One night of luxury in the Sheraton overlooking the falls felt well deserved and just about worth the cost for the amazing view from the balcony and the great buffet (complete with Argentinian moet). We have well and truly seen the falls (from both the brazilian side and the argentinian). Back to hostels now and only 3 nights left in Buenos Aires before we fly home.
After a tour of the sacred valley taking in some more ruins we caught a train to aguas calientes, the closest village to Machu Picchu (make sure you pronounce the hard c in picchu to avoid making phallic references in native Peruvian).
After arriving I went up Putucusi, the mountain opposite Machu Picchu which was hard work. Lots of steps with the occaisional wooden ladder to get to the top. Claire went to the hot springs.
Next morning we got up at about half 4 to go and join the queue for buses to Machu Picchu. It was misty at first, but it cleared up after a couple of hours to give the classic postcards views, complete with lamas which are kept there to keep the grass short.
Today we’ve been on the Peruvian shores of lake titicaca. We visited the floating islands, and another island where I had a bit of a swim. It wasn’t as cold as I thought it was going to be, and the sun has been hot all day. A whole guinea pig for dinner too, which is a bit different, a lot of work for a little meat though, but tasty.
Alot of it depends on definitions, but if you believe what they say we’ve been to the highest city in the world (Potosi) before flying into the highest international airport in the world - La Paz - which also happens to be the highest capital city in the world.
Yesterday I cycled down the most dangerous road in the world (also near La Paz and a total of about 3600m of descent). It was a bit cloudy in the middle but still good fun. It’s not nearly as dangerous as it used to be as 2 years ago they opened a proper 2 lane tamac/concrete road that goes to the same place, but in the last year it was in full use about 150 people died on (or off I suppose) it.
Right now were heading to lake titicaca (another highest) and as I write this on the bus there is a large body of water out the window so I guess we’re there.
Pic below is of part of the death road when it wasn’t too cloudy.
Update: and now one of titicaca too.
Finally got some photos online from the camera and not just rubbish ones taken with my phone. They should be okay, but this monitor doesn´t have any red, so I can´t be sure.
Link here: http://zenphoto.pwilkinson.net/southamerica082008/
Not quite traditional Bolivian food, but after living in a 4×4 for 3 days the part American owned hostel in uyuni was a welcome bit of comfort. With fantastic pizzas and pancakes and maple syrup for breakfast. The trip across the salt flats was amazing, if a bit surreal with flat White stuff as far as you could see in every direction.
Being at over 4000m in places where clouds are rare has also enabled me to take some great pics of the milky way.
We’re in Sucre now which is nicer than potosi where we’ve just been, although the silver mine tour was fairly interesting.
Arrived on this small dot of land thousands of miles from the nearest continent on tuesday. Blue skies, palm trees and large statues everywhere you turn. Hired bikes today and went up to one of the highest points ok the island, and also has a spectacular crater lake (not sure about the bond villain lair underneath though). Just phone photos again I’m afraid.
Arrived in Santiago yesterday after a loooong journey. View from hostel terrace below and the inside of buenos aires airport. Been on a Chilean wine tour today. More photos to come when I can plug my camera in somewhere and not just use my phone and the wifi for everything.
Team 9-5 flew out for an awesome weekend of paddling and drinking. There are hundreds of photos so I’ve divided them up by river/event. To access the index, click here or on any of the photos below.
I’d also like to acknowledge Matt for being an excellent (and sometimes aquatic) remote shutter release/tripod and everyone else who had a go with the camera.
If anyone would like the full quality versions of a few photos, just drop me an e-mail with the file numbers in it.
University of Leeds Fine Art Degree Show 2008
