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Marty's Adventures
Up bright and early at 430am. Luis, Sylvia and his sister and brother in law all woke up to see us off. Luis and his brother in law took us into Puno in the wee boat in the dark. What a beautiful ride in the dark through the reeds under the stars. So peaceful! When we got to shore Luis had arranged a taxi to take us to the bus station, which he hopped in with us while his brother in law stayed with the boat. We said our goodbyes at the bus station and we headed to the kiosk we had bought our bus tickets. We were greeted with confused looks and inspection of the tickets we had, then grilled as to where we bought them. I guess this bus typically only picks up passengers at the hotels so there was confusion. We kept faith and a guy in a 4M bus lines jacket finally came and got us. Phew!
The bus was not high class like the other one but it would do! It is called a tourist bus and makes stops along the way, which turned out to be....get out....take a picture....get in....hurry hurry hurry....not how us girls with cameras work!
Our first stop was a look out over Lagunillas Lake which is even higher than Lake Titicacca but just a small lake in comparison and no one navigates this lake. We passed this beautiful place with natural rock formations which they call The Great Imata Stone Forrest. We passed through the Aguada Blanca National Park which is home to the Vicunas. The are much like a deer, prancing and bouncing along but are shaped like a very skinny llama. They were hunted almost into extinction but now with the park they are coming back in numbers.
We went over the Chucura Volcano which is surrounded by many other volcanos, only one is active. We then arrived at the highest point for the day called Patapampa. Here at 4800 meters above sea level we slowly got off the bus, both of us feeling the altitude and short of breath. It was a quick stop. One of the men on the bus was not doing well and was worried he would need oxygen. The decent into the Colca Canyon to a town called Chivay was quick, thankfully!
Once in Chivay we were in need of a bank machine, after being on the island and some unexpected expenses and purchases we were low on cash. Unfortunately the bank machine was not working. I was worried as we were not staying in Chivay and we were going to a small village about 8kms away. We hopped in a taxi with little cash and hoped the B&B would take visa! Thankfully, our host takes visa and we can pay him for our tour tomorrow and our bus ticket to Arequipa on Saturday! Everything just seems to work out.
We are staying at a place called Miskiwasa Lodge, which is about 100 meters from the canyon. It is located in a small village called Yanque. We got settled and showered and walked to the main square. We are glad we chose this sleepy little village with men galloping along on donkeys rather than the larger busier more touristy Chivay. We wandered around with no worries of going outside the safe circle as it seems every city we have visited has.
We decided to check out the restaurant at the Killiwasi Lodge next door as the menu here for tonight was trout, which is what we have had for the past 3 days! We had a great dinner with a great server who spoke excellent English and was so full of knowledge of the area. He loved to tell us about his paradise, this village he grew up in. We ate a fresh salad with lettuce from the organic garden right at the lodge as well as quinoa from their garden.
Back to the B&B and off to bed early. We seem to rise very early and bed very early. Tomorrow we head to the condor valley in hopes of seeing some condors.
Loving the fresh air and tranquility of this sleepy village.
The bus was not high class like the other one but it would do! It is called a tourist bus and makes stops along the way, which turned out to be....get out....take a picture....get in....hurry hurry hurry....not how us girls with cameras work!
Our first stop was a look out over Lagunillas Lake which is even higher than Lake Titicacca but just a small lake in comparison and no one navigates this lake. We passed this beautiful place with natural rock formations which they call The Great Imata Stone Forrest. We passed through the Aguada Blanca National Park which is home to the Vicunas. The are much like a deer, prancing and bouncing along but are shaped like a very skinny llama. They were hunted almost into extinction but now with the park they are coming back in numbers.
We went over the Chucura Volcano which is surrounded by many other volcanos, only one is active. We then arrived at the highest point for the day called Patapampa. Here at 4800 meters above sea level we slowly got off the bus, both of us feeling the altitude and short of breath. It was a quick stop. One of the men on the bus was not doing well and was worried he would need oxygen. The decent into the Colca Canyon to a town called Chivay was quick, thankfully!
Once in Chivay we were in need of a bank machine, after being on the island and some unexpected expenses and purchases we were low on cash. Unfortunately the bank machine was not working. I was worried as we were not staying in Chivay and we were going to a small village about 8kms away. We hopped in a taxi with little cash and hoped the B&B would take visa! Thankfully, our host takes visa and we can pay him for our tour tomorrow and our bus ticket to Arequipa on Saturday! Everything just seems to work out.
We are staying at a place called Miskiwasa Lodge, which is about 100 meters from the canyon. It is located in a small village called Yanque. We got settled and showered and walked to the main square. We are glad we chose this sleepy little village with men galloping along on donkeys rather than the larger busier more touristy Chivay. We wandered around with no worries of going outside the safe circle as it seems every city we have visited has.
We decided to check out the restaurant at the Killiwasi Lodge next door as the menu here for tonight was trout, which is what we have had for the past 3 days! We had a great dinner with a great server who spoke excellent English and was so full of knowledge of the area. He loved to tell us about his paradise, this village he grew up in. We ate a fresh salad with lettuce from the organic garden right at the lodge as well as quinoa from their garden.
Back to the B&B and off to bed early. We seem to rise very early and bed very early. Tomorrow we head to the condor valley in hopes of seeing some condors.
Loving the fresh air and tranquility of this sleepy village.
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Mum I don't have to travel anymore just read your wonderful blogs