Night out in Cusco

Two public holidays in Peru this week - national day. The boys spent the day brewing - ginger beer, but we went out for the evening. We left home around 9pm, and the entertainment and dancing started around 11pm. Singer was Nancy Flores - not sure if it was because it was Peru´s National Day, but all the music seemed to be passionate about peru.... Applauso Peru. Didn´t understand many of the words ... but it was very stirring.

There was also a dance exhibition by some Peruvian national champions - they were GOOD!

But we even managed a dance or two .... not bad effort at altitude for a couple who are usually in bed at that time of the night.

A day in Pisac

Took a taxi out to Pisac to check out the wedding venue - negotiated a price for the 45 min drive - 30 soles. Great driver - stopped a few times so we could take some great photos of the valley.

Enjoyed the Pisac markets, a picnic, some choclo before heading out to the Royal Inka.

From Peru - 2009

From Peru - 2009

Wedding plans

After several evenings going to church and then waiting to see the Padre after mass to arrange paperwork for their wedding, they finally go to see the Padre ...... only too be told that since they have moved, they now belong to a different region and now must see a different Padre. So that's on the list for this week.

Milka's Confirmation

We all treked off to church Saturday for Milka's confirmation and afterwards to lunch to celebrate.

From Peru - 2009

Church was interesting - there was another group there to have something blessed. They carried a statue out of the church where they were met by their small band and then all marched off down the street.

We went to lunch to Senor Carbon - an all you can eat meat restaurant for 35 soles. It was very interesting. Lex and I went for something from the menu rather than the full on meat choice. Meat was brought around on long skewers and those having the meat option had as much as they wanted - pork, lamb, beef, chicken, sausages. Selections just kept coming. It was really tasty!!

From Peru - 2009

From Peru - 2009

More on the court hearing

Remember the broken windscreen ..... Well Zac and Milka had to go to court because they wouldn't agree to pay for a broken windscreen that they were not responsible for.

Well they fronted up in a small room with a few chairs - judge and complainants and themselves. Judge listened to both sides - then wanted to go to the flat. So they all trapsed over to the flat. Eventually it came down to going further through the court system.... or agreeing to negotiate a deal and basically pay up. So that's what they had to do. But it didn't stop there - 'cos the judge then wanted to know what they were prepared to pay for his services. 100 soles .... or 50 soles..... well maybe 20 soles....

Some system!!!!

Taxis in Peru

Taxis like this are everywhere - most in really bad condition. It's amazing how many people and how much gear you can get into a taxi like this.

But the best thing about taxis here is that they are sooo cheap. A ride from here (near the airport) to town is usually 3 soles which is about $1US or around $1.20 AUD.

Rubbish - Cusco style

A triangle being clanged continuously is an important signal in Cusco life. It means that the rubbish truck is coming down the street - take your rubbish out.

Late this afternoon, we heard the call and all grabbed a a couple of bags - we had a bit after moving clean up. So we, along with lots of other neighbours rush out to the truck with our bags and toss them into the truck.

Well it works - and it's better than the other system used by some - leave your bags of rubbish out on the footpath where the street dogs scatter the rubbish in search of food!!!

Quiet day in Cusco

There were LOTS of people, police and armed riot police (or soldiers)around .... but very little traffic - due to a transport strike. We live close to the airport, so there were lots of police around the boundary as well as protestors who had blocked the streets with rocks or car tyres. They weren't letting traffic through. No taxis were on the road so the only way to get into town was to walk along with the hundreds of others walking the streets. Closer into the city, a few vehicles were operating.

From Peru - 2009

Apparently the strike was in protest over the fact that traffic fines have been doubled.

Planes were still coming in, but I understand people arriving would probably have to wait until late this afternoon when most of the protests were over, to be transferred to their hotels.

Reduced traffic was certainly noticeable around the plazas - it was so much quieter and more peaceful.

Must be feeling better - walked into town and sat down to a huge lunch (Aussie burger and Two Nations burgers) - should have shared one between us!!!

From Peru - 2009

Amazing site

Today Milka had to get some forms ready for their pending wedding. Needed to have have the the details typed in - no problem back home ... and not really a problem here ... if you can find the place where these things are done .... wait in line (a common practice here, it seems) .... and pay some soles. Not difficult at all - but you should see this place. One block back from the main avenue, through a large gate/door and there are several stalls, each containing several people sitting at small desks with very old typewriters!

Catching up

It's been a while since our last entry – best if i just try to capture a few of the highlights.

