Peru

Flight to Lima and onwards to Cusco. (over 3000m). We found a nice and new hotel (Eureka) near San Blas with a great view over Cusco and got there our first mate de coca. Very good against jetlag and altitude sickness.

Wandering through Cusco. The inca stonewalls were unbelievable and there were a lot of nice colonial buildings as well. San Pedro station was closed because they were on strike. Absolute low season, all restaurants were deserted.

Bus trip from Cusco to Ollantaytambo. Climbing through the old fortress. How do they got this big stones up in the mountains? Got a ticket for the local train for tomorrow. Nice hostal Orquideas with a flower garden. There we met Rick from the SAEC in Lima (very helpful and informative).

Train ride to Aquas Calientes. The scenery changed from cactus to rain forest just around a corner. Bus trip to Machu Picchu. They are the most impressive ruins I’ve ever seen. The atmosphere was mystic when the clouds were moving through the site. Back with the train to Ollantaytambo and then by bus to Cusco.

Train ride to Puno (10,5 hours rodeo riding). The landscape is changing every hour and there is no civilization as far as the eye can see. Hotel Uros recommended in the L.P. wasn’t the best choice but the selection is small (where do the travelers go in high season?). Puno isn’t very inviting and it takes some time to find a good place for dinner (first reactions against pollo con papas y arroz). We found a new place to sleep (Quñi Wasi near the train station) this time with real hot water.

Short trip to the floating islands of Uros, souvenir stands built on reed - really exciting. Boat trip to Isla Taquile. Over 500 steps and we’ve been at 3986m. The people are very traditional and wear funny caps.

With the taxi to Julica airport. Flight to Lima (via Cusco). Only a few minutes to change the planes. Then onwards to Tumbes (via Piura). An airport in the middle of nowhere with money changers which had faked calculators. Lots of formality to get out of the country and very long distances (4km) between exmigration and immigration. The border town Huaquillas is a nightmare when you have to walk through it.

We were one of the lucky people who had not been robbed in Peru and felt pretty save, But you better keep an eye on your belongings because Peru is a very poor country.