Firstly please accept my apologies for any typos in this post. The keyboard in this internet cafe is rubbish and I´m typing in a rush as my food is on its way and we have been so busy, every day has been brim full
We were delayed by one day into Puno by a bus strike. Despite this the visit to lake titicaca was brilliant, great to visit an iconic world location.
Then on to Arequipa but only briefly before starting the Colca Canyon Trek which also went brilliantly. The team have been superb and this led to everyone having a successfull climb out of the canyon.
Today we have been white water rafting on the Rio Chilli and horse riding. Its been an action packed day. Now we are about to eat before catching the bus to Ica. I can feel the trip drawing to a close and so can the girls. No one wants to come home there is so much more to do
Ian
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Friday, 24 July 2009
Lake Titicaca
Just a quick post from the Puno hostel´s computer
The over night bus from Cusco was delayed a couple of hours by disgruntled customers who couldn´t get on it due to over booking. Dispite the 2 hr delay we arrived just 45mins behing schedule at the obscene time of 0515hrs in Puno.
We were soon taking over the hostel (I do feel sorry for some of the peoples peace and quiet we obliterate sometimes) and making ourselves at home.
It was a very tired team that found themselves on a boat out to the Uros floating islands sxtraight after an early breakfast. Overnight buses can suck the life force out of you. After checking out the unique was of life of the islanders there was the chance to catch up on some sleep as the boat took us on the 2 hr trip out to Tequilie (sp??) Island. Some of the team are paying the price of falling asleep in the sun this eve with some sun burnt faces. The cold clear high altitude air caught people out despite it being only 9am in the morning.
The thing that struck me wandering over the second island was the clarity of the air here. True sparkling air with stunning views across this iconic lake to the Bolivian High Andes was truley spectacular.
The chance to see and learn about another unique community was followed up with a lovely lunch before hopping back on the boat and cruising back to Puno.
I had my first hot shower since leaving the UK and then most of the team have been out for a meal. Some stayed back at the hostel to sleep off the effects of the overnight bus and too much high altitude sunshine. They need to be fiting fit ready for the next phase of the expedition. We´re up early in the morning (0530hrs) ready to catch the 0800hrs bus to Arequipa and start the trek.
Its 2130hrs here now and I´m the last up. Everyone has gone to bed, guess I should do the same as I didn´t get much on the bus last night, the seats weren´t as good as previous coaches.
Hasta Luego
Ian
The over night bus from Cusco was delayed a couple of hours by disgruntled customers who couldn´t get on it due to over booking. Dispite the 2 hr delay we arrived just 45mins behing schedule at the obscene time of 0515hrs in Puno.
We were soon taking over the hostel (I do feel sorry for some of the peoples peace and quiet we obliterate sometimes) and making ourselves at home.
It was a very tired team that found themselves on a boat out to the Uros floating islands sxtraight after an early breakfast. Overnight buses can suck the life force out of you. After checking out the unique was of life of the islanders there was the chance to catch up on some sleep as the boat took us on the 2 hr trip out to Tequilie (sp??) Island. Some of the team are paying the price of falling asleep in the sun this eve with some sun burnt faces. The cold clear high altitude air caught people out despite it being only 9am in the morning.
The thing that struck me wandering over the second island was the clarity of the air here. True sparkling air with stunning views across this iconic lake to the Bolivian High Andes was truley spectacular.
The chance to see and learn about another unique community was followed up with a lovely lunch before hopping back on the boat and cruising back to Puno.
I had my first hot shower since leaving the UK and then most of the team have been out for a meal. Some stayed back at the hostel to sleep off the effects of the overnight bus and too much high altitude sunshine. They need to be fiting fit ready for the next phase of the expedition. We´re up early in the morning (0530hrs) ready to catch the 0800hrs bus to Arequipa and start the trek.
Its 2130hrs here now and I´m the last up. Everyone has gone to bed, guess I should do the same as I didn´t get much on the bus last night, the seats weren´t as good as previous coaches.
