Posts Tagged ‘Peru’

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Last day in LIMA!

Monday, April 26th, 2010

Our whirlwind marathon across South America was coming to a close and we were determined to squeeze out more juice from our trip in our last day.  Our flight home was scheduled at around 10pm leaving us with quite a number of activities to do.  It was incredible how we were able to do so much in our last day.  This entry is an account of our last day in South America.  We could not have ended it better because we had a walking and living encyclopedia as our host/guide.  His name is John Davis and the man is literally related to everyone in Peru!  He  is the perfect guide because he knows everyone.  I loved our last day because he took us on an insiders guide to Lima.

Our fist visit was the hotel Maury where the famous Pisco sour was created! It was a nice little hotel with amazing mirrors.

Our fist visit was the hotel Maury where the famous Pisco sour was created! It was a nice little hotel with amazing mirrors.

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Incan Gold!

Monday, April 26th, 2010
After Cusco we fly back to Lima for more sightseeing and information on this amazing country called Peru!  I have always been interested in Incan art and often felt a similarity with our own Philippine tribal art.  We visited the Museo Numismatico del Peru which is free to the public and was so amazed by the beauty of the Incan gold!
Inside the museum, which used to be the central bank.

Inside the museum, which used to be the central bank.

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The great CUY adventure!

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Ever since I started watching Anthony Bourdain‘s show called “No reservations“, I began to see travel in a different light. I was inspired by his perspective and I wanted to see the world in that light.

The day started with a nice drive along the beautiful town center of Cusco.

The day started with a nice drive along the beautiful town center of Cusco.

We had a nice picnic arranged for us above the ruins of Sacsayhuaman other wise coined as "sexy woman"

We had a nice picnic arranged for us above the ruins of Sacsayhuaman other wise coined as "sexy woman"

That being said, I wanted to really experience everything!. So began my great CUY adventure.

My adventure begins!

My adventure begins!

Cuy is other wise known as Guinea Pig and I wanted to try it! So early on the trip I asked my guide Sophia to find me one for lunch. It normally takes more than a day to prepare the dish but she and her team was able to produce it. So in a lovely outdoor picnic setting I was presented my CUY!

This is my CUY!!! LOL!

This is my CUY!!! LOL!

Another shot! It can be a bit daunting to see, actually I was afraid! Check out those teeth!

Another shot! It can be a bit daunting to see, actually I was afraid! Check out those teeth!

Almost everyone in my group FREAKED out! LOL! I was not daunted, I really wanted to try it! To be honest the thing really looked like a giant rodent complete with fangs and creepiest looking feet! I was really hesitant and first and my first reaction was to push it away. I then asked Sophia if they could chop it up and remove the head and the feet. I thought that this would be easier to eat this way and I was glad they obliged, because when it returned the whole thing looked like duck legs. The taste was very clean and not what I expected. The flavor reminded me of combination of duck and a baby lamb. Apparently they live on alfalfa sprouts.

Good thing there were other items on the menu. like these peruvian bruscheta's

Good thing there were other items on the menu. like these peruvian bruscheta's

quinoia salad.

quinoia salad.

First time for me to try some blue corn juice.

First time for me to try some blue corn juice.

Only Malu was game and brave enough to try it with me.

Malu attempts to try the Cuy!

Malu attempts to try the Cuy!

I had a piece and thought that is one item off from my bucket list!  Sophia and the rest of her group was more than happy to help me finish.

My turn! It was not that bad at all!

My turn! It was not that bad at all!

The CUY demolished!

The CUY demolished!

Cuy is a celebratory food there, much like our lechon! I don’t think that I will eat CUY again but I am proud to say that I have been there and done that!

The lovely people who served our picnic. The restaurant is called Ciciolina, named after the famous Italian pornstar / congress woman.

The lovely people who served our picnic. The restaurant is called Ciciolina, named after the famous Italian pornstar / congress woman.

Me needing some canned oxygen after my CUY! LOL!

Me needing some canned oxygen after my CUY! LOL!

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HUGS! RAJO!

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The Monasterio

Friday, April 23rd, 2010
When you’re in Cusco you must drop by the Hotel Monasterio.
Anton in front of the Monasterio.

Anton in front of the Monasterio.

The inner lobby looked amazing! Wish we could have stayed for cocktails.

The inner lobby looked amazing! Wish we could have stayed for cocktails.

The inner courtyard.

The inner courtyard.

Tessa in rest. LOL!

Tessa in rest. LOL!

It was originaly a monastery but was transformed into a hotel in the mid ’70s.  It was really such a beautiful hotel to visit, although I would probably be freaked out sleeping here as there might be ghosts!  LOL!  It is still a super place to visit in the day time as  the art displayed is really special and the chapel within the compounds is really a must see.
The stairs leading to the chapel. All the walls mind you were filled with paintings featuring religious themes.

The stairs leading to the chapel. All the walls mind you were filled with paintings featuring religious themes.

The chapel inside was AMAZING!!!!

