Asuncion, Formosa, Recistencia, Santiago del Estero, Rio del Hondo, Tucaman, Mollar, Cafajate, el Vina, Salta, Jujuy, Humauaca, Quiaea.
Crossing the Peruan-border was an easy one and Peru looked already less poor then Bolivia??
We turned into ?Gringo?s? and didn?t know what to think about the noisy Peruans. As I sayed they shouted at us, kids trowed stones and sended dogs after us?????..thanks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!
But we enjoyed our route around the Titicacalake anyway and arrived after a week in Cusco. A beautiful and interesting cit with lots of cultur and history.BR>At the moment we stay here already for some nights, and enjoy the ?luxury? of a city who gets miljions of tourists every year. But unfortunatly I?ve got myself a parasit so we will be here for another few days I guess.
From Cusco we want to continue our trip through the mountains but it depends a bit on the weather. (the rainy season has started) If it gets to wet we will change plans to the coast but we both hope it?s gone be the mountains.
Huaraz, 6th december 2002
Eventually we?ve been ten days in Cusco because of my parasite in my stomach. I went to the farmacy for some antibiotics and I killed the bugger. Yes?..finally!
We took it easy the first day on the bike again and after 30 km we thought it was enough for the day. There was a market and we decided to cook ourselves a nice meal with a lot of vegetables. We also bought some carrots????.Now we are used to sweet carrots but these carrots turned out to be hot and spicy like peppers. Our meal was so hot we couldn?t even eat it while we both like spicy food. Anyway, bad luck again???
The next days we cycled up and down and up and down. One day we arrived soaking wet in Curahuasi after a very hard day of climbing and found a hostal which looked very new to us, good beds and hot water (as they told us). But that is not always true in South-America. For our cold bodies the shower was, first of all you couln?t really call it a shower (it looked like one thouhg) because there was hardly no water. It is a real bummer if you are looking forward to take a real hot shower and you can not have one. But after a hot meal and a few cups of tea we felt better and at nine o?clock we were exhausted. We didn?t know it was going to be a sleepless night. There was a huge party going on underneath our hotelroom because of the elections that day. Apparently the one who won had a lot of support so they had one big celebration. Good for them but terrible for us. We didn?t sleep whole night because of the noise and the next day we started with a tired body and a bad mood at a 35km climb. We made it at the top at the end of the day and after a 35 km downhill (what a reward) we arrived in Abancay. Yes, we did it again!!!!!!!
The route from Abancay is one of the toughest in Peru and so we decided to change our bike for a bustrip for a change?..Well, after 300km and 18 hours in a bus with smelly people, goats, no space for long European legs and very small chairs we arrived early in the morning in Ayacucho, were we had to change buses. Another 10 hours in the same circumstances. We were beat but happy we arrived in Huancayo.
We found a nice hostal runned by two old lovely sweet ladies who took care of us, two exhausted dutch cyclists. Everything was very enjoyable but the road was calling??????BR>In spite of tough times in Peru it got after Huancayo more nicer. The people were nicer and friendlier and in Carhuamayo we met Vilma and her little son.
!At the evening we were lucky again. Perhaps because of the birthday of a colleague, or because of us being there, but someone had organized soe liqure and it became a superb feast. There was a nice woodfire, good music was playing, and there was also a christmas-tree fully decorated... When the bottles were all empty, it was around twelve, we finnaly "hit the sack". For the miners we were a pleasant alternation and once again we were invited... for still a complete day. Tja, then we the next day with ietsjes of head pain stood up the choice this way moelijk did not be. After a super has breakfast those other waus paid themselves on all glossie bladen and it filmnet and I to the office have will look at if I go by rail still of Karl of pine Brenk his voorouders could find. That in Sneek have lived. After still complete verwendag and a sociable evening (without whiskey and rum) became it time himself again what to do. The ride of that day went as from the altoplano down direction jungle. The change of surroundings but also of people was very remarkable. At the end of the ride saw everything exotic and lively and did even a beetje of Brazilie think. Here we wanted enjoy just as before we the heaviest klim would get so far. Of 2000 to 4000m concerning only unpaved gone and we have therefore remained a day longer.
After the extra day we are super asked vertokken and sat already at 6 o'clock on the rests. The day was firstly well with nice zonnetje but in the afternoon a couple time started it nevertheless rain hide and had we. Because of this lost we too much time and luktte it exactly no longer at for 5 o'clock concerning just to be. Fortunately there was still and village exactly for that and although, of all sides we got no hospedaje, hostal, Alojamiento or whatever offered accomodation.
(we had thus the complete village our gone stand.) The first hutje were our net something at minus. Lemen a hok with a couple golf plates. Next was something improve, it houten a floor and even doors had. There zat, however, no more glass in the windows but yes, many beters was not and therefore decided there we do it but. We were "tallow or the town" and when we had ourselves geinstalleerd and will cook something savages we by all breaches and openings were observed. But after a number of kleden for to have here and there hung the rest turned weder and was possible we at last what to will eat. After a good night on our own matjes and sleep pockets we were in the morning surprised by gone which had changed in a large mud pit (it had that night by had been considerably rained). But still a day in this oort, how pleasantly and welcomingly people were also, did not meet again we to opzitten and therefore nevertheless but the bicycle. When we hide just again far after a number of keren behind us had lie, became happy the all piece improve. After still primitive overnachting we arrived in drawer Union and could we our at last again take a shower.
at night still what information asked concerning the "new route to Huaraz" that ounce was recommended on the tourist information at Huanuco so that we avoid a next klim of 3200 to 4800m konder, but seemed know nobody that. Eventually we came there behind that this priveweg were of a Canadian my company but that you were not let through here, or nevertheless, however. All obscurity therefore and of nobody got we good, or same the answer. What everyone, however, claimed was that the current route was asphalted exactly and virtually area had be and afterwards continuously after downstairs went. Tja, we believed everything but halfly and we had actual not this way much.
