We took a night bus from Cusco, at 10.30pm, it was the best bus ride ever, with heat all night long and really comfortable. Thank you Bolivian buses!
We arrived in Copacabana at 10.30, after a very hard border crossing (adios Peru!) that costed me 11$ but we did it. (remind me not to loose my temper with the custom police! :)
Had a breakfast, met Inbar, a volunteer I met a month ago in Eco truly Park, we went all together from the 1.30 boat to la Isla del Sol (Sun island). So many stairs, even more difficult when you´re 4000 meters up to sea level, believe me, no joke! And after a while, found a hostel, met this Swiss couple, adorable! We end up having Christmas eve diner with them. Trucha al horno, amazing!
The next day, Christmas, there was a snow storm at night, the island looked chaotic, I was feeling sick and didn´t feel like having a walk, so they went without me. Around 2pm when I rested, and saw the sun shinig over the lake I couldn´t stay in bed, so went south. I really don´t regret it. The landscapes are sprectacular, the immensity of the lake, the light, the Inca ruins. Two hours later and one "maté local de mienta" I went back to the room. The others arrived just before sunset, we went to the same restaurant "las Velas" up the hill (of course) and after an hour and a half, we finally get our tuchas and home made pizzas. So good.
The next day, we left at 10.30, after a breakfast, to catch up the bus to la Paz.
At some point we had to get off the bus, to take a boat, we saw an incredible bolivian wedding in the street, and went back to the bus, until we arrived to La Paz!
mardi 28 décembre 2010
Cusco y el Machu Picchu!!!!
From Arequipa, we took a night bus to Cusco (Cuzco - Qusqo...) and arrived very early in the morning. We could visit the cathedral for free at 6.30 am, during a service. Apparently there are some at 5.30 in the morning in Quechua, very popular. Anyway, I couldn´t find the address of pariwana hostel, so we end up in a hostel, after taking a nap, having a shower, used the toilets we realized the place was really bad so we took off to Pariwana, much better!!!
We went for a walk up the hill for the incredible view, met a frenchy: Victorien and end up following some young people in the forest. Passed a very "dangerous" spot and end up going up again, a hundred stairs to come back to Cusco, after a long walk.
We were very tired but went to the hostel bar "just for a drink" and end up winning the game quiz and a bottle of Rhum, therefore we went to a bar with the international group from the hostel, didn´t come home late which was nice cause it was a very long day.
The next day we had a walk again, a nice food, we end up booking a trek, cause it was cheap for the next day and had the best diner (vietnamese!).
We went for the 4 day trek leaving the 19th in the morning for a bike ride. I didn´t do it, it was basically nonsense to me, riding under the rain a paved road. I was fine in the car, listening to music. We arrived in a small village "Santa Maria", had a pleasant walk with Adrien near the massive river, red like I´ve never seen one before and huge!
The next day, our group: australians (grassy ass, low-si-en-tow represent), us citizens, coreans, a dutch guy and us, and of course our fabulous guide tour Carlos (what a joke!) went to walk the Inca trail (part of it) during 8 hours. The weather was amazing, the landscapes, everything was perfect. We had a quick bath into the hot waters of santa teresa, all of it was destroyed, there was some kind of natural pool left, very small, but very enjoyable. It hurted to see the pictures of the day before.
Of course, I broke my camera the day before, trying to take a shower ( I didn´t slept very well) so I don´t have any picture from the trek itself but fortunately Adrien does. Plus, good news, my camera seems to work now, from times to times.
Well, the third day, we wouldn´t walk that much and it was raining the first part. The second part of the day, after lunch, we followed the train rail that arrived to Aguas Calientes.
We arrived there around 5, I went directly to the hot water spring stuff, and had diner with the group, "trucha a la plancha" delicious!!!! We had a quick night sleep.
Woke up a 3.45 am to go to the door that opens at 5, to go up (1500 steps) to the Machu Picchu. The first 400 get to go even more up, to the Wayna Picchu. We did. It was very hard at 5 am to walk this stairs, very difficult but so nice to arrived there. It was raining and so cold, we were all hoping to get at least some view. And we did. With our new guide, Allan, and thanks to the french couple from Brittany, we had actually a pretty amazing tour of the site. Around 9 the sun came up. It was spectacular. mystical with the fog as well. Around 10, we went up and up and up some more to the Wayna, where you have a spectacular view of the Machu Picchu.
It was very scary for me, the stairs have 500 years old, and are so tight. Thank god Adrien was here to motivate me, I´m really bad with the altitude. It was worth it. we made some sandwiches up there, with a view, and finally went down, and down and down. Had a coffee break before going down, back to Agua Calientes, the macchu Picchu village.
We had some food (palta a la rellena qué bueno!) and took the train back to Cusco.
Had the best night sleep ever (I highly recommend the Pariwana hostel of Cusco for 24 soles in dorms) and the next day left for Copacabana!
We went for a walk up the hill for the incredible view, met a frenchy: Victorien and end up following some young people in the forest. Passed a very "dangerous" spot and end up going up again, a hundred stairs to come back to Cusco, after a long walk.
