Hola!
I am going to to Peru all alone, with almost no money
no film crew, or friends, except for the ones I met
Just myself conquering world famous Machu Picchu
try to solve mysteries of Nazca Lines
visiting the 'poor man's Galapagos
and, going off the beaten path to Rain Mountain
Not to mention experiencing cultures and tasty local cuisines
All done, safely, inexpensive and easily...
Anything I can do, you can do!
DIY Destinations – Peru and you are invited...
We are so fortunately to live in a small world
with so many cultures
so much beauty
and so much diversity
the world waits for no one...
it's up to each of us to discover its magnificent destinations
I want to make travel accessible to all of us
to showing how it can be done safely and inexpensively
Located in the heart of South America,
Peru is believed to the first civilization in the Americas
and today home to a population of 33 million
There are few places where I visited twice,
but Peru is exception as it is has so many natural and cultural treasures that have fascinated people for hundreds of years
and still fascinates us today
That why I am here, to experience the pre-hispanic cultures;
the Inca Empire;
the fusion between the Inca and hispanic worlds,
its diverse influence from Asia and Africa,
and their wide variety of cultural expressions;
the deserts,
mountains,
forests, and the sea.
And off course, to have fun...
and be little silly!
Most visitors begin their journey here at the Lima International Airport
Lima is the capital and the largest city in Peru with a population of 10 million
that is lot of friends waiting for me to meet!
So finally I arrived at the Lima International Airport
and there is many ways to get down to Miraflores
either you can take the colectivos or shared taxis
I don't recommended it personally
at night this area is not the safest
the second option is this one here, a direct us to down there
it has USB hookup with wifi and all that  gadgets inside that you probably need for a short ride
alright, so I safely arrived here in Lima, the Miraflores
and the bus just left
its time to check out my hostel
I stayed in Eurobackpackers Hostels for the first night since its only few blocks away from the main square
The President Kennedy Park and Sea side
But nothing can keep me in since I have no local money in pocket
if you are from the good old USA
you can withdrawal dollar and convert them at local exchanges houses call Cambio at better rates than banks
Even better is if your bank is part of Global ATM Alliance
including Bank of America...
Barclay's, Scotiabank, Westpac, BNP...
there is no fee for withdrawal
As long as the machine works
Our first official stop is the President Kennedy Park
formally known as the Parque Central prior to 1960s consisting of a Church and an open area
and became two separate public areas: the Parque 7 de Junio
commemorating one of the most important battles of Peruvian history
and Parque Kennedy, honoring U.S. President who initiated the Alliance for Progress
aimed to establish economic cooperation between the U.S. and Latin America
For those of you who need to confess your sins
the oldest Roman Catholic Cathedral still stand tall, and here is the proof!
Built in the last century, it stands on the site of an older church, San Miguel de Miraflores
Though the beauty of its grand colonial exterior clearly outshines the interior
the interesting stained glass detailing the scenes of life and miracles of Jesus
and the image of the Miraculous Virgin, from which its name is derived
But of those of us who wants to get a fresh breath of air
just 15 minutes walk away you’ll find the bike path boardwalk
with the most breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean during the day
This is where you can find the most expensive and exclusive upscale western style mall in all of Peru
It’s called, Larcomar
but I don’t have the budget for $8 coffee
so let’s get back the free stuff!
Although, its safe to come at night
I suggest you come during daytime
unless you want to see couples at the Amor Park or the Love Park
There is lots of people making out especially this time at night
close to midnight
I think its time to give some of these people some privacy
because I still see some people having fun!
One of the most famous and most visited active lighthouse is also located along the path
Built in 1900
it was dismantled in 1973 and reconstructed in this parkland above the high cliffs
and named Parque el Faro
which commemorates a century of Peruvian navigation
Yes, there is free yoga classes here with lots of energetic youthful souls
On the way back to center
I suggest you take the under path from the Juan Carosio Park to get little closer the sea
But by this point, I have seen enough of new modern Miraflores
so its time for the old
I walked to Huaca Pucllana
a historical site consist of the great adobe and clay pyramid built from seven staggered platforms
Bring your student card and come on Sunday, and admission will be FREE!
The site served as an important ceremonial and administrative center for the advancement of the Lima Culture
a society which developed in the Peruvian Central Coast between the years of 200 AD and 700 AD
Other remains have been uncovered belonging to the Wari Culture
existed between 500 AD-900 AD
which has a direct influence on the Lima Culture society towards the ends of its time period
Of particular note are the remains of the The Lord of the Unkus
which belonged to the first tomb holding three separate burial shrouds containing the remains of three adults–
two of which have masks–and those of a sacrificed child
Lima is well connected by an extensive public transportation network
and this how I am going to get from Miraflores to city center
with the newly built bus rapid transit El Metropolitano
you can get one of these cards for around S/. 5
and use top it up and repaid it, it deduct it each time you use it
it's really convenient, it takes you directly from Miraflores to the Main Square
Be little careful when you are in a crowded bus
because of the pickpocketing situation
so always be aware of your surroundings
You’ll get off at the Jiron de la Union Station
and the Main Square of Lima will only be few minutes walk away
So be sure to enjoy the colonial era Spanish architecture leading to the square
Located in the Historic Centre of Lima
the Plaza Mayor or Plaza de Armas of Lima, is the birthplace of the city on January 18, 1535
During the colonial era, the plaza served as a market, bull fighting ring, and the city gallows
Yakes!
So finally, we are at the Main Square of Lima
and right behind me is the Presidential Palace
and if you come Sunday at noon
you get witness the changing of the guards
right to my left is the Lima Cathedral
and there is a nice water foundation here
with that being said...
let's go explore this lovely, lovely square
The Government Palace or the House of Pizarro is the seat of the executive branch of the Peruvian Government
and the official residence of the President of Peru
The Basilica Cathedral of Lima is a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to St John, The Apostle
Completed in 1538
the building has undergone many reconstructions and transformations
however it retains its colonial structure and façade
The heart of the Plaza is the water fountain
first constructed in 1578 with a baluster and an elevated bowl
A ball at the top of the fountain dispersed water back onto the lower levels
The fountain was replaced in 1651 with the seal of the city inscribed on the new ball
If you can lucky enough to be here on Sunday afternoon
you get to experience the small religious procession of San Martín de Porres
the patron saint of mixed-race people, barbers, innkeepers, public health workers, and all those seeking racial harmony
Among the many miracles attributed to him were those of levitation
bilocation
miraculous knowledge
instantaneous cures
and an ability to communicate with animals
Wow!!!
on the way to Chinatown, I encourage you to try out Lima’s many, many exciting street food
from sweets,
popcorns,
fresh ice-creams to fresh fruits
So this is Lima's Chinatown
it's one of the oldest in the world
and the largest in the Latin America
and its full of Chinese shops
but its famous for its Chinese food called Chifa
which is the Peruvian styled Chinese food
and we have to go and try it out...
with that being said... Chinatown is that way
let's go and take a look!
founded in the mid-19th century by Chinese immigrants
It was the site of the Central Market in 1850s
when Chinese immigrants started to cluster in the area by establishing businesses, schools and temples
It was a thriving commercial area until the destruction and looting in 1881-1883
by invading Chilean military forces during the War of the Pacific
Today Chinatown has fully recovered
with many restoration and renovation in past five decades
including an archway, a gift from Taiwan install in 1971
and overhauled being done to Street Calle Capon paved with 30,000 red bricks with the name of donors and benefactors
so I am actually settled in to eat the Peruvian Chinese Food
and...
you'll see their version of wonton
and... let me warn you...
it's not the same one as we have in the U.S.
