Sacsayhuamán (also known as Saksaq Waman) is an Inca walled complex near the old city of Cusco, It’s also the place where the Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun) takes places every year on June 24^th.

But I will not talk about Sacsayhuamán or the Inti Raymi this time.

That day my friend and I were looking for some horses to ride around the complex, we heard from other travelers that if we walked around we would be able to find someone that could help us. We went to the back of the main complex, where there was almost nobody around, and started to ask the few people that were there. A man came to us and he offered to help us; he said he knew where to find those horses. At first sight, we weren’t able to see any horses around, we thought that maybe we weren’t in the right place, but still, we went with him. We walked through this field, and very far away was hidden a small stable.  The man assigned us a guide “Toledo”, who showed us the area. 

It was a nice experience, because we were able to ride horses and at the same time get to know the surroundings. At the end of our journey, as my friend was looking for a special mystic experience, we asked Toledo if he knew someone or where we could go.

He took us to the house of this “master”.  The master explained to us about the ritual, but unfortunately my friend wasn’t able to participate as these are much respected rituals, and so a person should be prepared to receive it. That would have taken a couple of days and we didn’t have the time.

But we stayed with that mystic mood, we wanted to experience something, so we asked Toledo if he knew who could read us the coca leaves, and he said he could. We thought it was going to take half an hour or so, but apparently even for the coca leaves reading there was a ritual as well. 

It was already getting dark, we were still near the Sacsayhuamán complex and we could see that the tourists were gone for the day. Just the few locals were around, some kids playing and some women walking their llamas and sheeps.

Toledo told us that he does his ritual near the rock; a Big rock that was just near the complex but was completely isolated of everything. He said that the ritual should be when the sun goes down and that he had to buy some materials.

After arriving from Arequipa we were dropped into the town of Puno. A quick cab drive into the the centre

We were picked up in a small mini bus from our hostel that picked up the rest of the small group afterwards. From the city it was a four journey to the small town of Chivay. On the way to the town we stopped to take pctures of the magnificent scenery aswell as the Alpacas and the local indigenious peolle who sold differnt souvenirs for the tourists including of course the Peruvian hats that were sold across Peru. Once at the town of Chivay we were dropped off for lunch then taken to our accomadation. All the other people were dropped at there nice hotels or hostels while us as usual ended up staying in a crappy little hostel. It done us though, had a bed with en suite bathroom although got pretty cold in the evening. IN the afternoon after having hour at  the hostel to get sorted we were picked up again by the mini bus with our tour guide then taken to the nearby hot springs. The springs were nice but no where near as on the Macchu Picchu trail. They were so crowded it seemed like the whole of the town had come down at the same time to have there evening bath. We had 2 hours bathing in the natural hot water before getting showered and meeting up with the rest of the group to get taken but to out accomadation. IN the evening we were picked up once again, then taken to a resturant in the town. In the resturant we had a nice 2 course meal which was the usual custom in Peru. Whilst we ate was really nice surprise to have traditional Peruvian dancers in traditional dress dancing in the centre of the resturant. At one point I was dragged up by the lady to get involved in some traditional dance which was quite fun if not a little embarrasing. We headed back to our accomadation after really nice evening. The next day it was an early start to be picked up by the mini bus to take us the Colca Canyon. We had a quick breakfast then were on our way. Driving up to the Canyon the bus stopped regulary so our guide could tell us some information about what we were seing and allowed us to take some pictures of the pictureque settings. Eveywhere around the Canyons convinietly evrery were the busses stopped were the indeginious people sellig goods. Alot of the small girls having an Alpaca tired to a lead much like a dog. We arrived at the Canyon after around an hour drive from Chivay. The Canyon was really impressive  

