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Another bloody early start to check in at Arequipa airport to fly to Cusco. Due to the imminence of Peru Independence Day (tomorrow) and the infrequent nature of internal flights (not to mention expense) the flight leaves at 07.30. South American airport procedures are characterised as chaotic at best in the LP Peru bible we have been using and recommending arrival at the airport 2 hours before scheduled departure time.
Our taxi is on time (hurrah) and the roads of Arequipa devoid of traffic, although not of people. Even at 05.30 there are Peruvians moving with purpose, congregating at corner street food vendors, and taking taxis to who knows where.
Contrary to received wisdom, check-in is smooth and effectively managed, security checks perfunctory and in no time we are awaiting the opening of the departure lounge coffee and pastry shop. Considering Peru is a net coffee exporter, I am appalled to be charged 7 soles each for 2 cups of coffee from a machine no better than those found in hospital canteens.
Our flight took off to time and flew over the active volcano in the region which was smoking gently, over velvety-looking brown foothills before landing gently in Cusco, an almost invisible airport during the approach.
The landscape has now totally changed, greener and with plentiful trees, we are deposited in Ollantaytambo, Inca capital and stronghold until the 1550s. No church in Ollantaytambo, which is very unusual.
We check in and head to the main square for a dreadful lunch of burritos which are not tortilla based, but thick pancakes wrapping a barely fried, let alone a refried bean. Gruesome!
Mental note - read the Peru bible for food choice guidance.
Sarah , Alfie and Jude were overjoyed to hear
1 - no early start required tomorrow morning
2 - three consecutive days in the same town with
3 - nothing scheduled!
The town is lovely, all narrow cobbled streets with rills carrying briskly flowing water away to irrigate the valley fields.
All lovely except when tours bound to, or returning from Machu Picchu gridlock the town's 3 streets. Then it is a diesel-fumed, shrill-horned Ho Chi Min for 25 minutes, before cs re asserts itself.
- comments
Ed Nice hat