Treating myself

I rarely buy anything for myself, but today I did. I bought a bracelet from a local woman, had a very lazy morning with good breakfast. I went for a morning yoga, read book at the plaza. Me and Stine went for smoothie and sandwich for lunch, followed by an art gallery. Had an excellent Masala Chai and carrot cake in a very cozy cafe. Afternoon I treated myself with a massage.

Evening we had last meal together. Stine and Jesper are flying back to Sweden next week. We have had such a good time together, cycling up and down muddy paths, climbing top of volcanos and mountains and most of all what games we have had, Yazy and Plump!! :) 

Machu Picchu

This has been one of the things on my bucket list and now it is done :)

Rob had been before so he stayed in bed when 3.30am me, Stine and Jesper got up, ready to hike up. We lined up with hundreds of other people, ready to race to the top. I tell you, that 400m climb up to the steps isn't something what I would do every morning at 5am. But it was worth it. When we got to the top, there was hardly any people. The view was amazing! I was speechless :)

We continued our hike (like we hadn't done any walking in the past days) to Machu Picchu Mountain, 3061m. Whole mountain range in front of us and historic ruins below us. I hadn't realized how big the site actually was. There is no way you could walk around it on a day. We headed to the Sun Gate and the temples. Few million stones have been used to built this city :) I loved it!

There was no way we were going to pay 80$ each to get the train back to Cusco so we walked back to Hydro Electrica. After 11 hours of walking we finally got to Hydro Eloctrica. We were happy to pay little bit extra for private collectivo which would take us straight to Cusco. Well, deal wasn't so good after all. Our driver was maniac! These roads are not to joke about and he was driving like crazy. One wrong move and we would have been down 700m from the mountain cliff. After dark he started to show signs of sleepiness, keeping windows open (it was freezing outside), loud music and caffein. I was so scared I just wanted to get out, no matter what. We arrived to Ollantaytamba and we got out from the car. He wasn't very happy about it but we weren't ready to die. Seriously, that was the scariest ride of my life!

After 5 days of hiking, I am going to chill today and just read my book :) maybe a massage later wouldn't hurt..

Salkantey Trek

We packed our bags with warm clothes and rented a camping gears from 'Everest' guy.. Best in town. Don't ask! We chose Salkantey because end of the trek we would be one step closer to Machu Picchu.

Sunday we took early collectivo to Mollepata, where we changed a car to take us to Soraypampa, 3800m. Already from here the views were amazing towards Salkantey. We knew the first day would be hardest but I seriously didn't think anything like that! I had so hard time to acclimatize, when we climbed up to the pass in 4600m, I had to stop every 20m to catch my breat. I thought I would faint. Others were better cause they had done The Cordilleras trek already while I was back home. We made it to the top, enjoyed the spectacular view and Fazer chocolate :) 

We camped almost at four thousand meters, which meant minus degrees, damn cold night and frozen water in the morning. It was experience what I wouldn't change for anything but not sure would I do it again.. We hiked down in the valley, stopped for a nice noodle lunch in someones backyard (we did have the ladys permission) and slept next to the river with chickens, duck, cats and dogs. In the morning we packed our bags pretty quickly to avoid being slaughtered by tiny flies, worst than midges. I had 51 bites!!

Third day was pretty hard also. We dropped down to 2000m but then climbed back up to 2800m. It was up and down the whole day, plus it was boiling hot, plus I wanted to scratch the bites so bad. Late afternoon we arrived to our campsite, just in time to see Machu Picchu on the other side of the valley before glorious sunset.

Fourth and last day we took it very easy. There was no rush to Aguas Calientes, concret village. We made one last noodle lunch and me and Stine dipped ourselves to the cooling river. The last bit of the trek was walking 11km on the train tracks. You think it would be easy and rather fast but it wasn't. I wasn't enjoying it very much at all with blisters in my heels, two toenails coming off, long pants and no shade at all plus 20kg backpack. We must be crazy!

The trek was amazing! I enjoyed the camping experience and like I have said before, I love the mountains. We got the whole trail to ourselves, plenty of food and great moments.

Cusco

Arriving to 3400m almost from the sea level really affects to your body. Few steps and I am out of breath, after shower I needed to go lie down again cos I felt exhausted and feeling tired all the time.. That is the altitude for you!

But really Cusco is so nice! Mountains, cool and fresh air, old buildings and Inca ruins. We have been walking around, climbed to the Christ statue (almost got a heart attack climbing 500 steps) where it was a great view to the valley. We watched England-Russia football game in Irish pub (i was supporting Russia for the first ten minutes cos I thought England is the red one :)) where the atmosphere got really hot! It was really nice, all British people in Cusco gathered the same place. There is some carneval thing also happening cos everyday women and man, boys and girls has dance performings with their colorful clothes.

We have rented camping stuff with Stine and Jesper and will start Salkantey trek tomorrow. Finishing it to the great Machu Picchu.

Huacachina

I am back in the game! After four days I still suffer from jetlag, dead tired at 4pm and waking up 2am..

Rob was waiting for me at the airport with caramel cake and crisps <3 we left Lima behind the next day and headed to Ica. Known for Peruvian wines. We stayed close to Ica in small town, surrounded by huge sand dunes, Huacachina. Amazing!! Town was bottom of the dunes next to the oasis. We took buggy tour and slided down the hills on boards. I tried sandboarding but didn't work. Sunset was amazing, so peaceful if you shut your ears from the other buggies :) These dunes were the biggest I have ever been, and I can tell you I felt really small.

We also visited Bodega Tacama. The first winery in South-America. More than 400 years old, spaniards brought the first vines. Getting in from the gates was harder than crossing a border! Security guards all over and they wanted to see and scan our passport (which we didn't have with us). We got private tour around the winery and some tastings. I wanted to try the fancy wines also so we booked another tasting. We got to go this super nice tasting room with a professional sommelier. Noora you would have liked it so much!

Helsinki

Time flies.. Almost two weeks has gone and I have enjoyed every single moment. The best has been the light! Summer Finland, sun is still shining 11pm and starts shining again before 4am. I got new credit and travel cards, passport and almost all sorted for the insurance. I have spend time with family and friends, wondered around town like a proper tourist.

Weather has been amazing! Real Finnish summer, +27 degrees, full sunshine and flowers blossoming. Seriously, I love this city! But once again I am forgetting that I am only on holiday. It wouldn't be the same if I would be working, or at least it never was. When I lived here, I worked way too much. I always did two different jobs at the same time and didn't have any time frolicking around flower fields :D

We said final goodbyes to grandma yesterday when we put her next to grandpa. I visited interesting military island, swam few times in Baltic Sea, went to sauna middle of Helsinki, new Löyly was just opened last week. We had babyshower for my oldest friend and I went to cheer my sister who participated on triathlon. I have been eating so much; sweets and chocolate, cheese and ryebread, ice cream,.. These kind of holidays I miss, no stress about timing and planning and will I have time to meet all my friends. I do what I do and enjoy the most if it. But I will be looking forward seeing Rob again, I have missed him. I want to go back to the mountains and experience cultural shocks :) 

Tomorrow I fly back to Lima. We try to find farm to volunteer and will climb up to Machu Picchu and snow peaked mountains! I got tons of new energy spending time with my loved ones <3