It was another early morning arrival as we took the 633 mile journey from cusco to the city of Arequipa. The city was 2,335 meters above sea level so we had come down from altitude. After arriving it was a short cab ride into the city to find somewhere to stay. ONce checked into a nice little place just away from the central square we caught up with a bit of sleep. IN the afternoon we explored the beautifull colonial city. Arequipa was blessed with fantsatic temples, palaces and large grand houses. Its centre piece was the plaza de armas, the central square with a waterfull in the middle and surrounding by a huge church one side then shops and eatiries the other side. Arequipa I remember being one of the prettiest citys we visited. Although a beutifull city this was not our main reason for the trip to Arequipa. This was the hub for trips out to the nearby Colca Cannyon the 2nd deepset in the world. IN the afternoon after exploring the main area of the city we booked a toue for the next day to the colca canyon. A 2 day 1 night tour that woiuld take us to the town of Chivay the first day then to see the Colca Canyon after a night staying in Chivay. After an evening meal of chicken and chips our most frequent meal in Peru because mainly as it was cheap we hit the sack. 

The day after our four day trek we just spent the day in bed enjoying a bit of comfort after slumming it for the last 3 nights in crappy accomadation. The only time we made it out of our room was some food then to put our washing in. The next ay was anither nice lye in and in the afternoon I met up with our tour leader from the trek a local Peruvian guy who invited me to play football with his and his freinds. What I didnt realise when I accepted the offer how tough to play football at that altitude was. We travelled even hiher above the city of cusco to the small playground where he met his othere friends to play. Withih minutes I was struggling to breathe, could just get no oxygen. The local guys were really good so I was utterly embarrassed by my pure lack of fitness and ability. In the evening we caught the night bus to Arequipa after having quick bite to eat at Danish resturant with few otheers from the tour.

