiked about 8 km before lunch. We had to collect our luggage that the horses were carrying and say goodbye to our horseman. Hiked for another 2 hours or so along the railway tracks to Aguas Calientes, the town below Machu Picchu. Got a hostel for this night!!!! You don´t know how much you appreciate a hot shower until you haven´t had one for 4 days. Let´s just say I could smell my own stench.
....tomorrow - Machu Picchu!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 5, 2009
Days 1 and 2 - Cuzco
Day 1 - Cuzco
Arrive at hostel: nice place, have my own private room for $12.
Within 10 minutes, had a knock on my door with an offering of Coca tea (a traditional Peruvian tea made with Coca leaves that is suppose to help with altitude sickness and an upset stomach).
Meet up with Ben and Petros at the Point hostel bar across town. Have a few drinks, play some pool and then head out to a couple of night clubs. Pretty much 2 for 1 beers all night long. 5 soles ($2CAD) for a large beer. Made it back to the hostel around 3:30am.
Day 2 - Cuzco
Slept until 11:30am (missed the breakfast they provide at the hostel)
Met up with Ben and toured around Cuzco all afternoon. It rained a little bit but you are jumping in and out of stores and shops so it doesn´t make it all that bad. Purchased some snacks for my hike starting on Wednesday. It is called the Salkantay Trail. 5 days and 4 nights of hiking and camping. Will definitely explain more when after I complete it.
Tomorrow will be visiting a few museums around town and drinking lots of water to prepare me for the hiking.
I´ve been light headed and lost my breath quite a bit since arriving in Cuzco. A little self reminder to breathe once and while definitely helps! Guess I should practice what I preach to the COPD patients at work.
Plan to get an early start tomorrow, a good breakfast and then explore the city some more.
Arrive at hostel: nice place, have my own private room for $12.
Within 10 minutes, had a knock on my door with an offering of Coca tea (a traditional Peruvian tea made with Coca leaves that is suppose to help with altitude sickness and an upset stomach).
Meet up with Ben and Petros at the Point hostel bar across town. Have a few drinks, play some pool and then head out to a couple of night clubs. Pretty much 2 for 1 beers all night long. 5 soles ($2CAD) for a large beer. Made it back to the hostel around 3:30am.
Day 2 - Cuzco
Slept until 11:30am (missed the breakfast they provide at the hostel)
Met up with Ben and toured around Cuzco all afternoon. It rained a little bit but you are jumping in and out of stores and shops so it doesn´t make it all that bad. Purchased some snacks for my hike starting on Wednesday. It is called the Salkantay Trail. 5 days and 4 nights of hiking and camping. Will definitely explain more when after I complete it.
Tomorrow will be visiting a few museums around town and drinking lots of water to prepare me for the hiking.
I´ve been light headed and lost my breath quite a bit since arriving in Cuzco. A little self reminder to breathe once and while definitely helps! Guess I should practice what I preach to the COPD patients at work.
Plan to get an early start tomorrow, a good breakfast and then explore the city some more.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Lima to Cuzco, Peru
Made it to Cuzco safely! Although, there were a few delays at the airport. Weather was crap so all flights were pushed back about 5 hours. It was lucky for me I arrived early enough to the airport before my flight that Star PERU put me on the earlier flight which ended up taking off about an hour after my original one. So not much of a delay for me.
There was a guy on my flight that was staying at my hostel in Lima. We hung out at the airport listening to an American tour group complain about how they will be missing out on Machu Pichu. They were flying with a different airline that cancelled all flights today. About 15 minutes after they left, it was announced that my flight was going to be boarding in 10 minutes.
Shared a cab from the airport to downtown Cuzco with a few Brits: Ben, an English guy who has a very similar route planned for South America and another guy whose name I can´t remember at the moment. We are all staying at different hostels but plan on meeting up this afternoon at the main square for some lunch and a couple drinks.
So my Spanish classes finished on Friday. Learnt a lot of grammer and conjugation but not a lot of useful vocabulary at this point. I think it will benefit me more once I expand my vocab. There were two of us in the class, myself and Terry. I was invited over to his place on Friday for dinner. His wife made a fantastic meal and we enjoyed some pretty amazing views from their penthouse suit over downtown Lima. Thanks Terry and Norma!
