Day 112
Since leaving Bolivia, we've seen everything from white sand beaches, to the summits of snow capped mountains. Before the arrival of our cousins and Uncle in Lima, we lounged in the island communities of Lake Titicaca. The shore of Puno, Peru is dotted with dozens of islands made entirely of reeds. We spent a few days sleeping on reed beds, in our reed huts, and eating off of our reed tables, before we moved on to the bustling city of Cuzco. Machu Picchu is by far the biggest attraction for tourists all throughout Peru, and South America as a whole, which feeds into the reason we decided to pass it over. Along with our 'don't plan more then a day ahead' routine, visiting the ancient ruins would've come with much difficulty because reservations often have to be booked weeks ahead. However, in the company of the world's fittest Grandfather as our guide, we embarked on many treks, including the Sacred Valley, and a number of small ruins, many pre-dating the Incas.
A 24 hour bus ride from Cuzco, we found ourselves in Lima, patiently waiting for our cousins to join us. It was quite comical to see the culture shock they experienced while dodging cars trying to cross the streets, and buying bags of quail eggs from some of the many street vendors.
It's gotten to the point that whenever we get into a big city, I immediately want to leave, partially because I enjoy the rural areas, where traveling is less stressful and allows us to indulge more in the local ways of life. The other "big city" factor is our lack of sleep when cars are constantly honking throughout the night, for reasons I will never understand.
Backtracking south from Lima, we headed south to Huaccachina, a tiny town in the middle of the desert completely surrounded by massive sand dunes that seemed as though they were from a movie. We spent three days in Huaccachina, sand boarding and taking dune buggies that proved to be more of a thrill ride then any roller coaster I've ever experienced. Days after we left, I was still finding sand in my clothes, shoes and ears.
Before heading north to where some of the best treks are in Peru, we boated around the Ballestas Islands, which were heavily populated with sea lions and the occasional penguin.
Huarez, Peru is well known for its large variety of surrounding treks and hikes. After some searching for a reliable tour company and a suitable hike, we decided on the 'Santa Cruz Loop'. A 5 day trek through steep mountainous regions, grassy fields, and past small seemingly misplaced lakes. At the end of almost a week of tenting and walking up to 9 hours a day, we were all ready to relax for a while. The only big negative part of the trek was when we unrolled our rented sleeping mats in which our travel agent had said were thick and 'very comfortable' to find they were all full of holes and as uncomfortable as the rocks beneath them. Despite poor mats and some aggressively, carnivorous bugs on our fist day, it was an experience I'll always remember.
Our last days in Peru were spent beaching along the white sand of Mancora, a surfer's paradise. The majority of our time was pretty well split between splashing in the waves, and lounging in hammocks, before saying goodbye to Peru and moving on into Ecuador.
Even though we spent a little more than 2 weeks in Ecuador, there were two big events that took up the majority of the time. The first was a 3 day cultural trek that started at a lake in the crater of a volcano called the Quilotoa Loop. We spent each day hiking though forest and sandy declines, and every night in a different little town. We were in Isinlivi for Christmas. A small lively town that celebrates 'Navidad' together in the town square, playing poker with corn as chips, and setting off very dangerous fireworks with the ends of their cigarettes.
Bypassing Quito, Ecuador's capital, we headed to Lago Agrio, just outside of the Amazon jungle, to start one of our most memorable experiences so far. We spent six days in the jungle, spotting monkeys and river dolphins from our canoe, attempting to walk through mud and clay, to find some of the most mind blowing and beautiful insects and animals I've ever seen.
Watching sloths do just about nothing up in the treetops, and swimming in the alligator infested waters along with the locals. It was the perfect end to my cousins trip, and although it was tough saying goodbye to them, it was with the knowledge that the five of us will be heading home in little more then two short weeks.