The chapel inside was AMAZING!!!!

NIx and I in the courtyard.

NIx and I in the courtyard.

Malu and Haniel.

Malu and Haniel.

A shot from above.

A shot from above.

As usual my troupe had a fantastic photo shoot in the premises.  LOL!
Tropa chika!!!!

Tropa chika!!!!

Nix with one of the hundreds of paintings in the Monastery.

Nix with one of the hundreds of paintings in the Monastery.

Group shot.

Group shot.

A girl and her baby alpaca. Peruvians love volkswagen beetles. I saw so many when I was there.

A girl and her baby alpaca. Peruvians love volkswagen beetles. I saw so many when I was there.

Local scene.

Local scene.

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HUGS!
RAJO!

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CUSCO!

Thursday, April 22nd, 2010

After our trek to Machu Picchu we decided to take a nice and slow day to explore Cusco!

These women were carrying their baby Alpaca pets with them. I like the shape of the skirts as they remind me of the F/W 2010 collection of Louis Vuitton! LOL! I also see a huge Dries Van Notten influence. HA HA HA!!!!

These women were carrying their baby Alpaca pets with them. I like the shape of the skirts as they remind me of the F/W 2010 collection of Louis Vuitton! LOL! I also see a huge Dries Van Notten influence. HA HA HA!!!!

Tessa is turning into one of them na!

Tessa is turning into one of them na!

I find the layering so interesting.

I find the layering so interesting.

I was happy that I did see quite a number of people still wearing the native garb, I hope this does not change.

I was happy that I did see quite a number of people still wearing the native garb, I hope this does not change.

Tessa and Anton doing what they do best! SHOPPING!!!!! LOL!

Tessa and Anton doing what they do best! SHOPPING!!!!! LOL!

Discovered this lovely courtyard market.

Discovered this lovely courtyard market.

Cusco is like the Vigan of Peru. It is a city that has preserved so much of its old world charm and history. However there are still really modern and exciting things to do in this beautiful part of Peru.

What a chic SARI-SARI store.

What a chic SARI-SARI store.

Malu with a really colorful Peruvian Child.

Malu with a really colorful Peruvian Child.

Local scenes.

Local scenes.

I love this shot!

I love this shot!

Cute truck.

Cute truck.

My highlight was all the local costumes that I saw. Although most of them were for the benefit of the tourists it was still nice to see the way they would layer the clothes and enjoy the interesting color combinations. Check it out!

Check out these odd masks? I wonder what they are for?

Check out these odd masks? I wonder what they are for?

I tried one on for size. LOL!

I tried one on for size. LOL!

I really love the sky in South America!

I really love the sky in South America!

Cusco at night!

Cusco at night!

Cool candle! This could be a nice creepy project.

Cool candle! This could be a nice creepy project.

Turning Peruvian!

Turning Peruvian!

Discovered this really cool restaurant called MAP near our hotel it is located inside a museum. MAP stands for the Museo de arte Precolombino. Unfortunately we did not get to see the museum but we did enjoy dinner.

Discovered this really cool restaurant called MAP near our hotel it is located inside a museum. MAP stands for the Museo de arte Precolombino. Unfortunately we did not get to see the museum but we did enjoy dinner.

Malu and I with our cute waiter Christian.

Malu and I with our cute waiter Christian.

A Baby Alpaca skewer! This animal really gives a lot to Peru, from scarves, sweaters, photo ops and even food! GALING!

A Baby Alpaca skewer! This animal really gives a lot to Peru, from scarves, sweaters, photo ops and even food! GALING!

The food in MAP was more decorative and dramatic more than flavor. It was fun to watch and see but lost points in taste.

The food in MAP was more decorative and dramatic more than flavorful. It was fun to watch and see but it lost points in taste.

A hot ceviche.

A hot ceviche.

SALMON.

SALMON.

This was their version of ADOBO, which was too funky for my taste. LOL!

This was their version of ADOBO, which was too funky for my taste. LOL!

The desserts were a lot better.

The desserts were a lot better.

More dessert. The value of the meal was really good. Peru is really not expensive its just so far to get to! LOL!

More dessert. The value of the meal was really good. Peru is really not expensive its just so far to get to! LOL!

HUGS!

RAJO!

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The Magical Machu Picchu!

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010
The day had finally come when my group would climb Machu Picchu!  I was really so very excited!  We all decided to wear the Pilipinas shirt of  My friend Rhett to show our National pride.
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Rhett this one is for you! We decided to wear our Pilipinas shirt! Feeling everest climbers! LOL!

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Tessa and Malu at the entrance of Machu Picchu in full trekking grear!

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ready get set go! ooops! Photo first!

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Tessa and Leica in full trekking fashion gear! Not bad packing for just 5 kilos! LOL!

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The weather was just so perfect! it was so clear that we were able to take so many beautiful photos.

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This is Machu Picchu!

