November 2012

We left the hotel early as we knew that we would be taking a 'lancha' (ferry) to Lake Titikaka and then to Amantani Island for a home stay tonight.

We were surprised when we got out our hotel and saw a row of rickshaws in front of the hotel. Then, we realised that we woukd be taking the rickshaws to the sea port!! It was fun to being on the rickshaws and especially when we are at the intersection where cars don't realky respect the red traffic lights!!

Laka Titikaka is huge!! It is the highest lake in the world and also the largest lake in South America. We had a new local tour guide who was very good to explain the history of the Lake Titikaka to us. He also taught us a few local dialets ie Quechua and Aymara as he explained that our host famalies dont speak much English .

Basically, we have been offerred by the locals to stay at their home for 1 night. There would be no shower for one day and we would help the family whenever we can...

On way to the Amantani island, we stopped by some of 'man made' floating islands!! It is absolutely how amazing the traditions are still being preserved and these floating islands are made of local reeds!! Sadly, as explained by our tour guide that this tradition may not be continued for long as some of these people and their children are getting more educated and they usually work in the cities rather than in the islands...

I did't realise that we were going higher than Cusco as the island we home stayed is more than 4000m above... i guess i should be alright with the high altitude. Think at one point we even reached 4800m where we had lunch overlooking the tranquil Lake Titikaka. When we reached the island, we invited to play soccer with the local school kids at the Amantani Island!! Can't you believe that i kicked two goals!!

LOL!!

Day 11, we finally said goos bye to Cusco and Machu Picchu today. We took the local bus to the next city called Puno which is about 6hrs ride.

The tour guide has warmed us to watch our luggages and bags at the local bus stop. He told us that our bus would be 'luxury'...

On our way to Puno, we saw a lot of incomplete houses and buildings which we later learnt that Peruvians need to pay huge taxes once the house is complete!! This explaun why most houses are incomplete.

We were lucky when we reached Puno as the town happened to celebrate their 400 years old anniversary. So, there would be lots of traditional dances on the street!!

From today onwards, i don't have any more altitude sickness tablets... think i should be acclimatised now to the altitude....

Today is the last day in Cusco - free day.

We took the day easy and did pretty much nothing apart from some shopping...

Went to the post office to enquire about sending some stuff home. We nearly fainted when we were told it would cost $60aud/kg to send stuff home.

Visited the art craft centre... yeah more shopping...

Lol

Day 9, we got up very early around 4am so that we can be in Machu Picchu by 6am!! We had to take a bus from Aguas Calientes which takes about 40mins.

As advised by our tour guide, David, there would be ppl waiting at the bus stop at dawn because ppl just want to be there before it gets crowded!!

I don't know what to say when i first saw Machu Picchu with my own eyes. I can't get away the fact that i'm actually now in Machu Picchu because it just took my breath away... i feel so lucky and happy that i actually made it to here... Our tour guide was awesome n i learnt so much from him during the 2 hrs guided tour!

Mchu Picchu is lower than Cusco so i should be alright with the altitude.

After the 2hrs guided tour, we explored other sections of Machu picchu. We hiked to the sun gates which was 400m above Machu Picchu and i was breathless with every steps that i took to get to the top. Then, we hiked to the Inca bridge.

We finally took the bus back to aguas caliente around 1:30pm....

Today, i feel very fortunate to be able to visit Machu Picchu and be a part of the Inca Empire...

Day 8, I'm going to meet up with my tour guide to go to Aguas Caliente! I'm really excited that I can still go to Machu Picchu! Machu Picchu is about 2800m height which is lower than Cusco! So, I should be alright with the altitude.

I checked out the handicraft market in the morning as the tour guide is coming to the hotel around noon. We walked to the local taxi place whereby lots of ppl take the taxi to go back to their home town. My tour guide explained to me that today there will be lots of ppl visit the cementary. He said he used to drink beer and chat with his grandpa at his graveyard. I found the Peruvians culture quite similar to Chinese.

We got to Ollantaytambo and had our lunch while waiting for the train to Aguas Caliente. I met up with others who had finished the Lares trek and 4 of us would go to Machu Picchu together. The scenery for the train ride is beautiful.

We got to Aguas Caliente around 6pm and then we will meet with another tour guide who will take us to Machu Picchu!!

We decided to be at Machu Picchu early in the morning to avoid the crowd. So, we have to wait for the bus around 5am!!!

I can't wait....