Short summary: Traveled from Arequipa to Puno Peru by bus. Short tour of Sillustani and sites by our hotel
Today we woke up to no hot water still. Not good. Zach shaved with cold water while I opted to be dirty and warm instead of clean and cold. We got our stuff downstairs at 7:10 to find the front desk person who didn't speak any english. Somehow we got him to order us a taxi to the bus station. While we were waiting we found 2 other travelers eating breakfast even though we were told there would be no breakfast available before we left. You can see our review of Azul Colonial Inn on trip advisor, we would not recommend it
We made it to the bus station after some confusion and had just enough time to grab 2 sandwiches and apples for slightly over $2. We got near the front of the Cruz del Sur bus. Sadly I was behind a large german who put is seat all the way back as soon as he could. The landscape was somewhat interesting, but I was so tired I slept 4 hours. Lunch was more cheese sandwiches (think fresh cheese curds on rolls) a small glass of coke and a strange caramel dessert thing.
Thankfully we arrived in Puno slightly after 2 with our smiling guide Freddy from Inca Lake waiting for us. After a stop at the gross bathrooms we were picked up in a nice car and dropped our stuff off at San Antonio Suites. Nice hotel with big rooms for cheap. Bonus was free coca tea since Zach and I were feeling the 4000 m above sea level.
It took about 30 min to get to Sillustani ruins. We got out and it was warmish and sunny but by the time we left it was getting quite cold. These towers are burial sites built by the Colla and later Inca people. There were some towers that the government rebuilt but many that were in their original state. Only 4 years ago they found 20 childrens bodies (probably sacrifices) here. The surrounding area was also very pretty. There is a lake around much of the ruins and an island in the distance full of vicunas. Freddy gave lots of good info about the area including the pre-Inca history.
Then it was back to our hotel where it was quite cold be this point. We watched a little of the US Ghana game before heading out to find dinner since we were starving by this point. After trying to find Machu Pizza and instead finding a small parade of some sort we finally settled on Mojsa right on the main square (mostly because it was someplace we could actually find). We had pizza, garlic bread and dessert all of which were not as big as we would have wanted but pretty good. Sitting by the wood fired stove was nice though. I had chicha marado which was better then the stuff in Lima but still a little strange. After dinner we found an ATM more water and headed to the hotel for finally some hot water and rest. All in all a pretty good day
Today we woke up to no hot water still. Not good. Zach shaved with cold water while I opted to be dirty and warm instead of clean and cold. We got our stuff downstairs at 7:10 to find the front desk person who didn't speak any english. Somehow we got him to order us a taxi to the bus station. While we were waiting we found 2 other travelers eating breakfast even though we were told there would be no breakfast available before we left. You can see our review of Azul Colonial Inn on trip advisor, we would not recommend it
Nice courtyard not good service
Still cold shower
We made it to the bus station after some confusion and had just enough time to grab 2 sandwiches and apples for slightly over $2. We got near the front of the Cruz del Sur bus. Sadly I was behind a large german who put is seat all the way back as soon as he could. The landscape was somewhat interesting, but I was so tired I slept 4 hours. Lunch was more cheese sandwiches (think fresh cheese curds on rolls) a small glass of coke and a strange caramel dessert thing.
Some scenery along the way
Very small lunch on bus
Arequipa bus terminal
Thankfully we arrived in Puno slightly after 2 with our smiling guide Freddy from Inca Lake waiting for us. After a stop at the gross bathrooms we were picked up in a nice car and dropped our stuff off at San Antonio Suites. Nice hotel with big rooms for cheap. Bonus was free coca tea since Zach and I were feeling the 4000 m above sea level.
It took about 30 min to get to Sillustani ruins. We got out and it was warmish and sunny but by the time we left it was getting quite cold. These towers are burial sites built by the Colla and later Inca people. There were some towers that the government rebuilt but many that were in their original state. Only 4 years ago they found 20 childrens bodies (probably sacrifices) here. The surrounding area was also very pretty. There is a lake around much of the ruins and an island in the distance full of vicunas. Freddy gave lots of good info about the area including the pre-Inca history.
The most famous tower
Old farming method of building land into lake for warmth
Dinky and the funeral towers at sunset
After the ruins we stopped at a local home to see how they live and take pictures with llamas. There were some pretty cute guinea pigs chickens llamas and alpacas along with a nice looking local family. We saw the handicraft making process from alpaca wool to finished product. We also learned that in this area they eat clay on their potatoes for ulcers. We got a nice alpaca scarf and some good pictures with a llama that was less than thrilled to be posing.
Guinea pigs at local familys house
Us with the less than thrilled llama
My new llama scarf made completely at that family's house
Puno cathedral at night
Chicha morado (purple corn drink)
Good but small pizza for dinner
Then it was back to our hotel where it was quite cold be this point. We watched a little of the US Ghana game before heading out to find dinner since we were starving by this point. After trying to find Machu Pizza and instead finding a small parade of some sort we finally settled on Mojsa right on the main square (mostly because it was someplace we could actually find). We had pizza, garlic bread and dessert all of which were not as big as we would have wanted but pretty good. Sitting by the wood fired stove was nice though. I had chicha marado which was better then the stuff in Lima but still a little strange. After dinner we found an ATM more water and headed to the hotel for finally some hot water and rest. All in all a pretty good day
No comments:
Post a Comment