Peru: Puno and Lake Titicaca

We had an early start and then got picked up by these little mototaxis. It was hilarious.





There were ahout 6 different taxis following each other down the streets.





Keith and Lynne when we arrived to meet the boat.





Martin and I on Lake Titicaca.





Island Tequile. The traditionally dressed girls were selling bracelets and they wouldn't leave you alone. I think we all bought about 4 each.





A traditionally dressed man.

Lake Titicaca. The largest lake at a high altitude in the world. It is quite mind-boggling compared to the lakes at home.

We had a homestay on one of the islands on Lake Titicaca. The people live their still in very traditional ways. They knit everything and have no electricity etc. They use tourism now as a form of income.

They gave us a massive meal of rice and veg and some 'explosive tea' - with a lemon grass like herb and coca leaves. It was interesting at mealtime as we don't speak any Spanish, let alone their own Quechua (their own language). They had a child who was so cute - he entertained everyone. We tried to eat as much as possible so as not to appear rude. The mother then came to put me in the traditional outfit. It was so tight around the waist - it was a killer. They wear about 4 skirts - so they all look big even if they're not!

The Grandad got me up 1st to dance. They go so quickly and each dance lasts 10 minutes. The Mum and Grandad made me get up 8 times and that is very difficult when you are at altitude too. Martin played football and nearly passed out afterwards.

All the ladies from our group. I look particuarly fetching I think!!

The men! Martin - put your hat back on!!

All of us and our 'Mums' at the front.

The lake at dawn when we walked down to get our boat.

Martin and our 'Mum.' I think we had the coolest 'Mum' as everyone wanted to dance with her and spoke to her.

The Uros Islands. The Indigenous people made these islands from the reeds and their roots which enabled the islands to float. They also made their transport and homes from the reeds. I treid the root as they eat it like a fruit. It was a bit like lettuce! There are now only a few people that live on the islands and they use tourism as their main income.

One of the houses.

A night out with the tour guides in Puno....

I decided it would be a good idea to copy the faces in the background! I think I win!

The tour guides were pretty mental when they got together! Lots of dirty dancing!

Barbara (our new guide) was not happy with Martin when he told her he'd give her a bad report! She made him beg - ha ha!




An education on the Peruvian animals......

A Llama. longer snout and bigger ears.

The most common type of Alpaca.

My favourite type of Alpaca - so cute!

Peru: Inca Trail - Day 1

We got up on day 1 at 7am. We started walking at 8am.



'Team Inca' ready to go!

















Urubamba river. We went whitewater rafting on a different part of it which was cool! Except when there wasn't any rapids - it was very difficult for me and Martin to paddle! Phew!





He told us the 1st day would be flat - but later he changed it to 'Inca flat!'








The 2nd stop on the Inca Trail. At this point is was all pretty easy - I don't yet look like a beetroot!






The first Inca ruins on the trail.








There were lots of different animals on route.

Martin looking pleased that he was doing such an amazing thing!

Some scenery!

1... 2... 3.... 4.... We led the way the 1st day. We don't like going anywhere slowly! We've found that there are no romantic strolls through forests etc - they all turn into quick paced marching contests! Oh well - keeps us fit.

The last part of the 1st day was a little strenuous, but we arrived at the campsite at about 2pm and settled down for the day/night. We couldn't believe the meals that the porters and chef provided - 3 courses and gourmet. They also gave tent service for you to wash your hands. We felt quite bad being so waited on.

Peru: Inca Trail - Day 2

The porters house and our food tent.







Our houses. The porters had the tents up before you arrived. They ran most of the way in worn little sandals with 25 kilos on their backs. They used to carry 75!! That was until a new rule came in to protect them a little.




There were all these porters and a chef just for 4 of us and 1 guide. Ridiculous. They are no longer allowed to use donkeys on the Inca Trail though and so they carry 7kilos of our stuff too. All this said they were all charming and always having a laugh.





The porters in action! Even the chef carried loads of equipment too.










The first difficult section of the 2nd day - it was 4 hours of up hill! Just thousands of steps - some you had to climb too as they were so high.










The 1st break of the 2nd day - we were doing really well with time, but I was struggling to breathe as all of it was at above 3,500m.




You can see the path we climbed on the right hand side.




Yeay 'Team Inca' made it to the top of the highest peak. I think it was 4,200m. I wanted to cry when I got to the top because of the altitude. On this occasion the altitude didn't affect anyone else in our group. So wierd after I had no symptoms whatsoever previously.




Part of the lovely path.





The porters had already set up for lunch, despite us making really good time. It was at this point where we decided to carry on (people usually stop at this site for the night) as we had made such good time.

Our guide again told us that it was fairly easy!! Ha ha!

I think was a Temple of the Sun.

An awful photo - but it shows how hard I found the altitude on the second day. Anything above 3000m and I just couldn't get my breath. I had to go really slowly - which most of you will know I find very hard!! No-one else was bothered in our group. I made some friends that had the same problem on the 1st peak though.

The lagoon half way up the second peak and Sarah and her motor sticks.

We made it up the second higest peak. As you can see - still full of energy.

The very top of the second peak. I almost look like the offerings that the Porters have left for Mother Earth (in the photo to the right).

The last down hill of Day 2. I think it was about 3 hours down altogether! That's almost worse than uphill.

Finally we finished the very long day 2 at 6pm. I hate not showering - so for the hundredth time I jumped in the cold shower. Victor couldn't believe that I actually did it because the temperature was so cold outside.

Peru: Inca Trail - Day 3

On Day 3 we set off at 6.30am and guess what... walked up another few hills!



A nice view at dawn of the Amazon Cloud Forest.







Some more amazing Inca Terraces. It's Victor (our guide) in the picture.









Some of the walk today was through the Amazon basin. It was beautiful. Lots of butterflies around you at all the time. There were also lots of other wierd and wonderful insects, but I tried to ignore them.











It's unbelievably dense - difficult to imagine until you get there. It was so humid and cool too so that was a nice relief after sweating profusely for the 2 days before.







It's a shame because the locals are burning the forest and it gets out of control and fills the sky with smoke on most days. We thought it was cloud at first.

Some of the steps were so steep to get down. It took us 1 hour up and 2 down! The porters still ran of course.

Inca terraces at another site. Oops I can't remember the name of it.

This was an amazing Inca site. We chose not to go down the steps to see it closer however.

One of the windows at Waynawana. Most of the doors and windows are built in this shape.

More steps! Arghhhh! We thought we'd made it to the Sun Gate when we got to the top of here - but oh no - it was another 30 minutes of uphill!

The sacred orchid of the Incas. I can't remember the full details - sorry!

The 'DOWNHILL' path to the final destination!

Team Inca made it to the Sun Gate at last!!

Our first shot of the magnificent Macchu Picchu - unfortunately the cloud made it very poor visibility for the camara. We could see it much more clearly.

We made it!!! That was an amazing feeling. Finally we arrived at Macchu Picchu! A day early too! It looks slightly like a face if you put it on its side - the nose is the high peak and the chin the other peak. The tall peak is Waynapicchu.

Black and white view.