So how it come about is when Chinese first arrived here in Peru
they don't have a lot of original ingredients they use back in China
so they have to improvise
Due to a lack of ingredients
the Chinese immigrants were forced substitute with the local ingredients
By 1920, the first Chinese Peruvian restaurants were opened in Lima and were given the name Chifa
derived from Cantonese “sick fun” meaning “eat rice”
to describe a restaurant where this type of food is served
I stayed at the nearby Lima House for the night
it’s only a short walking distance from both the Chinatown and Main Square
with great public transit right across the street
After two days in Lima, its time to explore the other parts of Peru
So, next stop Paracas
a little resort town famous for its Ballestas Islands
marketed as poor man’s Galapagos
It’s a four hour bus ride from Lima
The best way to get there is by the overnight sleeper’s bus which arrives around 6 in the morning
just in time for island tour pickup
so, I just got dropped off...
in Paracas...
and geez...
I felt like I am in a war zone right now
look at this...
it's like no solid structure here
let's go to our hotel
The cost of bus is approximately $20
and $2 taxi ride from Paracas Bus Terminal to the city centre
I opted to settled in Kokopelli Hostel
famous for being magnetic for hot ladies
all right, all right… enough with that!
They are famous for lively atmosphere and great party every night
Oh yeah, free breakfast…
but go easy on the food if you think you’ll be sea sick
The tour operators will pick you up at 8:00 am, so don’t be late
the cost of tours are between $15 to $20 including the entrance fees
but I like to thank our sponsor Pisco Travel offering us a complimentary seat on this trip
The Ballestas Islands is a group of small islands composed largely of rock formations covering an estimated area of 0.12 square kilometres
On the way to the islands, you will notice El Candelabro on the Paracas Peninsula
a large-scale geoglyph that may have served as a beacon to mariners as the figure is 595 feet tall
and large enough to be seen 12 miles away in the open sea
These islands are an important sanctuary for 200 species of marine fauna
like the guanay guano bird, the blue-footed booby and the tendril
Other notable species include Humboldt penguins and other mammals including largest sea-lion colonies in the world
so we saw a lot of species of birds
and sea lions and so on...
but no penguin yet, we'll keep looking
and rock formation here is really nice and colorful
An hour is spent cruising around the islands' arches and caves
watching large herds of noisy sea lions sprawl on the rocks
I return to the dock an hour before the bus taking us to the Paracas National Reserve
Included in the tour is a museum showcasing many species of wildlife
particularly birds which are largely concentrated at the water's edge
It is the largest concentration of birds on earth
The museum also showcase prehistoric sites of the Paracas culture and other ancient civilizations
Established 1975
the reserved consists of the Paracas Peninsula, coastal areas and tropical desert extending to the south
So if you look carefully over there...
there is a face of a demon
The landscape is mostly dominated by sandy desert
along with many of its beaches
the product of the erosion of porphyry rocks that scattered through the hills of the Paracas Peninsula
The final leg of the tours included a stop at the Lagunillas Beach for lunch
But be warned it’s little pricy, the food will cost about twice the average
This is small fishing village dominated by the view of Pacific Ocean in the horizon
So, the fresh catches are always everyday
So as you can see, its only 6 pm here
and the street is deserted
there is not much to do
I'll say you don't need maybe more than two days here
especially when sun comes down early along with the many business
except for the over priced restaurants in the sea side
However, I did found a park filled with kids amazed by a garage can and my video equipment
Muchas Gracias!
Muchas, muchas gracias!
Personally, I am not a fan of fried sweets
but when you see all these locals working their butts off
do yourself a favour
for a dollar or two, support them!
it goes a long way!
and they got families to feed
Next morning, I took four-hour ride to Nazca
But the journey on bus can be slower than bicycles at times as it pass by many sharp turns on the mountain cliffs…
a little nervous at time...
but you can always choose to relax and nap or I prefer to enjoy the view
Hey, I didn’t come to Peru to sleep
When that got bored, I decided to go on an adventure, on the bus…
into the first class cabin
this is first class or executive class
to be honest with you, there is not much different between two classes
let me show you the only difference is this...
it reclined little bit more
but you get lot better view from up there
Once again…
the sun goes down early and fast
I am heading down to the bus stop, its a short walk from the Plaza d Armas
so let's hope we get there before the sun goes down
The city center is just few blocks away
and if you aren’t exhausted, just walk…
and if you get lost, there is Information Centre right across
somebody pointed me that I should come here
but as you can see the only thing I can see is bunch of dogs
I am very confident is straight
because that is what everyone saids
I think this might be it... but I still need to ask
so apparently I suppose be here
right across from the office
so finally I found the right bus
I got my ticket
it looks like this
it's right outside, not inside the station
and its headed towards Ica
And yes, please learn some Spanish…
trust me, your life here will be lot easier
And tell the driver to drop you off at the Nasca Lines approximately 30 minutes away
and cost about a dollar
so the bus drop you off here and this is where you get your ticket
it's S/. 2 if you are a student and S/. 3 if you are adult
and you just wait for people to come down and you can go back up
The lines actually makes me have faith there is extraterrestrials
Including myself who growing up watching E.T.
many believe they are made by aliens
but I’ll leave to the expert to debate how it is made or its purpose
However, there is no doubt is visible from high above as the arid plateau stretches more than 80 km across
the sun is about to go down
I am going to fly a drone over it
hopefully we'll get a better view from there
there is a full party here
Alright, with that being said, let's go and take a better look from up above
One hypothesis is that the Nazca people created them to be seen by their gods in the sky
Alright, incredibly good luck
I only need to wait like two minutes
After getting off the bus
I had a emergency…
I am freaking hungry and I am preparing to eat anything, as long as it cost less than $3.00
and bingo!
I found my calling…
Seems like everyone is eating here, I assume its good!
