Mancora - Peru - also called the Paradise
After a overnight bus -ride we arrived in Mancora. Firstly we were very excited about our hostel. We decided us for LOKI DE MAR, and yeah it was a good choice. We have a beautiful 26m pool, and the hostel looks rather like a hotel complex. There is super nice food, super cheap drinks... what do we want more?
After we slept a bit on the first day we managed to eat lunch at the beach. I tried Cebiche for the first time. Its a raw fish and very popular for this area, however I didnt like it so much and I had to starve again ... (Nina is on a diet since Lima, therefore I don't get a lot of food either)
The whole day we were chilling at the pool, looking how I our tan turned brown or a little red. Its just awesome here. At the beach you can also find some people who sell Braclets and Sunglasses... so we were already shopping on the first day as well.
Oh my god,
I really should stop shopping! My stuff won't fit in my backpack anymore. Luckily we could leave some stuff in Lima and put off this problem until I really leave South America.
Yeah thats about it. Mancora is perfect for chilling and relaxing for the last days. We don't have a plan what we are doing next days....
Hasta luego chicos y chicas
Inka Jungle Trail and Machu Picchu
hello people from Switzerland and anywhere else ;)
I finally have time and a better internet access here so i can write something about my last week.
From Puno (Titicaca Lake) we went over Arequipa to Cusco.
Cusco is a rather small city and crowded on the one hand with tourists and on the other hand with young boys who want to convince you for the party at the evening and ladies who wants to give you a massage. Everybody just call you turista turista....
However, we focused on the main thing. We have to find the appropriate Trip to Machu Picchu. As I am not really keen on hiking the originally inka trail with thousands of other people we decided us to the inkajungletrail.com with Lorenzo. It i recommended in the Lonley Planet and in my opinion still a good choice.
The first day we went downhill biking. It was a great experience, as I haven't been biking for a long time. First the road was quite wet and it was raining like hell. I was happy that I got myself
a poncho for 1 USD. The road was at the beginning very narrow so it was quite scary. So it also happend that we found a taxi with the roof to the ground. the taxidriver, who should be used to the road felt of the cliff. 2 people dead :/ so we kept on going, still a bit frightened. After the lunch break the road has changed into a muddy, pumpy road with lots of wholes. Real Mountainbiking was on also with few uphills which needs our endurance. Covered in mud and dirt I put all my energy into my bike. A couple girls already gave up after the lunch break but i wanted to do it. Unfortunately our "MONGO" of a guide didnt wait for me and rushed throught he additional road which wasnt really on the plan. So I was so exhausted I have up and put my bike on the top of our car. The driver didnt tell me that it was just 500m to go until our lodge. So I almost did it.... And finally could shower my
self - i felt so released. Really was close to my limits...
The Second day was actually just hiking. we skipped the busroad part and started with the uphill in the jungle. Our TG (Tourguide aka Johan) also wanted to show what is good at and almost run up the hill without any attentions to us. The Dutch Couple was really fit and could manage that easely. Nini had some problems in the beginning with the humidity and could hardly breath. The other girl from Germany had difficulties to follow us well. Anyway, after a break in the middle of the jungle we met the monkey martyn and another animal which was something like a wombat. We also had to colour our face with some jungle fruit or whatever. so ridiculous. The afternoon was walking at the inka trail. it was really narrow and a very high cliff. this made me a bit shaky.
Always good to have some Wonka Nerds which kept my energy and motivation up.
After 8-9 hours hiking we arrived in a Lodge with tents. They look quite warm and were just happy that we finally made this hard day. Before dinner we could enjoy ourself at the Hot Springs in Santa Maria. That was the best part of the day ;) Dinner was good and a lot - as I expected and loved it.
