Friday 14 September 2012
ECO INN COLCA
CALLE LIMA 513
YANQUE PERU
TEL (51-51) 950 3140
We travelled by bus from Arequipa to Chivay ( our accommodation had changed to casa Andina, Chivay since blog was set up). The Colca Valley opened up to us on the way. We took our altitude pills, and our guide showed us how to eat our coca leaves, wrapped with a sprinkle of something sweet. You chew it just like chewing gum, and the juice can make your tongue go a bit numb! We climbed to 4900 m and hopped out of bus to see some weird moss on a rock. We both felt slightly off balance. Funny this altitude! We saw Vicunas, Alpaca and Llama on the way too. The pebbled roads we drove along zig zagged up the mountains and opened up views all the way of terraced valleys and snow capped mts. After reaching our hotel at Chivay (after crossing a gorge) we changed into bathers to go to the local thermal spring pools. 39 degrees and just lovely to be in this public pool. Not as special as peninsula hot springs but enjoyable nonetheless. Beer was served in this pool but we didn't buy any. We're too boring (and I want a clear head with this altitude). A big day today and tomorrow our clocks are set for 5.15am!
Today we left early to discover more of Colca Valley and view condors. It had snowed overnight on the mountains on the edge of Chivay. Very pretty. Lots of tourists around. Greg got good shots of the 5 or so Condors we saw. Amazing birds just hovering in the thermals. One girl and her dad were to come with us on this day but she got bad altitude sickness and needed oxygen and everything! On our return we had a snooze then walked to the city square. We inadvertently stumbled into a funeral procession coming out of the church. Let me tell you this is nearly New Orleans style of funeral with mourners walking in the street, a brass band behind, and priest ahead blessing everyone. Later at the hotel we still heard music and walked to see what must have been a wake! Greg loved all the little motor bike taxis.
I had Sopa de Pollo for dinner (chicken and veg soup with quinoa) and Greg had Lomo Saltada (beef with onion tomato, rice and a perfect stack of chips). A local band in red ponchos, including little boy played music in Dining room - pan pipes, recorders, drum, Guitar, ukulele The little boy was so good Good sleep. A free morning meant we could wander thru town, across the bridge over the gorge and climbed to a viewing point of the town. Shepherds (mr and mrs) herd their sheep, donkeys etc through the town. Dogs run freely. On return we stopped in the square and watched a little girl in costume feed her baby Alpaca milk in a bottle! Now waiting for bus back to Arequipa. Maybe we should have one more Coca tea before climbing that hill again.
Actually we're both going really well with the altitude. We took an altitude pill after the Quito headaches, but really it was precautionary. We're just being smart about it. I don't want to waste any holiday time.
On the way back to Arequipa (by bus) the landscape was different as the previous snow falls had melted creating small lakes that even attracted birdlife. A pleasant trip. One night now in Arequipa.