We were picked up from our hostel with a coulple we had met the previous day at the tour breifing. The minibus was then taking to the main bus station where we were put onto a local bus to the site 4350 above sea level at ........... IN our group were about 23 people. 2 norweigens, 4 danish, oz couple, american couple, canadian guy, 2 english and some others. After we were dropped on the winding road at 4350 it was time for a quick sandwich lunch then onto the bikes. We had a 3 hours bike ride or more like free riding down the hill. Myelsf and Katrina got geared up with Helmets and gloves then got on our way down the huge winding valley. Unforunatley the weather was really wet so we needed to be extra carefull not to full off. The ride was really nice though with amazing views of the valley below. After around 3 hours cycling or more freewheeling down the winding road through villages over streams and a few short climbs we made it to our destination, a tiny town by the name of Santa Maria. It was nice to get to the accomadation and out of our wet clothes. The accomadation was basic to say the least. Two large rooms filled with beds in 2 dorms upstairs then downstairs  few double rooms that we were lucky enough to get. There were bathrooms with toliets and showers both with cold water, not big enough to lie down in. With tours like this though you expect the accomadation to be basic. Went had a nice meal just a 2 min walk away from where we stayed with the whole group. The next morning it was an early start at 5am then quick breakfast then on the road for a day of trekking. Wetrekked for hours taking part of the renowned Inka trail. The trekking was ok to begin with but when it came to start having to climb up on the Inka part of the trek it became so difficlut because of the air being so adense aswell as the reason that I was strugglin to eat or keep any food down. We trekked around 8 hours stopping a few times for short breaks and a longer break for our lunch. Eventually we arrived at our destination the Hot springs just outside the town of Santa Theresa where we were staying. The hot springs were fantastic after feeling so dirty from trekking all day, 2 main natural springs, one hotter than the other but both lovely to just sit back and relax after the tiring day. After the hot springs it was a quick mini bus journey to Santa Theresa where we going to be staying for the night. Another basic accomadtion although we were lucky enough to get a double again so wasnt to bad. We had another nice meal with the group then off to sleep. The food was usually a soup to start with then rice and whatver meat for main course. After a bad sleep from stomach trouble which had been sufferiing with frm the moment arrived in cusco we awoke to do the next part of our journey. Today was another trek, not as tough as the previous day. This one broken into 2 parts both of them flat and on open land not jungle. The first part of the trek was optional and you could take a bus which Katrina and a few others decided to but I walked it. We then met up with the people who had got the bus for lunch. After lunch the whole group of 23 walked for four hours down a dis used train track to the town of Aguas Callientes. This trekking no where near as tough as the day before with everyone just going at there own pace with no hills or jungle to make it tough to breathe. By this point my feet were blistered, clothes smelly and wet but new this was the last leg of the journey. Once in Aguas Calientes we were traeted with nice accomadation with en suite for our last night. Aguas Callientes was the closest town to the Macchu Picchu and was used for people to leave from there if they were walking or get the train from there. I nice small town purely there for tourism. We had our last meal together with the group then got an early night for the tough walk at 5am the next day. At 5am we were awoken, so dragged ourselves out of bed feeling like crap. We met the rest of the group in the main square then talk a 30 min walk to the bottom of the stairs that led up to the Macchu Picchu. All I can say was that the hour and a half walking up the uneven stone steps is one of the toughest things I can remember doing. I dont no whether it was the fact that it was 5am and pitch black, or whether that I was so tired, or the severve altitude or the fact I hadnt eaten a proper meal for over 5 days but the walk absolutley killed me. was just up and up seeming to just be getting tougher and tougher to breathe. Felt like  I was going to collapse at one point just feeling done in. Eventually after the evil walk up for 90 mins we arrived up to the Macchu Picchu. We entered into the gates were our guide gave us an hour tour telling us a few facts about the history and other info about the most famous mayan relic. At this time only about 7.30 am the site was still not full visible because of the morning mist. I chose to walk up another steep walkway called wanipicchu to get a few overlooking the Macchu Picchu. After an hour walk I made it to the top to see the Macchu Picchu in the distance. We waiting up there for a while and luckily the mist started to clear so we could see the most amazing fews of the macchu picchu and the beautifull surrounding areas. After spending about 40 mins at the top just admiring the view it was time for the descent. Was at the bottom I joined back up with katrina who decided to not come with me. We then with a few others in the group looked around the massive mayan sites differnt areas. Luckily now the clouds had completley cleared so we were able to see the site in all its beauty and get the must picture with the Macchu Picchu in the background. After spending another hour just walking around we headed back down to Agua Callientes to get the train back to Cusco. We waited in Aguas Callientes foor a while until our train came then departed for cusco. Everyone by this point was so tired so most people just slept on the 3 hour journey through the hills. ONce back in Cusco we wnet out that night to Mama Africas with the guys from the tour for a few farewell drinks. The tour had been really graet fun if not a little bit triring this late on in my travels but all was worth it after seing the awe inspiring Macchu Picchu.

    