The third day was a bit boring. We chose the option to walk instead of going by bus or train. This option wasnt the option our TG liked the most. So he rushed us over a "busroad" which was only fucking big rocks where we had to climb. He was such a fucking asshole. The afternoon was just the way along the railway line. And the backpack was sooooooo heavy. Anyway we already so Machu Picchu where our target it. At around 6 we arrived in Aguas Caliente. Thats a village just next to Machu Picchu. From there it was just 1,5 hour by hiking. The Hotel was quite cozy and we appreciated the hot shower. For dinner we could chose and I decided for Alpaca ;)
The forth day was the big day. We got up at 3.30 and started hiking at 4. Through the dark Agua Caliente along the busroad and afterwards an uphill of a bit more than an hour. Huch... so many steps and we had to carry our lunch as well. really exhausting. But we made it ... and we queued with the first people entering machu picchu. so we also got the ticket to climb Waynu Picchu (only the first 200 bzw. 400 people were able to climb it) So just when we entered the sacred city of Machu Picchu we could see the sunrise. que bonita. Our guide Alex told us everything about the Incas and how the sac
rified the lamas and the people, how they lived and how they found and how they hide the Machu Picchu from the Spanish. It was very interesting and i am keen on reading more about the Incas.
At the 10. A.M. we started to climb the WaynuPicchu with the Dutch Couple. It was fun and we were so proud of ourself that we still had the energy after this 3 days hiking and biking. again with the other pack of wonka nerds I was saved. At the top of the WaynuPicchu we found a beautiful scenery over the Machu Picchu, and so huge cliffs and the jungle. It was incredible. I can't describe how I felt. I had pins and needles in my legs and proudness in
my head. From down it looks so fucking high !!! After few pictures we declined and indulge ourself with a yammie avocado, tomato mayonaise sandwhich.
After a little Siesta i started to climb down to agua caliente. the other took the bus which was the faster option. As it just started raining i almost run. just when I got back it was pourring.... and I ordered a beer and happily looked back of the day. It was amazing....
Lago de Titicaca
We arrived in Peru :)
The trip through the customs from Chile to Peru was easy. No hassle.
We caught a bus to Arequipa, where we stayed one night there.
Not much to see, not much to do - so we spontanously decided to jump into the next bus to the Titicaca Lake.
However, there was a Streik and we had to change our plans a bit. We got to Puno (Peruvian Side of the Titicaca) at 3.30 A.M. fortunately we got a dorm room where we were able to sleep few hours. Than we changed our hostel to a modern, sophisticated, expensive and beautiful Hotel. There was even a bellboy who carried our backpacks to the rooms. NIIIICEEEE!
Today we went to this tour on the titicaca. After a yammie breakfast (cake inclusive) we went to the Puerto, where we changed to a small boat.
First we visited the floating Island Uros. The families welcomed us and we learned more about their culture, activities and lifestyle. They only live of the tourism and could even afford electricity out of Solar. I was quite surprised how they live. A family of 3 member live in a 4m2 house built of straw or something.
Of course we invested in their live and bought something from the lady who was so lovely.
Afterwards we went to another island. It tooks us 2.5 hours... it was a bit stormy and the boat was bumping like hell. Nina got a bit sea-sick. Finally we arrived there, we had to walk 200m up to 4100m above sealevel. and there was the lunch - i was starving ... we ate a good soup and i had a trout. afterwards we also got this cocatea with another plant mixed. Was very good !
After they told us everything about their textiles, dances and when and how they get married we followed the path back to the Port. The boat brought us back to Puno.
of course more photos here:It was a nice day :) and we are looking forward for Cusco tomorrow
Back in Chile: ARICA
Hola chicos y chicas,
Spontanously we decided to go to chile again after LaPaz. The journey
took ages...but yeah we finally made it to Arica and arrived at 11 at
night.
We got a kindly welcome from th staff at the hostel. We already felt
comfortable in Arica.
First day we went for a surf session. I had fun, and caught some nice
waves. I was a bit scared in the beginning tough. The surf guide was
funny amd tried to motivate me after each wave i messed up.Nini wasnt
able to surf, 'cause she was problems with her stomach -again!
Was a pity, cause i think its a really good surf spot.
However, in the afternoon we did some shopping, had lunch and later
dinner. After a long time i went out again with a argentian guy from
the hostel, so i could practise my arg-spanish a bit.
Now we are already on the way to Peru, to Ariquipa! Must be a big city
with a lovely scenery and vulcanos.
I ll let you know how we liked that.
Hasta luego
Short trip to lapaz
After the trip to the Salt Flats we stayed in LaPaz for three days.
still not really used to the altitude and not used to the food we were
quite lazy the firsylt day.