I asked them to cook me something, not sure what it is
but I know its probably something to do with chicken
there is chicken feet
eggs...
Very good!
also another thing is...
you can put lime over it
I think it is duck
Mystery solved!
the name of soup is Caldo de Gallina
a Peruvian styled chicken soup with boiled eggs, spaghetti, and don’t be surprise if it includes chicken feet
all this for a dollar
But I am not done yet
this is round two of my dinner
this is chicken with fried rice served with potatoes
I also ordered a arroz con pollo which translate into chicken and rice
one of the favourite staples of Peruvian cuisine
It’s original traced back to Northern Peru
and variation includes duck, all served with seasoned rice and sometimes with potatoes
The total damage...
This is S/. 5 or about two dollars or so
As you can tell, small town means nothing to do, except wondering around in the main square
almost in every town here in Peru has a Plaza de Armas
or the Main Square
its the centre of the town
there is one here in Nazca, no exceptions...
The majority of Peru’s population is Catholic
so its no surprise the second most famous landmark is the Nasca Church or known as Santiago Apóstol church
Build shortly after the 1940 earthquake to honour of the Virgin of Guadalupe
the patron saint of Nazca
I woke up early for my local airport pickup
so this is actually a very small airport
you be check in with your passport
airport tax, something you can't avoid
but at least there is no long line up and we can get going soon, I am sure
so we are about to head on to our high above journey to see the Lines
I like to thank our friends at Alas Peruanas for giving us a flight on this amazing adventure
This is a Cessna 206 and we'll be join by two pilots
The 30 minutes flight typical cost $90 to $100
and as usual in Peru there is always room for bargaining
The Nazca Lines were first spotted from the air in 1939 when a pilot flew over the desert
The geoglyphs fall into two categories
about 70 have been identified in the first category
are said to represent natural objects, such as animals, birds and insects
and as well as flowers, plants, and trees
so next we'll be seeing a spider
and another famous lines
A second group consist of lines and more basic shapes such as spirals, triangle and rectangles
After landing, I have to find a way to thank my sponsor…
so for the rest of next 25 seconds, please enjoy their infomercial
Nazca City is very famous for the Nazca Lines
C'mon, give me some energy...
Take two please!
join with us...
and from the air, you will see many, many lines and many figures
and I invite you to share this great experience with us at Alas Peruanas
That's little bit better!
Since Nasca is located nearby coastline
I am not leaving here without tasting some fresh catch
and one of the famous Peruvian coastal seafood dishes is Ceviche
This is definitely fish
I just don't know what types it is
but its really refreshing, there is lots of lime in here
if that is not enough you can put more
Haha
the mystery raw fish is commonly trout cured in citrus juices, such as lemon or lime, and spiced with chili peppers
Originated among the Moche,
a coastal civilization that began to flourish in the northern Peru nearly 2000 years ago
Because of the raw fish
I ask not eat it from street stall
since there is higher risk of food poisoning without proper refrigeration
If you got to the bus station early, no worries!
Being close to the center means you’ll find something to entertain yourself, like meeting future Olympians
There is also local farmers and art market nearby
selling everything from the locally handmade art craft and jewelries
to mysterious formula that will you a better man
at least a better lover in bed
to olive oils, to candies, and shoes…
if you need your shinning shoes for luck
they got you covered too!
The bus ticket cost around $25
and be prepare for another slow ride through the breathtaking valley
also be prepared for the heart wrenching sharp cliff along the way
and the Peru coastlines
So finally, we are in Arequipa
we are about half hour late
this is the coldest city I have ever being on this trip
it's nice of a change
but I a just freezing my ass off right now
The taxi to city centre cost about S2.50 to $3.00
so bargain and bargain hard
If you are using Uber, the cost about $2.00
but set your pickup point outside the station or else you’ll waiting forever
Once again, I chosen to stay near the city centre
and thanks to my generous host Hostal Solar
I have a roof over my head with comfortable room and complimentary breakfast
Arequipa is Peru's second largest city
and was founded in 1540 and surrounded by 3 active volcanoes
The site was chosen for its proximity to the coast
enabling settlers to trade the products of Cusco and the mines of Potosi with Lima
So, we'll start our morning right here at the San Camilo Market
it's the oldest market in the city
and located only three blocks away from the Main Square
the reason we are going so early around 10 o'clock or so
because this market will get filled up in the afternoon
So, it's better to do it now than later
You can get absolutely everything here
from food to knifes
to juice
but my favourite part is...
spices and local types of food
so my favourite is cinnamon
you can just feel it... and honestly...
amazing!
The breakfast time in this upper level is fun for people watching
and very popular with locals
such as tables full of police officers and security guards having an inexpensive meal to start off their day
Don’t forget to mingle with the locals…
you won’t need much luck for strangers to offer you a drink
and lots of free samples
A Peruvian just offered me a drink right here
So...
I guess I am going to take it
I don't know what it is , but let's check it out
Very nice...
very refreshing actually, you can just taste it
The drink is chicha morada
a sweet Peruvian beverage made from purple corn
After all that food and drinks…
let’s visit somewhere familiar
This is the Plaza de Armas, the main part of the town
as you already know just like other part of Peru
there is a water fountain
as well as here, there is two important landmarks
the museum in the back
A very important cathedral to the left of us
The square is surrounded by classic colonial architecture as commonly found in Arequipa
It is well known for its glistening white buildings made from sillar
a white volcanic rock, which gives the city its nickname 'The White City'
Facing the square is the Basilica Cathedral of Arequipa
the most important Catholic Church in the region
Free visit are available in most evenings
Construction begin on August 15, 1540
the same day Spanish lieutenant Garcí Manuel de Carbajal founded the city of Arequipa
Sadly, the earthquake of 1583 reduced the church to rubble and rebuilding began in 1590
and the rebuilding began in 1590
but just before the construction was completed in 1600
the violent eruption of volcano, together with earthquakes and rain of ash destroyed part of the structure
The present day cathedral completed in 1656
and despite it suffered many damages from multiple earthquakes and fire
the structure has largely remain intact to today
Equally as stunning, especially at night, located southeast corner of the Plaza de Armas
The Iglesia de la Compañía is small baroque church and a off the beaten path attraction often ignore by visitors
Constructed between 1590 to 1698
the facade is an intricately carved in the churrigueresque style
and its famous for the elaborate carved facade & an interior chapel with jungle motifs
The city is filled with monasteries and church
some of them with very expensive admission fee like Santa Catalina
So, let’s switch to my favourite topic makes me drool
Arequipa features some of the most varieties and flavourful cuisines in the country
the best place to experience is the Calle Bolognesi located west of main square
This is where the local eats at a bargain
She just brought some sort of cake
I think
I don't know what it is
but I think its going to be really good
Actually, its not a cake...
