Peru - Cuzco

(Continuation of our 1982 trip to Peru and Bolivia)

On leaving Cochabamba in Bolivia, we first took a plane to La Paz, and then went back to Puno for another short stay, in which we had the time to do some shopping.

From Puno we took the train to Cuzco. A ride of 10 hours, through the high mountains of the Andes. At a given time, we reached a height of 4,319 meter! It was a very original trainride, because the train stopped at different small railway stations, and lots of people went on of off the train, some with their livestock in baskets or just plain under the arm! We didn't starve of hunger or thirst either - constantly we were offered goodies, for just some coins.

We had a hotel in Cuzco close to the city center. It was late afternoon when we arrived, so we just put the suitcases in the hotel room and the three of us (our friend Jan always went with us) we went on discovery of the city. It didn't take long before all three of us smelled chocolate - and yes, we did find that bakery where we drank hot chocolate and ate some sweets...

The following morning a guide met us and we went to the ruins around Cuzco. We visited Fort Sacsayhuaman, the religious center of Kenko and Puca Pucara, the red fort that was used to store grain in Inca times.

The next day we went to Machu Pichu. We had to get up very early, because first we had to take a train (5 hours). Then up the mountain (another hour). But it was really worth it! Our local guide had accompanied Prof. Bingham when he discovered the Inca city and was quite knowledgable. For those who have never seen Machu Pichu, well it's one of the most impressive sights in the world! I'm ever so glad I've seen this when there were not yet many tourists.

Bolivia - Villa Tunari and Cochabamba

(Continuation of our trip to Peru and Bolivia in 1982)

We took a flight from Sucre to Cochabamba. We didn't stay there, howver, as a guide (Sara) picked us up at the airport and together with our driver took us to Villa Tunari, deep in the Amazon jungle. We stayed there in a very primitive hostel. It was very hot in the jungle, moreover we didn't have any electricity and almost no water to shower.

Sarah had friends who wanted to show us the Amazon. They also stayed at 'hotel' Sumuqué and after breakfast (which was surprisingly good) they took us on their boat and we sailed on the Chapare River. On the way, the guys fished up some fish (a variety of the piranha). By noon, we just threw anchor and the men made a fire with some branches to barbecue the fish. We ate with some fresh bread they'd brought along - nice lunch! Then we went into the jungle, machete in hand, and got bitten over by various insects, despite the layers of repellant we'd put on. We also had to cross smaller rivers with the use of ropes, which made it quite adventurous. We returned to the hotel for one more night and then the following morning Sara and Rogelio (our driver) brought us back to Cochabamba.

The rest of that day was spent by making a city tour of Cochabamba, with a visit to the ruins of Tiwanaku.  At that time, there was a religious fest going on and the city was crowded by Bolivians. Sara and Rogelio were very nice people -  in fact, all the people we met on that trip were nice and friendly - and on our last day there we went all together for a traditional meal in a local restaurant.

From Cochabamba we returned to Peru (via La Paz) but that's for another time!

Bolivia - La Paz and Sucre

(Continuation of our 1982 trip to Peru and Bolivia)

From Puno in Peru we drove to Copacabana and there boarded the ship which was going to carry us to La Paz, the biggest city in Bolivia (and also the highest: 3600 m.) We drove around the town for a while (staring at the crazy traffic) and then went to our hotel. We dined there for a very cheap price.

The following day we left the busy town and our guide José took us to the Altiplano. We visited Tihuanacu, the city of the Aymara's (pre-Inca). We saw old totems and the Sun Gate. Later that day we also did a short tour of La Paz, where we saw among others the Witch Market, where one can spot all kinds of strange objects, like the foetus of lama's. We also drove through Moon Valley

The day after we took a flight to Sucre, which is actually the legal capital of the country. There, our guide Elisabeth welcomed us. She brought us to our hotel, which was a former hacienda. The whole town, by the way, is built in this style. Then we visited La Recoleta, a convent. From there you had a magnificent view over the town. Next we visited Chasa de Liberdad and San Felipe de Nery. It was very interesting and we liked Elisabeth a lot.