Hasta Luego
Ian
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Messages from the girls!
Hi everyone it´s Livvy!! At the moment we are in the SAE doing a bit of research for R and R. This morning we had a very important meeting concerning the plan for the next few days, which got a bit messed up by the bus strike. I´m happy with the decision we made because it means we´re still going to Lake Titicaca- I would have been pretty annoyed to miss it. We all feel very smug becasue we were good and organised, even Ian said so (and that really is something)!We´re just about to go off for an early dinner before we get the bus to Puno tonight.
Hey its Rachael, we´re just about to go to dinner so must be quick. Lake Titicaca is going to be SO good, and we´ve organized snorkeling and possibly kyaking. Can´t wait for white water rafting aswell :) see you all soon :)
hi everyone, it is i, jaynie :) just a quick message. peru is great. Everything we have done so far is just fantastic. I thought i should just tell you all that i plan on bringing home a llama because they are so cute. we´re going to lake titicaca tommorrow which will be brill. Everyones building up their tan but some of look like lobsters e.g. my arms and jo has the best sock tan lines ever. miss you all and will see you soon
bye :) :D
hellooo its jo here.. not quite sure what this blog thingymabob is but ive been told to write a message... we're all great and having an absolutely incredible time despite being stranded in cusco for a few days.. and i had THE nicest hot shower this morning.. and as jayne said my sock lines are pretty shocking but pure hilarity im walking down the street and theyre literally a tourist attraction.. anyway you best not be worrying about us because it is unbelievable.. hasta luego chicos y chicas(see you soon) xxxx
Hiii its holly :) we have fiiinally organized the bus to Puno after days of problems and strikes. Cant wait for lake Titicaca! finally feeling were a bit organised about whats happening for the next few days so it should all be fab! miss you all loadss xxxxx
Hey everyone from Jess. Unlike Jo, I have NOT had a hot shower, looking forward to one of them! Going on the coach at 10 tonight, considering our track record with coaches (having to do a 30 something hour journey to Puno instead of a 20 hour journey) I'm not relishing the prospect but yay we're finally going to make it to lake titicaca. See you soon X
Hi guys its Amy here. I had a shower last night, it was blooming freezing!!!!! We´re trying to organise our R&R phase, sand boarding, visiting the Ballestas Islands etc, we´ll be thinking of you haha!! Peru is absolutely awesome and everyone is terrified by how fast it is passing, won´t be long before we´re all back home annoying you ;). See you all in just a few days xxxxxxxxxx
-
Hey its Rachael, we´re just about to go to dinner so must be quick. Lake Titicaca is going to be SO good, and we´ve organized snorkeling and possibly kyaking. Can´t wait for white water rafting aswell :) see you all soon :)
hi everyone, it is i, jaynie :) just a quick message. peru is great. Everything we have done so far is just fantastic. I thought i should just tell you all that i plan on bringing home a llama because they are so cute. we´re going to lake titicaca tommorrow which will be brill. Everyones building up their tan but some of look like lobsters e.g. my arms and jo has the best sock tan lines ever. miss you all and will see you soon
bye :) :D
hellooo its jo here.. not quite sure what this blog thingymabob is but ive been told to write a message... we're all great and having an absolutely incredible time despite being stranded in cusco for a few days.. and i had THE nicest hot shower this morning.. and as jayne said my sock lines are pretty shocking but pure hilarity im walking down the street and theyre literally a tourist attraction.. anyway you best not be worrying about us because it is unbelievable.. hasta luego chicos y chicas(see you soon) xxxx
Hiii its holly :) we have fiiinally organized the bus to Puno after days of problems and strikes. Cant wait for lake Titicaca! finally feeling were a bit organised about whats happening for the next few days so it should all be fab! miss you all loadss xxxxx
Hey everyone from Jess. Unlike Jo, I have NOT had a hot shower, looking forward to one of them! Going on the coach at 10 tonight, considering our track record with coaches (having to do a 30 something hour journey to Puno instead of a 20 hour journey) I'm not relishing the prospect but yay we're finally going to make it to lake titicaca. See you soon X
Hi guys its Amy here. I had a shower last night, it was blooming freezing!!!!! We´re trying to organise our R&R phase, sand boarding, visiting the Ballestas Islands etc, we´ll be thinking of you haha!! Peru is absolutely awesome and everyone is terrified by how fast it is passing, won´t be long before we´re all back home annoying you ;). See you all in just a few days xxxxxxxxxx
-
Coping with the bus strike
Well its all good here despite the occasional high hurdle that appears in the teams path
We have been delayed in Cusco for an extra day due to a bus strike affecting buses between Cusco and Puno. To be honest this has been no bad thing. It felt like the team really needed the extra day here in town. Their bags are now full of new clothes, ethnic bags and other trinkets.