It’s a traditional Peruvian dish called Causa
made of mashed yellow and white potato mixed with hot pepper and lime juice and filled with corn, peas, carrots mixed with mayonnaise, garnished, eggs and olives
The average full meals cost about S/. 7 or $2.50
and I proud to announce I got a better bargain at only paid $2.00
Don’t forget the ice-cream desserts
it only cost about a quarter
You can easily beat the taxis and buses on foot in the city centre as the traffic are pretty crazy
But there is many option in getting around to the surrounding area
So one of the most inexpensive ways to get around the city is by one of those buses
they are called "colectivos" or shared taxi
they are about one sole or thirty cents U.S. or so
you just need to look at the sign to where they are going
and with that being said...
let's give it a shot... it's a local experience
This is how I got to bridge named Puente de Fierro
designed by a well known Frenchman, Gustave Eiffel who design the Eiffel Tower
This is where you can get breathtaking view of the volcanoes overlooking the city
Built in 1882 to be used as a viaduct for the train route to Cusco
At 488m long it was the longest in the world at the time
Within the walking distance from the main square, there are many public viewpoints for you to enjoy at night
Here is one of them
If you ask me where you should end your night
this is probably it...
We are at the Yanahuara site
from here you can get a panoramic view of the city
there is lots of place you can sit and maybe chat up a conversation with the locals
and in front of us, there is a plaza with lots of seating as well
so with that being said, let's take a look
what this lovely place is about
But I suggest you accompany your visit with some tasty street food along the way
If you are hungry at night
Don't you worry...
There is street food everywhere
for me, I got a chicken skewer
It's amazing!
the best part is it only cost S/. 1.30
which is about $0.50
One of most popular street food is anticuchos or meat on a stick
now made with beef heart that’s marinated in a mix of garlic, chilli, spices and vinegar
Hamburger fans, we got you covered too!
There is hamburger made from alpaca, stuff with fried onions
Don’t worry about losing weight
you can wander it off in many of the city’s market
Well, don’t stay too, too late
because the tour bus is going to pick us up at 3:00 am
actually we are heading off to the Colca Canyon
The cost is S/. 40 or about $12
After three hours, I felt like my butt had being sitting cement seat and finally able to get off
the tour includes a breakfast in a local hostel
this is what we got
The tour also includes a bilingual speaking guide and upselling start immediately
Chivay is the first main tourist town in the valley
and its dominated by the church Parish of Our Lady of the Assumption
So our first stop we arrived a Maca
the church is the center of the town
this church gone through a lot of restoration because the ground beneath is sinking due to the water
There is a small market where the locals relies on heavily on the tourist going to Colca Canyon
As much as I believe in supporting the local economy
the policy of this network is not to take photos with wild animals for tips
the reason is wild animal should be left in the wild
Our next stop is the checkpoint
we are all asked to pay the park entrance fee of S/. 75 or $25, not included in your tour
this is not what I expected
Ouch!
but life goes on!
The Colca Valley is a colorful Andean valley with pre-Inca roots, and towns founded in Spanish colonial times
still inhabited by people of the Collagua and the Cabana cultures
The local people maintain their ancestral traditions and continue to cultivate the pre-Inca stepped terraces
One of the highlight is the view point Condor’s Cross
situated on top of the steepest sides of the Colca Canyon
so to get the best vantage point you need to come right here
and the bird will fly right above us
if you have a power zoom lense bring it!
because if you look close enough in the back of the wing
once its open, its actually white
This is where you can witness the Andean condor with the second largest wingspan of all living flying birds gliding on thermals
These majestic birds can weight up to 33 lb
and sadly the species is listed by the World Conservation Union as "vulnerable"
Don’t forget to support the local business while you are enjoy the views
One of fruit are called dragon fruit or Pitaya
It’s said to keep you forever young with its strong antioxidants, vitamin C and fibre
many studies even claims it will improve blood pressure and liver function
There is also stalls selling handmade souvenirs, hats, mittens and other artworks
The tours frequently stops for small museums, food and bathroom breaks
but nothings is free in life…
at least when it comes to bathrooms and toilet in South America
They always cost you around S/. 2 and not all of have toilet paper
so be prepared and bring your own
Do you remember the time you have girlfriend problems?
yeah, the headaches
this is what you may experience due to lower level of oxygen at this high altitude
My recommendation, chew some coca leafs or nickname “cocaine leafs”
I’ll explain more later...
But the help is on the way as we stop at the hot springs
this is optional
but not expensive
I decided this will be my cure, if I can safely get through wobbly cable bridge
So after crossing the rope bridge, we are here at the hot springs
it's S/. 15
I thought its time for me to unwind, I got my bathing suit ready
let's check it out...
they got multiple pools, especially one pool that is away from the sun
I am especially excited about the benefits of submerging in the naturally heated water by the surrounding volcanoes
with added mineral like sulphur
or shall I say rotten eggs
but I thank goodness I don’t have date tonight
so we are going to lunch right now
I am so exhausted...
the lack of oxygen is really killing me right now
but I am not depress though...
don't get me wrong, I am not depressed
Well, it is depressing afterwards that lunch is not included in my tour
especially how overpriced it is...
It cost almost the same as the tour
So, I’ll say if it is not included it...
avoid it!
Our last stop is the highest viewpoint Mirador de los Andes
So finally made it to the highest excavation point
You can see four different volcano here
there is also a little lake here as well
it's a pretty nice sight
This is the last footage I took before I collapse into a coma during the my drive back to Arequipa
Once I waken from the coma, its time to get moving
The Arequipa’s New Bus Terminal is accessible by bus from the city centre
but the taxi only cost between S/. 8 to 10
Arequipa to Cusco overnight bus is very popular
and I strongly recommend you pre-book your reservation early online to get the cheaper seats located at the rear
Oh yeah,
one other thing…
You have to pay a departure tax of S/. 3
so make sure to get some change
and come a bit earlier
so finally I am arrived at Cusco
and boy...
what a horrible ride!
so all the taxi driver tried to charge me S/. 10
but I said five
eventually we come to the agreement to seven
so that means...
we saved $1.00 USD
Most hostels will hold your bags while you visit Machu Picchu
and I’ll drop mine off at Milhouse run by one of my friends from Argentina
By the way, if you constant felt like you got hangover
it’s just the high attitude and here is the fix
Now, Cusco has one of the higher elevation here in Peru
So if high altitude is not your thing
I have a solution for you!