Illness has prevented us from getting out to enjoy the sites of this wonderful city as we had planned, but it has also provided some unique opportunities.

Driving through the Commercial District

Last we were picked up by Zac's doctor and taken to different venues for some medical tests. Where else would that happen? We drove through narrow streets of the commercial district – the shops (not sure if that's the best word to describe these trading stalls) are small but packed with merchandise from the floor to the roof. All businesses selling the same products are grouped together so you see about 15 shoe stalls in a row. We also drove through the meat area – sooo gross – all meat cuts sitting out on benches! We shopped later at the Mega Mart (supermarket). Would like to stroll through the commercial district some day – think I avoid the meat area though.

Wedding Plans

The wedding invitations arrived from the printer – they are gorgeous! We also went with Zac and Milka to see people about the wedding video – very professional. Interesting to also see how some of the formalities will go. It will be a very formal occasion – Catholic wedding followed by a civil ceremony from what I understand at this point. Lucky it's starting at 12.30pm.

Moving ....

Moving day was planned for Saturday – but was under a cloud because of a big concrete pour for the above construction on the same day – and the concrete truck would be parked right outside our front door. So a quick decision at 5.30pm was to take a load that night. It all happened so quickly – someone went off to find a guy with a truck; beds were pulled apart and suddenly things were flowing into the truck. Wish I had got a photo of taxi arriving with Lex (TV on his lap), Milka (microwave on her lap) and Zac with anything he could carry on his lap and as much as they could fit into the boot. Taxis here are mostly very small!!!!

Another truck load and a taxi load the next day and it was all done. Only sour note of the day was the previous landlady holding them responsible for a broken windscreen in her truck. QUE? Something to do with her having to take a lock off a gate so that they could access their front door – which in turn enabled someone to come in and break the windscreen. Well she is taking it seriously, called the police – and their options were to negotiate a settlement with her (and pay up) or go to court – so they are off to court this week!

Off to church...

I joined Zac and Milka for church on Sunday evening and following Dr's orders rugged up against the cold. I was able to pick a few words – nosotros (us), mas (more), Hesus (Jesus), tu casa(your house) .... with so many other words in between I really wasn't following much. But, it was very interesting to be in the church where Zac had been baptised and to talk with him about his connections with the church. I'm not as fit and strong as I think – 15 minutes into the service.... standing ... I was starting to sway and sweat – then I started stripping off the layers .... Could only think how bad that must look ... stripping in church – so I gave in and took a seat.

Take a good look ... we are moving.

We have been here for a few days - but hardly been out of the house. The flat is in suburban Cusco - not far from the city centre apparently. But there's construction going on daily starting at 7am. In true Peruvian style, they continue to build up where possible.

From Peru - 2009

I went out with Zac and Milka this morning to look at another place. Interesting experience - all in Spanish of course. It's further out towards the airport, but a bigger flat. So it looks like we will be moving this weekend!

On the up and up

We have spent our first 2 days in Peru inside - mostly sleeping. Not everyone is affected by altitude - I think I would be fine if it weren't for these headaches I am prone to. Lex is on different medication for bronchitis and is improving also.

We are making plans to go out tomorrow. Milka has a surprise lined up for us for tomorrow afternoon, fitting in before her confirmation classes and tourism classes.

I am picking up some Spanish .... but it is so slow. Manyana yo pago pantouflas. (or words to that effect - will let you know how that goes.)

Hola from Cusco

Great flight to Cusco - Lex took in the spectacular scenery from the window seat. Lucky. Zac and Milka were both at the airport to meet us -so we didn't have to negotiate the onslaught of taxi offers. Milka had managed to enlist the services of a larger than normal taxi - necessary to carry us and our luggage.

Lots of roadworks going on around the airport - making the drive even more of a 'thrill' than usual. Haven't worked out which side of the road they use ... because in fact, they use both. With vehicles parked on the side of narrow streets and cars going all over the place, I remember what a car horn signifies here in Peru ..... watch out I'm coming through. Lindy and Mike will remember what that means!

All good - we arrived safely. Their place is smaller than I imagined from pics but really nice and cosy. Gets quite a bit of sun ... but tiled floor is cold. (Jill, put those slippers in. I've been told the Spanish word for slippers several times but just can't remember).

