for those too lazy to click on photo link

right will show a few to tease ye into going in and checking out the photos link on the RHS

NUMBER ONE

Left to Right:Ben, Moya, ME, Naomi, Suzie (missing is photgrapher Louisa!)

NUMBER TWO

Prety impressive eh. Honest you could sit and look at it all day

NUMBER THREE

Left to Right: Georgie the Pilot, Naomi, Moya, Louisa, ME, Suzie

Touchdown Lake Titicaca ........

Well we finally made it out of Cusco

Jumped on a bus at 9am this morning and landed here in Puno on the shore of Lago Titicaca (which is apparently the world's highest lake navigable to large vessels, and the second largest lake of South America (after Maracaibo) - for all the Pub Quiz students!)

Bus trip was a bit of a struggle to be honest. We said wed go rock bottom and see how we survived. So ended up paying S15 for the 6 hour "direct" journey. We knew booking it that the company weren't the most professional, but that's half the fun, somethings to point out:

- the "direct" service stopped 3 times before we left Cusco alone. Lost count of total

- toilet door was locked
- the 6 hour journey ended up taking about 7.5!
- loads of people standing in the isle
- video (Around World in 80 Days)kept stopn every few mins(when we hit a bump!)

But bottom line is we got here safe and with our bags, what more do you want! Nice to have done a daytime journey as the scenery was amazing (thru massive valleys etc) and seeing all the streetside action when we pass through "middle of nowhere towns" never ceases to amaze me.

As per the start of the blog the main reason were here is "the Lake". Away off on a 2 day tour tomorrow ( 11Euros for 2 days including tour, bed, food and a guide - beat that) Highlights should include:

- visit some floating islands, made completely out of reeds

- then onto Isla Armanti, where we stay with a local family

- they dress us up in the traditional dress and we all go out dancing

- finally another boat Isla Tranquile on Tues

That's the plan, but as we have experienced so often here, what u think ur getting at what u actually get are often miles apart, stay tuned to see what happens..........

jetset life of a backpacker in Peru

Stepped out of "backpacker world" yesterday - for one day only.........

As most of ye know I had a run in with someone who took a fancy to my bag last week (cant blog about it coz the 3 times I tried the computer crashed................)

One of the most important things taken was my Passport, so yesterday it was another early start - speaking of which this week has been crazy as have been up b4 6:30 three times, some holiday this is eh. I flew from Cusco to the capital Lima (7:30am flight) to visit the Irish Consulate and see what they could do for me. Some of the options we thought I had was:

- never leave this place and live here forever..........

- get a temp Passport that would allow me only to fly back to Ireland direct

- have to go to Argentina (actual nearest "full" Irish Embassy), which would cost a fortune

All went well and none of the above will now happen! I have got a Temp Passport which will cover me for the next few weeks going into Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and back to Peru. Also the wheels are in motion to get a new Full Passport over from Dublin with my form whistling across the Atlantic as of last night. This should be back to the Consulate in Lima before I fly home via the states. The pains of the OTT US Immigration policy means that unless I have a "machine readable passport" I aint getting into their country! Hence the extra effort/cost of getting a Full Passport!

They were quiet helpful in the Consulate, (basically part of the guys house). Not the easiest of places to find though, as took the taxi driver hour and a 1/4 to find it- didn't bother me though as no meters here - just a fixed price so I got good value for my S15 (ie E4!).

Once I was there it was a case of filling out forms and handing over copies of drivers license, police reports etc. Took a trip down the road for Passport Photos and realised afterwards that for the next 10 years I will be looking at this photo which was taken:

- by a dodgy photographer, in Lima, Peru

- while sitting in his studio with the sweat dripping off me (no damn air con!)

