Nazca lines in negative image of the tree
largest sand dune in the world...really light, but you can see it in the back
Vicuna herds up in the mountains just before the snow started coming downNovember 20, 2007
We left Lima with Shawn on the back of Lou´s bike with a little sorrow, being that we received such a wonderful welcome at our guest house. The desert was once again cool and dry, as we drove along the Pacific towards Nazca. We made it as far as Palpa, and decided to find a place to stay for the night. The hostel turned out to be an old prison, only they added stained glass over the bars and painted the walls to make it more hospitable. I swear that the beds are the same from the jail bird nights, curdled and lumpy from the hidden tools in the matress for the midnight escape.
November 21, 2007
We left early and headed towards the Nazca lines. We made it to the observation deck, and ventured on the 50 foot climb up in the tower that overlooks three of the many desert designs made by the ancient Incas hundreds of years ago. The lines are designed by digging channels into the desert sand in the shape of different figures...we saw the tree, hands and lizard. There are many theories, one being that they were using these channels to collect the very little rain water that fell each year, however, I tend to believe that aliens came down from space to make the land-art.
After visiting the not so impressive lines, we took off towards Cusco. We bypassed the tallest sand dune in the world, more than 2,300 meters, before climbing over 4,300 meters into the national forest covered in Vicuna herds and a very intense snow storm. Unfortunately, on the way, we happened to ride by a bus that had tipped over on it´s side. As we moved pass the police barricade slowly, we unfortunately caught the viewing of a deceased passenger being pulled out from the back window by two firemen.
A little taken from the sight of the wreck, we met the mountain peaks with warm engines and the snow fell sideways as we chartered into the wintry hell. My two thumbs were completely frozen, as I cleared my helmet visor every five seconds, and my body shivered for the next 45 miles. The descent was magical, as my heated grips on the bike finally kicked in, as if they did not work in 30 degree temperatures, and my body became homeostatic once again. We made it all the way down into Challaunca, just outside of Ayacucho, before seeing a sign with "Agua Caliente" on it and jumping on board. Meeting up with a few other bikers who were tired after a snow torn day, we warmed up with a little rum and chicken.
November 22, 2007
We left in the early rain this morning, headed for Cusco. Cusco was once the sight of the Incan capital, once covered in gold from top to bottom, it was quickly taken over by the Spaniards. However, the very close by Machu Picchu was not discovered until a very later date.
The ride today was beautiful. We climbed over 4,100 meters twice before arriving in Cusco, sitting at 10,000 feet. However, the majority of the trip was running along sweet curves on the river side. Arriving in Cusco, we found the hotel where all the bikers go to, and the manager was quick to offer us our Machu Pïcchu tours. I am going with the four day three night mountain bike/hike tour, and the other three are going with the "old man" train tour. We plan on all meeting on top on Sunday and riding back down together into Cusco by train Monday morning.
As for tonight, there is a biker bar that is known for their adventure enthusiasts...they may just get some of money out of me this evening. As for tomorrow, I am headed up the Incan trails, curing the altitude sickness...aka hangover...with a little coca tea. Salud!
We left Lima with Shawn on the back of Lou´s bike with a little sorrow, being that we received such a wonderful welcome at our guest house. The desert was once again cool and dry, as we drove along the Pacific towards Nazca. We made it as far as Palpa, and decided to find a place to stay for the night. The hostel turned out to be an old prison, only they added stained glass over the bars and painted the walls to make it more hospitable. I swear that the beds are the same from the jail bird nights, curdled and lumpy from the hidden tools in the matress for the midnight escape.
November 21, 2007
We left early and headed towards the Nazca lines. We made it to the observation deck, and ventured on the 50 foot climb up in the tower that overlooks three of the many desert designs made by the ancient Incas hundreds of years ago. The lines are designed by digging channels into the desert sand in the shape of different figures...we saw the tree, hands and lizard. There are many theories, one being that they were using these channels to collect the very little rain water that fell each year, however, I tend to believe that aliens came down from space to make the land-art.
After visiting the not so impressive lines, we took off towards Cusco. We bypassed the tallest sand dune in the world, more than 2,300 meters, before climbing over 4,300 meters into the national forest covered in Vicuna herds and a very intense snow storm. Unfortunately, on the way, we happened to ride by a bus that had tipped over on it´s side. As we moved pass the police barricade slowly, we unfortunately caught the viewing of a deceased passenger being pulled out from the back window by two firemen.
A little taken from the sight of the wreck, we met the mountain peaks with warm engines and the snow fell sideways as we chartered into the wintry hell. My two thumbs were completely frozen, as I cleared my helmet visor every five seconds, and my body shivered for the next 45 miles. The descent was magical, as my heated grips on the bike finally kicked in, as if they did not work in 30 degree temperatures, and my body became homeostatic once again. We made it all the way down into Challaunca, just outside of Ayacucho, before seeing a sign with "Agua Caliente" on it and jumping on board. Meeting up with a few other bikers who were tired after a snow torn day, we warmed up with a little rum and chicken.
November 22, 2007
We left in the early rain this morning, headed for Cusco. Cusco was once the sight of the Incan capital, once covered in gold from top to bottom, it was quickly taken over by the Spaniards. However, the very close by Machu Picchu was not discovered until a very later date.
The ride today was beautiful. We climbed over 4,100 meters twice before arriving in Cusco, sitting at 10,000 feet. However, the majority of the trip was running along sweet curves on the river side. Arriving in Cusco, we found the hotel where all the bikers go to, and the manager was quick to offer us our Machu Pïcchu tours. I am going with the four day three night mountain bike/hike tour, and the other three are going with the "old man" train tour. We plan on all meeting on top on Sunday and riding back down together into Cusco by train Monday morning.
As for tonight, there is a biker bar that is known for their adventure enthusiasts...they may just get some of money out of me this evening. As for tomorrow, I am headed up the Incan trails, curing the altitude sickness...aka hangover...with a little coca tea. Salud!
