January 20, 2011
Short day, we rode to Huacachina and stayed in the same place as 3 months ago. This is the oasis just outside of Ica where Michael did his sand surfing. People remembered us and gave us a cut rate on the room. Thanks guys.. Rest of the day was spent drinking beer around the pool and enjoying 33º heat.
Jan 21, 2011
Road from Cusco to Nazca.
January 19, 2011
We had heard that this road is the best motorcycling road in South America. We had rode from Abancay to Cusco 3 months ago and was extremely impressed with the pavement and twisties/switchbacks. Today, we got over 8 hours of curves, corners, switchbacks, up hills, down hills, 5 or 6 mountain passes at 4000 to 4500 meter elevations and twisting into river valleys, over high plains. Temperatures ranged from 26º in some of the valleys to 6º on the high plains. Needless to say, the rumours were true to reputation. 670 kilometres of virtually uninterrupted curves and hills. We started out of Cusco about 8:30am with a big breakfast in our bellies and then rode, stopping for gas and the odd butt break. The last 100kms were more of an endurance adventure than enjoyment as we were tired, hot and hungry. Arrived in Nazca about 5:00pm and went to the hotel that we stayed at on our first pass through town. At the hotel, we met our next door neighbours who informed us that there would be a car rally the next day on the same road and the road would be closed while the 46 contestants raced to Cusco. In the central plaza was a huge celebration where the cars and drivers were introduced and announced to everyone. These cars were quite cool with many hopped up to the 9s, including NOS…
We had heard that this road is the best motorcycling road in South America. We had rode from Abancay to Cusco 3 months ago and was extremely impressed with the pavement and twisties/switchbacks. Today, we got over 8 hours of curves, corners, switchbacks, up hills, down hills, 5 or 6 mountain passes at 4000 to 4500 meter elevations and twisting into river valleys, over high plains. Temperatures ranged from 26º in some of the valleys to 6º on the high plains. Needless to say, the rumours were true to reputation. 670 kilometres of virtually uninterrupted curves and hills. We started out of Cusco about 8:30am with a big breakfast in our bellies and then rode, stopping for gas and the odd butt break. The last 100kms were more of an endurance adventure than enjoyment as we were tired, hot and hungry. Arrived in Nazca about 5:00pm and went to the hotel that we stayed at on our first pass through town. At the hotel, we met our next door neighbours who informed us that there would be a car rally the next day on the same road and the road would be closed while the 46 contestants raced to Cusco. In the central plaza was a huge celebration where the cars and drivers were introduced and announced to everyone. These cars were quite cool with many hopped up to the 9s, including NOS…
January 18, 2011
Maintenance day for the bikes, the blog updates. Met Martin, Griff and Lisa at Norton's for beer and American style burgers. They all went to Machu Piccu today.
The countryside is much greener now, than 3 months ago and the greenery hide much of the garbage that is strewn along the roadside. South Americans litter a lot! One negative about our trip is the amount of garbage. Plastic bags and bottles are everywhere. It is sad to see this amount of garbage. And the worst part is watching people just toss garbage from car or bus windows or just drop wrappers as the walk the streets. Its amazing how many diapers we have dodged on the highways. The worst part is the thought of all this trash being flushed down creeks, streams and into rivers which end up dumping into the ocean. I understand there is a huge plastic wasteland in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, no wonder…. 3 months ago I had mentioned the smell of urine and thought it may get washed away with the coming rains, It hasn't.. Still urine smells as we pass by many populated areas of Peru. I have to qualify this statement. There was very little urine smell in Chile and Argentina, and outhouses were much more visible in the countryside. It appears the lower economic status, the more urine we smell.
Maintenance day for the bikes, the blog updates. Met Martin, Griff and Lisa at Norton's for beer and American style burgers. They all went to Machu Piccu today.