- after I had jetted up from Cusco on a 7:30am flight

- survived 3 "fun" Peru taxi rides

- had 2 hours sleep after a Rum and Coke night

All done with the Consulate it was time to head back to the Airport for my 2:10pm flight back to Cusco (give you an idea of roads here, it takes 23 hours in a bus -yes each way, while only 1 hour flight)

The final detail to sort out was with Peru Immigration, apparently they can get confused when you enter on one document and try and leave on another. So to try and make it easy on them I went along to their office in Cusco to get a new "Tourist Card", but the lazy geeser said it was too late on a Friday afternoon so to come back Monday (would only take 3 mins to get a stamp/card sorted). I pointed out that we are moving on over the weekend. So he said that I "should be alright" at the border, here's hoping.............

That's about all on yesterday, heading around Cusco to see the last of the sites around here and also sort busses out of here, where will we end up tomorrow, who knows.........................

Links update

Greetings all

Just to let ye know that there are new photos up as robbed from both Suzie and Naomi!

Also 2 new links that maybe of interest
- details of what some people think are the current "Seven Wonders of the World"
- link to the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Handy to check out what world famous sites are near you!

Clink on the links on the RHS of the page

Enjoy and send comments by email........

Sacred Valley of the Incas - tour Day 1

So another one of the "been there, done that" ticked off the list! Here we go with the trip

Day 1 Sacred Valley of the Incas (Transport Bus and Train)

Off we trouped from the hostel to meet our bus. Plenty of time to spare we jumped on and got sorted by Maria our Travel Agent! Bus took off a few mins later and we were on the road, or so we thought...... Bus actually stopped 30 secs later across the other side of the Plaza de Armas and picked up a few more. Breaking our hearts the bus continued to do 4 loops of the Plaza over the space of 45 mins

Finally we hit the road, up and over the hills of Cuzco and out into the country. This was a fully guided tour, both in Spanish and English, very informative guide talking and pointing out things along the way, after a while we were able to switch off his talking in Spanish until he utterered those words "Again now my friends allow me your attention......." which ment he was about to translate what he had just said into English!!

Overall it is a fab valley for scenery, real tourist trail though as you can see convoys of busses all along the route! We were a little unlucky with the weather though as there was plenty of showers of rain and it was rather overcast. Yes we have arrived in a place similar to home weatherwise!

First stop was one of those crazy tourist market places where u know ur going to be fleeced if you buy anything. Every 2 or 3 stalls were selling the same things (Alpaca gloves/hats/scarves etc or Inca ornaments/gadgets) and my were they pushy "sir u like gloves...." etc!. Did the courteous thing and looked and a few items, tried a bit of haggling and got out of buying things by pretending not to be happy with the price. (Must confess was handy to practice the Spanish!!!)

Next up was our first Inca Ruins just outside the town of Pisac. On with the jackets and a 40min hike (up steps!) later we saw the ruins, these seemed to be based on a Religious Center , with a number of temples to sun etc. Notable was the knowledge of Astronomy as some of the buildings lined up with star constellations (eg Orion and Southern Star) center. Also was the reliance of Solstice/Equinox dates, the Incas planned their farming year around these, with sun shining on certain areas only on 1 day of the year!

After a lunch stop and another bit in the bus were arrived at Ollantaytambo, parked up the bus and got swarmed by the locals again, selling the usual array of water, Inca Kola, ponchos for 2 or 3 times the price in a shop!

More ruins here, somewhat more impressive than Pisac. The hike here started up through terraces that seem to be in almost all Inca ruins (were used for growing crops etc). Indeed many of these terraces (in less famous ruins) continue to be used by present day farmers! Great views from the top again and the guide showed us around the different building with the highlight being the Sun Temple including the major wall that according to most historians is part of the High Altar. It consists of six enormous stone blocks with an average weight is about 90 tons and have as vertical joints some other smaller stones. Even more impressive was when the guide pointed out the quarry across the river, we were even able to make out part of the ramp setup they had used to move these huge stones quite some distance.

Back down on ground level we were brought through the "Ceremonial Fountain" area. Amazingly the water was still flowing through a number of these, amazing that is when u think of all the places around the world that still do not have running water!