We were supposed to be on a bus to Puno yesterday at some point but it wasn{t possible till late tonight. This meant the team had a big decision to make this morning, do we spend just a very short period of time at lake Titikaka or skip it and zoom on straight to Arequipa and make the most of the extra time there.
This decision really needed the team to step up to the plate and sort them selves out to do the research, communicate the findings and come to a decision. When you{ve got 15 people all with different view points its no mean feat. Well they stepped up to the plate well and truly.
Last nights meal was spent poring over Lonely Plannet guides and making to do lists then first thing this morning we swamped the South American Explorers Clubhouse here in Cusco (the staff here have been brilliant). Lots of phone calls, digging through trip reports and checking with bus companies produced 3 plans which were then "presented" to the whole team.
As part of the research some new travel, accomodation and activity options were uncovered and when presented and there was one obvious option for the team.
So
Tonight were catching a bus to Puno and having a day with the communities on the islands of Lake Titicaca. The following day we will be shooting off to Arequipa to prepare for a trek into the Colca Canyon, White Water Rafting and our R & R phase. There is also talk of a night out bowling which I{m looking forward to winning!!!!
The team is now spending the rest of the afternoon making plans for their R & R phase.
I am not sure when I will next be able to post (please accept my appologies Annette ;-) ) it will probably be from an internet cafe at some point after the trek from Arequipa.
Hope all is well in the UK
Ian
El Chapperone
We have been delayed in Cusco for an extra day due to a bus strike affecting buses between Cusco and Puno. To be honest this has been no bad thing. It felt like the team really needed the extra day here in town. Their bags are now full of new clothes, ethnic bags and other trinkets.
We were supposed to be on a bus to Puno yesterday at some point but it wasn{t possible till late tonight. This meant the team had a big decision to make this morning, do we spend just a very short period of time at lake Titikaka or skip it and zoom on straight to Arequipa and make the most of the extra time there.
This decision really needed the team to step up to the plate and sort them selves out to do the research, communicate the findings and come to a decision. When you{ve got 15 people all with different view points its no mean feat. Well they stepped up to the plate well and truly.
Last nights meal was spent poring over Lonely Plannet guides and making to do lists then first thing this morning we swamped the South American Explorers Clubhouse here in Cusco (the staff here have been brilliant). Lots of phone calls, digging through trip reports and checking with bus companies produced 3 plans which were then "presented" to the whole team.
As part of the research some new travel, accomodation and activity options were uncovered and when presented and there was one obvious option for the team.
So
Tonight were catching a bus to Puno and having a day with the communities on the islands of Lake Titicaca. The following day we will be shooting off to Arequipa to prepare for a trek into the Colca Canyon, White Water Rafting and our R & R phase. There is also talk of a night out bowling which I{m looking forward to winning!!!!
The team is now spending the rest of the afternoon making plans for their R & R phase.
I am not sure when I will next be able to post (please accept my appologies Annette ;-) ) it will probably be from an internet cafe at some point after the trek from Arequipa.
