There are two routes away from the Colca Canyon. One was back the way we arrived and the other was to continue west on 109, then loop east to get to Arequipa. We had all day to get to the city, and a distance of 260 km. So we decided to continue west and see some new road. Bad choice. Continue reading “Arequipa and the South Coast, Peru”
Trekking in the Colca Canyon, Peru
If you google the top 10 things to do in Peru, a visit to Colca Canyon is most likely on the list. At a depth of 3,270 meters (10,730 ft), it is the second deepest canyon in the world. Deeper than the Grand Canyon. Equally impressive is that the Andean Condor can be spotted soaring over this canyon. We had to visit! Continue reading “Trekking in the Colca Canyon, Peru”
On backroads to Puno, and Lake Titicaca in Peru
If asked to list my top 50 favorite breakfast foods, lamb would definitely NOT be on the list. Leaving our hotel in Ayaviri on Sunday morning, we must have passed at least a dozen restaurants, all advertising Kankacho. Hmm, what is that, would it be a good breakfast? Continue reading “On backroads to Puno, and Lake Titicaca in Peru”
Rainbow Mountain and the Grass Rope Bridge, Peru
From Pisac we headed south….but not for long. As we reached the small community of Urcos, Vanna started protesting. It was the same intermittent problem we had had since Colombia. But this time she stopped and refused to move. Thanks to the iOverlander app we could see that we were close to a recommended vehicle repair shop. After a rest, Bob coaxed her the few hundred meters up the road and then down an incline into El Tigre. Over the next few days we worked with the owner, Cero, and his crew of mechanics, to get Vanna running properly.
Suffice to say we spent the weekend in a hotel in Urcos. Continue reading “Rainbow Mountain and the Grass Rope Bridge, Peru”
Pisac and the Medicinales
We were intrigued by the Day of the Dead weekend, even though there were no colourful parades or celebrations. On this designated November weekend, Peruvians take flowers and special shaped breads to loved ones who have passed on. Wanting to see for ourselves, we headed to one of the Christian cemeteries in Cusco. I imagined a large grassy yard, with loaves of bread and flowers strewn over the graves. Wrong. Continue reading “Pisac and the Medicinales”
Return to Van Life – Canada to Peru
We are back in Vanna again. Although the rainy season will begin soon, it is sunny and warm today.
In May, when we arrived home in Manitoba we were reacquainted with the beauty and bounty. Long evenings, magnificent sunsets, wide open spaces, orderly traffic, and plenty of wildlife. One evening a fox ran across our lawn, the deer wander freely, many types of birds and hawks and the occasional bear sighting in the park. No wonder that people think Canada is beautiful. Continue reading “Return to Van Life – Canada to Peru”
Peru – Time Out
Way back when we were planning this trip, we thought we would get to Argentina sometime this May. Well we won’t make it. But never mind. We have a new plan. We will get to Argentina eventually, but right now, we need a time out.
New plan. Store the van in Peru, go back to Canada for the summer and then resume our adventure in the fall. Our Canadian health care will expire if we do not return soon. And we need all those the fun things like dental cleaning, Colon check, and the ever enjoyable mammogram.
Seeing family and friends will be stupendous. Continue reading “Peru – Time Out”
Ecuador to Peru – Lines in the Sand
Before we left Riobamba, we got a new windshield for Vanna. We had begun to dread each police stop, worried they would give us more hassle over the crack. And then we paid $70 to a motorcycle cop who got the better of us with his fast talking performance. He phoned his boss to see if we could get a discount on the $100 fine. And apparently the boss said yes. So we actually saved $30. Haha. It is all such a game. But we speculated that the police in Peru might be the same or worse. Continue reading “Ecuador to Peru – Lines in the Sand”
Ecuador High
There are over 50 National Parks and protected areas in Ecuador. Combined with 40 plus active and inactive volcanoes, it is pure agony having to choose what to visit and what to pass up. The Andes run north south down the center of Ecuador and we knew we had to do some hiking in this region, also known as the Sierra. Continue reading “Ecuador High”
Ecuador and the Ruta del Sol
We desperately needed some sun. After 2 days of torrential rain everything was soaked. Raincoats were dripping, clothes were damp and shoes were soggy. The inside of the van had that dirty sock aroma. We turned Vanna toward the coast.
The Ruta del Sol runs along the west coast of Ecuador, from Esmeralda in the north, to the southern town of Salina. One long stretch of rocky cliffs and soft sand beaches, secluded bays, fishing villages and touristy towns. Occasionally we would see a gated community with manicured yards and large beach houses, often accompanied by a billboard announcing lots for sale.
How much? Just $65000 US. Continue reading “Ecuador and the Ruta del Sol”