We were very tired but went to the hostel bar "just for a drink" and end up winning the game quiz and a bottle of Rhum, therefore we went to a bar with the international group from the hostel, didn´t come home late which was nice cause it was a very long day.
The next day we had a walk again, a nice food, we end up booking a trek, cause it was cheap for the next day and had the best diner (vietnamese!).
We went for the 4 day trek leaving the 19th in the morning for a bike ride. I didn´t do it, it was basically nonsense to me, riding under the rain a paved road. I was fine in the car, listening to music. We arrived in a small village "Santa Maria", had a pleasant walk with Adrien near the massive river, red like I´ve never seen one before and huge!
The next day, our group: australians (grassy ass, low-si-en-tow represent), us citizens, coreans, a dutch guy and us, and of course our fabulous guide tour Carlos (what a joke!) went to walk the Inca trail (part of it) during 8 hours. The weather was amazing, the landscapes, everything was perfect. We had a quick bath into the hot waters of santa teresa, all of it was destroyed, there was some kind of natural pool left, very small, but very enjoyable. It hurted to see the pictures of the day before.
Of course, I broke my camera the day before, trying to take a shower ( I didn´t slept very well) so I don´t have any picture from the trek itself but fortunately Adrien does. Plus, good news, my camera seems to work now, from times to times.
Well, the third day, we wouldn´t walk that much and it was raining the first part. The second part of the day, after lunch, we followed the train rail that arrived to Aguas Calientes.
We arrived there around 5, I went directly to the hot water spring stuff, and had diner with the group, "trucha a la plancha" delicious!!!! We had a quick night sleep.
Woke up a 3.45 am to go to the door that opens at 5, to go up (1500 steps) to the Machu Picchu. The first 400 get to go even more up, to the Wayna Picchu. We did. It was very hard at 5 am to walk this stairs, very difficult but so nice to arrived there. It was raining and so cold, we were all hoping to get at least some view. And we did. With our new guide, Allan, and thanks to the french couple from Brittany, we had actually a pretty amazing tour of the site. Around 9 the sun came up. It was spectacular. mystical with the fog as well. Around 10, we went up and up and up some more to the Wayna, where you have a spectacular view of the Machu Picchu.
It was very scary for me, the stairs have 500 years old, and are so tight. Thank god Adrien was here to motivate me, I´m really bad with the altitude. It was worth it. we made some sandwiches up there, with a view, and finally went down, and down and down. Had a coffee break before going down, back to Agua Calientes, the macchu Picchu village.
We had some food (palta a la rellena qué bueno!) and took the train back to Cusco.
Had the best night sleep ever (I highly recommend the Pariwana hostel of Cusco for 24 soles in dorms) and the next day left for Copacabana!
vendredi 17 décembre 2010
Nazca - Arequipa (14-16 dec 2010)
We arrived in Nazca around 7pm, we found a room, very nice one, at some very nice people´s house.
Went to eat at a chicken place, with a funny waiter who spoke french (many peruvian speak french) had a pisco sour and a good night sleep. The next day we went for a walk in the city, warm, dry, but really nice. On the afternoon we went for a Nazca lines tour with Jesus, amazing Jesus with his amazing car, with two poles and two guys from Tcheque republic. Mix of spanish, french, polish and their weird slavic language!
We went to the desert, watched small hurricanes, up to a small hill to look at the lines. Then to a mirador where we could see three figures. It´s really impressive. We also went to the Maria Reiche museum, the one who spent her life taking care and studying them. Great figure of peruvian culture.
At night we took a night bus to Arequipa. Arequipa is a great city, gorgeous. We basically just walked around, had food and visited the Monastery, which was incredible. We had a night out, very nice one, we went out dancing with the peruvian youth. It was very pleasant: salsa!!!
Went to eat at a chicken place, with a funny waiter who spoke french (many peruvian speak french) had a pisco sour and a good night sleep. The next day we went for a walk in the city, warm, dry, but really nice. On the afternoon we went for a Nazca lines tour with Jesus, amazing Jesus with his amazing car, with two poles and two guys from Tcheque republic. Mix of spanish, french, polish and their weird slavic language!
We went to the desert, watched small hurricanes, up to a small hill to look at the lines. Then to a mirador where we could see three figures. It´s really impressive. We also went to the Maria Reiche museum, the one who spent her life taking care and studying them. Great figure of peruvian culture.
At night we took a night bus to Arequipa. Arequipa is a great city, gorgeous. We basically just walked around, had food and visited the Monastery, which was incredible. We had a night out, very nice one, we went out dancing with the peruvian youth. It was very pleasant: salsa!!!
Paracas - Islas Ballatas (12-14 dec 2010)
My last day in Lima was really nice. We went with Fabian to the organic market, ate in the parc, he played guitar and I just listened, then we went to Barroco´s barrio of Lima which is really nice: with artcrafts, design shops, nice restaurant place and a wonderful view at the sea where we admired sunset. On the 11th at night, we went to pick Adrien at the airport.
He was there on time, exhausted, and by the way he highly recommend not to ever travel with American Airlines. We went to the International Youth Hostel, which is expensive and dirty, I preferred the Pariwana so much better.