There was a guy on my flight that was staying at my hostel in Lima. We hung out at the airport listening to an American tour group complain about how they will be missing out on Machu Pichu. They were flying with a different airline that cancelled all flights today. About 15 minutes after they left, it was announced that my flight was going to be boarding in 10 minutes.
Shared a cab from the airport to downtown Cuzco with a few Brits: Ben, an English guy who has a very similar route planned for South America and another guy whose name I can´t remember at the moment. We are all staying at different hostels but plan on meeting up this afternoon at the main square for some lunch and a couple drinks.
So my Spanish classes finished on Friday. Learnt a lot of grammer and conjugation but not a lot of useful vocabulary at this point. I think it will benefit me more once I expand my vocab. There were two of us in the class, myself and Terry. I was invited over to his place on Friday for dinner. His wife made a fantastic meal and we enjoyed some pretty amazing views from their penthouse suit over downtown Lima. Thanks Terry and Norma!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Cuzco bound
Off to Cuzco tomorrow morning. The weather there is quite different than what I have experienced so far. I would go as far as to say it is COLD...but after hearing what the weather is like back in Calgary, it doesn´t sound that bad. Tomorrow is suppose to be around plus 19 celcius with rain. Hopefully, I can get some good dry weather when exploring Manch Pichu. From the sounds of it though, that probably won´t be the case.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Feliz Año Nuevo
January 1, 2009
First post of the year. Like Christmas, I spent New Year,s Eve in Lima, Peru. The hostel I have been staying at for the past week or so put on a little party. There was champagne at midnight and a lot of rum to drink. There was a huge turkey, ham and salad dinner to go along. Considering I have spent every New Year in the snow with below freezing temperatures, it was a very nice change to be in jeans and a T-shirt outside at 2am.
The Spanish classes I have been taking this week are going well. My last day is tomorrow. Im finishing it off with a bus tour of Lima. When I am not stuck in the classroom, I have been taking it easy. Walking around the city, eating the delicious cerviche offerred at almost all restaurants. Cerviche is a Peruvian dish consisiting of raw seafood with lime juice and spices. Really good! However, I have learnt not to agree with everything the waiter is saying in Spanish. One dish I ended up eating was extremely spicy and I think it was because I agreed to adding more hot peppers.
I visited Plaza de San Martin and Convento San Francisco. I took a tour down into the catacombes - seeing the bones of clergy who died a few hundred years ago. It brought me back to my anatomy class in undergrad. The Spanish architectural influence here is amazing.
I am flying to Cuzco on Sunday morning. Cuzco is approximately 1200 meters in elevation and it is the city where you take a train or begin your hike to Manch Pichu. I plan to organize a 5 day hiking trip starting next Wednesday or so.
I will then head to Puno and Lake Titicaca - the worlds highest navigatable lake in the world. Might take a quick trip to Bolivia and then down to Arequipa, Peru. I want to do some rafting before heading to Chile.
Hope everyone had an enjoyable New Years!!!
First post of the year. Like Christmas, I spent New Year,s Eve in Lima, Peru. The hostel I have been staying at for the past week or so put on a little party. There was champagne at midnight and a lot of rum to drink. There was a huge turkey, ham and salad dinner to go along. Considering I have spent every New Year in the snow with below freezing temperatures, it was a very nice change to be in jeans and a T-shirt outside at 2am.
The Spanish classes I have been taking this week are going well. My last day is tomorrow. Im finishing it off with a bus tour of Lima. When I am not stuck in the classroom, I have been taking it easy. Walking around the city, eating the delicious cerviche offerred at almost all restaurants. Cerviche is a Peruvian dish consisiting of raw seafood with lime juice and spices. Really good! However, I have learnt not to agree with everything the waiter is saying in Spanish. One dish I ended up eating was extremely spicy and I think it was because I agreed to adding more hot peppers.
I visited Plaza de San Martin and Convento San Francisco. I took a tour down into the catacombes - seeing the bones of clergy who died a few hundred years ago. It brought me back to my anatomy class in undergrad. The Spanish architectural influence here is amazing.
