Machu Picchu and all that came before

In short, we spent some quality time in Araquiepa as there was a transport strike, nice little place. The main problem was that the hostel we were at ran a tab system so after 4 or so heavy nights, it was a little more pricey than planned. Nice place to chill out on the hammocks for a few days though.

Before this we were in Puno, a short stay was susfficient as this place was a little bit of a hole. Nothing particulary bad about it but it was a little cold and boring. Spent a day out on the lake checking out the floating islands, they were pretty amazing. The people that live there have to build a new island every few decades as it gets all rotten and stinky. Extremely touristy, too much so. Also, Peru seems better equipped for tourists than Bolivia. Probably because theres so many middle aged Gringoes here.

Before that we were in Copacabana, Bolivia. A quaint place, with good trout as its right on the lake. We did the day trip over to Isla del Sol (island of the Sun) and trudged our way from the north to the south. Pretty cool views of Lake Titicaca, but again, a day trip was enough.

Finally we ended up in Cusco on the 21st of June, a very cool little city. Heaps of night life and all the fun revolves mainly arounfd the main square so its easy to navigate too. Played rather hard for just under a week and then it was off on the trek. Five days, four nights up to Salkantay Mountain (camped in the freezing cold at 4200m alt in ¨SLAKANTAY PAMPA¨). It was damn hard going for the first couple of days, 10hours walking one day, 7 or so the on before. 51kms i think but the distance wasn´t the problem, it was the altitude and the mountains. Amazing trail, from snow to jungle, hot springs, and finally to Machu Picchu.

To add to the aquired diseases: I got mauled but some Peruvian jungle bug and had festering blisters seeping down my legs for a day or two. They then became raw leisions of which I still have. Also I managed to lose all definition between the foot and the calf due to some serious swelling (check the face book photos to see photos of the famous elephantitis of the ankle region, aka kankles).

Leaving Cusco (12hr bus) this afternoon to fly over the Nazcar lines tomorrow and chill by the beach somewhere along the coast until I fly out of lima on friday night. NYC. BRING ON COMFORTS OF HOME (ie. toilets and clean sheets!!).

Photos at

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=12658&l=a6879&id=741335836

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=12669&l=e75e6&id=741335836

xox.