Take those coca leafs
you can chew or put it into a tea
the nickname is actually the cocaine leafs
because that is dried from
but don't worry you are not going to get high
unless you are processing them like a Colombian mafia
Another fix is head straight to Machu Picchu which as the lower elevation to help your body acclimatized
so only with backpack and camera...
that is where I are going next…
the more adventure way is hiking
We made it here to Quillabamba Station
now its time to find the bus that goes to Santa Maria
The 10 minute taxi from city centre to station cost about S/. 7 or $2.00
and local bus to Santa Maria cost S/. 20 or $6.00
I recommend you leave early!
as this will be one of many rides to come
Now there is a half sole depature or terminal fee
so that lady is checking everyone to make sure they all paid for the terminal fee
Not long after the ride begin, you’ll be welcome to the world of real life shopping channels…
no cable TV subscription required…
First round...
Apparently there is a guy who is coming around to sell some stuff here
Second round…
fresh fruits
vegetables
bread and other stuff…
honestly I felt like watching a shopping channel
like every few stops
people come on to sell you stuff
when you are on this bus be prepared to look out the window and see the really steep slopes
it's really scary sometimes
On the upside
you’ll get to see some of the most beautiful Peruvian natural landscapes
so be brave!
So have reached the Santa Maria right here
so the next thing we need to find is a colectivo or a taxi to take us to Santa Teresa
He said for S/. 40, he'll leave at the moment...
The driver will wait until the car is full
unless you are willing to pay for the empty seats
I suggest you not wait if you arrived in the afternoon
as it get dark early and it can be dangerous to trek at night
And… don’t be surprise, if you need to make room for any humanoids cargo at the back
don’t be mad
and if you are nice to the proud Peruvian driver
he’ll even stop to show you some scenic viewpoints overlooking canyons
so our colectivo driver want to show off a very proud jewel of Santa Teresa
which is the Cocalmayo hot springs
as you can see over there...
these are all hot water coming out from the volcanos
From Santa Theresa
we’ll take another mini bus to Hidroelectrica
After 15 minutes of waiting in the van, I decided to pay the extra seats on a smaller car
and being on rush
I forgot my tripod…
but there is no time go back
the new driver offer to get it for me and leave at Peru Rail office
This is it!
So we'll start walking from here...
by the way, that's my travel buddy for the day
I also strongly recommend you meet some new friend and pair up for the hike to help each other
by the way, meet David from Germany
who will be my cameraman and translator
so we'll walk along this track that will take us directly to Machu Picchu
Also, just remember this cheap and adventurist way involved little danger
therefore “do it at your own risk”
so be warned and watch out for passing trains
You also need to always be look out for gaps
As you can see this is pure darkness...
darkness...
honestly...
so my advice to everyone is start your journey as early
as early as you can...
so 7:11 pm right now
approximately we walked three hours to get here
so welcome everyone to Agua Calientes
we are at the foothill of Machu Picchu
it's time to get our ticket before the office closed down
follow me...
Yes, the first thing you should definitely do is get your Machu Picchu ticket
its located right by the Agua Calientes’s Plaza de Armas
The square is dominated by a foundation with statue of the ninth mighty Inca of Cusco
who transformed this region into the Inca Empire
Many archaeologists now believe that the famous Inca site of Machu Picchu was built as an estate for Pachacuti
so this is where you get your tickets
and remember they only accepts soles, and no credit cards
if you are smart enough...
I strongly recommend you get one of these guys
go to your university and you can get it FREE
and guess what???
HALF PRICE!
Yay!!!
I am filming at Machu Picchu and staying at Hostal New Day
it's a really, really comfortable hostel
This is a small family run budget hostel that offers free breakfast, wifi and varieties types of rooms
right down there is the Plaza de Armas
along the way there is a list of restaurant that is really well priced
I am not kidding!!!
Everything can be bargained
so from up there we were offered a full meal for S/. 25 with drinks and stuff
as we walk towards this way
the price starts to come down
S/. 20
and then S/. 15
and then S/. 12 and free drinks
we got one that offered us the food for S/. 12
and we end up with this really good looking food here...
so to start off our dinner
we are going to have filled avocado
with cheese on top and inside filled with beans
excellent...
really fresh by the way
and I can tell
this is grilled trout with wings
and what's that?
I think she said it was beef
it's like $4.00
I don't think I want to compliant
I think its pretty good value
What do you think?
yeah, with the starter and now with this...
we will get dessert as well
Dessert is coming, so stay tune!
For those of you who compliant about the prices here
come to near the stadium
and there is lots of food stalls and you can get some pretty decent deals
so this is pancake with honey on top
so, let's give it a shot
I am eating a small by the way because I need to lose weight
Actually, it's really good!
There is meat on a stick
pastries
barbecue potatoes
and good old American French fries and hot dogs
it's also time to stock up on some natural sugar for tomorrow's hike
Once again...
remember to bargain!
There is apparently a hot spring up there
but my personal review are little mixed
alright right now it's 4:30 am
and we just left our hotel room
and we are going to do the manly thing...
and that is hiking all the way up the Machu Picchu
Yes, there is easier way to get up to the mountain…
so for those of you who don't want to hike up like us
We are up for a challenge!
you can do the lazy way and pay extraordinary amount of money for a half hour ride up the mountain
So, this is the line to go up the Machu Picchu
They don't open until five in the morning
so if you are thinking about leaving super early
forget it!
you are going to end up lining up for hours and not do anything
rather get a good night of sleep
be fuelled up with a nice breakfast and come down
This is truly a hour and half grueling hike
not a walk in the park
So, make sure bring lots of snacks and water
so over there say 75 more steps
let's just hope that is true
and not some prank
Alright David!
what's the bad news?
I think we got pranked
okay, where is the refund office?
Holy shoot!
are you kidding me?
so finally we are here
and...
here is the lineup
this is hell of a popular attraction for sure
By the way, our climb is not over yet
there are two mountain which you can climb
the Huyana Picchu and Machu Picchu Montana
Both are about an hour and half to two hours
Huyana Picchu is popular and ticket always sold out months in advance
So...
so we opt for the second option
What are we going to do?
we are going to climb Machu Picchu mountain
Hell yeah!
Mountain next to Machu Picchu
So be a man!
and drink your protein shake!
They said it takes about two hours to reach the top
But...
but I got to the top right now
less than 22 minutes
Welcome to Huayna Picchu!
The peak of it!
Just joking!!!
right now I am soaking we because of the rain
it's raining really bad!
my friend David which is hiding from the rain
ask me to keep going because I have my varsity suit on
and make sure listen to what the sign said like this one
And guys, please no hike boots from Walmart…
So one thing that I do want to emphasis to everyone is that safety comes first
if you need to slow down
then slow down
because high altitude you might end up getting hypoxia
meaning less air that can mess around with your brain
second thing as you can see...
this is really narrow slopes
so if you fall, trust me there is no hospital here
so safety first
I don't want any one of my view come home in a body bag, and I am mean it
I believe this is one of my final step up
I think so...
