Day 5: Moray/Maras

There is a certain peace and calm about traveling by yourself - Everything feels smooth and seamless, there's no agitation and things just happen, or they don't happen. Maybe I'll go for a wander, or maybe I'll sit on my bed and watch the world cup, or read, or take a nap. There's a sense of freedom and comfort knowing that you have space to do whatever you feel like. First night at the new accommodation, it's a hostel on the San Blas neighborhood. It's bare bones. The water from the shower lacks heat and pressure, there aren't enough power outlets, you can hear people walking upstairs, the breakfast is average, but there's a heater, the bed is firm and the room is comfortable.

I'm still coming to terms with yesterday's experience. I'm physically and mentally exhausted, but I'm not sleepy. I survived: No heart complications. No epiphany moment. I feel reset, re-purposed, without feeling driven. Still, I try to dissect and analyse the events that took place; what is my take away?

Today was the day I had set aside for errands and bucket list items. Clear work emails, find a laundromat, buy some souvenirs, withdraw some Peruvian Soles, acquire the services of a private driver and finally, decide what to do on my final day in Peru.

I message Machu Peru Travel, the team who had assisted with my Machu Picchu tour and they were kind enough to arrange a private driver for the day, for 140 Soles. Edgar arrived at the hostel at 10 am and 90 minutes later we were at the Moray Agricultural Terraces. 70 Soles for entry and 50 minutes walking around I was ready for lunch. I had a lunch reservation so Mil Centro which I had been looking forward to all trip. The 7 'moment' tasting menu was delightful. There is a section in the restaurant detailing all the ingredients and the local Andean produce. 625 Soles (200 USD) a real treat of a place. It's times like that I wish I were traveling with somebody else. I also had my first alcoholic drink on the trip at 3500 metres above sea level. Suffice to say, alcohol at altitude is something else.

Edgar was waiting for me in the car park - I had just spent 90 minutes having an exquisite lunch while he sat in the car with the windows rolled down waiting for me. The moment of guilt passed, as he stuck his head up and we were soon off to the next destination: Salinas de Maras

Final stop of the day was Chincero before returning to the hostel just before 7.

Dinner at Chicha, now that I'm no longer following any diet I tuck into some Peruvian specialties: Guinea Pig, Lomo Saltado and Pisco Sours. What an excellent day!

Day 2: Machu Picchu

Wide awake at 3 am, not sure if this is jet lag or a function of going to bed at 7 pm. I lay in bed and read for an hour. I eventually pull myself out of bed, pack my bag, do some push ups, meditate, shower and eventually head up to the breakfast area. There's a handful of hotel patrons plodding about, still half asleep drinking coco-leave tea and fueling up on fruit. It comes to my attention that these people look very prepared: Wet weather trousers, hiking shoes, down jackets, sports sunglasses, Camelbaks and hiking poles. I look down at what I'm wearing: chinos, a t-shirt and sneakers. I wonder if we're doing the same thing?

At 5:20 am I'm greeted by my tour guide, Mario; he's also rugged up. We leave the hotel and join a 200 metre long queue. "The first bus up to Machu Picchu starts at 5:30. People start lining up at 4 am". We wait around 30 minutes for the bus. It's a 25 minute cliff-hugging, winding bus ride up the Hiram Bingham Highway.

We arrive in time for Sunrise and it's absolutely breathing taking. Up until now I have been reading about Machu Picchu and now I'm finally seeing everything! Mario, very knowledgeable about the Andean/Inca civilisation and a wizard with the photographs. We part ways at 10 am and I make my own way up to the Guard House and up to the Sun Gate. Spectacular. Machu Picchu, check.

I grab lunch back in the main town and catch the remainder of the Russia/Spain World Cup game. My train is at 3 pm to Poroy, Cusco. I check into the hotel in Cusco; I can already feel the altitude and the temperature change.

Currently reading: "Turn right at Machu Picchu"

First Stop: Aguas Calientes

"You're crazy, you will be flying for two days, just to spend a week in Peru" - was the reaction from most people after I told them I had decided to go to Peru for a week. For the record, it would be five days of annual leave, three days of flying/transiting, six days in Peru and 36 hours in Los Angeles. I couldn't think of a better way to spend ten days away from work.

Friday 29th - 12:55 pm: I board the flight in Hong Kong and start the 14 hour leg to LAX. Here. We. Go.

Friday 29th - 10:50 am: Arrive in LA, I didn't really sleep on the flight. Mental note, do not order the Oriental Vegetarian meal again. I check the clock, it's currently 4:50 am in Hong Kong, I've been awake for 21 hours. Is my timezone math even correct? I retrieve my luggage, grab a burrito and wait for my flight to Lima.

Friday 29th - 14:00 pm: I have been awake for 24 hours, I board the LATAM flight in LAX and start the 8 hour and 30 min flight to Lima. Drats. Middle seat, I finally dooze off.

Saturday 30th - 00:45 am: Arrive in Lima, retrieve my luggage and check into the connecting flight, charge my phone, waiting for the last leg.

Saturday 30th - 05:00 am: Board the flight to Cusco

Saturday 30th - 06:10 am: Cusco. I can't believe I'm here.

Touchdown! I retrieve my luggage (for the last time) and find myself exiting the arrival area only to be met by a sea of tour operators waving signs in my face.I scan the ocean of signs looking for my name. "Derek?" I see a Peruvian lady motion towards me. I wonder how she knows that it's me. Oh right, I'm the only Asian guy in the arrivals area.

We hop into a car and she gives me a run down of the next 48 hours. She leaves me with the driver and I start my adventure from Cusco, through to Urubamba, finally at Ollantaytambo. There's a lot of awkward Spanish/English conversation. Immediately I'm floored by the beauty of the country side, as we stop along the way for the odd commentary and photo opportunity. The driver bids farewell and I wait for the train to Aquas Calientes. Not being able to communicate with the driver makes you feel, this big. Next time I do this, I need to make sure I take a one month crash course in Spanish.

I think I've been sitting down for too long - my lower back hurts. Actually, now that I think about it, in the last 48 hours I've probably been sitting down for at least 45 of those hours. Meanwhile, the train ride is absolutely stunning, snow capped peaks, lush greenery, I am really growing found of trains. Choo Choo!

Saturday 30th - 5 pm: First destination. Aguas Calientes, I have an early dinner followed by a much needed massage.

Saturday 30th - 7 pm: I sleep. My hotel room has a Jacuzzi.