I am flying to Cuzco on Sunday morning. Cuzco is approximately 1200 meters in elevation and it is the city where you take a train or begin your hike to Manch Pichu. I plan to organize a 5 day hiking trip starting next Wednesday or so.
I will then head to Puno and Lake Titicaca - the worlds highest navigatable lake in the world. Might take a quick trip to Bolivia and then down to Arequipa, Peru. I want to do some rafting before heading to Chile.
Hope everyone had an enjoyable New Years!!!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas in Perú
It´s been a while since I´ve posted and update...hopefully I will remember everything that has happened.
Since I´m writing this info, I obviously made it to Perú safely. My flight from San Salvador to Lima was relatively painless. It was a normal 5 hour flight in coach. Sat beside two sisters from California who are visiting family in Perú for the holidays. They kindly gave me suggestions on some do´s and don´ts as well as things I should try to see. Had another guy holding a sign with my name on it, waiting at the airport for me. Pre-arranged that with the hostel I´m currently staying at. Toured around Lima yesterday, visited Plaza San Martin, San Fransisco Cathedral and took a tour into the catacumbas under the church - quite interesting - brought me back to anatomy class in first year undergrad.
Had a nice Christmas dinner with the 8 people staying at the hostel. Turkey, veges, rice and champagne at mid-night. Was quite nice but doesn´t compare to spending the holidays with family at home. How I miss all the turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, salads that Mum makes. mmmmmmm
A quick recap of my last days in El Salvador:
- Hung out in San Salvador for the last week. I was taken out Friday night for dinner and drinks with Anita, Ivania and a few of their friends. We started the night off with a belly dancing performance. Had dinner and wine followed by a night of dancing - or in my case, trying to dance. Made it home at 4am - slept until 3pm.
- Sunday I met up with Jennifer and Dennis who took me to the soccer finals. It was great...the game went into overtime and then a shootout. Jennifer´s dad is a sports announcer and we had access to the announcer´s box. On the national radio, he welcomed me to his country and explained how El Salvador was the first country on my world tour. The game was followed by devouring the best Pupusas in San Salvador. The restaurant we went to was voted the best pupusas! They lived up to it too!
- Monday I checked into my flight, made sure everything was set for Tuesday morning. That evening I went for dinner with the girls who took me out on Friday. They were wonderful hosts!! Made my time in San Salvador really enjoyable!
Arrived on Tuesday to Perú.
The weather has been fantastic! Lima this week, doesn´t drop below 25 during the day. Doesn´t seem like Christmas when there is no snow.
I´m figuring out today my plans for the next two weeks.
Merry Christmas to everyone! Best wishes for the holidays!
Since I´m writing this info, I obviously made it to Perú safely. My flight from San Salvador to Lima was relatively painless. It was a normal 5 hour flight in coach. Sat beside two sisters from California who are visiting family in Perú for the holidays. They kindly gave me suggestions on some do´s and don´ts as well as things I should try to see. Had another guy holding a sign with my name on it, waiting at the airport for me. Pre-arranged that with the hostel I´m currently staying at. Toured around Lima yesterday, visited Plaza San Martin, San Fransisco Cathedral and took a tour into the catacumbas under the church - quite interesting - brought me back to anatomy class in first year undergrad.
Had a nice Christmas dinner with the 8 people staying at the hostel. Turkey, veges, rice and champagne at mid-night. Was quite nice but doesn´t compare to spending the holidays with family at home. How I miss all the turkey, cranberry sauce, potatoes, salads that Mum makes. mmmmmmm
A quick recap of my last days in El Salvador:
- Hung out in San Salvador for the last week. I was taken out Friday night for dinner and drinks with Anita, Ivania and a few of their friends. We started the night off with a belly dancing performance. Had dinner and wine followed by a night of dancing - or in my case, trying to dance. Made it home at 4am - slept until 3pm.
