After the height of the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, and the pure elation of the day touring the ruins and hearing tales of the Incas, we tiredly gathered onto the bus which would take us down to the touristy town Aguas Calientes. This is where you can find some Hot Springs and a variety of hotels and restaurants...where the lame people stay, you know, the ones who take the train up to Machu Picchu and get to have a hot shower each night! We arrived and had an hour to kill so were going to get some lunch when we realized that we had 10$ left and no credit card. Nice...we were hungry and tired so walked around through the market and bought a water and two huge mangoes...then we were broke. But I must say the Mangoes in Peru and Bolivia are some of the BEST you have ever had....meaty and juicy...it really was just like a meal.
So we sat on a sidewalk and listened to a fun band near by...watched some children playing in the square and devoured our lunch of mango. The sun was still warm and gorgeous and I loved just sitting there with Ivan, laughing as bright orange mango juice trickled down our arms....it was a perfect way to end such a remarkable trip.
After that we met with our group and hopped on the lovely train and then bus for the very long ride home to Cusco. Everyone was very tired...thank god I was so tired as apparently the bus driver had a death wish and brought us close to it many times. We finally arrived at 8pm...we all quickly parted ways and went to our rooms to partake in a warm SHOWER!!! It felt like heaven....I didn't rush....but instead lingered in the warm water and scrubbed every bit of my tired, dirty bod. It is amazing the things you take for granted in your daily life.
We were too tired to eat supper....YES dear readers, you can just imagine HOW tired I must have been to skip one of my favorite meals of the day (other than breaky, brunch, lunch and snack time). At 8:45 pm we drifted off to sleep with dreams of breakfast.
We awoke refreshed and feeling good ready to devour the buffet. That morning we had to check out early and head to our final destination...the final hotel. We had parted ways with our GAP group the night before and we were going to stay in a hotel that my boss had recommended....we both kept our fingers crossed that it was nice....we didn't want a repeat of the "romantic nature hotel." I was praying for a nice hotel for my own sanity and relaxation, and Ivan was praying for a nice hotel because he KNEW I would be a Royal pain in the ass if not. YAY ...it was a delight!!! The Andenes al Cielo was amazing.....again under normal Heather circumstances it wouldn't have been considered in such high regard...but I LOVED it. I was so happy....no spiders, no bugs....crisp, clean, soft, white sheets, a large shower with loads of hot water, a little flat screen t.v. Now THIS was the perfect way to end our trip...we had 2 days and nights of pure relaxation.
Each day we went for a massage, and lingered over some delicious foods...one of the best restaurants we went to was called Baco on 465 Ruinas st. It was gorgeous and delicious....certainly fine dining. Since we were going to meet up with some of the group who were still in Cusco, I slathered on the make up and put my best backpacker evening wear on....Ivan bought me some pretty earrings that day so I was feeling like a real sassy gal in my lipstick and hiking boots. The dinners were amazing....I was jealous of Ivan's Alpaca steak with wasabi cream and mashed yams....as my crackling pork dish was a little on the rich side for me....but heck...the Champagne did just the trick to make everything taste wonderful...it was a lovely celebration with the people we had just spent the last four days conquering the world with. One of the girls I didn't even recognize with makeup on....no one should be forced to not wear make up for 4 days straight....let alone, not blow dry their hair. Did I mention that a major tragedy happened at the start of my trip in Bolivia....the very first day...I got out of the shower, plugged in my blow dryer and flames came out right before it died. I was mortified....one full month of very very bad hair....and as most of you know...I already have hair issues....so I was forced to become "at one" with my hair for an entire month....needless to say, I wore a lot of hats!
We lazed about for our final day...doing not much of anything and a lot of relaxing, snuggling and eating...recounting the highlights and low lights of our trip...and imagining what the start of a new year would bring upon our return. As I sit here at my desk today, with every single amenity at my manicured finger tips...I feel proud of our month long journey through Peru and Bolivia, and will cherish the fond memories I have created....and remind myself when things get tough in life...I can always go to a nice clean bathroom whenever the fuck I want!
Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
New Years Eve in Cuzco Peru
Wow....a hang over at such a high elevation is not the best feeling in the world....two cups of coca tea, and hopefully I will be feeling better soon! I wrote most of this this morning at 9am and then found out that check out time was 9am!!!! WTF kind of place has a check out time of 9am....especially the day after new years eve!
Yesterday when we arrived in Cuzco off the 11hr overnight bus, we realized that our camera was also stolen.....extreme dissappointment ensued. However, we were sooooo lucky, because just the day before our memory card was full, so we bought a new one...so most of the photos are safe! But again a pain in the expensive ass to walk around the city in search of a new one. During our explorations we enjoyed the feel and vibe of Cuzco...its a beautiful city. Much more touristy than anywhere else we have been on this trip, which is kind of nice because it just feels more clean.
We were able to get a room at yet another dive hostal...we had to ask for a heater because apparenly no one heats their flippen buildings here...but no bugs (at least to the visible eye! hahah). We finally found a new camera, after eating a nice lunch...I think we will have lots of luck with good food here. We walked around a bit more and stopped to talk to one of the young ladies offering massages. Now normally I wouldnt even THINK about getting a massage in some foreign country from some girl on the street... BUT my boss did it in the summer and said it was awesome! So Ivan and I haggled the price down to about 10 dollars each for an hour massage.
The gal swiftly walked us down the streets and through a souvenier shop, to the back to a hidden door with long curtains. It was 100% dodgy...but kind of exciting just the same. The flyers that they hand out for the massages are lovely, clean, spa type photos....not exactly what reality handed us. Ivan said it looked like a scene from the show MASH....it was hilarious....two rickety beds beside one another as we were having the ¨couples¨treatment! We stripped down to our skivvies hopped onto the creaking beds and shared a giggle. They put a little heater on and set the mood with soft music....popular artists such as Celene Dion, Rod Stewart and Michael Jackson all on the windpipes....a real Zamfir special. They rubbed us down for just over an hour....my massage was great, but Ivans was pretty weak. I think my girl got bored half way through and got her friend to finish, because I could see through the little peep hole in the bed and saw these little white tennis shoes....then later on they were brown boots....it was pretty funny! we will probably go again after the Inca Trail hike.
That night we walked around the street market, and took in all of the wonderful energy of New Years Even in Cuzco....we snacked on freshed baked apple fritter type treats and enjoyed the vibe...that is until some kid kind of shoved me on one side, and lucky it was cold out so my nipples were a little hard and I felt someone on my other side unzip my breast jacket pocket where our NEW camera was....I caught him just in time and grabbed my boob...I was awe struck...those sneaky little shits. If I wasn´t so shocked I would have liked to have given him a good smack upside the head. But lesson learned...we now carry nothing with us.
We walked around for hours and the scene was AMAZING....like nothing I have ever experienced before. Everyone was buying fireworks and whistles and masks and streamers in bright yellow...which is the Peruvian color for good luck. We were lucky enough to get a seat on the balcony of a place called Nortons Rat...a fun English type pub...it was the best seat in the place overlooking the beautiful main city square. We sipped on Sangria and watched the pure manic chaos below....I can see why fireworks are not legal in Canada because they were going off every two seconds in every which way...one burning chunk even landed right in front of Ivan...there was a band playing, and people hugging and shouting....there was no ¨count down¨like usual, but the extreme celebrations continued for a good hour until it really started raining. We still haddnt eaten dinner so being pleasantly drunk enough to be brave, Ivan ran down to the sqaure to grab us some street meat... lama and potato kababs which were awesome!!!!
I think this was probably one of my favorite New Years Eves ever....just so exciting, vibrant and wonderful...and the best thing is, there didn´t appear to be any dangers or fights...and today, in our hung over state, we strolled by the square to find it very serene and peaceful and totally clean...like the evening before was but a dream.
We are going to relax tonight and grab some dinner, as our new GAP tour begins once again tomorrow, and then we start the Inca Trail hike.....yikes! I am both nervous and excited....probably wont be able to keep you posted for a while (dad dont worry we are great!). Happy Happy New Year to you all...Enjoy!