Actually few people here...
So we made it here...
two hours and fifteen minutes
the rain really slow us down, but we made it!
the full 3061 meters
If I  can do it, you can do it!
so this is not my first expedition here in Machu Picchu
it's actually my second time
last time I climb the Huayna Picchu
So I also have a view from there
So for those of you who wonder how that look like
Here it is...
Can you call me a taxi?
By the end, I am so exhausted and there is one questions in my mind
Can you call?
so I am on my way back down right now
so I asked everyone to be very careful
because after rain like this
it can be very slippery
another thing is...
There is no problem with my camera
it's also foggy
so make sure you watch your steps
basically when the rain stops, you get a lot of viewing site like this
make sure you take some time to enjoy it
Seriously!
finally we made it!
so if you are coming here in Machu Picchu
you might as well do it because most likely you are not going to come here twice
The Machu Picchu’s elevation is 2,430 metres
and built during the height of the Incas in their classical style, with polished dry-stone walls
most archaeologists believe that it was built as an estate for the Inca emperor
but is often mistakenly as the "Lost City of the Incas"
so I am staying right in front of the magnificent Machu Picchu
It was built around 1450
and was abandoned about a hundred years later
Now, its purpose is still debatable and there is many theories
Over the centuries, the surrounding jungle overgrew the site, and few outside the immediate area knew of its existence
In 1911 American historian, explorer and lecturer from Yale University Hiram Bingham travelled the region looking for the old Inca capital
and was led to Machu Picchu by a local farmer
Bingham brought Machu Picchu to international attention
and organized another expedition in 1912 to undertake major clearing and excavation
It was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1981
and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983
and voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World
The site is roughly divided into an urban sector and an agricultural sector
and into an upper town and a lower town
The temples are in the upper town
the warehouses in the lower
Even though Machu Picchu is only 80 kilometres away from the Inca capital Cusco
The Spaniards never found this place
that is why it is still preserved today
one of the significance of this site is its craftsmanship
those stones are really large
we still got many theories on how they got here
and how they craft these stones with the tools they have back in 1450
There is many theories
but none of them are concrete like these stones
It’s also a nice to meet some new friends
or new types of friends
This is where you can get close and personal with Limas
the national animal of Peru
Look how cute he is
Wait, where are you going?
aren't we suppose be friends?
Okay, maybe not!
It's time to go back to Tinder then...
Maybe not, but try again!
Remember, being a responsible visitors means we leave here with amazing experience,
memories and photos to share
but not take away any artifacts regardless how small they are
After conquering Machu Picchu, it was time to decide to how to get back to Santa Teresa
I visit Peru Rail office here and ask if they can check if the tripod is indeed in their office in Santa Teresa
With a positive answer
I was on cloud nine!
and brought the tourist priced ticket for next schedule train next morning to Hydroelectrica
So unlike where the tourist go to board the fancy train station
there is no train station here
basically the locals board right by the tracks
so we are waiting for the local train to show up
hopefully it will get us there soon!
Our train is coming and here it is...
The price is $31 USD, instead of $1.00 for locals
There is absolutely no way I am going to hike back with broken boots
The staff of Peru Rail directed me to the end of the track
my assumption is...
I will not able to sit with the locals which I hope to do
Oh dear!
I am getting the fancier version of the train
on my first expedition, I took a roundtrip on Inca Rail
that is pretty much of a choice
well, this time there is not much of a choice
I have to return to Santa Teresa to retrieved my video equipments
So I have to take a train from here at Machu Picchu to Hidroelectrica
basically from there take a share taxi to Santa Teresa
I wish...
I could travel on local cars
They cost around seventy-five cents
vs. $31 that Peru Rail force us, the foreigner to pay
The difference you know...
The leather seats
lot cleaner cabin
free drinks I guess
now...
if you want a comparison to Inca Rail
Here is a video that I shot on my first expedition to Machu Picchu
Boy and girls, I want to give you all a tour of Inca Rail Train
It's really empty today
that is the video from the cockpit
The bus ride cost S/. 5 or $1.50
and only take about thirty minutes to Santa Teresa
Since the Peru Rail office opens at noon
the colectivo driver offer take me directly to the hot springs
So, I hope I will be impressed by this one
So, this is Santa Teresa's famous, famous hot springs
this one...
it's really, really hot!
it's actually warmed up by the volcanos up in the mountain
The first thing you need to do here is take a shower
so, let's get right into it
the reason they have rocks here is to keep it warm
and also to filter the water
and also no bottled water necessary
Honestly, I think maybe everything happens for a reason
I won't thought about coming to Santa Teresa
coming back here if it wasn't for that fact I need to pickup my tripod
I really think you should really do this after Machu Picchu
because your feet will be very score
but as you can see its now slowly recovering
So, I am going to take this kind of taxi back
so, this is a motorcycle
they put a little carriage in the back here
I assume that is the first class seat right here
It's going to be a very...
very...
bumpy ride
get lots of small bills because our driver does not have enough for only a S/. 50
So as you can see Santa Teresa is actually really small
small, small city
It's like few blocks that way
few blocks that way
Few blocks that way
and that it!
There is really not much to do in this small town unless you are the Coca Cola driver
However, I did manage to find the arguably the world's most dangerous hostel
Haha!
So the Peru Rail kind of tricked me actually...
the tripod is not in their office
and I wasted $31 USD
I was totally heart broken and angry
However within half hour
the National Geographic explorer is showing the town and lost the tripod
literally half of the town was looking for that taxi driver
after calling the driver multiple times with no answer
one of the locals offered to take me to his house
after reuniting with my tripod
I return to town
and the proud locals waiting to show me some excitement
and dispute about claims there is nothing to do
They insist I try out zip lining
one of another famous activity in the town…
and big thanks to Inka Flyer
I am ready to get my dose of excitement
I just can’t say no when there is lots of hot babe around
Slowly break... break...
After 15 minutes of instruction
I am ready for to conquer Santa Teresa’s zip line
It is claim to be the longest and highest in South America with five lines above jungle canopy
where you can fly through up to 90 km a hour…
Oh yeah!!!
This is my first zip-lining experience
Thank you so much!
I was really nervous
but knowing there is beautiful ladies around…
I manned up
and rest is history
So basically we are heading off to the second line
it's little longer
the first one is actually not that scary
it will be longer than the previous line
so wish me luck!
Okay... ready.... go!
I think we got some technical difficulties
I don’t think it’s a good idea to operate a camera and zip line
for that
I experience my first rescue…
And another rescue…
I am so sorry you have to do that...
Alright...