Machu Picchu was discovered almost by accident in 1911 by an American explorer Hiram Bingham. Till today no one knew the real function of Machu Picchu which means Ancient peak in old Incan.  There is so much mystery shrouding the place and this was perhaps one of the biggest reasons so many people come here.

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There was something so spiritual about this place. I love this photo!

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We made it! BRAVO TROPA CHICA!!!

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Pogi pose muna! LOL!

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I really cannot believe how clear everything was, we're in the "cloud forest" so anytime this whole thing can be covered in fog and rain.

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Tina taking it all in.

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We made it! This was the ultimate climax of our amazing adventure!

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We christend all the llama's in Machu Picchu Alice! I do not know why but it just felt right to call them that.

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They are such gentle creatures. It's not true that they spit or kick. I came really close and petted them and the were so calm and sweet.

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Malu posing with Alice.

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One of them even tried to kiss me! Awww.

They are really so cute!

They are really so cute!

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Happy that we had time to chill and just take everything in.

Our guide Sophia explained significant and important facts about the place and how advanced the ancient people were that lived here.  I for one was just lost in my thoughts as with each corner I would pass I would see something magical and beautiful.

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This was our guide Sofia! She was like a mother/yaya/tita and ninang to all of us! She is an excellent guide! Hope you get her when you come and visit Machu Picchu!

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No one really knows what Machu Picchu was for. We were all thinking and asking about the Space alien theories? LOL!

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Happy that Anton and I were together, we have travelled and seen practically the world together.

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Machu Picchu can only accomodate 1,000 visitors a day.

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It started to rain and our ponchos all came out! LOL!

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Anton being styled by the wind.

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All the stones in Machu Picchu were quarried from the same mountain. Here I am posing along the stones.

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Can you imagine they built all this by hand! No Machines!

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I guess we were trying to find out how many people would fit in ancient doorways! LOL!

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This place was really special, I think they did human sacrifices here! YIKES!

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We were so lucky as the weather was awesome! It was so clear!

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Pang post card level! LOL!

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Thank you Malu for leading the way and organizing the trip for everyone! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

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A required jumping shot!

It was indeed a privilege to come and visit.  I was so happy that I was able to cross one thing out of my bucket list!  Enjoy the photos!

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A baby Alice! LOL!

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Which way do you think we went?

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A pretty bird. Is it a MAYA?

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The back side of Machu Picchu!

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The cool thing about this place is that you can have your passport stamped as proof that you were there! LOL!

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After climbing the mountain a few of us wanted to chill and well...shop! LOL!

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Hmmm...Poncho anyone? LOL!

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What a strange looking orchid?

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Tried on this hat! LOL!

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The prettiest Peruvian! Tessa just piled everything she bought on her! LOL!

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Ate dinner at this funky restaurant with over the top interiors!

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The lighting was nice though.

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Tessa and Anton Happy as can be!

HUGS!
RAJO!

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INKATERRA!

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010
One of the biggest and best surprise of my trip to South America was this charming little hotel called the INKATERRA!  When we were doing the research of our trip, our travel leader Malu asked all of us what we thought of the hotels available in the Aguas Callientes area. We all chose Inkaterra!    The choices were close to nil and since the status of the hotel was 3 stars I was not really expecting much.
When we entered the hotel we were briefed in this area and I thought. Hmmmm. OK! 3 stars nga!

When we entered the hotel we were briefed in this area and I thought. Hmmmm. OK! 3 stars nga!

Then we walked up several steps up a small hill and saw the lobby. Promising!

Then we walked up several steps up a small hill and saw the lobby. Promising!

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Peru Rail

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

We are now en route to Machu Picchu!

Machu Picchu is actually in a valley lower than cusco.

Machu Picchu is actually in a valley lower than Cusco.

There are two options to get there–one on foot and the other by train.  It would have taken 4 days to walk up the mountains and none of us in our group was prepared to go walking up a mountain and not shower for 4 days!  Hence, we all took the train.

The river ran right beside the train system.

The river ran right beside the train system.

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A Hacienda Visit!

Monday, April 19th, 2010
One of my personal highlights of my trip was a visit to the Hacienda Huayo Ccari.  It is owned and lived in by one of the oldest land owning families in Cusco.
I really loved the simplicity of the place.

I really loved the simplicity of the place.

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Back to PERU!

Monday, April 19th, 2010
From Buenos Aires we flew to Lima, and then flew to Cusco!  Cusco is 3,500 miles above sea level and you have to be very careful because you can get quite sick.   We were given some medicine for altitude sickness and were advised to really just move slowly, eat light, and avoid alcohol.  Hmm…All of these components we were not doing. LOL!
First we were in some kind of  marathon to see as much as we could in less than 3 weeks and we were eating and drinking our way across South America, so the chances of getting sick were high!
These were the pills that we took to prevent altitude sickness. These Sorojchi pills were lifesavers! However we were advised not to take so much only when really needed. In total I only took 2.

These were the pills that we took to prevent altitude sickness. These Sorojchi pills were lifesavers! However we were advised not to take so much and only when really needed. In total I only took 2.

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