Yesterday when we arrived in Cuzco off the 11hr overnight bus, we realized that our camera was also stolen.....extreme dissappointment ensued. However, we were sooooo lucky, because just the day before our memory card was full, so we bought a new one...so most of the photos are safe! But again a pain in the expensive ass to walk around the city in search of a new one. During our explorations we enjoyed the feel and vibe of Cuzco...its a beautiful city. Much more touristy than anywhere else we have been on this trip, which is kind of nice because it just feels more clean.
We were able to get a room at yet another dive hostal...we had to ask for a heater because apparenly no one heats their flippen buildings here...but no bugs (at least to the visible eye! hahah). We finally found a new camera, after eating a nice lunch...I think we will have lots of luck with good food here. We walked around a bit more and stopped to talk to one of the young ladies offering massages. Now normally I wouldnt even THINK about getting a massage in some foreign country from some girl on the street... BUT my boss did it in the summer and said it was awesome! So Ivan and I haggled the price down to about 10 dollars each for an hour massage.
The gal swiftly walked us down the streets and through a souvenier shop, to the back to a hidden door with long curtains. It was 100% dodgy...but kind of exciting just the same. The flyers that they hand out for the massages are lovely, clean, spa type photos....not exactly what reality handed us. Ivan said it looked like a scene from the show MASH....it was hilarious....two rickety beds beside one another as we were having the ¨couples¨treatment! We stripped down to our skivvies hopped onto the creaking beds and shared a giggle. They put a little heater on and set the mood with soft music....popular artists such as Celene Dion, Rod Stewart and Michael Jackson all on the windpipes....a real Zamfir special. They rubbed us down for just over an hour....my massage was great, but Ivans was pretty weak. I think my girl got bored half way through and got her friend to finish, because I could see through the little peep hole in the bed and saw these little white tennis shoes....then later on they were brown boots....it was pretty funny! we will probably go again after the Inca Trail hike.
That night we walked around the street market, and took in all of the wonderful energy of New Years Even in Cuzco....we snacked on freshed baked apple fritter type treats and enjoyed the vibe...that is until some kid kind of shoved me on one side, and lucky it was cold out so my nipples were a little hard and I felt someone on my other side unzip my breast jacket pocket where our NEW camera was....I caught him just in time and grabbed my boob...I was awe struck...those sneaky little shits. If I wasn´t so shocked I would have liked to have given him a good smack upside the head. But lesson learned...we now carry nothing with us.
We walked around for hours and the scene was AMAZING....like nothing I have ever experienced before. Everyone was buying fireworks and whistles and masks and streamers in bright yellow...which is the Peruvian color for good luck. We were lucky enough to get a seat on the balcony of a place called Nortons Rat...a fun English type pub...it was the best seat in the place overlooking the beautiful main city square. We sipped on Sangria and watched the pure manic chaos below....I can see why fireworks are not legal in Canada because they were going off every two seconds in every which way...one burning chunk even landed right in front of Ivan...there was a band playing, and people hugging and shouting....there was no ¨count down¨like usual, but the extreme celebrations continued for a good hour until it really started raining. We still haddnt eaten dinner so being pleasantly drunk enough to be brave, Ivan ran down to the sqaure to grab us some street meat... lama and potato kababs which were awesome!!!!
I think this was probably one of my favorite New Years Eves ever....just so exciting, vibrant and wonderful...and the best thing is, there didn´t appear to be any dangers or fights...and today, in our hung over state, we strolled by the square to find it very serene and peaceful and totally clean...like the evening before was but a dream.
We are going to relax tonight and grab some dinner, as our new GAP tour begins once again tomorrow, and then we start the Inca Trail hike.....yikes! I am both nervous and excited....probably wont be able to keep you posted for a while (dad dont worry we are great!). Happy Happy New Year to you all...Enjoy!
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Arequipa Peru
After a 9hr bus ride, surviving on cookies and bananas we arrived in Arequipa, Peru.
