Homestay - Lake Titikaka, Peru

 

While visiting Lake Titikaka, we spend the night with a local family. The accommodations were very basis. Upper left quadrant: mud brick house; upper right quadrant: interior of the courtyard; lower left quadrant: outhouse (the house didn’t have indoor plumbing); and lower right quadrant: our two host (mother and daughter) are seated in the kitchen next to the stove.

The experience really makes one ponder what is really necessary to exist.

Random Pics - Lake Titikaka, Peru

 

Lake Titikaka is an immense sheet of deep blue water, over 100 miles in length, lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia, and is the focus of several early civilizations. The brilliant light, the clear air and the beautiful colors of the hills and villages around the lake where quintessential South America.

Machu Picchu, Peru

 

 

 

Machu Picchu is one of the world’s foremost archaeological sites. The amazing ruins was completely lost in the jungle until some local s led Hiram Bingham there in 1911. The Spaniards never found it , the Incas left no records about it, so Machu Picchu remains a great enigma, a whole city set on a saddle surrounded by immense jungle-covered mountains.

Prior to reaching Machu Picchu, I finished the book “The Machu Picchu Guidebook: A Self- Guided Tour” by Ruth M. Wright & Dr. Alfredo Valencia Zegarra. The book help prepare for the visit, but our tour guide provide significantly better and more comprehensive information than what was available in the book. The book was very rout and westernized. Our tour guide had more to offer from a local’s (native Peruvian’s) perspective.

I also finished reading “The Conquest of the Incas” by John Hemming. I enjoyed the book a lot and learned much about the Spanish conquest of the Inca nation. The book was somewhat dense (it included 100 pages of footnote), but well worth the read. I get a particular thrill out of reading about local area’s history while traveling through it.

I’m currently reading “100 Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garci’a Ma’rquez. I’m about halfway through it. I like it, but I really had great expectations and its not really living up to those expectations. Moreover, I’m really not a fiction reader. That may also be the problem.

More Machu Picchu Pics - Peru

 


                      

                    Storage House 
 



 



 

                             Temple of the Sun

                      Sacred Temple

                             Trapizoid Doorway
 

              "The Most Beautiful Wall"

Group Photo - Inca Trail - Peru

 

Walking the Inca trail was one of the trip’s highlights. The route crosses three high passes and visits several remote Inca sites, ending at the Intipunku, the Inca Sun Gate, from which opens up a superb panorama of Machu Picchu. The trek was fully supported with experienced guides, cooks, and porters.

In total, there are 21 participants and two male leaders/drivers for a total of 23. Of the 23 participants, 10 are male, while the remainder (13) are female. . There are three couples and the average age is about early thirties. All are British Citizen expect for one French woman and myself.

Scared Valley - Near Cusco, Peru

 

 

A few miles outside of Cuzco is the Sacred Valley of the Incas, then ends of which are guarded by two impressive fortresses, Pisca and Ollantaytambo.

Cusco, Peru

 

Cusco is widely considered to be the most interesting city in South America, mostly because it’s the starting location for the Sacred Valley of the Inca and Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Nevertheless, the city itself is adorned with many fine buildings from the Spanish Colonial era.

Guinea Pig For Dinner - Cusco, Peru

 

Guinea Pig is considered a delicacy in Peru. It tasted alright, but there really wasn't a lot of meat to eat. Another type of meat typically eaten in Peru, which I did try and enjoy, is alpaca (similar to a llama).

Raqchi Ruins – Near Cosco, Peru

 

Having overnighted at this sight, we had a few hours in the morning to explore the ruins, observe the local residences on their daily routines and trek to the top of small nearby vista for some spectacular views of the valley below. Late in the morning we headed to Cusco to start preparations for the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu.

Nazca Lines - Nazca, Peru

 

Further down the coast, we ventured upon the “world’s greatest archeological mystery” – the lines of Nazca: an area of flat desert criss-crossed by lines, patterns and pictures scratched in the sand. The pictures of animals and birds are only distinguishable from the air, so we hired a small aircraft to fly over the sights. No one really knows who drew the lines and why. Modern archeologist can only guess at, but current theories suggest that they may be part of a complex agricultural calendar or ceremonial site.

 

Posted below are pictures of the condor, spider and humming bird, as viewed from the small plane. The photos were tweaked a bit to enhance the visibility of the lines.

 

 

 

An overall personal observation is that little in know about the historical and archeological sites in South America, especially during the pre-Columbian and Inca times, because those societies while very advanced never used written language. Much knowledge and information has been lost as a result.

Sunset - Paracus National Park - Paracus Peru

 

Everybody in the group seems to be getting along well, except everyone seems to be getting sick. I’d say the average age is about in the low 30´s. There are some older retirees and some young folk in their 20´s. Basically, I’m in between. As for the illness, at the Jungle Lodge a bunch of people, including me, got a 24 hour dose of diarrhea, and more recently quite a few people got a 24 hour bug of vomiting and fatigue.

Jungle Trip – Amazon River, Peru

 

Leaving the costal deserts of Peru, we flew over the snow-capped Andean peaks and immense greenery of the rain forest to Iquitos and the banks of the Amazon River. Then by speedboat we transferred to a remote eco-lodge where we explored the rainforest and its vast bio-diversity. With the assistance of expert guides, a comfortable lodge, and a great location, we filled the day with plenty of activities such as bird and wildlife spotting, piranha fishing, and jungle walks.

Jungle Adventures - Amazon, Peru

 

Piranha Fishing
 

 

Tarantula Viewing
 

 

Anaconda Wrestling
 

More Jungle Pics - Amazon River, Peru

 

Chan Chan & Moche - Trujillo, Peru

 

 

 

Chan Chan is the largest mud brick city in the world; its 10m high walls enclose an area of more than 10 square miles. We spent the morning exploring the city and its beautiful engravings and mazes of corridors. Nearby are two huge mud-brick pyramids dedicated to the Sun and the Moon, the Moche pyramids that are still being examined by archaeologist. There are many beautiful and colorful engravings in the walls and fascinating history. The site has been featured on the National Geographic Channel as well as in the magazine.

First “Rough” Camp - "Somewhere", Peru

 

In addition to the truck being our primary means of transport, the truck doubles as our home away from house. A stove emerges from the side. The pots and pans and utensils are stored in various nooks and crannies throughout. Cook groups take turns cooking. Most of are meals are eaten sitting on stools in a pseudo kitchen area. Tents are set-up for sleeping.

 

During our travels, we basically stay at two types of campsites: 1) an official campsite with toilet and shower facilities; and 2) "rough" camps where the leaders/drivers of the group/truck locate a suitable area off the road a bit to camp. There are no shower or bathroom facilities. Toilets are self-made on a need basis with a small trowel.