Hope all is well in the UK
Ian
El Chapperone
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Machu Picchu (with photo!!!!)
Feeling quite pleased with myself seeing as I´ve uploaded a photo.As you can see they´re having a wild time despite a very early start. Today has been brilliant and really lived up to expectations. Got to fly now though as we´re off to the hot springs!!!
The town is called Aquas Calientes for a reason!
Ian
Well that was an adventure!!!!!
We had an interesting evening last night. Due to the train from Ollyantamtambo to Aquas Caliente being fully booked we had to spilt the group and have 10 people on the 1210hrs train and 5 people on the 1828hrs train. I hate spilting the team as it means the control freak in me is compromised.
I went with the first group and Susan and John Paul Stayed behind with the remaining 3 students. This meant that in the event of a problem with the second train we had plenty of staff with the students to help sort any problems. I was worried about cancelled trains etc but did not expect what happened at all!!
When my advance party arrived in town it was at a brilliantly atmospheric station with platforms packed with people eating outside the resturants that lined the whole area. We were fed into the main square where we sorted our selves out to book tickets and accomodation etc.
The arrangement was that we´d meet the rearguard off the train with food and beds sorted. How were we supposed to know there are 2 (!!!!) stations in the tiny tourist town. While we were waiting at one place the guys were dropped off at another station in what felt like the backwaters of the town. Initially they thought it was me playing a joke. After a while they guessed / hoped it wasn´t and started to sort themselves out and also contactd the Opsroom to let them know the sketch.
When the next train came in to where myself and the advance party were waiting and the guys weren´t on the train (I thought its was theirs delayed) I realised something was amis and contacted the Opsroom. This meant I knew that Susan and John Paul were in town and safe, I left details of a meeting point with the Opsroom staff for when John Paul next rang in and sent my advance party out on laps to look for them.
One of the teams went into the hostel asking around and found them within the hour and the teams was reunited and complete again.
It was a good experience for all concerned. The planning of staffing the 2 groups was proven to be robust and the Opsroom contact plan worked like a dream. Classic exped problem solving and one of the reasons were here. If it all runs too smoothly it would be dull
Ian
I went with the first group and Susan and John Paul Stayed behind with the remaining 3 students. This meant that in the event of a problem with the second train we had plenty of staff with the students to help sort any problems. I was worried about cancelled trains etc but did not expect what happened at all!!
When my advance party arrived in town it was at a brilliantly atmospheric station with platforms packed with people eating outside the resturants that lined the whole area. We were fed into the main square where we sorted our selves out to book tickets and accomodation etc.
The arrangement was that we´d meet the rearguard off the train with food and beds sorted. How were we supposed to know there are 2 (!!!!) stations in the tiny tourist town. While we were waiting at one place the guys were dropped off at another station in what felt like the backwaters of the town. Initially they thought it was me playing a joke. After a while they guessed / hoped it wasn´t and started to sort themselves out and also contactd the Opsroom to let them know the sketch.
When the next train came in to where myself and the advance party were waiting and the guys weren´t on the train (I thought its was theirs delayed) I realised something was amis and contacted the Opsroom. This meant I knew that Susan and John Paul were in town and safe, I left details of a meeting point with the Opsroom staff for when John Paul next rang in and sent my advance party out on laps to look for them.
One of the teams went into the hostel asking around and found them within the hour and the teams was reunited and complete again.
It was a good experience for all concerned. The planning of staffing the 2 groups was proven to be robust and the Opsroom contact plan worked like a dream. Classic exped problem solving and one of the reasons were here. If it all runs too smoothly it would be dull
Ian
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Wow, what a week
Well the project phase is over and its been a hell of a week. You honestly won´t believe how hard the girls have worked, they really have done themselves proud.
Its difficult to put into words the impact working in a community like the one we´ve been has on you. Its quite humbling and empowering all at the same time.