Inka Jungle Trail & Biking to Machupichu 04 D. / 03 N. FIRST DAY We part at 7:45 a.m. / 8:00 a.m. our trip starts when we go out of Cusco with a wonderful panoramic city landscape view, then we go our way to Chinchero/Ollantaytambo. Here we'll take the right highway and then go up high 4350 meters upon sea level where we met the Abra del Málaga. This is a too much mystical place, where the land payment to the gods is done very frecuently From this part of the road and for a guide's recomendation in case of mist, we leave the car and we take our modern bikes, now we start one of the most beautiful trips only compared with the ones of "coroico" in Bolivia. We will be going down the hill watching the huge valley, then we would find a different flora going from the seca and pajales, then a tempered area vegetation for finally getting into the jungle vegetation, at the half of the way we will visit the "Ruinas Incas of Wamanmarka".
We will take lunch on the middle of the road too, finally after 4 hours of biking we arrive to the 1430 meters upon sea level, in Santa Maria, we will spend our first night in the basic services lodge. Here we take dinner, we are in the middle of a wet weather because of the foresta and great because of its fauna and flora, at dinner time we will have a little summary of that day and some comments about the next day trek with the tourists.
SECOND DAY After having a full vitamin breakfast, containing bananas, oranges, papaya and other local fruits (juices) we early go on treking looking for an unforgetable adventure, we will walk by fully vegetation roads where we could see the growing and the harvest of cofee as well as the sacred Incas plant, COCA.
We will walk by original Inca roads, where we are going to have a meeting with the Inka roads net, today Stopped by time, after the energetic walk, and of have been sweting and breathing the purest air of the world,we will have the chance of getting into the "Baños termo/medicinales" of Santa Teresa, then we arrive to the Santa Teresa town where we will eat and sleep, the next day coordination will be done at the dinner time.
	THIRD DAY Today we are allowed to wake up a little later, we also have a full vitamin breakfast (juices) and about 9:45 a.m. we start walking looking for the hanging bridges and also for crossing the Vilcanota river (Sacred Inkas' river)Trough a oroya where we put a proof our adventure and adrenaline, this point is one of the most exciting and fun point.
We can enjoy the big variety of buterflies, parrots, little iguanas, birds, insects and our conceited monkey Pepito, we will also visit the Inti Watana (solar clock), we will have dinner at Hidroelectrica where we will enjoy lunch with a lot of avocado (palta) of the world's best quality. Finally we get to Aguas Calientes, the last overnight spot, here we Hill have a dinner-meeting; now is time to give the last instructions for the best day of life, visit to Machupicchu city.
FOURTH DAY We wake up early today to visit the first modern world wonder, Machupicchu, we part in treking at 5:10 a.m. in order to have the chance of watching the sunrise. In ascendant walk since 1980 meters upon sea level until 2450 meters upon sea level, we have breakfast in the middle of the road because we get box breakfast, the walk has an approximate time of 1 hour 10 minuts, we will inmediately visit the Machupicchu city . Joined by our profesional tour guide 2 hours aproximately, then tourist can explore by itself; at an aggreed time the tourist must treck down to the Aguas Calientes town. in an average time of 40 minuts. Then we hapily take the return train to Cusco because we have enjoyed the most beautiful and complete trips of the world.

We arrived in Cuzco after a tough night journey rising up to 3,310 M (10,859.6 FT) altitude. We where were dropped just outside town and were taken to a hostel by someone waiting at the bus statiion. Just being there an hour we could feel that it was hardder to breathe at this altitude coming from low ground over night. Cusco was also far colder than ica, just looking around you could see eveyone wearing long sleeves tops or jackets. We through on our warm clothes after getting checked into our accomadation then grabbed a bite to eat at a nice sandwhich and juice bar just next to our accomadation. We were based within 5 minutes of the beautifull central square. Our accomadation was a nice, clean room with en suite and TV. After a bite to eat we caught up on the sleep we lost from travelling. After couple hours it was now mid day and time to do bit of exploring around the city. The main plaza de armas in cusco was a large square with a fountain in the middle surrounded by grass. Around the square were cobbled roads were old trams drove along with the steady traffic. The square was surrounded by impressive looking grand cathedral on 2 sides with the other 2 sides scattered with eateries, tour agencys and a variety of different shops.

The northern and western sides of the Plaza are now lined by arcades with shops and travel agencies. There are many restaurants, bars and coffee shops with beautifully carved wooden balconies overlooking the Plaza - a great place to relax and enjoy the view.

The Plaza's north-eastern edge is dominated by the Cathedral which is flanked on the right-hand side by the El Triunfo church.

On the south-east side is the smaller but more ornate church of La Compania de Jesus with its impressive pair of belfrie. After having around the plaza we headed to a near by market just a short walk away.  

sHere they sold all the same sort of stuff as in Lima. All the peruvian garments and souvenirs. It was a really nice city just to walk around with beautifull architectue in every direction. The next day we spent sorting out a tour for the macchu picchu. We chose to do a tour called The Jungle Inka Tour. This was a four day three night tour involving cycling, jungle trekking, hot springs then on the last day the Macchu Picchu. We had booked it to leave the following day. The rest of the dya was just spent stocking up on some more warm clothes trying to get to grips with the altitude with we were both struggling with. Cusco was the most popular toursit destination in Peru mainly for the reason of being the hub for trips to the Macchu Picchu. The next morning we were packed and ready to go for the four day day tour to the macchu picchu, still feeling quite uncomfotable in the stomach from the altitude.

