| 30
December 2000 |
| Arrived back in
Cusco, feeling cold, wet and angry after the bus operators stopped
the bus in the middle of nowhere demanding twice the originally
quoted fare. Holding passengers to ransom, the operators did not
bank on so many tourists being able to speak Spanish. Everyone
rallied in protest. Half an hour later the bus was on the move
again, with the passengers victorious.
|
| 27
December 2000 |
Began the four
day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu.
|
| 25
December 2000 - Xmas Day!!! |
Witnessed the
colourful Christmas mass in the plaza.
|
| 24
December 2000 |
| Charlie, the owner
of Rosie O'Gradys Irish Pub allowed us to park the Land Rover in
his garage. Whilst passing under the electrical fence, the top of
the car caught the wire, bringing down an entire supporting
pillar. Oops. Charlie still invited us round for Christmas lunch!
All day the central plaza was crowded with market goers as people
from the surrounding mountain villages came to sell their goods.
The poor were queuing up to receive free bread and a hot drink
from various establishments. The evening culminated with children
joyfully throwing fireworks into the crowds.
|
| 22
December 2000 |
| 8 hour drive to
Cusco. The fog and rain made this a particulary challenging
journey.
|
| 21
December 2000 |
| Another long drive
to Andahuaylas (8 hours). Nearly hit a horse.
|
| 19
December 2000 |
| The drive to
Ayachucho (5 hours) took us to an altitude of 16,100 feet whilst
navigating the highest continuous road in the world. Stunning
scenery and incredibly peaceful - we had only llamas for company.
In Ayachucho we visited the traditional tapestry factories. A ride
in a moto-taxi (a motorbike converted into a two seated taxi,
rather like a motorised rickshaw) ended with our driver being
stopped by police because he was drunk.
|
| 18
December 2000 |
| Interesting drive
to Huancavelica (5 hour drive). Claimed dog number two and almost
rolled the truck 5 minutes later whilst swerving to avoid another
one.
|
| 17
December 2000 |
| Arrived in
Huancayo (6 hour drive), the first of a four-leg journey through
the heart of the Andes to Cusco.
|
| 14
December 2000 |
| 12 hour drive to
Lima, experiencing the contrasting scenery, from the snow capped
mountains to the barren desert.
|
| 13
December 2000 |
| Having passed
through Huaraz we drove into the heart of the Cordillera Blanca to
visit the ruins of Chavin. The guard allowed us to camp at the
ruins.
|
| 11
December 2000 |
| Spectacular drive
through the Canon del Pato to Caraz, suited in the Cordillera
Blanca mountain range. The snow capped mountains looked
breathtaking against the rich blue sky.
|
| 08
December 2000 |
| More desert
driving before reaching the coastal resort of Huanchaco, 20
minutes west of Trujillo. Visited the pre-Inca ruins of Chan Chan
in the desert.
|
| 07
December 2000 |
| Drove through the
Sechura Desert to Chiclayo.
|
| 05
December 2000 |
Peru (map)
Left Loja and made
the long journey to Piura, in the lowlands of Peru. The border
crossing was one of the easiest and quickest yet. We gave a lift
to the customs officer, which helped with the military check
points on the road.
|
| 03
December 2000 |
| After a fleeting
visit to Vilcabamba we prepared to move on towards Peru from Loja.
|