At the moment we visited La Paz and Sucre, there was a general strike going on and this meant some of the planned trips couldn't be made. We also had to eat in a private home because all restaurants were closed.

Something we could do, however, was drive to Potosi (4 hours over bad roads) to see the silver mines. We went inside the Casa Moneda to see how the Spanish robbed the gold and silver to spice the coffers of the Spanish king!

Peru - Arequipa and Puno

(Continuation of previous blogpost)

From Lima we flew to Arequipa, which is named the 'white town'. It is situated on 2000 meters of heigt and got its name from the lava stone (coming from the three volcanoes Misti, Pichupichu and Chachani which are all above 6000 m high). We were welcomed at the airport by our local guide Hilda who first brought us to our hotel (near the cozy Plaza de Armas) and afterwards took us on a guided tour of the town.

We saw the Santa Catalina convent - a town within a town, with streets and all - the cathedral and a Jezuiet convent. We lunched in a typical restaurant and tried a chicha, a drink made out of corn. In the afternoon we were supposed to have some free time, but Jan and we hired Hilda for another tour. We drove through the environs with a 4x4 jeep and gasped at the beauty of this region. The rocks showed many different colors and here and there we saw farmers on their fields. We made a stop at a place where only locals come to eat and tasted the biñelos, a sort of beignet with honey. It was so good we took a taxi back to the place at night and tried other specialities of the region.

The next morning we had to board a plane to Puno from Juliaca (the airport of Arequipa). We literally flew between the high peaks of the Andes! Due to a delay at the airport, it was rather late in the afternoon when we reached Puno and so we couldn't do the planned tour. Instead the three of us went to an Indo market, where we bought some local products.

The following day we did a boat trip on Lake Titicaca to visit the floating islands of the Uro indians (or better: from the Amaya, who are descendants from the Uro) and were invited to lunch there. In the afternoon we saw the Chullpas of Sillustani - old tombs of pre-Inca's - on the holy Umayo island. The old indian legend that entering the graveyard brings bad luck must carry some thruth after all, be because it was there my glasses broke!

Peru - Lima

A long time ago, in 1982, Chris and I traveled to Peru (and also to Bolivia). There already was some tourism at the time, but not mass tourism like today. At some places we were quite a sight to the locals! The source for these lines is my diary - I've been keeping one since I was 15 years young and it's a source of information by now.

We were with a small group of 6 persons: an elderly gay couple, a bachelor in his forties, a young guy from Antwerp and us. Needless to say we immediately bonded with Jan, the young guy! We shared many interests and could also laugh together. The air trip took us from Brussels to Paris (CDG) and then to Lima, with stops in Cayenne (French Guyana) and Manaus (Brazil). A long trip, but like always we slept well on the plane. That's something fortunate, as many people can't sleep on a plane. We always arrive well-rested.

The day after arrival we did a sightseeing tour of Lima. We first went to the Plaza de Armas, where we visited the cathedral. Then we saw a museum where the Inquisition had its tribunal. We could see some instruments of torture and also some underground prison cells. We passed by the Torre Tagle palace, one of the oldest colonial houses in Peru. Next we went to see the ceramic collection at the Larco Herrero museum. I especially liked the erotic ceramics! We luched at ‘Los Condes de San Isidoro’, an old hacienda. Full of original 16th century furniture, really impressive.

In the afternoon we went to the residential Miraflores parish, close to the Pacific, where we could spot some seals. We went in the month of August, which means it was summer for us, but winter in Peru. Even though, it still was 20° Celsius, which is not so bad to us. Later on followed a visit to the Oro de Peru museum where we could view pre-Inca relics. We drank something in our hotel and then with Jan went into town to have dinner. A pickpocket got hold of my golden earrings and since then I never wear expensive jewelry when traveling. Luckily grandma bought me new ones!

To be continued!