Cusco 

Often referred to as the 'Archaeological Capital of the Americas' Cusco is a beautiful city riddled with contrasts between the indigenous styles and the modern western world. It is these contrasts that have given Cusco its rare beauty. 

Most visitors are keen to get to Machu Picchu, either by trekking for 4 days along the Inca Trail, or by 4 hours in the train, but Cusco itself has a lot to offer the visitor and most travellers usually end up seduced with this vibrant city and stay longer than first planned.

The first thing that hits the newly arrived visitor to Cusco are the Inca walls; enormous granite blocks carved to fit together perfectly without the aid of mortar beds. Many of the walls were simply built upon during the construction of a new Spanish city. Its a tribute to the Incas that their anti seismic design has survived the test of time while the Spanish colonial architecture has been rebuilt several times following a wave of earthquakes that have hit the city.

Located at an altitude of 3,360m above sea level, Cusco was referred to as the 'Navel of the World'.

The city has a long and interesting history dating back to 1200AD and linked to the first Inca ruler Manco Capac. However the city saw its expansion in the 15th century under the rule of the greatest Inca Pachacutec, who led a drive that spread the boundaries of the Inca empire as far south as Chile and Argentina, and north to include Ecuador and Columbia. This rapid expansion abruptly came to an end on the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors, led by Francisco Pizarro who, following the murder of the Inca Atahaulpa in Cajamarca, marched into Cusco in 1534 and added it definitively to the realms of King Charles V. This invasion opened the gates to a cultural mix that has left its imprint on every aspect of Peruvian culture, especially in the ancient Andean capital of Cusco.

hen arriving in Cusco from the coast you'll immediately notice the thin clear mountain air, a result of the City's high altitude. The first day in particular should be spent quietly relaxing and taking things easy as you gently acclimatize. Plan to spend at least 3 days in and around Cusco before starting any serious trekking such as the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This is an ideal opportunity to see the highlights Cusco has to offer such as a tour of the City, the nearby Inca Ruins of Sacsayhuaman, Qenko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay and, of course, a day trip out to the Sacred Valley of the Incas including a visit to the traditional Indian market at Pisac, the beautiful village of Ollantaytambo and the small village of Chinchero located high up in the mountains.

We arrived in Ica after getting the short bus ride from Pisco. In Ica it was just a 10 min cab ride into the surreal tiny desert town of Huachina. It was an amzing place looking like a mirage in the sand. One road connected it with the outide world and the closest town of Ica. After checking in a nice cozy hotel with pool that made up for the adequate room, we took the 5 min walk to the towns centre peice the large lake used by local kids to mess around and small pedlo boats. Around the centre lake just one tier up were deffierent restarants where we ate. The twon was just overlooked by huge sand tunes in every direction. The best way to descibe it being like a bowl with the town being at the bottom. After a nice lunch we headed back to the hotel to spend the afternoon chilling by the pool. In the garden were the pool was situated the hostel also had a crazy monkey they kept as a pet tied to a piece of string. This may explain the reason the thing seemed like it was on speed jumin on anything that came near it. Aswell as the small monkey there were also different tropical brids such as parrots walking around or siiting on the tree. We just took it easy basking in the baking sun. Katrina played with the monkey who seemed to prefer women than guys, while I just as always tryed to get myself some sun. I had to be extra careful though as I had got burnt in Pisco and my forehead was peeling off, very funny if you see the pictures of me. 

