30 March - Huaraz, Peru
The Cordillera Blanca is the highest range in Peru and the second highest mountain range in the world. The story of Touching the Void occurred and was also filmed here and in the nearby Cordillera Huayash.
We were eager for a couple of days of hiking, however Huaraz`s reputation as "the place where you are most likely to pick up a travel bug in Peru" did not let us down. We contracted the bug within a matter of hours of arriving. Fortunately the hostel has a great DVD selection!
Totally underestimating the power of the The Bug, we decided to do a cycle up to Lago Llangaanuco with Damon, an Aussie. We caught a local taxi/bus, where we were absolutely crammed in (SAfrican taxi style), to Yunguay and then hired bikes from here. The cycle around the lakes was absolutely beautiful with the sun illuminating the lakes to a brilliant turquoise. Unfotunately Nicky was overcome with stomach cramps and nausea and had to abort the downhill ride and catch a taxi back to town, while Gayle awed Damon with her daredevil speed on the gravel road down the mountain.
We realised something was not quite kosher when every new traveller arriving at the hostal came down with The Bug and within the first 12 hours of arrival. We therefore decided that in the best interests of our health, we should get out of there and head to the coast for the sunshine we were craving having spent the last month in the high altitude and cold.
We realised something was not quite kosher when every new traveller arriving at the hostal came down with The Bug and within the first 12 hours of arrival. We therefore decided that in the best interests of our health, we should get out of there and head to the coast for the sunshine we were craving having spent the last month in the high altitude and cold.
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