Colca Canyon

The trip to Colca Canyon consisted of travelling from Arequipa in Perú on day one, staying overnight at Chivay and then an early start to arrive at El Cruz del Cóndor at 08.30 on the second day. There were various stops along the way for fotos etc.

Click on pictures for a slide show.

Fishing

Ziplining

El Misti

El Misti

We had a 06.30 start on day 2 with a couple of stops on the way to the viewing point for the condors. We only had one hour to get pictures and sadly, for some people, the condors don´t always oblige. I was fortunate, I got my first sight of a condor almost immediately followed quickly by another. I then had to wait another half an hour before 2 more came soaring past. I did see 2 more before leaving but they were too far away to get pictures of them. However, I counted myself as being very fortunate.

Condor

Lizard

Condor

Condor

Condor

Condor

Condor

Lake Titicaca continued

After breakfast, on the second day of the Lake Titicaca tour in Perú, together with my companions Wen and Del, I was escorted to the small harbour by the man of the household in which we had stayed, to meet up with the rest of our party. The islanders took their responsibility of looking after us very seriously, although we only stayed with them for one night. Presumably they would be receiving another batch of guests later that day and have to do it all over again.

We set off from Amantani, to the neighbouring island of Taquile where we would explore, then have lunch before returning to Puno. After dropping us off on one side of the island, the boat set off for the other side, leaving us to make our way over the top.

The Bolivian Andes

Portal between communities

Decorated sheep

The Plaza Principal

A long way from home.

A view of Amantani

Although the cultures of all three islands we visited varied, it seemed that they all had a great pride in their history and tried to keep to tradition as best they could.

Lake Titicaca

Lake Titicaca lies between Perú and Bolivia and is claimed to be the highest navigable lake in the world. It is a great place to visit and has both artificial and natural islands.

The artificial islands, known as the Floating Islands of the Uros, are constructed from totora reeds which grow close to the shore. The Uro people also build boats from the same reeds. They are a friendly people and seem keen to show off their way of life.

Reed Hut

Under Construction

Totora Reeds

Uros Ladies

Uros Boatman

Floating Island

From the floating islands, we set off to the natural island of Amantani, where we were to stay overnight, lodging with local families. I was allocated to the same family as, Del, a solo traveller from the USA and Wen, a young lady from Malaysia, also travelling alone. The accommodation can best be described as basic but the families were very friendly and also protective. They also provided us with our meals.

Welcome

Lecture time.

View of Taquile

Rocky Sentinels

After lunch, we rested, before being led by our guide, Ruben, on an ascent to the summit where we were able to view a magnificent sunset.

Titicaca Sunset

Titicaca Sunset

Titicaca Sunset

Titicaca sunset

Titicaca Sunset

Titicaca Sunset

Titicaca Sunset

Titicaca Sunset

Titicaca Sunset

Titicaca Sunset

After viewing the sunset, we stumbled back down the hillside to our accommodation where we were fed and then dressed in local garb, before being escorted to a local party, where there was traditional music and dancing.

Wen and Del

Warming Up

The Band

Click on any photo to see a slide show.

From Cusco to Puno

To travel from Cusco to Puno, in Perú, instead of the usual direct bus, I decided to take the tourist route. This involved several stops along the way and included the services of a guide. There was also a stop for lunch and the journey took almost 10 hours.

 

The first stop was at Andahuaylillas to visit the church of San Pedro. Unfortunately, cameras are not allowed to be used inside. The church has many works of art and is known as the ” Sistine Chapel of Perú”.

 

San Pedro

Plaza

Plaza

Plaza

 

The next stop was Raqchi, a large Inca site. It had been partially destroyed by the invading Spaniards but some of it is still standing.

 

Inc Ruins

Inca Ruins

Inca Ruins

Local Poser

Inca Ruins

 

The next stop was for lunch, buffet style, which was adequate. I sat at a table occupied by a friendly couple from Argentina, which gave me an opportunity to get advice for my forthcoming visit to their country.

 

Onward and upward to La Raya, at 4335 metres above sea level, the highest part of the journey and an opportunity to take fotos.

 

Buena vista

Buena vista

Buena Vista

The usual goods on sale.

 

The next stop was at Pukara. One again, in the museum, cameras were not allowed to be used.

 

And finally, on to Puno, on the shore of Lake Titicaca.

 

Puno-PERU (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leaving the Rainforest

After just 2 nights, it was time to leave the rainforest. It was a fantastic experience and as far as Perú is concerned, I have to put it as the second favourite place I have visited, so far. Machu Picchu being the overall favourite.

I was up well before breakfast, so decided to walk through the grounds, hoping to get a decent picture of one of the yellow tailed birds in flight. They looked great, however, I was too slow.

Yes. This is the right way up.

This time I will get you in flight.

Still waiting.

Nearly

Parrots checking each other out.

One more try.

I´ll have to settle for that.

Still watching the fish.

Bird

Click on a photo for slideshow.

Rainforest – Day 2 continued

After exploring the Lost Lagoon, we retraced our steps to the observation tower before commencing a 7km trek back to the river, to be collected by a boat and returned to the EcoAmazonia lodge.

Form a queue.

Butterflies

Butterfly

Path blocked by massive tree.

I’ll clear the way.

Butterfly Carpet

Just hanging. around

After lunch, the afternoon was free, so I decided to rest. I emerged from my bungalow, late in the afternoon and tried to get some pictures of birds and the sunset.

Parrots

Bird with bright yellow tail feathers.