The next day we went on a sand buggy tour. This involved being picked up from our hostel then taken a mad ride across the desert in the buggy to the top of one of the dunes. From there we were given sandboards to go down the dunes on. The boards were specifically for the sand being much like a snowbard only smaller. For my first hill i waxed up the board lied on my front and wizzed down the dune. Was so surprised how quick you went, it was just so much fun. The next dune I attempted standing up, this being far tougher than lying on your front. I got about half way down standing befire going head first into the sand hurting slightly getting covered from head to toe in sand. I think we did abot 6 or 7 dunes in total the last one being highest going down what must have been at least 50 mtrs. This one I did lying down as it was easier to get more speed and far safer. After doind the sand boarding we watched the sunset on the dunes then tooke the crazy drive on the dunes back to our hostel. I had so much fun and would definatley reccommend it to anyone.

The next day we cheked out of the hostel but our bus was not until the evening when we were getting a night bus to Cuzco. To kill time throughout the day we had a look around the small town of ica. We just spent town looking around the shops one of our favourite past times. We also just sat in the Plaza de armas (The towns central square) and just watched the world go by.

In the evening we got the night bus to Cuzco. I really loved Huachinna. So unique settings like no where I have been before and the sand boarding is just so much fun, like sledging without the snow   

After getting into Pisco we were greeted then taking to her home by a young girl. ONce at the home we got shown our room and arranged a tour the following day to the Ballestas Islands. We had thought that when the women had arranged for somewhere to stay in Pisco that it would be a hostel bu instead we had been taken to a Family home us being the only ones staying in what I think was the spare room. WE wernt complaining though it was one of the nicest places we had stayed with a large double bed, ensuite bathroom with bath and lots of space. We just spent our first day talking a walk around what was left of Pisco. Pisco had benn hit only 6 months previously by a large earthqyuake and the city was still in ruins. In every direction you could just see piles of rubble where houses had once stood. Was unbelievable the destuction that this Earthquake had done. The only real life we saw although we were staying out of twon was the petral staion and a small make shift shop. Other than that everywhere seemed to be lifeless. Not every building had been distroyed obviously otherwise we would have no where to stay but I would say at least 70 percent of the property was destroyed or affected onn some way. The only food we could find was from the nearby petroal staion who served up a great chicken and chips. 

The next day we went of a tour from the main town which was around a 15 min drive from where were staying to the Ballestas Islands just a short boat ride away. The ballestas islands were described in the lonley planet as a poor mans Galapicos. The islands were obviously tiny in comparison but still were really amazing to sea. The islands seemed overfolwing with sea lions, penguins and many different species of bird. The sea lions were just so noisy especially as we got closer to the sure that they filled, the niose constant by the hundreds of sea lions. We took the boat around the islands and got as close to the sea lions as possible for some great pics.

After visiting the Ballestas islands in the morning we then as part of the tour went to the Paracas reserve just a 10 min drive from town. Not the most beautifull place I had seen but still intersting to go to the small information centre to hear about the conservation programme. Once in the park we were taking to a place where we could swim and have a very overpriced fish meal. I think the purpose of going here was just to help the restuarants to recoup after the earthquake. We headed back and were dropped to our accomadation after a good tour. In the evening wwe went to go and watch the sunset over the sea. The sunsents in Pisco I think were the prettiset I have ever seen, just unbelievable. As the sun went down it just lit the sky completley red, not just a light red like you sometimes sea but a thick dark dark red that was just unreal. From the sunset it was another meal of chicken and chips then off to bed.

In the main town of Pisco the trail of devistation from the earthquake was evn more apparent. The trip from where we stayed i to town there was just block after block of nothing but rubble where houses had stood. In the main town you could see the huge shelter camps made up of metal shetaing. There was sighs that buildings were starting to be constructed again but to try rebuild from that amount of devistation I think will take a good few years if not longer. 

The next day we stolled around the nearby local market. Here were your usual mix of fake clothing, fake glasses, fake dvds all put together in a maze of stalls. Although obviously the town was desperatley poor after the earthquake still the shop owners gave us the same price as the locals. A refreshing thing happened in the market when I bought an item I though the guy had said the price was higher so I put the money in his hand and he actually gave me back and said I had given him to much. The town people seemed to have a sence of proudness and determination that was seen by the hundreds of workers desperatley working to get the town back on its feet again. 