I did have better luck the fourth time
I already got rescued embarrassingly  twice in last four times
I don't think I should be going solo
They are going to tied me up with him
and we are going to go down as a superman
while I can play with my camera
while you get to enjoy the beautiful view
Free hands...
Free hands...
I'll wait for you...
It's amazing!
you should try it!
What's the name of this company?
Inka Flyer!
Inka Flyer!
After my excitement and sun going down
its time to pay my farewell to this lovely town
and on my way to Santa Maria for the ride to Cusco.
With the colectivo
the usual wait
Fingers cross... its going to be nice and fast!
So we are finally on the road
I am heading to Santa Maria for a bus or colectivo to Cusco
Don’t surprise if something funny like this happen…
treat it as part of journey
and enjoy the experience!
I think the driver is driving really slow to pick up more passengers
because he is calling out the name of...
Quillabamba and Santa Maria
apparently we have not departure yet
because missing one person
Finally on our way...
I am so excited!
Man... that was a scary ride from Santa Teresa
the problem right now is there is not enough people inside the mini-van
alright, the good news is one extra lady showed up and need just three more to go!
I am really pissed off…
After waiting and waiting for over two hours
the unofficial mini-bus owners told everyone except for me and new friend Elizabeth that the bus is cancelled due to lack of passengers
We only told after asking again, and only after all other passenger have left
So what happen is someone sold us a faked ticket
and they cancelled the bus
one the last minute
and we tried to get other buses to Cusco
and there is no other buses
So what happen right now is...
this bus company is doing us a favour by allowing us to stand here
So, once again…
if you have a choice
go with regular schedule bus
The first hour of standing is not that bad…
after all, you can catch up on your shopping
By the way, they do not accept VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Checks
Cash only please...
Or be a witness to a narcotic drug raid on the bus
Boy and girls, we got breaking news...
there is a coca plant on this bus
and it is illegal
and you are looking at live search right now
the special coverage continues...
by divine intervention...
we are able to find a seat!
ops...
let's perfect that is dark right now
what happens in the dark, stays in the dark!
After long and difficult rides
at 4:00 am we finally arrived
there is not much option except taxing Elizabeth back to her hotel room for some intense hookup
Okay, Okay… that didn’t happened…
I checked in to my hostel and felt so bad waking up the staff at Hostal Atlantis at 5:00 am
It’s a nice hostel that offers, double, twin and family rooms
and this is where I wake up for the next days
The breakfast is included in your stay…
so after fuelling up, I start my day by heading to bus terminal for a hour long collective ride to Pisac
So this is one of the two stations that goes to Pisac
they wait until all the seats are full before the driver heads off
sometimes it can be five minutes, ten minutes and sometimes it can be few hours
Pisac is village in the Sacred Valley with a population of 10,000
It is most well known for its large market every Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday
This is pretty much the center square and only few minutes walk from the bus station to here
the market is basically its main feature
A large section of the market is dedicated to tourist-oriented souvenir stalls
where you can find weavings, jewellery, ponchos, hats, Andean instruments, ceramics, alpaca products and a whole range of other gifts and souvenirs to take home with you
The handcraft market is open every day from 9am to 4.30pm
and is a good place to pick up some gifts all in the one place
However, if you want a more authentic and colourful experience
try and plan your trip to visit the market on a Sunday
when the local Quechua communities set up shop on the main square to sell their produce and stock up on supplies for the week
Dressed in their colourful clothing, they sit cross-legged with their wares laid out
giving the market an authentic feel
There is children on the street taking photo with tourist instead of going to school
their short-term financial gain over the long-term future of these children
So... I'll use my star power
once again... do not take photos with children
After exploring the market, I went off the beaten path…
by getting away from the tourist areas and just see how locals live
I guess this is the real Peru
you get to see these little villages
both man, women and children cultivating their crops
I heard some music nearby cemetery and decided to check it out
It was actually end of funeral but in happier tone
Rather than morning, the locals are celebrating the life of the deceased
By this point, I was hungry…
and by the act of god
there is advertisement for empanadas everywhere
so my food craving kick in and give in to my temptation
With a satisfied stomach…
it’s time to head home
So tonight I like to be little adventurous after the bus ride back here
right across from the bus station there is bunch of local restaurants
and there is no foreigner at all
it's all locals
and the reason is...
and the reason is all foreigners took those tourist, tourist buses
I told the boss, I don't speak Spanish
Just cook for me whatever you have
We begin with a soup
this is definitely local
it's actually beef, I tasted it
and also... it has potatoes
The main course, fried chicken served with fried rice and potatoes
Other local dishes available includes lama strew on rice
Alright, now comes the desserts
and this is what we got...
I don't know what it is...
but let's check it out
it's a pear pudding
I think that is the best $1.50 I ever spend on a meal
The experience of eating with locals… FREE!
One of the newly discover attractions is Vinicunca or nicknamed Rainbow Mountain
and it’s quite a off the beaten path as very few tourist knew of its existence
As with most day tours you need to bargain for the price
typical the cost is between cost S/. 60 to S/. 80
and the hotel pickup is approximately 3:30 in the morning
so really cold and bring some warm clothing
sunscreen and you’ll definitely need a good hiking boot for the climb
but the good news is breakfast is included
so I think they are giving us some proteins for the day
egg omelettes with green onions
So I think we are ready to go!
there is our van
and the...
one last look of our beautiful surroundings
Finally, we reach community of Hanchipata-Quesuno
and here is where I start my hike toward Rainbow Mountain itself
I am already out of breath even though...
I have barely gotten started yet
one of the mission is to support the local economies
and there is many ways to make your life easier and to that at the same time here
first you can rent one of these for only S/. 5
that will make it easier for you to walk
or if you like...
you can actually rent a horse
it's not that much...
but price subject to change...
as usual... inflations!
And please, also don’t forget to bring some cocaine leaf
I mean coca leaf to chew as altitude in this region is higher than of Cusco…
and this is 3 hour hike by foot each way
Well, it's really cool that I met lots of new friends even though they don't speak English
and maybe that is the problem
I can't tell them to stop helping themselves on the road
so you got to be careful
Okay, I am going to try to speak Spanish...
We are right in front of the ticket control office
but there is no one here for us to pay
So I guess it's free today!!!
Haha!
Not so fast…
if there is money to be collected
there is always someone there
but its only S/. 10
not bad…
Two hours???
Yeah!
One hour???
Maybe two hours?
depending how slow you go...
Another reminder, you can always bargain…
So finally we agreed to S/. 40
I guess this is my ride
Let's hop on...
the suffering is over...
There is already people heading down
it's not easy doing this...
it's a lot of hard work
So as you can see...
the indigenous with the horses drop you off there
but you still need to hike
all the way up this way
So....
