Machu Pikachu

Well sorry guys this is a bit drawn out(over a month overdue), you have to excuse my tardiness. I've been a busy busy beeeeeee. Turns out looking for a job is a job in itself, that and bicycling around in the east bay sun is a lot more fun then nerding out behind a computer screen. Tomorrow I'm attempting to ride up Mount Diablo in the AM, it's 30km of a constant 5-7% grade, but apparently its well worth it, i've read claims its got some of the best views in California.

The last day of the trek to Machu Picchu was the hardest and definitely the most rewarding. We stayed the night in Aguas Calientes. Woke up at 4am and walked to the base of the final Machu Picchu Trail. You can take a bus but after walking for 3 days whats another 2 hour hike at 4 am. Tromping up what seems like endless amounts of stairs and battling through the altitude we made it the entrance of Machu Picchu Park. The rest of the day I spent poking around exploring this great ancient civilization. Enjoy the pictures.

Nice eh... when they found it, it was completely overgrown... imagine pulling back layers of vegetation and finding this.

now a days no machete just a weed whacker.

Each stone was broken, carried and stacked all by hand. Being a commoner in this civilization was pretty bleak. Lots of back breaking labor.

American Society of Civil Engineers' reppin

The Waynupicchu face... turn your head sideways and see it.

I asked our guide what's with the llamas? "Tourists"

One toilet in Machu Picchu. here it is. literally this was the kings throne.

A rock with high crystal percentage, apparently with cleansing powers.

Windows.

Rock on rock.

After Touring around for a few hours me and a couple of the boys decided to hike Machu Picchu Mountain an additional 2 hour hike full of...

more stairs... What can I say I'm a glutton for punishment.

2 hours later and I was on top of the world.

After taking a train/bus back to Cuzco, I relaxed had some brewhas for a night before leaving on a 2 day bus ride/adventure to Mancora, Peru, where I surfed my little heart out, however no pictures, only shots were taken.

Sleep time.

Inca Jungle Revisited... FINALLY

So it's been a while and there's been good reason... It's been a crazy couple of weeks since getting back. 4th of July in Portland, Haircuts, Wedding in Spokane, Family reunion on the Oregon Coast, and a big move to the San Francisco Bay Area. On top of all of that I've been doing the ever-trying, soul-crushing, job-hunt, which turns out is a job in itself.

Before I get back into wrapping up the South America adventure, I have a lesson for the kids: it's a good idea to check your bike after moving or having it sit for several months. So on a beautiful Tri-City summer day, on cloud nine, shirt off, shades on, earbuds in. Made it 2 blocks before this happened...

Can you see what's wrong with this picture? *Hint* The rear tire is not where it should be. The result of my wheel falling off at cruising speed was launching over the handlebars and landing on the not so soft asphalt. Head phones busted, sunglasses destroyed, pride broken. Not to mention...

The elbow took most of the damage, I was really lucky that was it(no bones pokin out of the skin), I was in a wedding two days after and really fortunate I didn't bung up the face. Lesson learned, keep your bike in check and wear a helmet.

So a quick recap where I left you last months ago. It was Day 1 on the Inca Jungle Trail headed from Cusco to Machu Pichu and coincidentally/ironically it was a day full of biking, wearing full body armor of course.

Day 2 began from Santa Maria headed to Santa Teresa

We started off the morning with a 2 hour whitewater rafting trip through some class 3 rapids, which of course I have only memories of... no waterproof camera... a GoPro camera will be purchased soon!

After getting nice n' wet we started our march up to Santa Teresa crossing some of the Inca Jungle Trail. Lots of walking, lots of poking things with the walking stick, and a few games of hit the rock on a rock with a rock and some majestic views. So we begin...

Our guide Juan Carlos gave us the family name of the Panthers. Part of that meant getting some face paint from a fruit that dyes the skin a bright orange.

At the base of the trail we stopped at a small pueblo and coffee plantation home to a family and some interesting pets...

hahah its real I swear, there he stood munching away on his banana without a care in the world for a good 20 minutes...

one of their dogs taking in the views....

A monkey that tried to eat a girls leg.

And thus we continued... trying to keep up with Juan Carlos who when he wasn't trying to scare us was storming along chatting about the plants, birds and the inca messengers that used to use the trail. The views were breathtaking, we hiked along the mountain range all day, the pictures don't do it justice.

If you look closely you can see the trails we took winding along the mountain range.

Things got pretty tight at times but we all made it home safe.

Thanks for the cat face Juan!

Answer me these questions 3! What is your favorite color??

Lush eh!?

Americans! Friends from the Midwest and tha Bay!

One way to cross a river...

We arrived at some hotsprings just about at sundown right as the locals were packing up to header home, we still managed to buy some wobbly pops and got our soak on.

Day 3 coming up. Look out!

Machu Pichu Inca Jungle Trizzzek

I wrote this post about two weeks ago before officially giving up on the internet in Northern Peru/Ecuador. I'm back in Portland living it up!

In Galapagos now just woke up from a desperately needed 4 hour siesta. It is absolutely unreal here, it¥s been 2 days now and I¥ve seen less than 10% of the Islands yet, I¥ve already gone snorkeling, cliff jumping, seen so much crazy wildlife.... and did I mention SCUBA? Today I went to the world renowned Gordon¥s rock famous for it¥s... wait for it... schools of hammerhead sharks!! Here¥s a taste of what I seen so far....

Yes please!

Words cannot describe the feeling of seeing the first shark within 30 seconds of jumping in the water, or the hundereds of different types of fish, seals, sea lions, rays and turtles. BUT like my adventure here this post is yet to be finished... I¥ve only been to one of the eighteen main islands. Tomorrow more diving and on Wednesday to another island Isabela where I¥m planning more excursions(more surfing?) and general tomfoolery.

Enough with the Galapagos, here is the play by play to Machu Pichu

My trip started leaving Iquique, Chile traveling north two Arica, crossing the border into Peru and arriving in Arequipa, Peru. 12-14 hours on bus. 8 hours in Arequipa and one photo before getting back on the bus to Cuzco

Interesting side note... most busses are have tvs, and play american movies dubbed in spanish with spanish subtitles, really expanded my imagination and creativity on making up what¥s going on /being said. In addition to pelÌculas (movies) additional enterntainment is provided with games(bingo), salesman for vitamins and other junk. Additionally food is provided most of the time, however my bus from Arequipa to Cuzco(homebase for many travelers headed to Machu Pichu) no food was served however there was one other option...

Locals of towns we pass through hop on and sell there goods, this little beauty is called Chinichurra i believe, or something to that effect. It¥s pieces of roasted pork, pork fat, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and corn in a convienent plastic bag. Smart.

ROUND 2.

Making our way through windy dirty roads, with drivers rallying around turns is exciting, and nerve racking. Let¥s just say not much sleep was had...

Suckas!

Not bad views eh?

Vicious wild Llamas.

My neighbors on the bus had a friend in a Canvas bag. When I asked if I could take a picture they placed him on the seat next to me...

UNTIL... THIS HAPPENED

The bird fell on the floor and released it¥s bowels all over the floor. Where it stayed the remainder of the trip.

Arriving in Cuzco after a 20+ hour bus ride the hostal bar was like a oasis. Lots of fun was had unfortunately no pictures taken. My journey to Machu Pichu involved 4 days and 3 nights.

Day 1. BIKING.

Driving up to approximately 4,000 meters and we began our downhill descent of 3,000 meters. a 3 hour ride...

mad max meets special ed.

More biking NO jumps

More to come.
CHURZ