Hope you all have a wonderful Christmas
Will update again soon
miss you all
lots of love
Carol
x
Friday 24 December 2010
The Inca Trail - my highlight so far
We started the infamous Inca trail on Sunday and hiked for 4 days from km82 (this is the 82km point from Cusco towards Macchu Picchu) to Macchu Picchu. Its a 47km hike over 4 days going from 2600m above sea level to the highest point at 4200m. Cusco was the centre of the Incan world from where the kings lived and ruled the Incan empire. there are various important towns around Cusco which had important roles - military (protection) or spiritual (religious) or for food storage and rest when the Incas travelled between the areas. Macchu Picchu was a very important town in the Incan world, built high on the Macchu Picchu mountain, where they believe 700 incas lived and possibly 300 more could stay when visiting the area.
Day 1 hike is 12km and is the easiest day, being mostly flat with 2 steep walks but nothing bad at all. Day 2 is the hardest day where we start the incline from 3000m to 4200m. We all did really well and fnished the day´s hike in 6 hours. At that height and in the mountains the weather can change so quickly. Unfortunately that night the rains started and day 3 was spent hiking in torrential rain and we missed all the views of the valley which are supposed to be spectacular. Spirits were still high despite the rain and we woke again in day 4 to pouring rain. So our hike to the Sun Gate to see the spectacular Macchu Picchu was a view of the clouds. Luckily after the hike further down we got to see the views - breathtaking and the photos dont do it justice. After hiking for 4 days its a great sense of accomplishment too and this was definitely the highlight of my trip and i recommend it to everyone.
Day 1 hike is 12km and is the easiest day, being mostly flat with 2 steep walks but nothing bad at all. Day 2 is the hardest day where we start the incline from 3000m to 4200m. We all did really well and fnished the day´s hike in 6 hours. At that height and in the mountains the weather can change so quickly. Unfortunately that night the rains started and day 3 was spent hiking in torrential rain and we missed all the views of the valley which are supposed to be spectacular. Spirits were still high despite the rain and we woke again in day 4 to pouring rain. So our hike to the Sun Gate to see the spectacular Macchu Picchu was a view of the clouds. Luckily after the hike further down we got to see the views - breathtaking and the photos dont do it justice. After hiking for 4 days its a great sense of accomplishment too and this was definitely the highlight of my trip and i recommend it to everyone.
Arequipa
Arequipa is the second largest city in Peru after Lima and is home to a few active volcanos. This town was the start of our altitude places, preparing us for the Inca Trail in a few days time. The 2 highlights of the town are the "Juanita" mummy and the Sainta Catalina convent. The mummy was found in the 90´s and is believed to be more than 500 years old. Due to one of the volcanos erupting, the ice on the nearby mountain defrosted and the mummy was exposed for an archaeologist to find her (this was above 6000m in height). We saw her in the museum, unbelievable as she still had skin and hair (and all her organs are in tact) due to the mummification process and being protected in the ice for so long. Truly amazing. No photos of her unfortunately though to protect it.
View of the volcano from the restaurant roof terrace.
The next day we left for a 1 night stop in the Colca Canyon - the highest canyon in the world. This was the start of where we saw the inca angricultural terraces - they were incredibly bright people and its unbelievable the structures and buildings they built, especially at the high altitude.
On the way to the canyon we stopped to see the local llamas, alpacas and vicunas (all part of the llama family but more rare). It was freezing and I had to buy a beanie to keep me warm. I was just supporting the local community :)
We stopped at the highest point - 4910m above sea level! The highest i have ever been. Luckily no altitude sickness but we werent doing any exercise or over exerting ourselves at all.
The local communities are very friendly and they often have lambs or baby llamas with them. I know its a tourist trap but we still found the babies very cute and landed up buying something from them or giving them money anyway!
The typical Inca agricultural terraces alongside the start of the canyon which runs for 129km
Another view of the canyon - we saw an Andean Condor flying around here. There are only 55 in Peru along this canyon, and probably 200 in South America in total. They are massive birds (3.5m wing span) and soar above the canyon in the thermals looking for food in the canyon. They look like a mix of a vulture and an eagle.
The next day we left for a 1 night stop in the Colca Canyon - the highest canyon in the world. This was the start of where we saw the inca angricultural terraces - they were incredibly bright people and its unbelievable the structures and buildings they built, especially at the high altitude.
On the way to the canyon we stopped to see the local llamas, alpacas and vicunas (all part of the llama family but more rare). It was freezing and I had to buy a beanie to keep me warm. I was just supporting the local community :)
The local communities are very friendly and they often have lambs or baby llamas with them. I know its a tourist trap but we still found the babies very cute and landed up buying something from them or giving them money anyway!