We had heard that Puno was a shithole...and driving through it confirmed the rumours, which is why we chose Arequipa. We heard it was a lovely, modern city....so Ivan booked what SOUNDED to be like a gorgeous and romantic hotel, hoping to score points...highest recommendation in the book (again, I have realized that my standards to not meet backpacker standards!).
The hotel is indeed beautiful and romantic as you walk through the European style courtyards...it is stunning, and I could feel my excitement building as we walked through the grounds and past the gardens...until we get to our room....my heart sunk...it was like a tree fort...adorable..Yes, charming...Yes....filled with nature...YES! Yes, I like camping....no I don´t like sleeping in a ¨nice hotel¨ with nature. Poor Ivan could tell I was not happy.....I guess thats what you get for marrying a high maintenece wife and bringing her to a third world Country. We booked a whopping 3 nights thinking we would be romantic, and laze about...but the less time I spend there the better. There are bats hanging on the ceiling and there was a trantula in the bath last night.....okay okay, maybe they were just moths and a little spider...but Yuck! I think Ivan will soon be filling out the divorce papers for me...what a whiny wife.
I am rapidly becoming more humble, less healthy and more dirty on this trip. I don´t think I have EVER eaten so much processed food and white bread in my entire life. Every time we go on a bus or a hike or a tour, we have to pack snacks...and while the fruits are lovely, the only other thing always available is cookies...which I am CERTAIN Ivan is just loving...as that man could live on cookies alone. Every hotel we stay at generally includes breakfast...Ivan always eats the rubbery, grey eggs, and I opt for the bread and butter, puffed Quinoa and yogurt. I have to say we have enjoyed some very lovely breads here.
We arrived in the evening and went out for some of the BEST pizza I have had since Croatia....thank god the Lonely Planet is so reliable for food! Los Lenos restaurant is charming, rustic and cozy. The wood burning ovan is in the back corner and creates a beautiful savory aroma and warmth to the thick, old colonial style walls. The pizza was really expensive, but we enjoyed it very much. Early to bed..along with the nature....with dreams of 5 star hotels and a bed I can Enjoy.
We had heard that Puno was a shithole...and driving through it confirmed the rumours, which is why we chose Arequipa. We heard it was a lovely, modern city....so Ivan booked what SOUNDED to be like a gorgeous and romantic hotel, hoping to score points...highest recommendation in the book (again, I have realized that my standards to not meet backpacker standards!).
The hotel is indeed beautiful and romantic as you walk through the European style courtyards...it is stunning, and I could feel my excitement building as we walked through the grounds and past the gardens...until we get to our room....my heart sunk...it was like a tree fort...adorable..Yes, charming...Yes....filled with nature...YES! Yes, I like camping....no I don´t like sleeping in a ¨nice hotel¨ with nature. Poor Ivan could tell I was not happy.....I guess thats what you get for marrying a high maintenece wife and bringing her to a third world Country. We booked a whopping 3 nights thinking we would be romantic, and laze about...but the less time I spend there the better. There are bats hanging on the ceiling and there was a trantula in the bath last night.....okay okay, maybe they were just moths and a little spider...but Yuck! I think Ivan will soon be filling out the divorce papers for me...what a whiny wife.
I am rapidly becoming more humble, less healthy and more dirty on this trip. I don´t think I have EVER eaten so much processed food and white bread in my entire life. Every time we go on a bus or a hike or a tour, we have to pack snacks...and while the fruits are lovely, the only other thing always available is cookies...which I am CERTAIN Ivan is just loving...as that man could live on cookies alone. Every hotel we stay at generally includes breakfast...Ivan always eats the rubbery, grey eggs, and I opt for the bread and butter, puffed Quinoa and yogurt. I have to say we have enjoyed some very lovely breads here.
We arrived in the evening and went out for some of the BEST pizza I have had since Croatia....thank god the Lonely Planet is so reliable for food! Los Lenos restaurant is charming, rustic and cozy. The wood burning ovan is in the back corner and creates a beautiful savory aroma and warmth to the thick, old colonial style walls. The pizza was really expensive, but we enjoyed it very much. Early to bed..along with the nature....with dreams of 5 star hotels and a bed I can Enjoy.
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