We're spending the afternoon with Milka while Zac is at work. Should say that I am ... Lex is resting and waiting on a visit from Zac's doctor. He doesn't seem to be getting any better - altitude may be playing a part. I seem to be wavering between floating and spinning. Hope that's the worst of it for me ... but just have to wait it out. Will upload some photos soon. Dr has just arrived.

How to negotiate the travel maze ....

... well taking notes so that I can remember what advice to give those who will be following us.

Brisbane airport ... assured us our bags would be checked right through to Cusco. Zac assured us differently and he was right. Collect bags in Lima where they have Customs checks.

Flight to Santiago - LONG haul. Hit some turbulance mid-flight, and although not serious it went on long enough to tip me over the edge. Lex is not travelling so well - he has a 'cold' Didn't wear my face mask - may have drawn more attention. Only place we have seen lots of masks (all airport staff) is in Peru.


Santiago airport is very comfy - spent a few hours there easily, and managed to get wifi connection early, but unable to repeat it later. Some fluke. Santiago sleeping quarters....

From Peru - 2009

Lima. All airport experience up to this point were easy as we weren't entering those countries. On the plane to Lima we had to fill out the Tourist Card as well as N1H1 Flu form. Coming through the airport just after midnight ... line up for Immigration checks ... collect luggage ... more forms ... Customs checkpoint - Red or Green. Too easy, we got green. Picked up some Duty Free - even at this hour and then onto the Departure area - Automatic checkin followed by Baggage Checkin. Amazing. Almost everything is still open!! We've managed to change some money, get a coffee, pay our Entry Free and get into the Departure Lounges where there's power points, free wifi, seats without arm rests 9so necessary to be able to stretch out) and food and shops all open. Top it off with being quite warm - coats not needed, which makes the (albeit small) sleeping bags we have lugged around in our carry on luggage quite unnecessary! Pity I'm not tired.... yet!

From Peru - 2009

Cheers to all.

Lima .... and final destination is getting closer.

It's almost 2 am - we are comfortable set up here in a departure lounge in Lima airport. I really mean set up. Lex can stretch out .... seats without arm rests....I am sitting next to 2 power outlets - have a mobile phone plugged in to one (more on that story later) and our wee netbook plugged into the other .... and wifi available. Who cares if it's 2am, or when it was that I last had more than a brief sleep!!! This is very comfortable ... and so quite. Deserves a place on the 'sleeping in airports' website. Haven't seen it - check it out http://www.sleepinginairports.net/

Hola from Santiago

From Peru - 2009

It certainly is a long haul across the Pacific. Lex is still suffering quite badly with his cold - despite the cocktail of drugs. We hit some turbulence midway - nothing serious, but enough to upset my stomach.

Santiago is clouded in smog so we can't see a lot from here, but the view of the snow capped mountains from above the smog was spectacular. An added bonus is that we have wifi access here in the airport - woohoo. That's a nice change from last ttime we were here when I spent some hours in the internet cafe.

Not much has changed with flights since we travelled 2 years ago - same airline food (same omelette / marmalade fro breakfast) and sadly the same feeling of inadequacies with Spanish language despite our endeavours. Lex just bought a coke (yes they take US $) and took 4 people to work out what he wanted. Lucky we've been doing so much study!!!

Peru is calling ... again

2009 ... and we're off to Peru again. This time we head off with a little more knowledge of what to expect and where we'll be going .. to an extent. We have flights over and back booked, but nothing in between - except a wedding date. Woohoo!!

What a BIG year this is turning in to. Two weddings in one year - definitely worth waiting for. Time to resurrect this blog, and get back to sharing our adventure here for family and friends. Bags are packed, only a few more days at work ... to complete a myriad of jobs!

Roll on 9 July.

Sounds of 'Monsoon Wedding' ....

Last day in Singapore ... last day of our holiday ... and probably last day of this blog!!!

Evening flight, with a whole day to fill in, but the weather is not good!!! Took another stroll around Little India ... such a unique place ... to the sounds of Monsoon Wedding coming from a local music shop. (You'll appreciate that Pete. Lex just grinned!! No we didn't buy it.) Top it off, it was raining. Rain comes down heavily here ... but for this morning at least, it didn't last too long, but it seems to have continued for most of the day.

We headed to the airport, as we have concerns about leaving our luggage anywhere. Big airport and more comfortable than many we've been in, so time has gone really quickly. Additional bonus is the free wifi we managed from this area. Think I am ready for home. See you all soon.



Thoughts on blogging.

