Cuzco and the Inca Trail

We stayed in Cuzco for three days. Spent some time wandering around the beautiful city and seeing the various plazas and markets. The first night there was a procession of a huge cross with Jesus which was escorted through the main area to one of the churches - start of Easter week.
The next day we took a bus tour through the Sacred Valley and stopped at many towns, markets and ruins. It was interesting learning about the Inca civilization and see some of the unfinished ruins (due to Spanish invasion). Some of the towns we visited were living museums as the Inca foundations remained and the colonial houses were built on top. One of the towns - Chinchero - is known as the weavers town and we saw a demonstration of how table runners and other various items are made out of alpacka wool. That was really interesting - the spinning, the natural dyes, the weaving.
The third day we did a mountain biking tour from up at Chinchero down to the Urubamba River. It was pretty intense! The terrain was called Andean Flat which really means undulating. The scenery was gorgeous. We had lunch at the Moray Ruins which was apparently used as an agriculture university for the Incas. From here, there was a lot of single track, rocky trails and tight switch backs down to the Salt Mines and more of the same to the river. There were three other people doing the ride with us and they were great fun - met them for dinner that night before we parted ways.
The next four days we hiked the Inca Trail! It was amazing and pretty tough and several Inca ruins along the way before we even reach Machu Picchu. We had 20 porters, 1 cook and 2 guides to get our gringo butts to Machu Picchu. The food was amazing and the guides were so knowledgeable and enthusiastic. Everyday the porters would run ahead with these heavy packs and set up the kitchen tent and dining tent for lunch and then again at the next camp site for dinner where they would also have our tents ready. There was usually soup followed by 5 or 6 dishes for the 13 of us hiking.
The first day was fairly easy, only some up hill. We hiked a few hours past the main camp site to a smaller, less noisy site which was nice. The second day was the most difficult. We hiked up a countless number of all Inca stairs through the Dead Womans Pass at 4200m then down to the high jungle elevation for lunch then back up to 4000 m through another pass and down again to our campsite - again past the main one which made the second day long but was really worth it for the rest of the hike. Because we worked so hard on the second day, the third day was much easier - shorter and mostly undulating terrain. We arrived at the last camp site in the afternoon with plently of time ot relax since we had to be up at 4 am the next morning! All groups compete for a spot in the line at the control point, which opens at 5:30. It is a 2 hour hike from here to the Sun Gate where you get the first view of Machu Picchu. Unfortunately we woke up to pouring rain and mist so we only got a glimpse from here. We kept hiking down to what our guide called the postcard picture view. When we got there still nothing! I was really disappointed....we waited 10 min here and slowly the clouds and mist began to clear and then sun came out and we had an amazing view of everything! From here we walked down to the entrance and our guide gave us a tour of the ruins. It really is everything it is cracked up to be and way better after doing the hike. By early afternoon there are so many people (many come in on buses who have stayed in the nearby town the previous night and then boat loads come from the train) so we leave and a few of us quickly went for a beer at the hotsprings before a quick lunch and then a train ride back to Cuzco.
This is probably my last entry as I sit here waiting in the Lima airport for my flight home. I may get ambitious and post some pictures but more likely I will post on facebook. Hope you have enjoyed the blog!

Water Sports in the Galapagos

So I think I left off with the cruise ending. We spent the next two days doing six dives. Sina was getting here certification and I was doing my first real dives since I was certified last year. We took the boat out with four other people the first day and did two dives at North Seymor and one at Mosquera. I used my air pretty quick at 25 m but was getting better by the third dive that day. We swam with white tipped sharks, galapagos sharks, moray eels, garden eels, sea lions, turtles; saw lots of fish and star fish. The currents are pretty strong but the water was really warm. The second day we went to Daphne first then again to Mosquera and North Seymor. We were really hoping to see hammerhead sharks, but unfortunately, it was not to be....saw similar things....feeling more comfortable too after the 6th dive which is good. At least I can check off another thing on my ´´bucket list´´- swimming with sharks! Spent the late afternoon at the Charles Darwin Centre learning about the giant turtles for which the islands are named.

Today we rented surf boards again and went out on our own to Tortuga Bay. It was great! The waves were faster in the morning which is better for us since we don´t have to paddle as hard to catch the wave. We were doing well with the long boards. I am about ready to try my hand at a short board I think, well maybe....next time in California dad, hope you found one on craig´s list....In the afternoon the waves were a lot bigger but you really have to catch them when they break or you will miss them. We didn´t last as long with the big ones because they really take a toll on you just trying to get back out to where they break. We were very good with the sunscreen breaks and I am happy to report that Sina and I will be leaving with nice tans! Tonight we ate at this great seafood place that is along a really cool street that just has kiosks. The street is closed off and all the tables are there. Really unique and the fish with coconut sauce was amazing! Anyways, tonight we say goodbye to the Galapagos as we make are way to Peru tomorrow.

Ecuador

Arequipa was gorgeous though I was sick for a lot of it....stupid Bolivia bugs. Anyways, I did manage to see some gorgeous churches and monastaries that had some interesting history. The Place des Armes what my favorite part of the city and I ate there most meals.
A few days later I flew to Quito, Ecuador to meet my friend Sina. Unfortunately we couldn´t get a flight out to the Galapagos right away so we had a day to kill. We stayed in Old Town for one night, near the beautiful plaza. Hiked up a hill to this huge gothic monastary and climbed to the top of the tower, great mirador of the city. Saw a colonial art exhibit and went inside the most beautiful church in Ecuador which was covered in gold and had two famous paintings of hell and judgement day.
Yeah we get to the Galapagos! Spent the first day mostly touring around the little town Puerta Ayora on Santa Cruz and organizing the next 8 days. We went surfing at Tortuga Bay and both got horrible sun burns!! But wow the waves were so big....we did pretty well and were catching them on our own...not every time mind you, but it is so thrilling when you do catch it. The sand was white and felt like powder and had a few marine iguagnas wondering around.
The next day we started our cruise which took us to South Plaza, Santa Fe, Espanola, Floreana and a few other spots in between. We saw so much wildlife! I think it will be weird to be on a beach now where I am not laying next to sea lions! Also saw lots of marine and land iguanas, flamingos, penguins, birds - mating dance of blue footed boobies, paradise, alcatraz, hawks. I could not believe how close you could get....especially the birds, they really just did not care about your presence at all. Loved the sea lions - the pups especially are curious and like playing with you while you snorkel.
Did a lot of snorkeling at each spot and saw tonnes of tropical fish, star fish, rays, turtles, a huge shark, dolphins! Our boat was pretty nice and we got a great last minute deal. There were 11 of us on a 16 passenger boat so it was perfect and we had a guide with us the whole time. The food was great and the other passengers were entertaining.
A few other highlights were the lava tubes and post office bay where mail is delivered the ´´old fashion way´´....developed in 1792. Any postcards addressed to near you you take back and hand deliver or put a stamp on when you get back.
Anyways, that is a short overview of the cruise. We still have a few days left before we head to Peru so I will keep applying the sunscreen and hope this red turns to a nice brown by the time I get back!