Llana Mae Moore
Journal Entries for Llana Mae Moore
The ultimate cure for the Peruvian flu
January 30th, 2007 8:28 pm MST
Well, I started the Inca Trail feeling very fluish, and found the cure was walking for 40 km. up and down MASSIVE steps, plus the second day (which is the most difficult) rain, rain, rain! Day one was okay, but the steepness of some of the trail was totally unbearable, I damn near threw in the towel because I was feeling like total crap, and was very worried about day two being mostly up HUGE steps! The meals on the inca trail were as fine as many french resteraunts, believe it or not! We had 21 porters for 13 hikers, and 2 guides. Our waiter, Walter went as far as to make white roses out of some napkins! We dined on chicken wrapped with anise, deep fried cheese squares, some beef, oriental style with rice, it was an AWESOME experience to say the least! Day 2...Insert cuss word here ___-_____-____ Rain like a sumumagum! Thankfully my feet stayed dry, and torso too, but those bloddy steps up to "Dead womans Pass" I made it, barely,a little cold, but def worth the pain...now on down those freakin steps...very large steps, wet, and slippery. Day three, much of the same up and down, but on the way down, in the distance I saw somebody wipe out really bad, a tour guide flew past me, and I was second on the scene, a Porter from another group, who had not eaten since the day before, came within inches of going over the drop off, the guide and I moved him away from the edge, and the porter looked up at me like "who in the hell is this white guy"? I peeled him from one side of his enormous pack, and the guide poured cool water on him, I eased his other arm from his pack, I then noticed epeleptic symptoms, and calmed him down by talking very calmly, it seemed to help, I tried to heft his back pack...insane amount of gear, I struggled to get his pack to the mountain side, and we then moved the guy to lean on his pack, giving him small sips of water, I have to admit, it was a very sureal moment, after about 15 minutes, we had his pack split up between a few people, and sent word to send more porters to retrieve the r est, we were on our way again, I gave the dude a Snickrs, and he looked at me like I just gave him a winning lottery ticket...A moment I really do not wish to witness again, I am just happy, and lucky, everything turned out okay. The last night of tenting...my view from the tent was...immense, beautiful, inspiring, FANFREAKINGTASTIC! on awaking on the 4th day on the Inca Trail, I dont know what came over me, but I ended up running most of the way to the sun gate, and was one of the first there, I snapped a couple of pics, and within minutes, Machu Pichu was gon in a hail of clouds. I just tore through the pain from the previous days, my left knee felt like a ratchet strap was tightening with every step on the previous days, The sun was in and out throughout the days discovery, but I had the time of my life, through the whole trail, we had the 2 best guides ever, Ribad, and Edmundo, Very thourough from start to end. It is in my most NON-HUMBLE opinion, that Machu Pichu MUST be walked for the four days, only because when you get there after the pain and the dirt, you get to feel like you EARNED the trip, and didnt just hop a train and pay for it. I have been known to be arrogant, but it was a more intense feeling of accomplishment, than I saw on the faces of the Turistas who only did the !mini trip! to such a totally wild place! This email is far too long, so I will say good bye for now, I am off to Nazca tonight, 10 hours on the bus, at night, yipe!CYA Llana Mae Moore. P.S. I am gonna go to Mancorra beach at the end of my trip, for a few days of relaxation, and maybe see a bikini or two!
Cuzco to the Inca Trail, Machu Pichu!!!!!!!
January 18th, 2007 8:28 am MST
Hola, well I made it to Cuzco, I was only stuck in Lima for 1 extra night. I arrived in Bolivia with enough time to realize I might have to visit again, but a more Southernly area. On the bus to Puno, ate some awesome chicken, saw a lot of vendors selling everything from socks to juices and stuff. I had to buy some supplies for the family I was going to stay with on Amantane Island, very affordable, rice, flour, coloring pencils, sugar,pasta, and some other stuff, all for around 20 Soles(3.17 soles/$1.00 American) Off we go by boat to Taquile Island...hollllleeeee crap, I hiked to the top, without nary a break, other than to take photos of the beautiful scenery! once at the top, we had a small amount of time to look at the shop, and do a few more pics. on the way to the resteraunt, more pics of scenery and a couple of locals. Lunch: Trout from Lake Titicaca, with rice, and a coke, bread and salsa like spread (ALL FRESH) Very tasty, and all for 15 Soles! back on the boat, wicked rain, but when we arrived to Amantane (spelling maybe different) it was a really nice day. Start the hike to the house of the local family I will be with for today and tomorrow, Wow, really, really thin air, I was huffing and puffing, so much so, that the lady tried to carry my pack for me, no way, I packed it, I carry it! We made it! Played a little football(soccer) against the locals, all of them used to the altitude! I now have an optional hike to the father moon gate or something, the translation was vague...okay, I am not in the worst shape, but I have to tell you, I was really hurting, and felt my heart beating way more than usual, after about an hour, the view was MAGNIFICENT! Back down we all go, after a couple of hours, the family I was with cooked me dinner, quhino soup and a rice potatos and stuff meal, very hearty and rich. another hour goes buy, and the house mother, brings me a poncho, and a knitted hat, because we are going to a dance at a little hall. Okay, remember when I said I wasn�t in horrible shape! Well, I don�t know how they dance so long, and sooooo fast, but I had a riot, while holding my beating heart that is! I think they dance the turistas that hard so they sleep well thaT night! back to Puno the next day, stopping at the Floating Reed Islands, the people that live on these islands, try not to associate with the mainlanders, very traditional (VERY), truly something one has to experience, than hear about. We rode on a Reed boat to meet our regulatr motor boat, a little shopping on the reed islands, and then back to Puno. Puno, again, I am feeling like home made crap, I sleep from about1630 hrs off and on until 0600 hrs. On the bus to Cuzco! I am in Cuzco right now, still feel really bad, but am slowly getting better (kinda like the flu) So, I am off to visit some churches and inca sites on my own today. I hope it is warm where you are!ADIOS.