The second day we unfortunately missed the city tour bus we booked in
advanced. So we made us comfortable in a dulceria- restaurant
(schlekkis)
The third day we gave it another go and really made it on time to the
bus station. It was a beautiful scenery and interesting seeing the
other part of the city. we also saw the moon valley - which was a cool
walk as well.
We so liked the bus tour, that we kept on sitting on the bus and drove
along the other route as well. They told us also interesting stories
about the economics, history, political problems and wars.
Thats about it of La Paz. We also dis a lot of shopping. And we had a
wicked hostel, where we ate vety good, drunk nice free beers and other
cheap cocktails, met nice people ...
I highly recommend it: the adventure bre hostel.
Thats for it now...
Hasta la proxima
Sent from my iPhone
San Pedro to Uyuni - 3 days trip
Finally I am able to write another Blog-Entry.
We have been 3 days in the desert in Bolivia. It was amazing.... we have seen so many things, have experienced a lot, felt the attitude and were freezing.
Well the first day was quite easy. We drove up the hill, where the custom to bolivia is located. There we were waiting for our 4wrd drive with a driver, who unfortunately couldnt sp
eak a work in English) However, we had a nice group with a japanese couple and a girl from the States who lives in Costa Rica. The trip begun with two differnet lagunas with some flamingos. Afterwards we went bathing in a very hot spring. Loooovely..... it was so cozy, because I also have to mention that up there it was quite cold and veery windy. After seeing the Gesiers we already drove to the Laguna Colerado, where we had lunch and settled for the next night.
The afternoon we spent on walking along the Laguna Colerado. Its very red and had tons of flamingos. It was a beautiful but hard walk. Especially back was exhausting because there was a strong wind against us. We really caught our limits (and unfortunately we didnt even bring water and didnt know how far it was)
the night was rather cold and we were luckily when we got up again - it was so fucking freezing and we were not used to the 4400 meters above sealevel.
The second day was not that spectacular. we saw the trees which are made out of stone... went to another laguna and drove a lot through the desert. we saw some animals and we took a lot of picturers also in front of different vulcanos. The night we stay in a Hotel de Sal. It was made out of sal, very special, and it wasnt that cold anymore. For dinner we had a soup and we ate lamas (the guide told us that afterwards) However, we got to bed quite early because the next day we had to get up at 4.30 for the sunrise.
The sunrise was amazing. it was just nothing else beside desert, clouds, our jeep and the sun s coming up. Lovely... but fucking freezing again. The Breakfast we had on the Isla de Pescado, named after the form whos like a fish. The hills had lots of Cactus on it and i went for a little hike. Really needed a tea of Coca afterwards. I reckon this really helps to accustom to the altitude.
Afterwards we finally reach the Salar Uyuni. We took millions of pictures, while the other
didnt really enjoy it there. We took pictures with our toy FAT BOB, which we got from the last group. Nini and me had fun, but i am still a bit disappointed of the fotos. however... have a look on my picasa album again.
Despues, we drove all the way to Uyuni, passed some Lagunas and an active vulcano... it was a beautiful scenery. We finally arrived at the Cementery of the Trains - this was the last stop. It was quite fun to climb up the Trains and took photos.
It was really a awesome tour - if you ever go to South America - this is a must-see and must-do.
San Pedro de Atacama
Hello mila's blogreader,
Yesterday we took a bus from La Serena to Calama. It took us 17
hours. Luckily i had a exciting book to read and sleeping pills. The
semi-cama seats were not that comfy. However, i was able to sleep
and we managed those 17 hours easely.
Arrived in Calama, our journey was not finish. We had to take
another bus, lets call it chicken bus, to San Pedro. We drove over a
desert, over mountains andover sand dunes. It was a breath taking
scenery. After another 1,5 hours drive we reach a small village
called San Pedro de Atacama in the middle of nowhere. Still Chile
but close to the bounderies to Bolivia. We re having a cute hostel a
bit away from the center - nevertheless we have two hammocks, a room
for ourselves, 3 cats, roberto and his mother who s doing laundry
for us. This afternoon we booked a trip for tomorrow and for the 4
days afterwards. I am so looking forward - thats gonna be awesome as
well as our ideas for the photos in the saltflats :)
but will see.
Hasta luego
