Feel free to skip this post if you want. I just feel obligated to put it in here cause... it's a good idea to finish what you start right? Also, this blog is about my journey and this was definitely part of that journeying. Okay, where did we leave off... right day 5. We have a lot of catching up to do, I will try to make this as painless as possible.
Day 5
Start off Inca trail.
Okay so a little bit of background here. I was supposed to do the inca trail with everyone but because I joined the group a little later there was some problems with paperwork and other really annoying things. Apparently it's really hard to get in to hike the inca trail. Bottom line, I wasn't able to do it. At first I was upset at this, but Daniel assured me he would take me on some awesome hikes while the group was gone. So tuesday morning the group set off for the inca trail. And what would you know? Brad was really sick, too sick to go. So him and his Dad decided to stay. That meant more hiking buddies! The first one was one of the mountains in Ollantaytambo. The biggest one, of course. The altitude made it quite difficult, but I pushed myself to keep up. Lots of ruins to see on the way up and an awesome view from the top.
Later that day, we drove back to Cusco. I was grateful for this because there is so much to see and do in Cusco and we didn't really have enough time. So now we had another day to visit all the sites.
Day 6
Tour around Cusco. Moray, Saskawama, Urubamba Valley. Lots of cool places.
Side note* could it be that my sense of direction is finally developed? I didn't get lost once in Peru, and most of the time I was one of the only people who knew where we were or how to get back. I was quite proud of myself for that.
Day 7
Bus back to Ollantaytambo and then train on to Aguas Callientas.
I was excited for my first real train ride. For the first couple minutes at least, turns out the novelty wears off pretty quick.
Aguas Callientas (translates into Hot Water- due to the natural hot springs nearby) is a small, ugly little town squished in between some beautiful mountains. It could be a lot more beautiful than it is, especially with all the people that pour into there (it being the closest town to Macchupicchu)
Daniel, Brad, Clay and I hiked up a mountain called Putacusi. It is the neighboring mountain to macchupicchu so we had an incredible view from the top. It was also cool seeing all the foliage and jungle like growth on this mountain. Especially when contrasted to the almost desert climate at Ollantaytambo. The coolest part though was the beginning when we had to climb up some almost sheer cliffs with nothing but a metal cable to hold onto. Basically rock climbing without any of the rock climbing equipment. Dan was worried that I would get scared and freeze up. Something to do with the 50 meter drop straight down? But I was fine. I almost think there might me something wrong with me, how is it that I was not scared at all? I guess heights is just not one of those things that do it for me.
Day 8
Day 8 began at 2:30 am. We woke up and got inline for the busses up the mounain to Maucchupicchu. Why so early? Well besides the fact that we are all a little nuts, we wanted to climb Waynapicchu, the mountain behind Macchupicchu, and they only let 400 people/day go up there. And we wanted to be one of those first 400. It was worth it though, the view was fantastic, of course there were more ruins on the top, and the hike was definitely challenging. Especially the back half around to the place called Grand Caverna, this was optional, but of course we did it. Turned out it was an extra 2 hours of strait stairs. Stairs going down, stairs going up. Not one bit of it was flat. We were beginning to hate the Incas and their stupid little stairs.
Met up with the rest of the group on Macchupicchu. By this time we were all so tired we couldn't really appreciate it as much as it deserved. But it was magnificent to wander around those incredible ruins for a while. We oogled at the appropriate places, took the required pictures and then headed back for some well deserved R&R.
Day 9
Flew from Cusco to Puerto Maldonado, deep in the Amazon jungle. The weather was beautifully hot and sticky. Although I think Daniel and I were the only ones who appreciated the humidity. Once we arrived at Puerto Maldonado we bussed for about 45 minutes and then another 45 minute boat ride to the lodge. The lodge was incredible, I think this was the favorite part of my journey. No power, no water. Just generators and wells. It was sort of like 5 star camping. The rooms were just bamboo walls with a thatched roof and one side of the room was just a railing that opened directly out onto the jungle. The food, so good. A hike through the jungle (no stupid incan steps here, thank goodness) and a climb up a 127 foot tower to see out above the tree canopy. Later that night, a dance featuring kids from the nearest local village.
Day 10
Due to a welcome cold front, the weather was a manageable temperature, although all the guides were freezing. Went boating around the lake, wildlife spotting, treks through the jungle, a visit to the local medicine man. I could have spent a couple more days here. But, alas, the next day was time to leave.
Day 11
Now we did the whole trip in reverse. 45 minute boat ride, 45 minute bus ride, short stop to Puerto Maldonado to get the rest of our gear. And then on to the airport. (this airport, by the way, was incredibly dodgy. 2 Gates, 3 check in counters. Security was a joke. There weren't even any proper walls on the building! Although I'm beginning to think that none of the buildings there have proper walls. Makes sense.) 1 hour flight to Cusco, and then 1 1/2 hour to Lima. We had 4 hours of free time in Lima, we had to be at the airport by 10pm. Plane left at 1am. Fly 8 hours to Toronto, clear security, then 5 hours to Calgary, where we arrived at 3:10. Some strange kids ran up to meet me at the airport, they looked vaguely familiar but were way too old to be related to me! Oh wait, no those are my little sisters and brother each about 6 inches taller. Was so good to see them all again. But you get to hear all about that in another post. And now, boring travel journal = check!
PS please excuse any spelling mistakes. I am way to lazy to go back and edit that!!
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