The tour ended here, so we had a few hours to kill before getting the train to Aguas Calientes, some of us trouped back into the ruins and rambled around a few of the quieter areas. Real relaxing there just sitting down doing nothing.

Back to the town for a bit of grub and onto the 8pm train, not the worst train i was ever on mind you. We were met at the station by our guide and brought to our little hostel (up a serious hill!). Then it was early to bed before Day 2 kicked off.............

sickneww and altitude

first dose of sickness

- effects of altitude

Giving up on Peru computers

yes there aint been much blogging in the last week has there, well the reason for that is bad luck and shite computers!

Have tried at least 3 different days to tell all but just as I'm ready "to publish" (getting into the lingo aint I). So reckon its bad luck the things I was going to tell all about. So the following will not now be elaborated on until I get to a very good computer:
- the bad people
- midnight sand dune hike
- sandboarding down dunes
- Nazca Lines

Now that's done gotta go jump on a train. Have been on a tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas today and getting a train now up further to place called Aguas Calientes (too little time to check the spelling!).

Then its up and 5 in the morning to see Machu Picchu. Although there is some doubt over how we get up in the morning as there is a Transport Strike planned. Worst case is we walk the 2 hours up! Strange as it seems we are all hoping for this strike as it means only people that are in Aguas Calientes tonight can get up to MP tomorrow (ie none of the 1000s of day trippers from Cuzco) , so should cut down on numbers there..............

Stay tuned to see how it goes, also might tell a bit about:
- first dose of sickness
- effects of altitude

Catch up time from last week

trying again today. Had at least 30 mins of a blog typed yesterday but the damn computer died before I got the chance to publish/save. Then was rushing for a bus so could start again. The joys of dodgy electricity etc.........

So here goes, lots to blog about seeing as it been a few days since my last "confessions"! Will go along the lines of

- where we have been

- where we are now

Then will follow up tomorrow with news of some of the more exciting things of the past week

- the bad people

- midnight sand dune hike

- sandboarding down dunes

- Nazca Lines

Where we have been

As per the last blog we were in a cool place called Huanchaco....... really enjoyed it there. Really relaxed life consisting of going to the beach (2 mins walk) and eating!

Oh visited cool ruins called Chan Chan which is a UNESCO World site (The Chimu Kingdom, with Chan Chan as its capital, reached its apogee in the 15th century, not long before falling to the Incas. The planning of this huge city, the largest in pre-Columbian America, reflects a strict political and social strategy, marked by the city's division into nine 'citadels' or 'palaces' forming autonomous units). Wont bore ye with more details, but it was very impressive and scarily hot with no shelter/shade!!!

After Huanchaco it was back on the bus heading South! No real destination, but the aim was to get to Lima and see where the next bus was going!. So another overnight journey was had. Again with Cruz del Sur, but this time we dropped a level of comfort in an effort to save a few pennies. Still, no complaints (ie still miles better than Bus Eireann, Greyhound etc!)

In Lima we changed to another bus station and headed for Ica. Not being a town of much interest we headed to the "backpacker Hangout" a little village called Huacachinca. This place is famous as being an "Oasis" almost fully inclosed by Sand Dunes. The place is built around a cool lagoon and looks quite strange and out of place

Still it works and we found a cool Hostel with very friendly folk and a swimming pool for only S10/night! Highlight of the few days here was hitting the sand dunes (see details tomorrow)

Again it was time to move on and headed for Nazca, famous for the strange Nazca lines (again more details tomorrow) briefly; took a flight to see them properly and got on the next bus outa there- not a lot else going for that town to put it nicely!

Which brings me to our latest bus journey last night, Nazca to Cuzco (8pm to 1030am S85 with Cial, incl dinner and breakie!) this leads us nicely to.........

