Argentina - Ushuaia: ‘Fin del Mundo’
Foto: The Inca City Machu Picchu (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Peru - Four o’clock in the morning. The luggage is wet. Although it is still dark outside, it is dry. No one has really slept well. During breakfast—pancakes—it starts drizzling again. Not a good outlook for Machu Picchu. Wearing raincoats, ponchos on top, and flashlights ready, we set off a little after five towards Machu Picchu. After a few bends along a narrow path, we queue at the checkpoint, which only opens at half past five. After getting a new stamp, we walk along the Inca Trail in a long line of hikers. The rain gives the whole scene a bleak impression. After about twenty minutes, the path is visible even without a flashlight. This is just as well, as many flashlights quickly lose power. Around half past six, we approach the Sun Gate. The last steps are climbed for the view of Machu Picchu. Unfortunately... Machu Picchu is completely covered by a heavy cloud layer. Fortunately, Lucio points out where Machu Picchu lies beneath the clouds... The disappointment is great for everyone. Lucio explains that it actually rarely rains—except the last two weeks. That’s just our luck. In the rain and mist, we descend into the town. Hope for a view is gone, while Lucio keeps saying there might still be a photo opportunity. Much to my surprise, at this viewpoint Machu Picchu does indeed become visible through the clouds. A fantastic and above all unexpected moment.
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Library of the San Francisco Monastery in Lima
Peru - The city tour takes us to the center of Lima. At Plaza San Martin, we visit the Gran Hotel Bolívar, an 80-year-old luxury hotel that now shows some signs of faded glory. The city tour continues toward the main square, Plaza de Armas. There, we take a ...
The center of Cusco
Peru - At nine o'clock I’ve arranged to have breakfast at the hotel. Unfortunately, it's raining again today. We walk through the streets of Cusco to Plaza Cusipata. From there, we head toward the main square, Plaza de Armas. At the Cathedral, we buy a combination ...
The Uros islands on Lake Titicaca
Peru - In just over half an hour, we sail to the Uros Islands. Along the way, the guide tells us the history of Lake Titicaca and explains that the name is derived from the puma. He even shows how the lake supposedly has the shape of a puma (though that takes ...