PERU, Colca Canyon and Andean Condors

Tuesday June 5, 2007

"We take to the breeze, we go as we please."

Charlottes Web E.B. White

Took the bus at 6 am to go to Condor Cross. This is the site at the Colca Canyon which is best for viewing the Andean Condors soaring in the Andes. The Condors, about 7 of them, would almost appear out of nowhere catching the updrafts of wind in the canyon. At times they would fly only 15-20 feet over our heads. It was nature at its finest. The Colca Canyon was also impressive and is at least twice as deep as the Grand Canyon according to the guide. The baby alpaca was the center of attention when we stopped for lunch in the next village.

PERU, Chivay {base for Colca Canyon}

Monday June 4, 2007

I took the bus early on a tour from Arequipa to Chivay which would be our base to visit the Colca Canyon and see the Andean Condors. The first picture is of Acuna grazing on the plains. The Acuna are the official animal of Peru, not the Llama. Good jeopardy question. Our vehicle broke down on the way for 1.5 hrs but we finally made it. The uninvited alpaca keep licking the bottom of our roadside table. We finally looked and saw he was licking gum stuck to the bottom of the table. I met two great Canadian girls, Alex and Kylie, with whom I spent the night partying at the local Irish Pub {yes they had an Irish Pub in Chivay} even though it is very small. At dinner, we saw Peruvian folk dancing and had good meal.

PERU, Arequipa, Monasterio De Santa Catalina

It is called an Island of Serenity in Peru's White City {Arequipa}. Covering an entire city block, the original convent was built in 1580. At its maximum 450 women were living there in this quiet, self-contained community. It had a reputation of an exclusive club where young girls of aristocratic families arrived for an education, safe haven or a spiritual vocation.

PERU, Arequipa

Saturday June 2, 2007

I caught the bus to Arequipa. I had to cross the border again to go into Peru. The original hostel that I was going to stay at was awful. I found a great hostel while talking to a travel agent who arranged my trip to Colca Canyon. Arequipa was one of the most beautiful cities that I visited in Peru. The plaza was great and had several nice restaurants plus was only 3 blocks from my hostel. The market that I visited on Sunday was nice and had fresh fruit drinks, vegetables, meats and anything else you could possibly want.

BOLIVIA, DEATH ROAD

June 1, 2007

It is called the "Death Road" because on average over 150 people a year die on this road, mostly in overfilled buses. The descent is 3800 meters and is 64 km long. It is about 600 meters or 2000 feet fall if you go off the road at almost any point. They also did not tell us that we had to ride on the outside edge due to traffic until we got there. I had two minor crashes but nothing serious. One of the riders behind me did slide off the road but another guy and I pulled him up. He fell on the road and slid off the edge but luckily grabbed some brush.

They had just recently completed an alternative and safer highway and it's now used mostly for locals living in the mountains. 

BOLIVIA, La Paz

Thursday May 31, 2007

I caught the bus to La Paz, Bolivia. The bus ride was 3.5 hrs including the ferry ride. I checked into a hostel next to Downhill Madness, a company that takes people biking down the "Death Road". Rooms in hostel are still pretty cold at night. Tomorrow I bike down the Death Road.

BOLIVIA, Isle of Sol {Island of Sun}

May 30, 2007

Took the boat from Copacabana to Isle of Sol. The island has paths which circle the entire island.. The path mainly follows the top of the hills on the coast and gives great views all the times. Some of the paths were in stone and made by the Incas. I got lost at the end of the day due to a local giving me the wrong directions and missed the last boat. I stayed at the same hostel Deidre and Sam were staying.