Sunset

Moonrise

Bird

Sunset

Rainforest – day 2

Day 2 of the trip to the rainforest near Puerto Maldonado in Perú.Up at 5AM and ready to head down river in a boat at 6. The weather was brighter and it looked a much better prospect than the day before.

We had only travelled a short distance by boat before we had to scramble up the river bank to follow a trail through the jungle. There was not much chance of us sneaking up on any animals as we were a very noisy group. However. our guide, Orbano pointed out anything of interest along the way. We had maybe a 3km trek followed by a gentle paddle in a canoe in which we all had to participate. Then another trek of a couple of kilometres to reach the mirador. An observation tower approximately 30 metres high.

Entry to the jungle

Poisonous Spider

Porcupine Tree

Paddle that Canoe

Mangrove Swamp

Where´s Lunch_

Lunch.

Parrots

Bird

Termites nest.

I wonder what´s in here.

Ah, a tarantula.

Spiral tree.

The mirador.

After a short rest on the mirador, we made our way towards the small but wonderfully formed Lost Lagoon. We travelled around it in a canoe but this time, Orbano did all of the paddling, very gently, while we took photos.

Water Palms

Butterfly

Long walkway to the Lost Lagoon

Random construct by nature.

Pretty Bird

Tortugas

Blue Butterfly

 

The Rainforest

Well, I went to the rainforest via Puerto Maldonado in Perú and unsurprisingly, it rained. I flew from Cusco and it was raining when I left. The flight was only an hour or so and there was not a break in the cloud cover until shortly before landing. I did manage to get a glimpse of a couple of rivers but nothing significant.

It was not raining when we started the one and a half hour boat trip to the lodge but about half way there it really started to pour. When we arrived at the lodge we were given lunch, shown to our bungalows and told to prepare for a trip to “Monkey Island”, which was directly opposite our location on the river Madre de Dios.

Then began my most disappointing time with my camera, since I arrived in Perú four months ago. The lens was constantly fogging up and no matter how I tried, until we emerged from the jungle again, I could not clear it.

Interoceanic Highway to Brazil

Permanent feature.

Butterfly

Flower

Hanging around.

Monkey

Monkey

Unhappy monkey.

Thinking monkey

Downhill Racer

View from the plane.

Once again I apologise for the images but the next day the weather was great and I have been offered some photos by a very talented photographer called Heather. I will add them when they arrive.

Also, my profound apologies, particularly to the BBC, for the use of the word “monkey” in this post. If it offends anyone working at the BBC, the Sun “comic” or any treacherous member of the England football team; bollocks.

Cusco, day and night

Cusco, situated in the Andes, in south-eastern Perú, was the capital of the Incan Empire. It is surrounded by sites of historical and archaeological interest. The modern day wonder of the world, Machu Picchu being the most notable.

Tourism is big business in Cusco and there are some disreputable companies ready to take advantage of people easily parted from their cash. Happily, there are other companies who, while not being the cheapest, offer a good service. Also you can buy a tourist ticket which lasts up to 10 days and gives you entrance into many of the sites in and around the city. It is a good way of saving money.

Having visited a lot of the sites around the Sacred Valley and my Boleto Turistico  expired, I decided to take the tour bus and have a look at the city from a different perspective. The bus departed from the Plaza de Armas at about 5 pm, which was shortly before dusk.

Cusco Bus Tour

Church in the Plaza de Armas

Cathedral in the Plaza de Armas

Qoricancha/Convent

Not so narrow street in the old city.

Not another storm brewing.

Modern art at Qoricancha

Cyclamen on a shelf

As we climbed the hill, the sun began to set and the various cloud formations became more noticeable.

Marble type clouds.

Wispy clouds.

Cloudy mixture.

Candy floss cloud.

Where´s my umbrella?

Clouds at sunset.

As the bus began its descent back toward the city, darkness fell and still marvelling at the light show that nature had provided, I decided to take some photos of the city lights. Not easy when you are on a bus, especially as it goes over speed bumps.

City at night, courtesy of speed bump.

Fountain in the Plaza de Armas

Plaza de Armas at night.

City at night.

Tour bus

The church up the hill

Laqo and ?

After visiting Tambomachay and Puka Pukara, two Inca sites a short distance outside of Cusco, I set off in search of the Temple of the Moon. I had been given directions by Jeremy, of Rumi-Tumi Tours but after a couple of hours of looking over the previous sites, I couldn’t remember them very well.

I had a vague idea of the direction I should be going and I knew my position with regard to the road and the location of the city, so I was not going to get lost. I walked for at least 2 hours during which I discovered…

Outdoor, mountain top pool?

Pretty Red Flower

Circular pond in a ploughed field.

…but no Temple of the Moon. I carried on walking, intrepid explorer style, passing bemused farmers and their families. I was on the point of giving up, when I spotted a group of young men collecting wood. I asked them if they were aware of Inca ruins close by and received directions to a site which was just a few minutes away.

Is that another face carved in the rock.

Steps carved into the rock.

Could this have been an altar?

Has required shoring up.

Stunning views as usual.

Looks interesting. Could this be it?

From the “unknown” site, I started back towards the City. It had started thundering and rainfall was imminent. As luck would have it, before long, I stumbled on another site. This one was clearly signposted as Laqo, which as it happens, is the Temple of the Moon. However, by this time, with a 5km walk ahead of me, at least, I decided to take just a few photos and try and get home before the downpour began. I can go back again later for more if I have time.

Possible rain shelter.