Macchu Picchu to Arequipa
One hardly needs text to describe Macchu Picchu. Most crews enjoyed a fabulous day catching the Orient Express train from our hotel, enjoying the ride to Aquas Caliente and then the snaking bus up to the ruins. The second time is just as impressive as the first - jaw-dropping.
Travelling on the Orient Express train was rather different to my last experience. Then, in 2000, we caught the local train from Ollantytambo at 0630. It was so packed we only just had room to place our feet on the ground and sway with the crowd. I was holding on to George (8) and we were getting more and more pressed against the door that opened out wards and was only held by a flimsy bolt with screws missing. I spent the whole journey terrified that my boy was going to fall out. How things have changed. The train is now very luxurious.
We have moved on to Arequipa today, we had to fly with Treacy and Lloyd as we cannot pick up a car until we reach Arica in Chile tomorrow. So far, and I hope this doesn't change, there are five crews in hire cars. It's a bit miserable not being in an old car but, we are where we are and just have to make the most of it.
Arequipa is a beautiful colonial city. The old buildings are made of the local white volcanic stone and are exquisite. One small thrill. We are staying in the same hotel that we were in in 2000. There was a giant tortoise in the grounds called Jorge, which obviously created much amusement. I have a photo of Henry and George playing with him. People, I am delighted to tell you that Jorge is alive and well and was enjoying a giant papaya when he looked up thinking 'I've seen you before'. He now has a few Alpaca friends to keep him company.
When I was here before I really wanted to see 'Juanita' the perfectly preserved, frozen child who was sacrificed about 500 years ago. In 2000 she was visiting a museum in the US. In 2013 she is away having a full service to keep her in good order. What bad luck is that? However, another child was on display and was heartbreakingly small. The children were chosen, from about the age of three, for their perfection and brought up knowing their fate. It was supposed to be a privilege. For the sacrifice, at about the age of 11-14, they we dressed in very fine clothes, an elaborate headdress of feathers and thy carried bags with coca leaves in.
It is thought, and I really hope this is true, that before death the children were completely out of it on coca leaves and the local hard brew. The were hit on the back of the head,once only, with something that fractured their skulls. The artefacts buried with them and the textiles are in truly remarkable condition, as are the bodies themselves.
All the other crews made it in in time for dinner with tales of how marvellous the route was. It looked pretty gorgeous from 30,000 feet too. Jorge is still having problems with his Merc. Thick fog and then hail was an issue for some and Mark Winkelman's Plymouth had an encounter with a ditch and had to be pulled out. Both he and Victor were unharmed, thank goodness.
Tomorrow, our last 'plane of shame'. We enter Chile and hope that Hertz are waiting with their finest truck. It's been such a faff to organise that none of us are entirely confident, but, at least we are progressing.
We can't wait to start driving again tomorrow.
Travelling on the Orient Express train was rather different to my last experience. Then, in 2000, we caught the local train from Ollantytambo at 0630. It was so packed we only just had room to place our feet on the ground and sway with the crowd. I was holding on to George (8) and we were getting more and more pressed against the door that opened out wards and was only held by a flimsy bolt with screws missing. I spent the whole journey terrified that my boy was going to fall out. How things have changed. The train is now very luxurious.
We have moved on to Arequipa today, we had to fly with Treacy and Lloyd as we cannot pick up a car until we reach Arica in Chile tomorrow. So far, and I hope this doesn't change, there are five crews in hire cars. It's a bit miserable not being in an old car but, we are where we are and just have to make the most of it.
Arequipa is a beautiful colonial city. The old buildings are made of the local white volcanic stone and are exquisite. One small thrill. We are staying in the same hotel that we were in in 2000. There was a giant tortoise in the grounds called Jorge, which obviously created much amusement. I have a photo of Henry and George playing with him. People, I am delighted to tell you that Jorge is alive and well and was enjoying a giant papaya when he looked up thinking 'I've seen you before'. He now has a few Alpaca friends to keep him company.
When I was here before I really wanted to see 'Juanita' the perfectly preserved, frozen child who was sacrificed about 500 years ago. In 2000 she was visiting a museum in the US. In 2013 she is away having a full service to keep her in good order. What bad luck is that? However, another child was on display and was heartbreakingly small. The children were chosen, from about the age of three, for their perfection and brought up knowing their fate. It was supposed to be a privilege. For the sacrifice, at about the age of 11-14, they we dressed in very fine clothes, an elaborate headdress of feathers and thy carried bags with coca leaves in.
It is thought, and I really hope this is true, that before death the children were completely out of it on coca leaves and the local hard brew. The were hit on the back of the head,once only, with something that fractured their skulls. The artefacts buried with them and the textiles are in truly remarkable condition, as are the bodies themselves.
All the other crews made it in in time for dinner with tales of how marvellous the route was. It looked pretty gorgeous from 30,000 feet too. Jorge is still having problems with his Merc. Thick fog and then hail was an issue for some and Mark Winkelman's Plymouth had an encounter with a ditch and had to be pulled out. Both he and Victor were unharmed, thank goodness.
Tomorrow, our last 'plane of shame'. We enter Chile and hope that Hertz are waiting with their finest truck. It's been such a faff to organise that none of us are entirely confident, but, at least we are progressing.
We can't wait to start driving again tomorrow.
Comments
Post a Comment