
An ad-hoc collection of conservation and outdoor travel related posts, either personal, books, articles or events !
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Lima and our trip to Cusco

Other Travellers

- Many volunteer workers from Canada and New Zealand expecially around Huancayo.
- A dutch guy cycling through Ecuador, Peru and Brazil for four months. Just astonishing that he has been able to survive the mountain roads. Cyclists I think are the least respected of all on the roads.
- A young american girl who after attempting to make sense of the Quechua language and its numerous dialects remotely, gave up, and came to Peru to learn it for two months.
- Travellers from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Holland, UK, Ireland, Sweden, Germany and Denmark.
- I had to include the attached photo of a favourite of mine, although Heather dislikes the taste completely. The traveller from UK says at times he remembers to carry his marmite with him and leaves his passport unattended in his room ! This was a special edition from Valentines Day in the UK.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Huancayo to Lima

Saturday, May 24, 2008
On the move again !
It has been a terrific two weeks in and around Huancayo, and we have now completed our two weeks of Spanish lessons. The rural homestay was just great, and by the end of the week we were really comfortable and settled. Our next new destination in Peru is Cusco, the tourist hub, where we have prebooked two five day treks. Our one option was to travel by bus from Huanacyo via Ayucucho to Cusco, a total time of at least 32 hours of bus travel. We ¨chickened¨ out of this option, and this afternoon we are travelling by bus (7 hrs) to Lima for two nights, and then will fly to Cusco on Monday. We are looking forward to the bus trip in the daylight hours which is along the same route as the highest train journey in the world. Unfortunately the train only currently operates twice a month, and tomorrows trip is through the night.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Rural Homestay, Tres de Diciembre


Sunday, May 18, 2008
Huaytapallana


Chupaca, Close to Huancayo


Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Around Huancayo



Spanish Course, Huancayo

Monday, May 12, 2008
Huancayo, Peru
For the next week we are now based in Huancayo, still up in the mountains, but a lesser altitude than Huancavelica. We are taking spanish lessons for three hours each day for the week, and our first lesson was this morning. Wow, that was hard going back to school ! learning language rules and then as always the exceptions that just complicate things. Our hostel is also home to a large group of canadian university students working on a local volunteer building project which gives us a chance to socialise with other english speakers. Two days ago we travelled by train (a single carriage with engine) through the mountains to Huancayo. The mountainous route was unexpectedly inhabited almost the whole way with some cultivated plots high up on the steep mountain slopes. Any available ground with topsoil seems to be utilised, despite its inaccessibility. One highlight of Huancayo has been the sunday market which stretches for many city blocks - some unusual stands including a few selling cures for tape worm with accompanying displays of live and dead specimens !
Friday, May 9, 2008
Huancavelica, Andes Peru

Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Nazca Lines, Nazca
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Peru South Coast
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Day 1 - Lima, Peru
Friday, May 2, 2008
South America - Here we come !
Well tomorrow, Heather and I fly via Miami into Lima, Peru. South America is new for both of us. Not sure we will sleep tonight because of the anticipation ! The backpacks are packed and we think we have everything in order, although I am sure we are going to learn many things on the road that we could have done differently. Very few clothes, except for the critical warm gear that we are sure we will need at times in the mountains and further south in Argentina and Chile. The camera is packed along with the telephoto lens, and covered by insurance - just in case ! The sleeping bags were ditched yesterday, and we have liners instead. We are taking a lightweight tent and mattresses, along with a light stove and pot. We have a money belt, two waist pouches, two leg pouches and a bra pouch for Heather, to keep the money, credit cards and important documents hidden. I think the biggest risk for theft is the camera. There are no regrets about our decision to put aside our jobs for six months - what a privelege to be able to experience new countries and cultures, and see magnificent landscapes.
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