Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hey all,
Have arrived in Ollantaytambo this afternoon which is the pick up point for the 2 and a half day Lares Trek. It is hard to imagine a more beautifully positioned town; it is nestled in the Sacred Valley of the Incas and if you sit in the main square you are surrounded by mountains dotted with Incan ruins. It is the last village that the Spanish conquered when they crushed the Incas. It is steeped in history, boasts a wonderful local market and, most important of all, houses the Heart Cafe. Why is this cafe so important? Quite simply because it serves English Breakfast Tea... with milk! (I have taken photos!) I realise my tea obsession extends beyond even the traditional English fascination with tea but I´m sure you´ll agree, this is fantastic! After 2 weeks without a good cuppa, finally the amber nectar!
On the topic of food and drink - it has been great so far. I was under the impression tha all this walking might create a slimmer more streamlined me but there is no chance of that. I have never eaten so well! In case you´re wondering both guinea pig and alpaca meat are excellent - really. I find I prefer my guinea pig lightly seared with a garlic dressing but it is well worth trying all the local recipes. I had a wonerful Tex-Mex Peruvian fusion dish yesterday - Alpaca Quesadillas - surreal but delicious!
I have lost track of which bits if my trip have described so be patient with me if I repeat myself a little (and get used to it as I will be telling these stories over and over again for some time to come: "When I was in Peru..."). Since condor watching in the Colca Canyon, our tour has headed to Cusco, a very touristy town where most travellers stop in their way to Machu Picchu. It has a lovely atmosphere and is very tourist friendly which was nice after our time out in the moutains but I imagine that it could get wearing after a while being in such a touristy place. We took full advantage of it to stock up on essentials (chocolate) and relax and unwind (drink beer and play pool), we even went clubbing. Our salsa was not up to the locals´standards but we had fun nonetheless. As mentioned previously I also spent a beautiful morning horse riding round the local Incan sites - breathtaking! Luckily I had a very obedient horse named Poncho Rojo which translates as Red Poncho - not the most dynamic name but you can guess what colour he was!
Anyway, I had best get off. I will be incommunicado until the middle of next week when I am back from trekking and visiting Machu Picchu (so exciting) and will try to update this blog then. Until then, think of me over the weekend; I will be sleeping in a freezing cold tent (probably wearing everything I own) and trekking (slowly) to 4600 metres... it´s going to be hard work but worth it!
Keep messaging me, C x
- comments