25-08-2011
My lack of knowledge continues to amaze me. Arrived at the Paracas National Park with no clue about it. Then we were seated on a speed boat with a guide, still clueless. First stop was an island with cacti like formations on the ground, as per the guide they were made 2000 years ago, doubting me checked it on returning, it was true - the candelabra made by the Paracas people.
Next were the Ballestas islands. The thing that I noticed first were the wonderful rock formations, arches and cliffs coming together beautifully. Then the wildlife, I have never seen so many birds together. Pelicans, Peruvian boobies, Cormorants,Penguins, Turkey Vultures and Inca turns covered the islands and the sky above. Over 7 million birds migrate here in Summer. Spotted a few sea lions lounging on the rocks and some frolicking in the water. We managed to get away with only a few droppings on the boat from the birds but our faces were drenched with sea water by the time we returned.
After a late lovely seafood lunch we visited the desert part of the National Park. It is literally only desert. The beaches look pretty but it is so cold, sat on the roof of the truck but could only manage 10 minutes up there in spite of being rugged up. Back to our campsite after a pretty sunset.
Borrowed the mats from the poolside and used them as a mattress, slept well.
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Friday, August 26, 2011
Peru- Lima- Day 2
24-08-2011
The Indian bureaucracy never fails to amaze me. We spent our entire day there, did get the visas so it ended well. We were asked to show our tickets for India, the website specifically states not to buy the tickets till you get the visa. We then put our details on a website for tickets and in the bit where we can review the booking before confirming we printed it. That was our pretence tickets and that is what we were told to do. We actually booked our tickets as soon as we got the visa.
When we were at the embassy we had to evacuate the building due to an earthquake, we never even felt it. Watched a lot of Hindi tv while we were waiting, loved all the drama, even the 15 minute teleshopping commercial had tears, hugs and miracles.
Skipped the group dinner and went to explore as much as we could of Lima's old town. Really pretty at night but also busy. The two main Plazas - San Martin and de Armas have beautiful buildings and connected by a bustling pedestrian pathway. There are some lovely leather shoe shops on that path. The ones I liked were not in my size, disappointing.
Jeevan's latest name is Pablo, it's easier than repeating his real one at takeaways. Managed to get a vegetarian burrito , I think our Spanish is improving.
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The Indian bureaucracy never fails to amaze me. We spent our entire day there, did get the visas so it ended well. We were asked to show our tickets for India, the website specifically states not to buy the tickets till you get the visa. We then put our details on a website for tickets and in the bit where we can review the booking before confirming we printed it. That was our pretence tickets and that is what we were told to do. We actually booked our tickets as soon as we got the visa.
When we were at the embassy we had to evacuate the building due to an earthquake, we never even felt it. Watched a lot of Hindi tv while we were waiting, loved all the drama, even the 15 minute teleshopping commercial had tears, hugs and miracles.
Skipped the group dinner and went to explore as much as we could of Lima's old town. Really pretty at night but also busy. The two main Plazas - San Martin and de Armas have beautiful buildings and connected by a bustling pedestrian pathway. There are some lovely leather shoe shops on that path. The ones I liked were not in my size, disappointing.
Jeevan's latest name is Pablo, it's easier than repeating his real one at takeaways. Managed to get a vegetarian burrito , I think our Spanish is improving.
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Peru- Lima - Day 1
23-08-2011
Drove to Lima today. Peru reminds me a lot of India and the Police are no different. We were stopped 4 times along the way and some sort of ticket was threatened upon us, being willing to get the ticket but not pay the bribe we were let off with no ticket!! Absolute waste of time.
Massive sand dunes along the way, lining the roads, I am not sure how the sand does not spill on to the road. There was a coastal fog all over the city not at all like a beach town.
Farewell dinner as 11 people leave tomorrow. Went to an uptown beachfront restaurant, followed by a Karaoke bar ( happy to sing the Spanish songs too), then to a Salsa dance club ( gave that a go too) and then a regular English song playing dance club. When the place closed we continued our party on the Hotel's rooftop. A girl (mother is a masseuse) was happy to give massages and the Hotel's massage table and oils were in the room on the roof so we got massages to end the night
( very random night).