Where I am now

Just after touching down in Cuzco and getting ready for what was to be the highlight of my trip ie Matchu Picchu. This was the only place on the whole trip that I was def going to see- everything else was to be a bonus! So hope wont be let down

Cuzco is a serious high city (3500m), to put it into perspective Ireland tallest mountain is Carrantuohill which is 1050m high. Not sure how will react to altitude, the recommendations are on arrival not to do much and to do what u have to do slowly (something Ive got used to over the past few months!) All ok so far, but you never know!

well thats it, promise a lot more tomorrow........

PS Great win for Liverpool today, hope ye Utd boys are quiet now, ha, ha

Peru updates

As per last promise here goes updates on Peru

Haircut Peru style
Yes the time finally came for the hair to be trimmed. Worked that out as noticed that I was needing shampoo and also had to use a towel to dry my hair (rather than just shake it after a shower!). Bit the bullet and went into a place in Chicalyo during the week. Unfortunately the old geezer there hadn't a word of English and I haven't got to the "haircutting" chapter of my Spanish lessons! Regardless all went well, got a bit chopped off (relax mum its not as short as normal DIY ones!). Some interesting oddities though were
- lack of electric equip. He seemed to have a mech type blade that trimmed the hair
- cut throat blade for the back and around the ears (and shakey arm, so little nervous!)

All done and dusted, he splashed on the gel and I handed him 5 "soles" ie $1.50 ($0.50 of which was a tip). Anyone pay that price for a hair cut recently???????????'

Another run/rum and coke night during the week
Yip have had another one of those nights. Great fun again, with the lineup around the table including an Aussie, American, Norwegian, German, English (x2) and of course Irish (x2 - us!)

Great fun and involved a few card "drinking games" and plenty of "tunes", had our speakers on the tables and was switching between 4 different MP3 players. Needless to say the expected effect was achieved by all (ie baloooooooooooooobas). Up next morning and the feedback was that heads weren't as bad as expected, although the usual "never f$%&n again" was mentioned by a few. All of us still here did console ourselves coz at least we weren't like the 2 English who had to spend 9 hours on a bus to Lima.......

The town were in now Huanchaco
Really am getting to like this place were in. Have spent 4 nights here now and being honest if had more time, could easily pass a few weeks here! The hostel is really cool (see below) and the beach is only 2 mins walk, although must confess that there are a lot of rocks once u go out a few feet and the water isn't roasting- damn warmer than home mind you, but it aint no Florida water!

Were glad with that water temp though, because it gets really hot here (Im talking burning your feet on the sand as u walk to the water..........)

Another good thing about the place is how cheap it is I´m talking:
- hostel bed 15 soles ($5)
- breakie 4.50 soles ($1.50) including juice, scrambled egg, toast and tea
- lunch 2.50 soles ($0.70) roast chicken sandwich
- dinner 10 soles ($3) steak, chips and salad (special treat today!)
- beer 3 soles ($1) for alitere
- internet 1 sole ($0.30) for an hour


The hostel (CasaSuisa)
Cool little place and good enough value (as per above). Have a nice spacioustriplee room, and beds are verycomfortablee. Also has hot showers,whichcisn'tt something we always get on this trip! Best part though is the rooftop terrace where everything happens, relaxing, reading, the old reliableconversationss (ie along the lines of "where you´re from/ where did u come here from/where to next/how long mortravelingng have u") and the drinking games etc. But the best way to pass time is waterballooning the passers by........

Greatraditionmn here of throwing water, guess its understandable in this weather! Needles to say everyone has returned to there youth and the balloons as flying from the roof all day long. Top of the list are the busses - great skill needed to get them in the windows, everything is fair game it seems as the guhowwo works here lobbed one at a passing cop yesterday!

Thats enough rambling for one day, not a bad life here eh..............

beachtime Peru

just a quick note today as rushing around!

