DSP Peru/Bolivia Adventure Ride

Well, JoDawg, myself, Keith and Trudi were all supposed to head back to Toronto today, but the plane that was to take us on the first leg of the journey had mechanical problems before it touched down. After a major delay, we were told that the flight was completely cancelled. After an even longer delay, we were told that they were able to arrange replacement flights. Arriving on Monday.:huh

In the meantime, our carrier American Airlines told us that we'd have to put up with being stuck in a 5-star hotel on their dime. This adventure riding stuff is hard work!

But it also means that we should be able to post up some more pics and stories, since the Internet connection seems nice and fast.

This day was filled with activities. There wasn't too much riding distance done. We had met our local Cusco guide Reuben the night before. He was to take us first to the edge of Cusco, the Cochahuasi Animal Sanctuary, stopping in the market city of Pisaq, and finally to Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley, where we would park the bikes and catch the train to the city of Aguas Calientes, our launch point for Machu Picchu.


The Cristo Blanco ("White Christ") which overlooks Cusco from atop one of the surrounding mountain peaks.


What He sees.


At the sanctuary, a juvenile condor.


A Macaw.


An endandered sub-species of llama. There are apparently less than 1000 examples remaining, with the government lending it protection against any form of hunting.


One of my favourite shots - justifies spending good money on a quality lens. A rescued eagle.


OK, one more.


We walked around, and stepped into a fenced cage that contained the condors. Here's the juvenile again.


An adult male condor, noted by the crest, and the plumage that changes to black and white.


A second adult male, which was perched on a small hill, was convinced to spread its wings and fly down for some meat offered by the handlers.


Just to give a sense of scale, that same condor buzzing Thomas' head on the way to its meal.


All three.


This was a noisy little one, perched on a banister.


A display, demonstrating different plants, insects and mineral compositions, used to dye alpaca wool. For example, we were shown earlier in the trip, vast fields of cacti, which are deliberately allowed to be invaded by a parasite, which lays its young in the cacti's leaves. These are harvested, and when crushed, develop a vibrant red colour.


A local woman working a loom. Our guide at the sanctuary told us that the work in front of her contained around 500 threads from side to side. :eek1


Two Macaws in their perch.


One of two rescued pumas. Apparently, they were a sideshow at a discotheque, and were kept drugged so that patrons could have their picture taken with them.


A group shot taken from above by our guide Reuben, looking down into the valley which we were to take to get to Pisaq.


Another view of the valley.

In Pisaq, vendors filled the square. They sold all manner of items, from woven textiles, beads, bracelets, souvenirs, silverware, tcotchkes, music, tourist t-shirts. It all got to be a bit much, with each person passed trying to guide you into their little corner.

And now, pictures taken from on the train.








Nice big rear window that allowed you to see what you missed from the skylights above the seats.


On the trip to Aguas Calientes, this river runs on the left side of the train.


In the fading sunlight.

Jo Dawg and Apocalypse Cow Rider......loved your RR and the photos. Just rode the Rio to Lima section of 42 days. We seemed to notice the same things in Peru and Bolivia. Good eye with the camera. Peru and Bolivia are gems to ride in. And, yes, better to freeze your butt a bit in winter than to ride some of these dirt roads and salares in the wet season. Some may think you a bit daft to leave the warm temps of northern summer to do this but good on you all.
Cheers!

Thanks for taking the time to post your adventure.... Really enjoying it!

After 24 hours of flight and waiting time, we're all back in Toronto. We still have some pictures to post up, stay tuned.

JoDawg's probably been busy getting together his presentation for the HU Ontario meeting on the weekend. I've just been lazy. Fret not, there are still pictures to post!



A view of Machu Picchu.


First rays of sunlight peeking over the mountain range. (Around 6-7am, local time.)


Bathed in sunlight.


With a view of the valley below.


Agricultural terraces where plants were grown. Plants from lower altitudes were also brought here, in an attempt to acclimatize them to the higher altitudes. After a successive generations, the plants were moved to a higher terrace to force them to begin the acclimatization process again.


The valley again, with another train bringing in more people to the city of Aguas Calientes.


One of the two entrances to the city centre. It is believed that a tree-trunk door swung with rope from the hole above, using it as a hinge. The door would be fastened by being tied to the inset stones to either side of the doorway.


A solar temple/calendar of sorts. One of the windows lines up perfectly on the day of the winter solstice, another on the day of the summer solstice.


A view of the valley to the northeast.


This didn't come out as well as I had hoped. But if one were to stand on the corner of one of the buildings, the rocks in the foreground were shaped and polished to match the contours of the mountain range in the distance.


Reverse angle of the city, looking towards the mountain of Machu Picchu.


Looking towards the winding road that the bus takes up to the site. Let's just say that if the bus started rolling, it wouldn't stop for a very, very long time. State-owned busses are one of two ways to get to the city, no private vehicles are allowed. The other method is to walk along the Inca Trail, a 4-day hike from kilometre 82 of the train system.


Temple of the Condor. A suspected funeral site, it is rumoured that the body would be placed on the head of the Condor in the foreground, which points east towards the rising sun. The body's spirit was then to be carried by the Condor to the sun, to be reborn. Possibly reserved for the Incan Kings, who were believed to be descended from the Sun itself.


An irrigation system that ran down the side of the city. This brought water from the mountain, Machu Picchu to the site.

Wow, great pictures! Many of them remember me at my tour in 2010. Planning for a repetition is in progress.

All the best
Joerg