Sad to say goodbye to them, it has been a good group.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Drove to Lima today. Peru reminds me a lot of India and the Police are no different. We were stopped 4 times along the way and some sort of ticket was threatened upon us, being willing to get the ticket but not pay the bribe we were let off with no ticket!! Absolute waste of time.
Massive sand dunes along the way, lining the roads, I am not sure how the sand does not spill on to the road. There was a coastal fog all over the city not at all like a beach town.
Farewell dinner as 11 people leave tomorrow. Went to an uptown beachfront restaurant, followed by a Karaoke bar ( happy to sing the Spanish songs too), then to a Salsa dance club ( gave that a go too) and then a regular English song playing dance club. When the place closed we continued our party on the Hotel's rooftop. A girl (mother is a masseuse) was happy to give massages and the Hotel's massage table and oils were in the room on the roof so we got massages to end the night
( very random night).
Sad to say goodbye to them, it has been a good group.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Peru - Huaraz/ Lake 69
22-08-2011
Early morning start for a long day ahead .
A three hour drive got us to the national park for our hike to Lake 69. Along the way we stopped first at a cemetery with a large statue of Jesus with open arms (this seems to be a common statue in South America) for the victims of 1970. Then took a break at Lake Llanganuco. An absolutely stunning lake, snow capped mountains around, glistening blue water and trees on one side.
Started our hike with us dressed in thermals and jackets, stripped quite quickly along the way as it was much warmer than expected. The hike to the lake is uphill or flat. A lot of it is along the base of Mt. Huascaran, the highest peak in Peru and the second highest in South America. The initial uphill is sloping and quite gentle but the second half is steep and hard. We started at 3900m above sea level and got to 4600m, the altitude hit a lot of people, including Jeevan. I got away with a mild headache at the top but Jeevan felt sick along the way up (thought he was going to die a lot of the time but was unwilling to stop!) , was quite cheerful once we actually reached the lake.
The Lake 69( so named as it is number 69 of the 292 lakes and did not have a local name) was worth the climb. Snow was melting down the mountainside and entering the lake from various sides, obviously the water was then icy cold. The water was bright blue and clear, I don't think anything could survive in the water. At times a firecracker going off like sound would pierce the air as a piece of ice broke off the glaciers. Two of our group jumped into the water, one even skinny dipped, crazy people. The walk down was much easier.
The drives though long were fun as the cd being played was filled with 150 songs from the 80s. The two sitting in the front were 18 years old and had never heard some of the songs while the rest of us at the back sang and danced all the way.
Went to dinner at the number one restaurant on trip advisor, don't think it was worth that rank. Laughed a lot, Jeevan kept hearing the wrong things mostly weight related ( fab- fat, wait- weight, blame it on the altitude).
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Early morning start for a long day ahead .
A three hour drive got us to the national park for our hike to Lake 69. Along the way we stopped first at a cemetery with a large statue of Jesus with open arms (this seems to be a common statue in South America) for the victims of 1970. Then took a break at Lake Llanganuco. An absolutely stunning lake, snow capped mountains around, glistening blue water and trees on one side.
Started our hike with us dressed in thermals and jackets, stripped quite quickly along the way as it was much warmer than expected. The hike to the lake is uphill or flat. A lot of it is along the base of Mt. Huascaran, the highest peak in Peru and the second highest in South America. The initial uphill is sloping and quite gentle but the second half is steep and hard. We started at 3900m above sea level and got to 4600m, the altitude hit a lot of people, including Jeevan. I got away with a mild headache at the top but Jeevan felt sick along the way up (thought he was going to die a lot of the time but was unwilling to stop!) , was quite cheerful once we actually reached the lake.
The Lake 69( so named as it is number 69 of the 292 lakes and did not have a local name) was worth the climb. Snow was melting down the mountainside and entering the lake from various sides, obviously the water was then icy cold. The water was bright blue and clear, I don't think anything could survive in the water. At times a firecracker going off like sound would pierce the air as a piece of ice broke off the glaciers. Two of our group jumped into the water, one even skinny dipped, crazy people. The walk down was much easier.
The drives though long were fun as the cd being played was filled with 150 songs from the 80s. The two sitting in the front were 18 years old and had never heard some of the songs while the rest of us at the back sang and danced all the way.
Went to dinner at the number one restaurant on trip advisor, don't think it was worth that rank. Laughed a lot, Jeevan kept hearing the wrong things mostly weight related ( fab- fat, wait- weight, blame it on the altitude).
