Get ready, Go!

Day 12, Oct 15, 2010

Well we made it to Lima on time and are getting ready for our next leg to the Galapagos Islands. Our tour operator says she hasn't received our cash for the tour so Julie has been a real trooper trying to track it down with the bank. But we are confirmed on the cruise, so here we go. Tony, the gentleman that we met in the airline ticket lineup in LA 2 weeks back, is going to pick us up at the Guayaquil airport and show us his town cause this flight is a overnight layover. What a great guy! We can't wait. There has been some political unrest with the police in Quito, but thats quite far from Guayaquil and the Galapagos, so we aren't worried.

Once on the Galapagos, we will be on a boat for 8 days without internet so next time you read our blog will be after we finish seeing a lot of strange creature. Chou

Nazca to Ica

Day 11, Oct, 14, 2010

Today was a bonus day! We made up all the time we lost in the beginning with Michael being sick and the intial stress of the new surroundings, so we decided to enjoy ourselves. We booked a flight over the Nazca Lines like I have always wanted to do and it was bumpy by the time we got into the air. Turns out, prior to getting onto the flight, the pilot had been admiring our bikes and we had been chatting with him. He did a great job of banking the plane left and right to make sure all the passengers got good views of all of the figures, but between his flying and the thermals by late morning we got off the plane with tuff tummies. It was worth it though, thats my story and I'm sticking to it.

Then doen the road to Ica about 150 kms away. More sand more curves. We read in the Lonely Planets book about an oasis just west of Ica, the place to stay so we found it, called Huacachina so decided to treat ourselves. We got her and found out that sand dune buggy ridng and sand boarding were the local attractions. Had to do them. Michael did the sand boarding, I took the pics. 2 more hours our radical rides. 2 radical rides in one day. Wow!  And the hotel is gorgeous too. We could stay but we have a hotel to find tomorrow. Only 300 kms to Lima. They say 4 hrs.

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Arequipa to Nazca

Day 10, Oct, 13, 2010

We left Arequipa this morning after receiving our clean laundry, we headed out of town. The road out is used by mostly truckers and is steep and twisty. Had lots of fun driving like the locals and passing at your own discretion. Then a long trek down to the ocean. Arequipa is about 2300 meters above sea level and lies in the shadows of a few volcanos that are snow capped. Once down to the ocean, we stopped at a seaside hostel for lunch. The first official lunch on the road. It was great! local Fish and Chips, Peruvian style. and some sort of salad. wow!

Then down the road. Just after Ocona we got caught up in some twisties the likes of what I have never seen. Beautiful pavement, twisties by the ocean, Michael and I danced through the corners for over an hour. About 60 kms of righteous turns, powering through corners and hills, braking through downhill switchbacks, The grin lasted hours. Then we were punctuated by more sand, sometimes blowing cross ways over the road. At one point we had to slowdown because of the dunes developing on the roadway. Then back to more twisties. Most of the day was spent of the coast of Peru. It was exactly what we came for. 

We arrived in Nazca about 4 pm and found our place for the night. After getting caught up with Julie, Michael and I caught a taxi into "el Centro" for dinner. We talked to a nice Dutch couple at dinner and checked out the streets.  Tomorrow, we fly over the "lines" something I've wanted to do since 1973 when I watched "Chariots of the Gods"

Over the Border to Peru.

Day 9, Oct, 12, 2010

Stayed in a nice place last night and paid for it but it was worth it. Got up at the normal 7 am and had breakfast for the first time on our trip. Traveled to the border and took 2.5 hours getting through, with very little Spanish. The last guy that we dealt with could speak English well, but it was his job. After that we headed north to Moqueque, then Arequipa. Thats where we are now. Saw lots more sand of different colors and types. Today it reminded me of the Badlands of Drumbheller or South Dakota, but a lot badder. These deserts are huge and you get through one and then theres another. We got a giggle on one part coming down a valley and back up. The road was new pavement and lots of twisties. Best road yet.

Michael and I both feel the Peruians seem to be a little friendlier. Seams like Peru is a little cleaner. Chile had lots of litter on the sides of the roads, lots and lots of drink bottles. Why can´t they recycle?

We are staying in a hostel in the industrial area tonight so that we had to take a taxi into town. Michael´s first experience with crazy taxi drivers. He was amazed. Hostel cost 50 soles or about $18, so we can´t complain about no internet.

Right now we are in the central plaza of Arequipa. Streets radiating out from it are a shoppers heaven. These streets are very clean. Had pizza a a Peruvian Pizza joint and it was great. Large pizza cost 33 soles or about $11 dollars.

Not sure how far we will go tomorrow but will be seeing the Nazca Lines. Cool Heh!

Adios amigos

Antofagasto to Arica

Day 8, Oct 11, 2010 Thanks Giving.

Had a great sleep and Michael is feeling better. We rode 750 km today from Antofagasta to Arica. Along the coast to Iquique and then back on to the Pan American Highway. Boy have we been served up a platter of desert and sand. All types. rocks with sand , mountains of sand and rock, plains of sand that make the ones that I rode through in the USA look minuscule in comparison. Saw beaches of sand and towns of sand. Yes, TOWNS of sand. Vegetation is few and far between. Temperature has been mostly about 15-18 c but at one point was up to 32c. Then the side winds, wow!! Anyway, we got to Arica got gas, asked for directions for a hotel and found a nice one right away. Then walked down onto the Centro and found comfort food, (Mcdonalds). Michael knew he could digest it, so what the heck.

Tomorrow we cross the Peru Boarder.

On the Road to Lima

Day 7, Oct, 10, 2010

We both slept well and Michael ate this morning, but then the stomach got upset again. Not so bad.  We rode through the desert all day for 500kms and I was amazed at how little vegetation there was and how much sand and rock we saw. More tomorrow. We arrived in Antofagasta and asked for help to locate a hotel. A nice man showed us to a block with 3 and here we are. The hotel had internet but our computer would not connect so we are at an internet cafe typing to all of you. Bye for now.

Day 6, Oct 9, 2010

We were up bright and early with the fog and mist and wet tents and bike covers and packed up. Michael started getting the trots. Oh Great! We headed for Caldera, a seaside town and found a Hosteria at 1pm and both snuggled in for some shut eye after unpacking our wet stuff. Later I organized our stuff and tended to my sick puppy. Went shopping and got fruit and sandwich makings.

I must say that I was under a lot of stress. I feel way out of my snack bracket with not knowing the language or country. It has been very difficult to communicate when you don´t know the language. Also, I have been trying too hard. In reflection, I just need to take my time and relax.

Day 5, Oct 8, 2010 left Valparaiso

We packed up and said our good-byes to Martina and Enzo. Martina gave me directions and advice where to stay in La Sarena. We got there and found the Hotel, but felt it was too expensive so we drove on expecting to find some town or village with something cheaper. Things didn´t work out and we rode. Finally, after dark, we were hungry and stopped at a local Posada. we thought it was just a resturant, but turns out the dictionary says its a private guesthouse also. We both ate chicken for dinner but Michael had some pasta. Anyway, we decided to find a trail off the road and pitch the tents, and we did. It got cold and foggy, as the Atacama Desert does, and we did not sleep well. Michael says that he felt something crawling under his tent.