I really enjoyed Pisco, the ballestas islands were really cool, the sun sets were out of this world and although very little going on was amazing to see first hand what a natural disaster like an earthquake can do to a place. 

We left the next day leaving the family we had become quite freindly with specially there tiny sweet dogs. The mother put us on a bus to Huacacchina and bidded farewell.    

Paracas National Reserve

The Paracas National Reserve (340,000 hectares) was established in 1975 and is important for the protection of both bird life on the Paracas Peninsula and marine life in the sea. The Reserve is about 15km south from Pisco (not a particularly attractive place but famous for the white brandy named after the town). The entrance fee to the reserve is about US$2 per person. Places of interest within the Reserve include a visitors' center (free maps available) and an archeological museum (entrance US$1, 09:00-17:00 daily). A short walk down from the museum to the edge of Paracas Bay allows you to see several types of birds including flamingos feeding by the waterside.

The area within the Reserve played an important role in the Peruvian economy during the mid-nineteenth century. Vast quantities of 'guano' (birds' droppings) produced by the seabirds was exported to Europe for use as fertilizer. For many decades this industry was Peru's most important source of revenue.

Islas Ballestas (Ballestas Islands)

These spectacular islands, eroded into many caves and arches, provide shelter for thousands of seabirds and hundreds of sea-lions. Although the islands fall just outside the Paracas National Reserve they are protected by separate legislation. The islands are home to over 150 species of marine bird including the Humboldt penguin, cormorants, boobies and pelicans. Even condors have been known to visit. On the shores can be seen large numbers of sea-lions and in the sea it is possible to encounter dolphins and even whales.

The Ballestas Islands form an important wildlife reserve, with over 160 species of marine birds, including Humboldt penguins, cormorants, boobies, pelicans and, occasionally condors. There is also animal life, including sea lions, seals, dolphins and whales. The islands are off the coast of the Paracas National Reserve, 240 km south of Lima.

Visitors are not allowed onto the islands but views of the wildlife from the boat are usually excellent. The tours also pass the 'Candelabro' - a 50m candelabra-shape traced in the desert hillside overlooking the sea. Their are numerous theories as to its origin (best left to the guides to explain some of them).

I arrived in Lima after the flight over the sea from Panama. ON arrival I got a Taxu into the district of Miraflores to meet Katina and Henrik had arrived 2 days previously. Just in the Taxi I could also see a large difference in development compared to must of the countries in Centrañ America. Things here seem to have some structure which was a pleasent relief from sometimes the crazy capitals of the poored in countries in Central America. I arrived at the hostel where I was welcomed by Katrina and shown the bed in the 6 person dorm she had reserved for me. Henrik I had I had learnt on arrival had to go home because of a death in the family but was flying back after the funeral. The first after noon we just went to the nearby supermarket which was a luxury as finding a good supermarket in central america was sometimes hard. It was just a quite first night accuinting myself with the others in the friendly house converted hostel.

The next day myself and Katrina took a trip to the near by markets or I should say markets. There were half a dozen markets all selling the same peruvian souveniers. The most popular of these being the most for any tourist the peruvian hat aswell as other winter clothing such as cloves and socks. We just strolled the markets buying a few bits. I bought a nice think so called alpaca made jacket as I had no warm clothes as we got into the colder part of our trip also some gloves and thick socks. After brwosing the markets we just made our way into the pleasant town with the centre peice being the central square as it was In central America and South America. It was a nice city and really nice to get back to what felt like home a bit with nice shops and Eateries in this developed capital. The next day we departed Lima as there was nothing else really we wnted to do or see. We left on the short bus trip ti Pisco. 

This house is just not a typical guest house, because a peruvian girl also lived there. They are really nice and friendly

If you are going to Cusco, you HAVE to stay at this hostel. It's the best place to meet people and have a good time. I warn you though, it might be hard to leave. I will refrain from telling you too much about the hostel, except that it is awesome. I'll let you experience the hostel for yourself.