We´ve been building a kidergarten on the ide of the existing school. The building materials have been adobe (mud/clay) blocks weighing around 25kg. Hundreds and hundreds of these needed moving by hand and also the adobe ´cement´ needed mixing by foot (nb thats not a typo it really was by foot)
Highlights of the week for me have been:
Playing football against middle aged women in Quecha national dress!!!
Lying in the middle of a dusty field staring at the brightest starry sky contemplating our place in the world. Several of the girls had a brilliant night sleeping out under the stars.
My birthday evening sitting round a campfire with the team and the local community including the builders. The weirdet mix of music - KISS, the builders singing and playing guitars and accordian then finishing off with tunes of Jo´s ipod.
Getting a brilliant Llama woolie hat, 2 awesome cakes, a handmade (A4 paper) card and 2 bottles of beer for my 40th birthday yesterday.
It really has been an amazing week and you should all be as proud of these lot as I am, they really have been outstanding this past week in many different ways.
Thats not to say they don´t do my head in some times!!!! We´ve had a few money issues this afternoon!!!!!! A tiny bit of thinking ahaed would really really help!!
We´re now in Aquas Caliente getting ready for an early start (up at 3am, out the door at 4am) to head up to Macchu Pichu in time for sunrise. The girls are currently out and about exploring the handicrafts market now they´ve sorted the afore mentioned money issues and arranged accomodation for the next 2 nights and brought entry tickets for tomorrow. I think they are also sorting out food for tomorrow too
We´re off out for a meal later, not sure where yet though, not sure I can wait that long either, I´m starving already.
Our access to the internet is limited and when we are in town you´d be staggered by how much there is to do by everyone to keep the expedition wheels oiled. Planning activities, contacting activity agents, planning and arranging transport, planning and buying food stocks, sourcing / checking / booking accomodation and keeping the expedition cofferes topped up with the right amount of money in the right currency. I´ll try and put something on here every opportunity I have and encourage the girls to do the same but time is really tight tbh.
So from here its Macchu Pichu tomorrow, back to Cusco first thing the day after. Lots to do planning wise to sort the R & R phase (we have an exciting plan on the card if we can sort it, more to follow) and prepare for the trip to Lake Titikaka. Early start to Puno then 2 days at the Lake (que Pan Pipes!). We then travel on to Arequipa and after just a nights stop over start our trek. 3 days in the Colca Canyon and back to Arequipa for a days WW rafting. We´re then into our last few days and the plan for that is still in its infancy. The team is trying to work out how to fit in everything it wants to do while having time to savour where they are.
Its a tough life but someones got to do it!!!!
Ian
El Profesore ;-)
Its difficult to put into words the impact working in a community like the one we´ve been has on you. Its quite humbling and empowering all at the same time.
We´ve been building a kidergarten on the ide of the existing school. The building materials have been adobe (mud/clay) blocks weighing around 25kg. Hundreds and hundreds of these needed moving by hand and also the adobe ´cement´ needed mixing by foot (nb thats not a typo it really was by foot)
Highlights of the week for me have been:
Playing football against middle aged women in Quecha national dress!!!
Lying in the middle of a dusty field staring at the brightest starry sky contemplating our place in the world. Several of the girls had a brilliant night sleeping out under the stars.
My birthday evening sitting round a campfire with the team and the local community including the builders. The weirdet mix of music - KISS, the builders singing and playing guitars and accordian then finishing off with tunes of Jo´s ipod.
Getting a brilliant Llama woolie hat, 2 awesome cakes, a handmade (A4 paper) card and 2 bottles of beer for my 40th birthday yesterday.
It really has been an amazing week and you should all be as proud of these lot as I am, they really have been outstanding this past week in many different ways.
Thats not to say they don´t do my head in some times!!!! We´ve had a few money issues this afternoon!!!!!! A tiny bit of thinking ahaed would really really help!!
