In January, 2008 Don and I went on a vacation to Peru and Bolivia. We chose South America as we wanted to meet up with Steve and Julia once more before they returned home (we met them in Spain in June 2007).
We landed in Lima and stayed for a few days before flying to Iquitos – the heart of the Amazon Jungle.
The interesting thing about Iquitos is that it is the largest city in the world that cannot be reached by road; you either fly in or take a boat up the Amazon. In the city the main mode of transport are very noisy moto-taxis. From Iquitos we went to an Explorama Resort 1 hour by boat up the Amazon. We spent our days going out to various excursions with our guide, Adner.
After returning to Lima for a few more days we flew to Puno on Lake Titicaca. From there we took a bus to La Paz, Bolivia where we met up with Steve and Julia. La Paz is the highest capital city in the world at 12,000 ft (3660 metres). Altitude sickness is a real problem.
In La Paz the four of us did the world famous death ride. The tour company took our group (approximately 12 people) up the mountain to 4600 metres. They outfit you with bikes, jackets, helmets, etc. The rest of the day is spent riding down the side of the mountain on a road that was built by prisoners of war in the 1920’s. The road is washed out in places and is no longer navigable by vehicle.
The whole time we were in the area Carnival was going on. One evening a parade went on from 5 pm well into the night (5 or 6 hours). An annoying habit of the young people was spraying everyone with cans of foam. Also they liked to throw water balloons.
After returning to Puno we went to Cusco – a very beautiful city. Cusco is the jumping off point for Machu Pichu. Machu Pichu is incredibly intact as it was never found by the Spanish Conquistadors. It is a world site not to be missed.
Hi 🙂 It`s me again. Very unusual and exotic trip 🙂
And it is easily for understanding (for me :))
Hi Андрей,
Yes, a trip to South America is a true adventure as there are many different terrains, cultures and interesting cities to visit. This is the first time I have been to South America but I hope it won’t be my last.
Super that you understand my writing. I just wish I understood Russian writing half as well.
Hi Sheila! You see it’s really fascinate places especially the Machu Pichu! I dreamed about a tripping to such ancient places. I myself was born and spent the whole my childhood in very old town (it was found by Alexander the Great, Alexandria Eschate /Hudjand/), so I wanted to be historian to visit such places. The destiny prepared me another way 🙂 but nevertheless I hold my breath when I see these old cities… I see the streets filled by ancient pieople in my mind, I try to imagine how they lived and what they did. I would like to get the time machine to trip anywhere in different time to look at this. It’s impossible… But looking at the pictures I almost do it 🙂 in my mind. So, thanks a lot for the pictures. 😉 Hope we’ll see more from you and Steve and Julia (their blog is really great, and these guys are really adventurous).
Hi Павел,
You are very fortunate having had the experience of living in an ancient town. Two years ago I was in La Alberca, Spain, which is also an ancient town. There were places advertised for sale. I did imagine what it would be like to actually buy one of the houses and spend my days walking the narrow cobble-stoned streets to shop in the tiny stores or from the street market. But alas, I chose to return home.
I hope one day that you get to visit Machu Picchu. The site is so intact it is as if the inhabitents have just gone for the day. All that is missing are the thatched roofs. Since you indicate that you love to go back in your mind to earlier times, you would find it easy to imagine turning the corner of one of the stone cottages and running into an ancient Peruvian.
Lovely to hear from you.
Sheila
Oh, it would be very interesting for me to visit these places (old pre-Columbian towns in Central and Southen America). However, it’s true I am frightened by stories about the horrible natives in these countries. I heard that guys there are far from the Low. Is it true? You didn’t mention about any troubles in your story. But… may be my fear is after living in Russia 🙂 I don’t know. You see I noticed that almost all the interesting ancient places in the World are surrounded with trouble people. Look… The Middle of Asia, the old Persian (Iraq, Iran), the Cantral&Southen America, the Noth-East Asia, etc. All of them are very-very attractive for traveling, but… So, I really hold in high respect these people who have a courage to visit these places 😉 And we get a chance to look at the sights.
However, you mentioned about Spain with its old streets. Have you ever been in Praga (Chekh Republic). It’s one of the best and beautiful cities in the World, especially if you dream about the middle-age streets with cobblestone, small narrow windows and doors. Yeah, it’s true the best place! Look at this if you can.
Your sincerely,
Pavel
Hi Павел,
I think that any country could be considered dangerous. Sometimes it is a matter of travellers not using their common sense, not doing their research and being unfortuante enough to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Travellers have come to Canada and been killed by bears, avalanche, or been murdered and yet I don’t think Canada would be considered a high risk place to travel.
I have been to places that are considered dangerous to travel in i.e. Iran, Kenya, Bolivia and yet I never felt at risk.
Yes, I have been to Prague. It is truly a magical place.