Another view of the canyon - we saw an Andean Condor flying around here. There are only 55 in Peru along this canyon, and probably 200 in South America in total. They are massive birds (3.5m wing span) and soar above the canyon in the thermals looking for food in the canyon. They look like a mix of a vulture and an eagle.
Nazca
Our next stop was Nazca, home of the mysterious Nazca lines. These are only visible from the air and to this day the archaeologists still dont know exactly how these were done, especially with not being able to see the finished work. There are many theories as to why and how these were made, some even going as far as the work of aliens. However the general thought seems to be for aquaducts and water irrigation through this desert area, but its still unknown why they did these particular shapes. They extend from a tree, hands, monkey, hummingbird, phoenix, person/astronaut, dog and a few more.
So we decided to brave the 6 seater plane (many people were sceptical of the flight considering there have been 4 crashes in the last year but we thought luck was on our side and we took the chance) and experience the sight of these lines from the air. It was an excellent experience, although the half an hour flight ended just in time before the motion sickness of the small plane turning sideways for views from both sides of the plane kicked in! James came off his plane looking very pale but we all loved it.
The person (or astronaut)
The hummingbird - my favourite!
So we decided to brave the 6 seater plane (many people were sceptical of the flight considering there have been 4 crashes in the last year but we thought luck was on our side and we took the chance) and experience the sight of these lines from the air. It was an excellent experience, although the half an hour flight ended just in time before the motion sickness of the small plane turning sideways for views from both sides of the plane kicked in! James came off his plane looking very pale but we all loved it.
The person (or astronaut)
Peru - Lima, Pisco and desert safari
We arrived in Lima 2 weeks ago very late on Friday night with the tour starting on Saturday morning. From most of what we had all heard, Lima was not worth visiting and could be quite dangerous. I think we were all pleasantly surprised even though we only experienced Lima from the airport to the hotel, and then on Saturday morning when we walked to the main tourist waterfront area. there is a lot of police presence and a lot of ´westerners´walking around and we felt very safe. We didnt go to the old city area which is supposed to be very different to this Miraflores area but from what we saw we were impressed.
Our tour then started with a 3 hour public bus ride down the coast to Pisco. There is nothing in Pisco to see (especially after a massive earthquake 2 years ago which destroyed a lot of the city) but it was a base for us to visit the Ballestas Islands the next morning. We got to meet the rest of our tour group (we are 16 in total) while learning to make the local cocktail drinks.
The next morning we woke up early to catch the boat ride out to the islands. On the way we saw the "candelabra" or "cactus" (you can see in the background below) engrained in the mountains along the sea. This was done thousands of years ago and doesnt ever erode - another phenomenon like the Nazca lines
After disembarking we met the rest of of the tour group and headed to Nazca. on the way we stopped off for lunch in a desert oasis town where we rode in sand buggies and went sand duning down some massive dunes - good fun. You can see James in the second picture in action down the dune.
View of the oasis from the sand buggies
Our tour then started with a 3 hour public bus ride down the coast to Pisco. There is nothing in Pisco to see (especially after a massive earthquake 2 years ago which destroyed a lot of the city) but it was a base for us to visit the Ballestas Islands the next morning. We got to meet the rest of our tour group (we are 16 in total) while learning to make the local cocktail drinks.
The next morning we woke up early to catch the boat ride out to the islands. On the way we saw the "candelabra" or "cactus" (you can see in the background below) engrained in the mountains along the sea. This was done thousands of years ago and doesnt ever erode - another phenomenon like the Nazca lines
After disembarking we met the rest of of the tour group and headed to Nazca. on the way we stopped off for lunch in a desert oasis town where we rode in sand buggies and went sand duning down some massive dunes - good fun. You can see James in the second picture in action down the dune.
Monday 13 December 2010
Transit - New Zealand and Buenos Aires
Over the last week we have spent 2 days in Auckland as a stopover from Hong Kong and 4 days in Buenos Aires, the start of South America for us
In Auckland, we loved being back in western culture and spent a lot of time stocking up with essentials, enjoying western food, shopping and enjoying the scenery. Its a beautiful place and i think the countryside would be magnificent. Definitely a place to go back to in the future.
Buenos Aires was the next stop - we stayed in the Hilton (exellent business rates thanks to Bank of America :) which was a great base to explore the city and the restaurants. The food was unbelievable - i havent had so many steaks in 4 days - the reputation definitely stands for the food, culture and atmosphere in the city
Now in Peru, starting the final tour ... all in all a great start to the beautiful South American continent
Ciao!
In Auckland, we loved being back in western culture and spent a lot of time stocking up with essentials, enjoying western food, shopping and enjoying the scenery. Its a beautiful place and i think the countryside would be magnificent. Definitely a place to go back to in the future.
