A quick edit of some timelapse sequences shot during our second day in Machu Picchu. Shot with the Nikon D750 and the Ricoh GR Digital II.
From home.
Another great trip with Dr. Craven and the travelers from Milford HS. Our re-entry to the US goes like this – a bus ride from Puno to Juliaca, then we fly from to Juliaca to Cuzco, and Cuzco to Lima. Overnight we return to Miami and pass through customs. Everyone else is returning via Boston, so I say my goodbyes and board my flight to DC. A subway ride and a taxi trip and I am home by 11:30 AM. About a 26 hour return trip and plenty of time left in the weekend for laundry and groceries before returning to the office tomorrow.
Now that I am home, some final thoughts and these three things about Peru:
Stray dogs at Machu Picchu
Tour guides, drivers, and boat pilots are our connection to a new place, and Peru featured some of the best: Daniel for our entire trip, Jesus at the Cathedral of Lima, Pepe in Cuzco, Manuel in Puno, and many others.
As we traveled through Peru it became apparent that there is more than one way to spell place names. Not surprising in a country with several languages. Over the course of the blog for this trip you may have noticed several variations in spellings. Cuzco or Cusco. Titkaka or Titicaca. As far as I know they are all correct.
Name dropping: Seeing new destinations and learning how people all around the world live their lives makes these trips a real adventure, but it’s the fellow travelers that really make the trip. Like my other overseas trips, Peru featured old friends and new – Brad, Craig, Sue, Dennis, Ron, Mickey, Donna, Marguerite, Carol, Gina, Sue, Bernie, Jessica, Meg, Dan, Shannon, Peter, Barbara, Mike, Greg, Michelle, Greg, Kaydee, Neil, Mike, Marie, Maggie, Cathy, and Chris.
The travelers of Craven – Peru 2016
I look forward to our next adventure together and thank you for your photographic inspiration as you always found great views of the places we saw and the people we met …
Wedding photos at the Park of Love
Roasting chickens at Pardos
On the way to dinner in Cuzco
A chinchilla watching the tour at Machu Picchu
The Machu Picchu fast group
Mountain glaciers of Bolivia
Taquile Island
Now that I am home the process of copying and backing up RAW picture and MOV video files begins. Then I will set to work on the video, photo galleries, and photo book. Note that for last year’s South African Safari I have only just finished the video, so as the Peruvian tour guides say, I should have this trip video ready in about 10 minutes! But before that, one last look at Machu Picchu …
Shooting timelapse and taking in the view
From Lima International Airport.
Today begins the weekend trip home.
Before the bus leaves for the airport there is time for more shopping near Puno’s town square. I pick up a couple of last minute items, but still no luck finding a Peruvian-themed picture frame. It’s pay day in Peru so hundreds of residents are lined up around the blocks that surround the banks. Some lines stretch for several city blocks. Similar lines are outside the offices of the water and electric utilities. After you pick up your pay you need to get in the utilty lines. And that’s how residents of Puno spend a Saturday!
Puno residents
Puno electric power infrastructure
Successful shoppers!
Our flight back to Lima departs from Juliaca International Airport, and stops in Cuzco on the way to Lima. Of note about Juliaca – this city is like the Wild West. A minimal number of traffic lights, so intersections are a free-for-all. Some major roads aren’t paved at all – always fun in a bus. And, as I understand it, this commercial city is a smuggling center for goods traveling between Peru and Bolivia. Also, although the name suggests so, there are no international flights from the airport, so we head back to Lima.
Juliaca roads and traffic
After the hour long bus drive from Puno to Juliaca we check in for our 1 PM flight and arrive in Lima around 4 PM. Our overnight flight to Miami departs at 10 PM, so we’ve got plenty of time to settle in at Lima International for some dinner, walk the terminal to get some steps in, and a chance to share travel stories before we head our separate ways tomorrow morning until the next adventure!
On board the Nampary on Lake Titikaka.
Day 2 in Puno. At 12,500 feet you definitely feel the high altitude. For as much as I am enjoying the trip I will appreciate the return the lower altitudes.
Today we explore Lake Titikaka – the highest navigable lake in the world. Lake Titkaka translates to grey puma in the Quechua language.
We start early with a boat ride to the floating islands of Uros. We meet the inhabitants on one of the 90 floating islands and learn how they use reeds to construct the island, for food, and to burn for cooking.
A floating island in Uros
Reeds that make up the base of a floating island in Uros
Next a two hour boat ride to Taquile Island offering a view of Bolivian glaciers on the way. On Taquile we hike up to the town square for souvenirs, have a delicious trout lunch at a local resturant, and hike back down the meet the Nampary for the two and a half hour ride back to Puno.
Looking across Lake Titikaka to Bolivia
Farmhouses on Taquile Island
Sheep on Taquile Island
Terrace farming on Taquile Island
Tonight is dinner in Puno and some time to explore the town. Tomorrow we begin the weekend journey home.
On the bus to Puno.
Today we travel to Puno by bus – An all day road trip with stops along the way. Last night’s late arrival necessitated an even later luggage repack from the Machu Picchu day pack back to regular travel configuration. So it’s a quick breakfast and we’re in the bus and on the way at 7 AM.
First stop is the town of Andahuaylillas to see the Sixtine Chapel of America. It’s a beautiful church filled with paintings, frescos, and lined with gold leaf. Unfortunately, no pictures or video inside, so here is the exterior.
The Sixtine Chapel of America
Detail of the plaza of the Chapel
Next a tour of the Raqchi archaeological site, built by the Incans and featuring the Temple of Wiracocha.
The Temple of Wiracocha at Raqchi
Detail of the stonework at Raqchi
Lunch is in the town of Marangani. And 30 minutes later we reach La Raya on the border between the departments of Cuzco and Puno. This is the highest point on our trip at 4,338 meters – over 14,200 feet.
Over 14,200 feet at La Raya
The road into Puno is through the high desert plateau. There are still high peaks, but the valleys are wide and flat.
Tonight is dinner in Puno and tomorrow we visit Lake Titicaca.
View from the balcony ...
Michael S. Liberman