- Sunday I met up with Jennifer and Dennis who took me to the soccer finals. It was great...the game went into overtime and then a shootout. Jennifer´s dad is a sports announcer and we had access to the announcer´s box. On the national radio, he welcomed me to his country and explained how El Salvador was the first country on my world tour. The game was followed by devouring the best Pupusas in San Salvador. The restaurant we went to was voted the best pupusas! They lived up to it too!
- Monday I checked into my flight, made sure everything was set for Tuesday morning. That evening I went for dinner with the girls who took me out on Friday. They were wonderful hosts!! Made my time in San Salvador really enjoyable!
Arrived on Tuesday to Perú.
The weather has been fantastic! Lima this week, doesn´t drop below 25 during the day. Doesn´t seem like Christmas when there is no snow.
I´m figuring out today my plans for the next two weeks.
Merry Christmas to everyone! Best wishes for the holidays!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Next stop...Peru
My time in El Salvador is over. I'm currently sitting at the airport, awaiting the departure of my flight to Lima, Peru. I'll write more once I get settled at the hotel. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. It will be interesting which strangers I'll be spending the holidays with.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Staying in El Salvador
So there isn't going to be a trip to Costa Rica. The bus trip takes 2 days to get there and 2 days to return, leaving only 2 days to explore. Not enough time. So my plans are to hang out in San Salvador until Tuesday when I fly to Lima. I will visit Universidad Centroamericaca Jose Simeon Canas where a landmark commemorates the assassinated archbishop Monsenor Romero. Apparently, there are some intense paintings of the assassination. Will post pictures.
Looks like I will be attending the National Futbol finals on Sunday in the capital city at Estadio Magico Gonzalez.
Unfortunately, I have to say the weather here has been awesome! It hasn't dropped below 30 degrees during the day.
Looks like I will be attending the National Futbol finals on Sunday in the capital city at Estadio Magico Gonzalez.
Unfortunately, I have to say the weather here has been awesome! It hasn't dropped below 30 degrees during the day.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Soccer - Coffee - Volcano
This past weekend I think was my most eventful since I started my trip. As I wrote on my last posting, Karaoke is the same in every country. That was Friday night. Saturday I took another bus trip out to Santa to meet up with Marcella and her family. I had Wendy´s for lunch. I must have been in and out of the bathroom 10 times in a matter of 5 hours. It did not sit well at all! Marcella´s dad gave me a pill to take. 30 minutes later I was cured!! (Note to self: no more Wendy´s) Later that evening, we pulled up to the Soccer stadium. I want to say it was an organized chaos to get in but that would be pushing it. EVERY MAN/WOMAN FOR HIM/HERSELF!!! Once inside, the chaos wasnt over. No assigned seating. You find a spot, you sit. We were cheering for the home team, Santa Ana. Unfortunately, they lost 3-1. No crazy parties after the game.
Sunday morning I joined Marcella´s family for a day out at the coffee plantation. We toured through the fields. I found out I knew nothing about coffee! Before lunch we hiked a volcano! I can check that off the list now. I´ll post a pic from that hike in a little bit.
Monday, I played some tennis at the country club. Tennis is rough in 35 degree weather. But when I think of what it´s like in Calgary at the moment, it doesn´t seem so bad. Every time someone mentions what the weather is like back home, I seem to enjoy the time here that much more.
I was planning my hike for Machu Pichu in Perú after Christmas. Everything was working out until the company I was working with said they had no departure dates during that time. I was advised to check in Cuzco when I arrive. Hopefully I can hook up with a group once I get there.
One more week in El Salvador...
Sunday morning I joined Marcella´s family for a day out at the coffee plantation. We toured through the fields. I found out I knew nothing about coffee! Before lunch we hiked a volcano! I can check that off the list now. I´ll post a pic from that hike in a little bit.
Monday, I played some tennis at the country club. Tennis is rough in 35 degree weather. But when I think of what it´s like in Calgary at the moment, it doesn´t seem so bad. Every time someone mentions what the weather is like back home, I seem to enjoy the time here that much more.
I was planning my hike for Machu Pichu in Perú after Christmas. Everything was working out until the company I was working with said they had no departure dates during that time. I was advised to check in Cuzco when I arrive. Hopefully I can hook up with a group once I get there.
One more week in El Salvador...
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