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Peru- Huaraz - Day 2
21-08-2011
Lazy day.
With nothing on the agenda most of it was spent relaxing. After a late start, had an early lunch at a Plaza. Glorious day to sit out and enjoy the sun.
Walked around the markets for a bit. Guinea pigs in various forms were on display- alive, dead, skinned, gutted, I could not get out of there quick enough . A few of the others had it for dinner- cuy.
In 1970 an earthquake followed by an avalanche wiped out the city, there are a few statues in remembrance. The place is so bustling now which goes to show people always recover and life goes on.
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Lazy day.
With nothing on the agenda most of it was spent relaxing. After a late start, had an early lunch at a Plaza. Glorious day to sit out and enjoy the sun.
Walked around the markets for a bit. Guinea pigs in various forms were on display- alive, dead, skinned, gutted, I could not get out of there quick enough . A few of the others had it for dinner- cuy.
In 1970 an earthquake followed by an avalanche wiped out the city, there are a few statues in remembrance. The place is so bustling now which goes to show people always recover and life goes on.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Peru- Huaraz
20-08-02011
Our guide found a shortcut so the drive time was cut down by a 5-6 hours, yay.
Prior to reaching Huaraz we summited at 4080m, the views were wonderful from there. The highest peaks in Peru were on display in all their glory.
After dinner we went to a club, which was filled with locals and had Spanish music going, which was great. Only problem was, that it seemed to be a below 18 only crowd, everybody was drinking and smoking but they seemed so young ( I am obviously showing my age). Even spotted some junior mafia, three of them in black suits with cigarettes in hand.
Looking forward to a sleep in tomorrow. Have nothing planned for the day except lazing around.
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Our guide found a shortcut so the drive time was cut down by a 5-6 hours, yay.
Prior to reaching Huaraz we summited at 4080m, the views were wonderful from there. The highest peaks in Peru were on display in all their glory.
After dinner we went to a club, which was filled with locals and had Spanish music going, which was great. Only problem was, that it seemed to be a below 18 only crowd, everybody was drinking and smoking but they seemed so young ( I am obviously showing my age). Even spotted some junior mafia, three of them in black suits with cigarettes in hand.
Looking forward to a sleep in tomorrow. Have nothing planned for the day except lazing around.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Peru- Huanchaco
19-08-2011
Spent the morning at the Chan Chan ruins. The area was occupied by the Chimu people, pre- Incas. Only one of the smaller complexes is open to the tourists and is quite impressive. A lot of replicas of the artwork has been made and placed in area to give the bigger picture. I enjoyed the next site more, the Temple of the moon as everything was as it had been. This was from an earlier set of people, the Moches. The decapitator was carved and painted on the walks all around. Every 100 years they covered it and built on top so on digging a lot of intact artwork has been discovered.
The rest of the day was spent in the gloomy beachside, no sun today. A lot of surfers around, must be so cold. Fishermen use reed boats that date to the 4th century . A lot of the day was wasted trying to sort out our Indian visas. The man at the other end wanted me to write bigger on a document and rescan it as his printer was printing it too small!
Sleep was horrible tonight due to blasting loud music from a club nearby which continued till 0430( we had to wake up at 0500). The weird thing was there were only 2-3 people there so it was not a very happening place.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Spent the morning at the Chan Chan ruins. The area was occupied by the Chimu people, pre- Incas. Only one of the smaller complexes is open to the tourists and is quite impressive. A lot of replicas of the artwork has been made and placed in area to give the bigger picture. I enjoyed the next site more, the Temple of the moon as everything was as it had been. This was from an earlier set of people, the Moches. The decapitator was carved and painted on the walks all around. Every 100 years they covered it and built on top so on digging a lot of intact artwork has been discovered.
The rest of the day was spent in the gloomy beachside, no sun today. A lot of surfers around, must be so cold. Fishermen use reed boats that date to the 4th century . A lot of the day was wasted trying to sort out our Indian visas. The man at the other end wanted me to write bigger on a document and rescan it as his printer was printing it too small!
Sleep was horrible tonight due to blasting loud music from a club nearby which continued till 0430( we had to wake up at 0500). The weird thing was there were only 2-3 people there so it was not a very happening place.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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