We´re now in Aquas Caliente getting ready for an early start (up at 3am, out the door at 4am) to head up to Macchu Pichu in time for sunrise. The girls are currently out and about exploring the handicrafts market now they´ve sorted the afore mentioned money issues and arranged accomodation for the next 2 nights and brought entry tickets for tomorrow. I think they are also sorting out food for tomorrow too
We´re off out for a meal later, not sure where yet though, not sure I can wait that long either, I´m starving already.
Our access to the internet is limited and when we are in town you´d be staggered by how much there is to do by everyone to keep the expedition wheels oiled. Planning activities, contacting activity agents, planning and arranging transport, planning and buying food stocks, sourcing / checking / booking accomodation and keeping the expedition cofferes topped up with the right amount of money in the right currency. I´ll try and put something on here every opportunity I have and encourage the girls to do the same but time is really tight tbh.
So from here its Macchu Pichu tomorrow, back to Cusco first thing the day after. Lots to do planning wise to sort the R & R phase (we have an exciting plan on the card if we can sort it, more to follow) and prepare for the trip to Lake Titikaka. Early start to Puno then 2 days at the Lake (que Pan Pipes!). We then travel on to Arequipa and after just a nights stop over start our trek. 3 days in the Colca Canyon and back to Arequipa for a days WW rafting. We´re then into our last few days and the plan for that is still in its infancy. The team is trying to work out how to fit in everything it wants to do while having time to savour where they are.
Its a tough life but someones got to do it!!!!
Ian
El Profesore ;-)
Friday, 10 July 2009
All South American Explorers now
Well another busy day as everything needs sorting out and plans making.
We"re all now card carrying members of the South American Explorers club and the girls have the big table here in the club house covered in trip reports and maps making plans for how to maximise the time we have here this month.
http://www.saexplorers.org/club/home
We"re all now card carrying members of the South American Explorers club and the girls have the big table here in the club house covered in trip reports and maps making plans for how to maximise the time we have here this month.
http://www.saexplorers.org/club/home
Arrived and all well
Dear All,
Just a quick note to let you know we have arrived in Lima safe and sound, the sun is out and all is well.
Its been an incredibly long day, we´re 6 hrs behind UK time here and we arrived at the hostel at about 1 pm local time. I make that 30 hrs door to door with very little sleep along the way.
When we arrived here everyone was VERY tired but after a quick shower everyone has been revitalised. The team is straight away on top of the job at hand. Money was changed at the airport and now some are out and about exploring, buying food for today and somewhere to eat for this eve. Here at the hostel there is a team sorting out our bus to Cusco for Saturday.
There is relentless to do list writing and scouring of guides and maps as the student leaders, accountants and other roles are taken up an or various options worked through.
The team is still a bit nervous of stepping forwards to take the tasks by the horns but I can see that changing already.
Tomorrow is about exploring Lima and finding our feet properly here while also picking up some supplies needed for the rest of the trip then we´re off to Cusco on Saturday afternoon ready for the start of the project.
All good here
Ian
Just a quick note to let you know we have arrived in Lima safe and sound, the sun is out and all is well.
Its been an incredibly long day, we´re 6 hrs behind UK time here and we arrived at the hostel at about 1 pm local time. I make that 30 hrs door to door with very little sleep along the way.
When we arrived here everyone was VERY tired but after a quick shower everyone has been revitalised. The team is straight away on top of the job at hand. Money was changed at the airport and now some are out and about exploring, buying food for today and somewhere to eat for this eve. Here at the hostel there is a team sorting out our bus to Cusco for Saturday.
There is relentless to do list writing and scouring of guides and maps as the student leaders, accountants and other roles are taken up an or various options worked through.
The team is still a bit nervous of stepping forwards to take the tasks by the horns but I can see that changing already.
Tomorrow is about exploring Lima and finding our feet properly here while also picking up some supplies needed for the rest of the trip then we´re off to Cusco on Saturday afternoon ready for the start of the project.
All good here
Ian
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
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