Buenos Aires was the next stop - we stayed in the Hilton (exellent business rates thanks to Bank of America :) which was a great base to explore the city and the restaurants. The food was unbelievable - i havent had so many steaks in 4 days - the reputation definitely stands for the food, culture and atmosphere in the city
Now in Peru, starting the final tour ... all in all a great start to the beautiful South American continent
Ciao!
Hong Kong, end of China tour
Our tour of China ended in Hong Kong, i loved the city. Its a great mix of western and asian culture and very vibrant. I can see why so many westerners stay there and it appeared to have a large ex-pat community.
All in all i really enjoyed China, and would recommend everyone to go if they havent. If you ignore the spitting, smoking EVERYWHERE and coughing of the locals its an unbelievable place rich in history and culture and beautiful scenery.
Hong Kong by night - view of Victoria harbour
All in all i really enjoyed China, and would recommend everyone to go if they havent. If you ignore the spitting, smoking EVERYWHERE and coughing of the locals its an unbelievable place rich in history and culture and beautiful scenery.
Hong Kong by night - view of Victoria harbour
Top of Victoria Peak
Yangshou China countryside for 3 days
This was definitely one of my highlights - the scenery was breathtaking, i have never seen something like that before. Think the photos will try show you why but it wont do it any justice (any cotton wool in my ears in any photos is a result of my ear drums bursting, and doing it properly i managed to burst both so the cotton wool could be coming out of 1 or both ears)
Cycling around the country side, looking good in our helmets
Fi and i did a cooking class while in Yangshou (think James was happy he missed that while he unfortunately had to go to the UK for 2 days for his citizenship). The chef took us to the local market first, it was quite an experience.
Anyone tried dried rat (left) or dried pigeon (right)
Or how about dog?? We werent allowed to take photos of the dog too close but you can still get an idea of how shocking this was to see. Fi was very upset to see the live cats alongside these dead dogs, we assume they were just awaiting their fate ...
Fi and i did a cooking class while in Yangshou (think James was happy he missed that while he unfortunately had to go to the UK for 2 days for his citizenship). The chef took us to the local market first, it was quite an experience.
Anyone tried dried rat (left) or dried pigeon (right)
Yangste river cruise and 3 Gorges Dam
photos from the Yangste river cruise and then at the 3 gorges dam
apparently this was a "clear" day at the Dam, sometimes you cant even see the first red structure behind us with all the mist in the area.
Wednesday 8 December 2010
Yangshuo
After a 3 day cruise down the Yangste river, ending at the Three Gorges Dam (a massive project to save the people from the flooding of the river (or so they say - there seems to be pros and cons of the dam building) which was started in 1991 and completed in 2009) we disembarked and headed for the countryside - to a beautiful town called Yangshuo. Quite a mission getting there - 5 hour bus, overnight train and then a 2 hour public bus transfer! But it was definitely worth it. I have never seen scenery like that before. Was a great way to spend 3 days relaxing.
I cant get the photos to upload so will try again in the next few days.
hope you all are well and enjoying your December holidays and the run up to Christmas
Take care
Carol
I cant get the photos to upload so will try again in the next few days.
hope you all are well and enjoying your December holidays and the run up to Christmas
Take care
Carol
Leshan and Chengdu
After a short flight to Chengdu, we spent our first day visiting the largest Buddha statue in the city of Leshan (about 2.5 hours outside of Chengdu). Its pretty impressive standing at 71m high, incredible how they carved this out of the sandstone mountain.
And the next day, one of my highlights of China was visiting the Panda reserve. With more than 50 pandas, we spent 3 hours wandering around the reserve. I was very impressed with how well they are looked after here. We could get really close to them too, luckily due to the time of the year (being colder now) the pandas were a lot more active than usual. Very cute!
And the next day, one of my highlights of China was visiting the Panda reserve. With more than 50 pandas, we spent 3 hours wandering around the reserve. I was very impressed with how well they are looked after here. We could get really close to them too, luckily due to the time of the year (being colder now) the pandas were a lot more active than usual. Very cute!
Xi'an - city of the Terracota Warriors
After Shanghai we took our second overnight train to Xián - home of the famous terracota warriors. They are truly amazing to see, although i was slightly disappointed in that they are not fully excavated yet. i know it must take ages restoring the 2000 year old statues (mostly of warriors but also chariots, horses and weapons) but after 30 years i was expecting to see it all restored. However really unbelievable to think the emperor requested the people to build these warriors to protect him when he was dead, and there are approximately 8,000 warriors there. All life size warriors and fully prepared as if going to battle. A lot of it is still "underground" including the tomb of the emperor which they havent even tried to excavate as they believe they dont have the technology to do it and the tomb is protected by mercury (how they know that i dont know)
While in Xi'an we cycled around the city wall (its the oldest preserved city wall in China) which was good fun for 14 km around the city. good to be back on the bike again, although was done at quite a leisurely pace!
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