Blogging ... keeping a journal, or in this case ... a public journal. Sharing our experineces... For me it's been a great way to let everyone know where we are and what we've been doing. Sharing so many photos has been a bonus ... thanks Sophie ... for the Mothers' Day gift ...premium Flickr membership!!! Hope you have found it interesting... and maybe even got a bit of a laugh/grin/smile out of some of our adventures or misadventures!!! Doing it frequently has been much easier than those 'catch up' times. And for those of you who just grinned when I said we were travelling without a laptop .... you were right .... I couldn't do it.

Computer / internet access has been a source of frustration for lots of reasons.

Surprisingly access in South America was easier. Internet cafes are everywhere ... and cheap, but you have to deal with Spanish keyboard layouts ... and keyboards so worn that the letters aren't visible. We even had free wireless access in a couple of airports.

In London, we had plenty of access, but they were so tightly controlled that we weren't able to upload any photos from the camera, CD or a USB stick. In fact, couldn't use a USB and I couldn't download photos to a CD. Expensive too ... cost me 10 pound for 90mins ... the extra was for the privilege of downloading photos!!!

Other areas of England were less set up for tourists, and the only place I could find internet access was from a town library ... after I signed the necessary agreement forms .... but again, no USB, or camera access .. and no ability to access Blogger ... it was BLOCKED!!! Even an English keyboard is different from the one we use.

In Edinburgh we had plenty of access thanks to Fiona and Stuart ... there seemed to be a number of free wifi places around also, cafes as well as hotels with wifi. Similarly in Dublin ... so we bit the bullet, and bought a laptop - does have an English keyboard, but we set it up like an Aussie (US) one ... so we just have to remember where things should be. It's especially easier uploading photos from our computer.

In France and Germany, we've had access from most of our accommodation places or nearby bars. Perfect, as both French and German keyboards are different yet again!!

Look forward to seeing you all when we get home.

Hasta Luego!!!

Last night....

In many ways, I can't believe it's almost over ... and at the same time we seem to have been away for so long. This will be our last night in Singapore ... our last night on this trip ... well almost. Tomorrow night ... we will spend in the air, so that doesn't count.

Today we spent several hours exploring Sim Lim Square ... that's 6 floors of hi-tech heaven!!! So much ... but also so repetitious! And in lots of ways it was like being in Buenos Aires .... Want a camera ... come into my shop and have a look. High pressure ... all the way. Not so pleasant, but very interesting all the same.

Then time to explore Little India (predominately Indian area with bangles, brassware, gold jewellery ... so elaborate, sari fabrics... so beautiful. Loved the flower garlands ... made by men and women using jasmine, marigolds and roses ... placed on deities as prayer offerings ... and also given to important guests at functions.

and then onto Kampong Glam, which is a mixture of cultures but seems to be predominately Middle eastern - lots and lots of fabric shops, carpets, rugs, perfumed oils, basketware and of course coffee shops. Lots to look at, but much easier when you know that you can't fit it in the bag...

Everywhere we seem to turn, there's something interesting to look at ... amazing buildings, mosques, temples, skyscrapers and these unique shophouses and food areas. So typical of all experiences on this trip really. It's been awesome.

Our bags are in Singapore ... so this must be home

Check out the pics of our neighbourhood. We are staying in a budget in the area called 'Little India'. Our taxi driver took a little time to find our hotel due to the number of one way streets, and at the time I was having visions of Lima. Less tired today ... and it's fine!

Started the day with a bit of a walk down Orchard Street ... and it is ... lots of shops. We discovered a really interesting food court. Sooo interesting. Watched them cooking for ages, before we ordered. My meal was served up on a section of banana leaf. Others were served on brown paper! Lamb, rice and a green vegetable called okra, I think. Not sure what Lex had.

Then we headed down to the river for a bum boat ride. If like me, you've ever wondered why they are called 'bum boats' ... check the photo of the guy's t-shirt. The question is on the front of the shirt ... answer on the back.

Next stop was Chinatown ... we had the booklet for the walking tour. WOW ... it's awesome. Left Lex with a beer while had a bit of a look around... We'd been told that beer would be expensive here ... so we were quite surprised to find a 'big' bottle for $6.50 ... Singapore dollars. Not so expensive ... but the Singapore Sling was!!!! I only had one.

Found Food Street, aptly named ... so we had dinner before the long walk home. BTW, this is currently Food Festival month here, and fried carrot cake ... is on the '10 must eat' foods ... so that's what I had. Interesting, tasty, but don't think I'll have it again. Carrot cake it is not!