5.) 26.10. - 9.11. 2013
Peru - Lima, Cuzco, Machu Picchu, Lake Titicaca
A few days ago we left the last country 1 part of our sabbatical and we are back again in Buenos Aires.
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The last country of our 1.part of Sabbatical was Peru, where we spent probably the most beautiful time and was worth it. It is very interesting country. Beautiful natures, mostly mountainous, full of history, Incas us to "lurk" on every corner. Everything remains the Inca empire (12th - 16th century). Despite all the efforts of the Spanish colonizers the Incas are still ”alive”.
We spent a few days in Lima, a large coastal city, which is a special composite of modern beautiful coastline, poorer neighborhoods and then cool little "center“, respectively squares. Here we were at the altitude of 0 m.
Then we moved to the Amazon rainforest near the city of Puerto Maldonado, and we really „enjoyed „. It began with the arrival on dirty (but natural) wide river at a very low boat, to the „hotel“, they guided us walking with torch in hand via dark forest. The main building looked like glassy, we saw only support columns, but instead of glass it was everywhere netting. A few beams and net. Our house "Cabanos" was a bit more natural than we would like - half wood, half of the net that were almost invisible. Nocturnal forest sounds were pretty awful, so the first night we almost did not sleep. Every day we went on 3 trips into the forest, watching Caymans at night river, watching monkeys, observed parrots. We had electricity only occasionally, the restroom had whistle in case of "emergency" - e.g. if there was a snake! Really nice! Constantly we closed the suitcases against "raid“of some little animals, etc.
Next stop was the historic city of Cusco at an altitude of 2600 meters. We tried to be prepared for such an altitude, taking pills and then drink coca tea. I do not make it the first day, I felt pretty bad. This town really breathes history and yet it was the nicest we've seen. On various trips we moved to the swing in terms of altitude, at one point we were at 3800 meters. We had a good local wine and pisco also - with that we started in Lima. It is a brandy made from grapes. It is a Peruvian specialty, usually served with a fruity flavor; the most desirable is the "pisco sour" with lemon flavor. And here we tried tremendous delicacy. At first we thought that "Guiena-pig“or "cuy" is something like a tiny pig. Wrong. We just tried to translate the word “pig” to our language. But is is really guinea pig! But wonderfully tasty, meat is juicy, something between rabbit and chicken. Even after we have seen this pet live not passed us the desire to eat it again!
And then came the most beautiful place of Peru - Machu Picchu. Although we knew him from all files, standing there in reality is a „stare „at the beauty, it was unreal! We also were lucky with the weather, during the whole tour was sunny. Otherwise, in Peru it rained constantly. The rainy season started a month earlier this year.
Before leaving the MP we had to purchase one backpacks; suitcases we had to leave at the hotel in Cuzco, where we are back after 2 days. To go to MP is necessary to use train for last 100km and luggage must not be more than 5 kg. So we became a true backpackers, we took only the bare minimum, one set of clothes, toothbrush and went.
From Cuzco we went by bus (very modern and perfectly equipped) 10h to the city of Puno to Lake Titicaca. Nature is very varied, from the mountainous region of Cusco in "almost" plane Puna region. We stopped at 6 locations and visited other sights. Along the way we also surpassed the altitude of 4313 meters, where we watched snow-capped mountain peaks exceeding 5,000 meters height.
Puno is one of the ugliest cities, brick houses, and unfinished floor with wires sticking out. The only added value of the position is the lake. It is really huge, like a tenth of our country. A great rarity there is so-called "floating islands" on which Indians live. There is on the lake grass - totura - something like a green reed which has deep roots that formed actually under water some solid mass (about 1.5 m below the water). Indians always cut several pieces of approx. 20x20 from the lake, then bound one to each other, cut the grass, let it dry, and then put on the island . Every five months then sprinkle a new layer, because the original is simply forfeited. And that set houses on the same grass. Even the boats are out of the grass! It was just funny to see some houses with solar panels!
We also went on a natural island, had a lunch at an Indian family, and even I had to dance with them!
In this town again Jiri did not feel very fell because of the altitude even he drank coca tea like mad! We were at a height of 3810 meters!
The whole stage was great (except for the one missed plane), all guides took care of us like their own and they were completely accurate.
Despite all of our arrival in BA was a kind of return to civilization. We arrived on Saturday morning at 5h, slept through the day and in the evening we went to a local Colon Opera to see ballet Cinderella. Theatre is a beautiful building, slightly larger than our nation, very pompous.
Now, during the 10 days in BA we put together a little, wash what is necessary and 18.11. we venture to 2 part of our journey!
Náhledy fotografií ze složky 5.) Peru 26.10. - 9.11. 13