Anyway, the next morning we took a taxi, and a bus to Pisco. A second taxi and we arrived after 4 hours to Paracas, small fisher town near the ocean. We found a great place to sleep, with a nice view, went for a long walk at the beach, and later we had some fish and went to sleep.
The next day we had a boat trip to the Islas Ballatas at 8 in the morning, the weather was fantastic and we went to an island filled of birds, pelicans, pinguins, sea bears and other living creature. I´ve never seen so much animals in their own environment, being so close to them, it was incredible.
It was a two hours tour, then after an hour, we took a second tour to the natural reserve of Paracas. This also was splendid, a desert. Pure desert with amazing colours at sea, it was amazing cause we had no idea we were about to be in those landscapes. We had lunch near the sea, and had a quick swim (frozen water) and went back to the room.
Then, around 4pm we decided to leave to Nazca.
He was there on time, exhausted, and by the way he highly recommend not to ever travel with American Airlines. We went to the International Youth Hostel, which is expensive and dirty, I preferred the Pariwana so much better.
Anyway, the next morning we took a taxi, and a bus to Pisco. A second taxi and we arrived after 4 hours to Paracas, small fisher town near the ocean. We found a great place to sleep, with a nice view, went for a long walk at the beach, and later we had some fish and went to sleep.
The next day we had a boat trip to the Islas Ballatas at 8 in the morning, the weather was fantastic and we went to an island filled of birds, pelicans, pinguins, sea bears and other living creature. I´ve never seen so much animals in their own environment, being so close to them, it was incredible.
It was a two hours tour, then after an hour, we took a second tour to the natural reserve of Paracas. This also was splendid, a desert. Pure desert with amazing colours at sea, it was amazing cause we had no idea we were about to be in those landscapes. We had lunch near the sea, and had a quick swim (frozen water) and went back to the room.
Then, around 4pm we decided to leave to Nazca.
mardi 14 décembre 2010
Eco Truly Park - 23 nov 2010/ 8 dec 2010
I´m back!
Sorry for the long delay. It was hard taking the time to update my blog, but I´ll try to be better in the future.
My first two weeks in Peru, I´ve spent in Eco Truly Park as you already know.
It was really good for me to have a real break from life, away from the city, the noise, living in an ecological farm, with animals, plants, flowers, painting all day, startin the day by a yoga session.
I was sharing a room with other girls, the volunteers, and the devotes girls live together close to us, but for the devotes boys, far far away, at the other side of the temple.
The place is located in between dunes and the ocean and the beach, I went everyday to the truly up the hill and went for a run in the beach at mornings or during sunset. That was amazing.
Once a dog bite me and I had a tique, but it´s everything bad that happend to me since I´in Peru.
I opened myself deeply to understand more the religion (I had no idea it was a Hare Krishna temple at the first place) and I learnt a lot (thanks to Jagad I might say) but after two weeks, I was bored with those rules, their clothes and horrible haircuts, their Gourou who they listen to as if it was god, and the lake of community feeling. Too much touristy per say.
I took the best of it. But it was time to go also.
I´ve met really nice people, we had a nice girlsband at some point: with a New Zealander, an Australian, a British and a New Yorker guuurl. Nori, Sophie, Kate and Jayrhu. We had a bless.
I left the Truly Park for Lima with Sophie and Kate, we were craving for fish and a glass of wine.
Some pictures (I´m trying badly to upload) are from the yoga classes, the farm, the sunset, the view from the top of the hill, the girls, etc.
I will try to update some more but it´s really slow from here. Hope I´ll be able to.
Sorry for the long delay. It was hard taking the time to update my blog, but I´ll try to be better in the future.
My first two weeks in Peru, I´ve spent in Eco Truly Park as you already know.
It was really good for me to have a real break from life, away from the city, the noise, living in an ecological farm, with animals, plants, flowers, painting all day, startin the day by a yoga session.
I was sharing a room with other girls, the volunteers, and the devotes girls live together close to us, but for the devotes boys, far far away, at the other side of the temple.
The place is located in between dunes and the ocean and the beach, I went everyday to the truly up the hill and went for a run in the beach at mornings or during sunset. That was amazing.
Once a dog bite me and I had a tique, but it´s everything bad that happend to me since I´in Peru.
I opened myself deeply to understand more the religion (I had no idea it was a Hare Krishna temple at the first place) and I learnt a lot (thanks to Jagad I might say) but after two weeks, I was bored with those rules, their clothes and horrible haircuts, their Gourou who they listen to as if it was god, and the lake of community feeling. Too much touristy per say.
I took the best of it. But it was time to go also.
I´ve met really nice people, we had a nice girlsband at some point: with a New Zealander, an Australian, a British and a New Yorker guuurl. Nori, Sophie, Kate and Jayrhu. We had a bless.
I left the Truly Park for Lima with Sophie and Kate, we were craving for fish and a glass of wine.
Some pictures (I´m trying badly to upload) are from the yoga classes, the farm, the sunset, the view from the top of the hill, the girls, etc.
I will try to update some more but it´s really slow from here. Hope I´ll be able to.
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