Touched down after another bus trip, this time going back down south. Settled in a cool hostel in a small beachside village called Huanchaco, (the nearest big city is Trujillo for all u map spotters)

Loads to update next time i get online including
- haircut Peru style
- another run/rum and coke night during the week
- Chiga ruins
- beachtime
- waterbalooning the locals
- trying out the oldest sufrfing tradition in the world

But will finish by telling ye the luck of landing in this village at this time! Apparently this is Carnival weekend, including a massive once a year party. Tickets are bought and a real "united nation's delegation" is heading out from the Hostel. We don't really know what to expect, but the locals are all excited and talks of up to 3000 people attending

Who know what it will be like...........

The traveling around Peru begins

well we have survived our first tip outside of the capital city

And never ones to do things by halves, by trip I mean TRIP. Yip an 11hr overnight bus trip up the north coast to city called Chiclayo - apparently the fastest growing city in Peru (one for the table quizzes at home me thinks!) By the way check out 1 Feb blog for map if interested!

Well incase any of ye were feeling sorry for us I must confess it was the most comfortable bus I was ever on in the world (www.cruzdelsur.com.pe) Were talking
- seats with plenty of legroom
- seats that recline further than the dentists, not exactly beds but damn close
- "trolley dolly" service
- full dinner
- music, movie (The machinist)

Had a good sleep on board, so ready for sightseeing as soon as we got here. Well checked into a hotel first, then with sunscreen on off we went. First on the list was the famous Royal Tombs of Sipan, wont bore ye with History but they are about 1700 yrs old and from Moche culture (change to hear about something other than the Incas!)

Strange story about their discovery (which was only back in 1987) was that they were only discovered by "officials" after grave robbers were reported in the area. Apparently it was big worldwide news back then, dont remember it myself but im only a "little un"!! These boyos were about to clean out the place- selling them for millions on "black market".

After the cops stopped this, killing one boyo in the process, the archaeologists got in and years later they have uncovered about 11 burial tombs with lots more to be done. The array of materials they found is incredible (as we saw in the afternoon when we went to the The Royal Tombs of Sipan Museum about 50 kms away and only opened in 2002)

Over all the site still looks like a quarry/sand dune! Our tour was very interesting and concentrated mostly on the tombs, but we also went on top of one of the other Pyramids for a view of the area. Not the easiest of climbs in sandal's and roasting heat I tell you. We learned loads about all these burials, the valuables that went in, the people that were sacrificed to "go" and assist the dead person on their journey- interesting aside was the "guards" legs were cut off, to ensure he would not run away - the fact he was dead and buried under rock and stone should have been enough i would have thought............

well thats enough of history, time to be filling the belly

Believe it or not we have photos

I know ye have all been waiting to see some photos, well the news is that the good computers here in the Hilton are allowing me put up some photos

Exhibit A (2 day Volcano Hike in Guatemala in Dec and yes that is a big bag on my back, with a tent and 2 days of food and water!) Next stop Everest.........

All the rest are available by clicking on the "photos" link on the right of the website

By the way........must point out that these are just a few from certain films that I happen to a have copy of the CDs. All the rest are gone home/on the way home. Not sure if I can get anymore up, but it a start........

blog technical update!

to all concerned

just to let ye know that i have updated the links section (to the right of the page as your reading this!), as makes it easier for me to check on things!

Feel free to check em out, dont worry no one will be tracking ya!

Peru, another country to the list but in style

just had to point out that we touched down today in Lima, Peru and got a taxi to the Hotel

And by hotel, I mean HOTEL as in The Hilton Hotel, Lima. Yes folks we have hit the big time, thanks to all the "points" my sister collected while traveling with her job we have 2 free night of Luxury

picture the scene, 2 nights ago we paid $6.60 each per night, now were in $150/ night hotel with all the luxury's, pool, gym, exercise classes, internet, breakfast and its all free. Oh and guess what, there a beach only 5 blocks away with serious waves. As a famous Aussie says "I´M EXCITED" - can anyone name him, special prize???????

Peru, well here it is:

stay tuned over the next few weeks to see where we end up...

Well time to go and see, how the people with money survive, hope we dont stick out too much......