The countryside is much greener now, than 3 months ago and the greenery hide much of the garbage that is strewn along the roadside. South Americans litter a lot! One negative about our trip is the amount of garbage. Plastic bags and bottles are everywhere. It is sad to see this amount of garbage. And the worst part is watching people just toss garbage from car or bus windows or just drop wrappers as the walk the streets. Its amazing how many diapers we have dodged on the highways. The worst part is the thought of all this trash being flushed down creeks, streams and into rivers which end up dumping into the ocean. I understand there is a huge plastic wasteland in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean, no wonder…. 3 months ago I had mentioned the smell of urine and thought it may get washed away with the coming rains, It hasn't.. Still urine smells as we pass by many populated areas of Peru. I have to qualify this statement. There was very little urine smell in Chile and Argentina, and outhouses were much more visible in the countryside. It appears the lower economic status, the more urine we smell.
Jan 18, 2011
January 17, 2011
Rode from Chivay to Cusco. Back up over the 4879 meter pass and then onto another 4500 meter pass. Got into Juliaca, got gas and proceeded to go through open air market streets that are totally chaotic. Rickshaws and trucks stopping and parking everywhere. Maybe we will video an episode going through another town along our route home. Some areas, we literally had to take another road around because we couldn't get through and when we could, we had just enough to squeeze our bikes between parked trucks off loading goods and other stupid people. Had one car passing a truck and not pull over on the way to Cusco and had to ride the shoulder. Got to Cusco after being spat rain on us. This is their rainy season now, but normally rain comes in the afternoons. Michael found his stickers, so he's happy.
Rode from Chivay to Cusco. Back up over the 4879 meter pass and then onto another 4500 meter pass. Got into Juliaca, got gas and proceeded to go through open air market streets that are totally chaotic. Rickshaws and trucks stopping and parking everywhere. Maybe we will video an episode going through another town along our route home. Some areas, we literally had to take another road around because we couldn't get through and when we could, we had just enough to squeeze our bikes between parked trucks off loading goods and other stupid people. Had one car passing a truck and not pull over on the way to Cusco and had to ride the shoulder. Got to Cusco after being spat rain on us. This is their rainy season now, but normally rain comes in the afternoons. Michael found his stickers, so he's happy.
Lake along the way
January 16, 2011
Rode to Chivay, On the way, we went over a 4879 meter pass (16,007 ft), took pics of some volcanos. Got to Chavay and got a hostel room and then rode into the 2nd deepest canyon in the world. Deeper than the Grand Canyon. Quite beautiful and like an oasis compared to the pampas that is all around. Road was rough and then 50kms in, all of a sudden new pavement.
Rode to Chivay, On the way, we went over a 4879 meter pass (16,007 ft), took pics of some volcanos. Got to Chavay and got a hostel room and then rode into the 2nd deepest canyon in the world. Deeper than the Grand Canyon. Quite beautiful and like an oasis compared to the pampas that is all around. Road was rough and then 50kms in, all of a sudden new pavement.
Volcanoes in the distance
Notice the terracing
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| Cabanaconde |
January 15, 2011
Found a Lubricant store and they allowed us to change our oil in the parking lot. They disposed of the oil properly too. After that took a ride up out of town to make sure we knew where to go the next day. Took a 4 hour bus tour of Arequipa in the afternoon. Quite interesting.
Found a Lubricant store and they allowed us to change our oil in the parking lot. They disposed of the oil properly too. After that took a ride up out of town to make sure we knew where to go the next day. Took a 4 hour bus tour of Arequipa in the afternoon. Quite interesting.
Inca terraces
One of 3 volcanos surrounding Arequipa, Notice the smog...
Arequipa's founders house
Notice the Falcon on my head.
Visited a Waterwheel where the grind grains.
Border Crossing day.
January 14, 2011
Rode to the border and was easy to get out of Chile. Getting checked into Argentina was easy too except for the wait. Took 2 1/2 hours in a lineup standing in the sun to have our bike papers done with one person in the stupid booth. After that rode through to Arequipa and found a beautiful Hotel and negotiated the price down. Normal to park our bikes in courtyards like the pic below.
Rode to the border and was easy to get out of Chile. Getting checked into Argentina was easy too except for the wait. Took 2 1/2 hours in a lineup standing in the sun to have our bike papers done with one person in the stupid booth. After that rode through to Arequipa and found a beautiful Hotel and negotiated the price down. Normal to park our bikes in courtyards like the pic below.
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