Wednesday, September 13, 2023 | Michaela Achatzi | North and South America
I happily welcome , Patrick, Michael and Joy.
After a very funny welcome briefing, we accept the motorcycles and can hardly wait to get on them and start driving.
But we are allowed to sleep one more night before the chaotic traffic from Arequipa releases us unharmed
After initial technical difficulties, we leave the metropolis of Ariquipa, unscathed.
416 km await us on the first day, perfect for getting used to it.
About mountains that make you feel like you're on the moon. But we are not alone, many a truck is overtaken by us. Because they are very, very slow.
You could stop at every corner... but we have to move on, because it's advisable to arrive before dark.
Because the hotel descent is 3.5 km gravel.
But we master it with bravura ease.
What a first day
Before we leave our simple but idyllic hotel in Porto Inka Bay, we explore the ruins just beyond.
It's amazing what people built back then.
Then we go straight to Nazca where today's highlight awaits.
An (international) flight over the famous drawings of Nazca. These were discovered in 1920 and are hundreds of years old.
Today is our highlight.
We visit Machu Picchu.
We are all excited.
At 7:59 a.m. 1:45 a.m. we take the panoramic train into the rainforest.
But things really get exciting with the bus.
Wow what a ride, what felt like 200 serpentines on clay roads with oncoming traffic.
But we're getting to the top.
Now it's stone by stone, step by step.
And then we see this miracle of architecture on or in the mountain.
A magical moment
that you can hardly put into words or pictures.
We explore the mountain for 3 hours before we head back on our beautiful
Before we hit the road today, we first take the boat to the largest/highest navigable lake, 3600 m, Lake Titikaka.
The floating islands, which are inhabited by families, have to have new reeds added every 6 weeks.
Then we head back through the breathtaking landscape towards Chivay.
we dream and enjoy.
Come to the highest pass in Peru and start our tour at the same time.
4936 m
It is cold but a very special experience.
We see a volcano erupting and smoking in the distance.
Unfortunately, today is our last day, but it should also be an unforgettable day.
We start our engines early to drive into the nearby Colca Canyon.
Why?
Well today is the day where we want to see the largest flying birds, the condors.
The Peruvian condors grow up to 1 m high and have a wingspan of 3.20 m and weigh 13 kg.
And we were so lucky, when we arrived we saw how majestically they glided in the air, spiraling upwards.
But the path into the canyon was also a beautiful, winding, sometimes slippery road
Then with a heavy heart we head towards Arequipa, where our journey began 9 days before.
Another stop at 4934 m.
We really had a lot
to laugh, to experience and to process it.
All in one
Piece and healthy back.
Thank you very much
Marcie, Patrick, Joy, Michael and Eduardo
see you soon
Your Michaela