Lima - del 5 al 8 abril - Aqui a lima faig els meus ultims 3 dies d'estada al peru. L'alberg el tinc a Miraflores, una mica el barri guai de la ciutat, esta prou be i a prop de la platja. Dono alguna volta per aquest barri i tambe vaig cap al centre a veure la placa d'armes, la placa san martin i les quatre coses destacades. Un dia per dinar vaig a un chifa del barri xino perque m'havien dit que aqui el menjar xines esta molt be, i bueno estava be pero sobretot el que tenia es que hi havia menjar pel doble o triple del que demanaves.

Un dia per la tarda se'm va ocorrer anar a veure un concert del grup Alborada, quan hi vaig anar no sabia que anava a veure, estava anunciat com a musica tradicional peruana pero va acabar essent al principi una mena de xou amb presentadora-animadora inclosa, va anar de tard i durava com 6hores, bueno jo vaig plegar una mica abans.

Aqui per Lima també es veia bastanta marxilla, per exemple per Miraflores que deu ser el barri de moda d'ara hi havia bastants bars i restaurants amb terraca i pubs i tot aixo. Els carrers forca sorollosos perque molts dels cotxes que hi ha son colectivos, les furgos que fan com de minibusos i van pitant bastan, bueno la circulació una mica bestia. Després hi han els taxis que cada vegada que veuen un gringo, possible client, piten por si acaso. Aixo li donava un ritme animadet a la ciutat, ara la part més animada és el barrio xino i la zona del mercat crec.

Bueno d'aqui marxo a la nit cap a Houston per fer enllac per anar cap a Mejic D.F. i arribar al migdia cap alla.

Paracas - del 5 a 6 abril.- Aquí faig un altre paradeta abans d'arribar a Lima. La gracia de paracas esta en les illes ballestes i la península de Paracas. Com que ja no tinc massa temps la peninsula la deixo estar (crec que tampoc era cap meravella, es d'aquelles coses que ets un superornitoleg o estudiós dels animals o tampoc i veus el que) pero si que vaig a veure les illes ballestes, diuen que son les galapagos pobres, mmmmm... no sé. Pel camí ens ensenyen un altre dibuix a la sorra, el candelabro, que no acabo d'entendre si té algo que veure amb la cultura paracas i ve a ser com lo de les linies de Nazca o és algo que han fet ara.
Bueno la primera impresió de l'illa t'entra pel nas: és una pudor barreja d'aigua de mar, peix i caca d'ocell, a més aquesta olor la conserves per tot el dia, anant amb la superlanxa a tota velocitat cara al vent i amb l'aigua que t'esquitxa, se't queda l'olor impregnada al cabell i la roba (o almenys és la mania que vaig agafar jo).
Bueno total, que l'illa esta plena d'ocells, sobretot gavines, i guano, como no. També hi havia algun pinguinillo, pelicanos i tambe hi havien lleons arins que eran bastan més actius que no pas els que havia vist a l'atlantic, bueno pot ser van a temporades i ara estaven cuidant als petits i tenien més activitat.
Lo que és el poble no tenia massa res, basicament un passeig ple de restaurants de peix i marisc i després més apartats alguns hotelillos, uns quants és veien així de pasta. També encara quedaven restes del mal que va fer el terratremol, bueno el maremoto que hi va haver l'agost del 2007, diu que on va fer molt mal és a Pisco, una mica més al nord. Pel que vaig sentir no estan massa bé alla encara, de fet aconsellaven a uns gringos que hi volien anar que no hi anessin, que no hi havia res per veure i que s'arriscaven a que els hi passes algo. (Bueno eran gruingos d'aquells que es veu que tenien peles, vamos que si tens gana i no tens que menjar i t'estan mirant t'han de venir ganes de menjar-te'ĺs a ells).