Lima, Peru, to La Paz, Bolivia
January 11th, 2007 4:02 pm MST
Hey there Girls, and...well anyone I guess, who dares to have my psycho little self a friend! I made it to Lima, and am going to La Paz in a coupole of hours. I went to A very large Catholic museum/church, and right now I am unable to remember the name of it, right across from the Plaza de Armas, where there was a workers rights demonstration, LOTS AND LOTS of federales, with ak´s and rpks ( for you non gun types, those are automatic rifles and light machine guns) Lots of mp-40´s as well, I ate lunch at a really nice place, 3 course with an inca cola (horrible sugar...like juicy fruit meets sprite, and they add more sugar) all that for 10 Sols, or 3.50 $4.00 american. there was ceviche with lemon and onion, (fish) the main course was 2 chicken breasts with fries, salad, and some chopped veggies, VERY delicioso, and some kind of weird jello thing with fruit and spices, cinnamon, cloves! yummy. There are so many poor people begging for change and selling gum, or trying to trade for cash, they were even as king for CANADIAN money, who would think? I was walking in Mira Flores, still half asleep from the scary plane ride and of course, I find the local PUNK ROCK record store...$100 american later...just my luck, I bought a lot of local punk cd´s, oh well I get to carry them with me for the rest of the trip. The plane ride...going to toronto was fine, it was the landing that a few people did a prayer or 2 about...Now I have flown quite a bit, and I have never landed that hard before...freaky. it was a 767 from toronto to <lima...of course I get to sit by the ancient guy who looks like he is gonna snore the whole time...in fact he was a 76 year old guy from Lima, who lives in Edmonton, poor guy...( I know I know. edmonton...yechhh) He was a real riot, we had a good visit on the flight with his broken english, and my fractured spanish, we had a few laughs at the expense of the 2 guys getting hammered 2seats ahead of us. free wine. I landed at 0130 hrs, hit a cab to my hotel, and totally forgot how bright it gets in the summer...neat, I pretty much walked all day, drank inka kola, ate, and looked at old stuff and army guys who did not seem to happy, and came here to an internet cafe to send an update. I am so sorry if I send this to you twice, the address list has tourettes today. I hope it is not TOO cold where you are, I think it is in the about 28 right now...you would probably hate it. I will send mail when I can.lipglossed kisses, Llana Moore.
10 Days
December 31st, 2006 6:45 pm MST
So I am leaving for Bolivia and Peru in 10 days, I will be gone for a month, and probably flat broke when I get home! I start my tour in La Paz Bolivia, and end up in Lima Peru 3 weeks later, and a week finding out what Lima is all about! 9 Million people in Lima! If I knew how to add a link, I would insert it here, but you might have to cut and paste the address, so sorry,MEH. www.gapadventures.com/tour/bxlmDay 1 La PazArrive in La Paz at any time.Day 2-4 Puno / Taquile (B,L,D)Enjoy spectacular views of the Altiplano countryside on a travel day from La Paz, around Lake Titicaca and on to Puno. Take a boat trip to visit the Uros people and Taquile island, then immerse yourself in Peruvian rural life with a homestay in a small village.Day 5-8 CuzcoEnjoy spectacular views on a full day of travel through the high Altiplano region as we travel from Puno to Cuzco. With a friendly, colonial atmosphere, Cuzco offers nearby Inca ruins, cobblestone streets, museums, markets and churches.Day 9 OllantaytamboTravel with our local guide through the Sacred Valley to Pisac and the picturesque town and Inca ruins of Ollantaytambo.Day 10-13 Inca Trail to Machu Picchu (3B,3L,3D)Begin a once in a lifetime journey on the ancient trail of the Incas with a morning trip to km 82, where our hike starts. Local porters and guides ensure that the trip is worry-free, and fascinating ruins and spectacular mountain scenery fill every day of the hike. On the final day, climb the steps to Intipunku, the 'Sun Gate', to watch the sunrise over Machu Picchu. Return to Cuzco on day 13.Day 14 ArequipaFly this morning to Arequipa, Peru's second largest city. Explore its delightful colonial past or make an optional visit to the peaceful Santa Catalina Convent.Day 15-17 Colca Canyon / ArequipaThe Colca Canyon is the deepest canyon on the planet. Spend one night in the canyon, with an option to relax in the thermal pools just outside of town. Return to Arequipa and visit the local cafés, go for one more night on the town or rest up before the night bus to Nazca.Day 18 NazcaNazca sits in the heart of the coastal desert and ancient Paracas culture. Take an optional flight over the mysterious Nazca Lines, then visit a fascinating Pre-Inca cemetery in the Nazca desert with 1500 year-old mummies, bones and pottery.Day 19 PiscoTravel along the Pacific Coast by bus en route to Pisco. Once there, enjoy the city's renowned local cocktail, the Pisco Sour.Day 20 LimaThere is time in the morning for an optional excursion to the Ballestas Islands, site of a lively sea lion colony, pelicans, penguins and other varieties of bird life. Arrive in Lima late afternoon for one last night on the town and a final Pisco Sour.Day 21 Depart LimaI hope everyone has a freaky time tonight, and don't forget to call for your taxi well in advance due to driver shortages and drunken assholes!Llana Moore.Currently listening : Room 209 By Gutter Demons Release date: By 27 December, 2005
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