It's another 15 minutes or so...
With that being said...
let's not waste time!
I don't know if I can do this ever again...
If there is something call near death experience
I am having one right now
It's beautiful!
Finally I made it to the top
so I thought…
it’s truly breathtaking
I am so proud and felt like I am on cloud nine
until my new gorgeous friend Hannah spoiled my moment of triumph
So we made it!
This is the highest point...
As you can see how beautiful this is...
It's all worth it!
What???
The top is over there...
NO!!!
Triathlon for both of us...
With my pride and manhood on the line
the only option is to continue…
But safety comes first
be extremely careful here as it is extremely muddy from the melting snows
Yes...
look at this...
just look at this...
I am the King of the World!!!
Oh yeah…
you probably going to be here once…
so let’s be silly again
and retake the shot from another angle
The great view!!!
That's my celebration people...
I am the Real King of the World!!!
The peak has altitude of 5,100 metres
and you’ll able to see one of the most holy mountain in Peru
The “Ausangate Mountain”
and surrounded with other mountains consisting of layers of seven colours
Now, that is what you call amazing, magnificent selfie...
Oh...
I am have to be in it right???
That is what you called selfie...
Okay...
Let's get back down...
Look who do we have here...
Haha...
By the way, I forgive her...
We need more love than anything...
Especially she is going to be amazing doctor in the future!
On the way down...
the familiar chore
bargaining for a ride
There is one thing I do want to emphasized
before you ride any horse
check to see if it has being mistreated
I will not ride a horse that shows a sign of abuse
This lady right here...
she is going to give me a ride back
for S/. 30
One advantage of riding a horse is it allows me to truly take in and enjoy the scenery
until the pain in the butt eventually emerges from all the bumps along the way
But hey, its all apart of experience!
So right now I actually on a back of a horse
and...
I'll show you...
this is what the view is...
it's beautiful...
absolutely gorgeous...
I have to get off the horse here because too much of a slope
so once we get down...
I'll get back on the horse
Our next stop will be a buffet lunch
and yes, its included this time
its really good
seriously!!!
So, to be begin off...
I think their apologies comes with a soup!
So you want to see how their local buffet look like?
Here you go!
So, this is my lunch plus dinner combined together
After coming back home, I crashed like Tomahawk Missile into bed…
so for the next 25 seconds here is few words from our tour sponsor
Hi, I am Ruban
I am the owner of South Adventure Peru Tours
one of the best travel agencies in Peru
We offer the daily tour to the Rainbow Mountain
City Tours
Sacred Vally
Classic Tour to Machu Picchu
and Inca Trail
we also offer extended trips
Okay...
time up for the infomercial
but you can find their contact on the screen
Ohhh...
I stayed at the Dragonfly Hostel for the final night closer to the city centre
they offer both dorms and private rooms
and as usual breakfast is included with a great atmosphere
It’s time to explore my southeastern base here in Cusco for the last day in Peru
Located on the eastern end
the site is the oldest continuously inhabited city in the Americas
and the historic capital of the Inca Empire from the 13th until the 16th-century Spanish conquest
The Constitution of Peru designates it as the Historical Capital of Peru
In 1983 Cusco was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
I started off from the Plaza de Armas,
the heart of Cusco from the time of the Inca Empire
The cathedral, on the northeast side of the Plaza de Armas is the main attraction
and you'll often find both locals and tourists relaxing on its steps
On one side of the cathedral is the church of Jesus Maria
and on the other is El Triunfo
The southeastern side of the main square is dominated by the church of La Compania
which is easily mistaken for the cathedral because of its ornate façade
But let’s get high…
I mean get a little higher…
I am little addicted, to taking panoramic photos
and there is no better plan than visiting the Iglesia San Cristobal
For those of you who don't want to hike up to the White Christ
you can just hike up here from the Main Square
which I pointing to
it actually only takes about 10 minutes
so you still get the nice panoramic view of the city
Pretty nice up here...
It’s a short walk away
and during Inca times, this area was the high Cusco
The church was built in the early years of the conquest by the Indian chief Christopher Paulla
lord of Qolqanpata
to show their devotion to Christianity
Leading up the paved road
I bump into another attraction
the Saqsaywaman or Women Falcon
a 3,000 hectares archaeological complex and a UNESCO site
The tickets are little pricy
so I decided to get view from above with my lovely drone Wingsland’s S6
First built by the Killke culture around 1100
the construction was planned and executed by the Andean Man
The Incas called it the House of the Sun
The dry stone walls were constructed of huge stones
The workers carefully cut the boulders to fit them together tightly without mortar
It serve as important military complex for maintaining control over Cusco
and today, its used as the site where Peruvians celebrate Inti Raymi
the annual Inca festival of the winter solstice and new year
Right across is another road leading to Pukamuqu or the red hill
the home to the statue called Cristo Blanco, or the White Christ
So this is the perfect places to get a panoramic view of Cusco
as you can see right there is the Plaza de Armas
There is no better way to spend your leftover Peruvian Sol by supporting the local economy at the Mercado San Pedro
its few just blocks from the Arch Santa Clara at the Plaza San Francisco
The arch was built to celebrate Peru's short-lived federation with Bolivia in 1835
The San Pedro Market is a huge food market, open seven days a week
The building itself is one block long and three blocks wide
The large exterior settings host many activities
and many indigenous women and children sell foods and herbs they lay out on the blankets
So the last place I'll visit here in Peru is the San Pedro's Market
after all if you exchange your soles back to dollars, the rate is just terrible
The vendors are packed into every bit of space inside
My first quest, in a mood to discover the typical dishes of the valley
a simple meal of trout ceviche, fried pork and chicken soup
This is where you will find all the locals at lunchtime
but be aware that service is basic
prices are low
and we can’t guarantee you won’t leave with a nasty stomach upset!
So anywhere in the planet
you see a planet like this...
you need to bargain...
and bargain hard!
This is part of the local experience...
I am very serious about able to find anything in this market…
including the natural performance enhancing things....
with a great potential to improve your love life
Cusco has very well developed bus system
it only cost one or two sol to get around, including to the airport
It’s about half hour by bus and ten minutes by taxi
Since I am late!
I opt for the taxi option which cost between S/. 5 to S/. 8
There are also frequent buses leaving for Puno for Lake Titicaca and Copacabana in Bolivia
And is how I ended my incredible journey in the magnificent country of Peru
I came to Peru to see its famous tourist attractions
but ending up discovering its speculator nature
feeling the impressive achievement of Incas and its triumph cultures
I have being touched by amazing mixed of people with amazing past
all lived in harmony
Peru is truly a magnificent country with proud people awaits for all of us to discover with open hospitality
and more importantly
the spirit and soul of the nation...