And just like previous keren if we asked for the way, have people no insipid benul how it is a slope on cycle with luggage and for them are everything "plano". Afijn, nevertheless the day but started cycle with the good direction from. The junction to the mines later must come and we could decide then still. Nothing plano therefore, were again considerably climb and concerning the way crawl. With the lunch we had there still but opzitten 30km. We sat obliged in the zonnetje and were in the first place glad with a number of wolkjes which there for sheaves. This appeared nevertheless something too premature and an hour later we stood hide again and it saw not to that it would become better. There was almost no movement on the way but fortunately encountered we for the third time an old lorry. The same where we had asked the route to the previous day to. Nou, we could, however, a lift hear.... When the lid of the boot of the carriage went open, we both let us be stomverbaast. There three young stieren answered. But improve everything then and thereby, a beetje does not bite shit nevertheless? Therefore afterwards we have spent 5 hours with those stieren. It was, however, ijzig cold then we concerning just went of 4800m. certain in short bicycle shorts.
The French couple of which we had got also route description, had still recommended hostal. We have gone therefore there after arrival direkt to in search.
And it is perfectly. We are some guests, we have their own roof terrace with barretje and keukentje. The owner or administrator is not there because the season has been meanwhile done and therefore has we the key of whole outside the season travel has this way his advantages.
Huaraz are complete leuke and also modern place. After a desastreuze earthquake in 1970, is here and has been rebuilt in the surroundings 80,000 people perished and the place afterwards entirely new. It lies to the foot of the Cordilla Blanca, a complete beautiful mount area with many gledjers where many touristen belong to to. Unfortunately that foot is some that we can see. Because although it bad its all mounts are not dressed the whole day with a wolkendek. But yes, you cannot everything have. Outside the season has also disadvantages...........
Sorry for the long tale but yes, which was not possible differently. You all good toeleving and perception of the holidays wished. We will cycle firstly still a bit. Firstly to Trujillo, and vervolgens direction ecuador. Where the kerstboom comes stand know exactly we not yet, but it is in any case none white.....
Trujillo, 28 December 2002
We sit meanwhile already 2.5 yielded in Tjujillo, and reported in spite of that little has cycled it becomes nevertheless the highest time for, however, and wee. After 4 days Huaraz the batteries sat to the cam full. Highest time to cycle. It was nicely and from time to time we nevertheless it luck a glimp of the Corrillia Blanca would have been allowed see. From time to time and topje and the rest were unfortunately verscholen under the wolkendek. After one and a half day were it however happen with the asphalt and had there geploetert become. Thereby it was nicely is called and correctly the moment we concerned fantasise deliciously juicy fruit that we wanted buy will in firstly next place came we to a vrouwtje against that ounce spontaneously mangos offered.
Tja, against that said none we no and therefore sat we just as later with its nice in the shade of a tree. She waited for a lorry or a bus which could her bring to the market alwaar them its baskets with fruit wants sell will. After the mango`s the papayas came and still even later we tasted also for the first time "pakkai" and sweet lemons. Them wants for this entirely nothing has and therefore has we still but what extra fruit bought of her, because the bus let wait still even in itself.
We continued travel and cycle after poosje by the "Canyon del Pato".
These gone with ± 36 (onverharde)tunnels are breathtaking. Unfortunately the reduction of the bicycles lay at home and from time to time was it really a question of to the lichtpuntje in the verte cycles without you knew how the way looked forward to there, and without for knowing where the stones, breaches and turnings sat. Fortunately it was quietly and on a lorry after we found no movement in the tunnels!
At the end of the day it became more quietly and quieter. Energy had been consumed quite already and the chance was small that we would obtain the police force mail in Chuquicara still. But fortunately we came leave still by a small my village and zowaar, was not yet entirely to leave. The vrouwtje whom we encountered at a small square had, however, schuurtje for our where we could bring the night by. A shower zat but we do not have nevertheless a nice meal of already the fruit which we had bought rather and still what broodjes. Lady also this said it with fruit. Then we her the next day savages to something for the overnachting give she offered our promptly a pocket full with mangos. Tja, not bad as a breakfast. In Chuquicara there was sufficient food buy and could we the vergebleven breaches in flatulence also still fill. The route as from here to the coast was dry and dusty and see little inspiring with not much more than a pikzwarte lively river and a dry, dusty landscape. And although the "braziliaanse priveweg" was considerably better than the previous continued blow out wind the found oneself direction and was it a day to work hard and abandon and hopes that we would obtain the coast of peru. Tja, and it succeeded. At the end of the day we saw then at last the large ocean and we our first continent had crossed. The desert for Trujillo changes rapidly to Israelische a settlement where asparagus are of the head plants.
The next day continued we the way by the desert to Trujillo. Here we wanted visit our first "Casa the Ciclistas". After a small search we were expressed received Lucho, Arecelli and Angela. Just as later sat we with all books on the lap recover to read of cyclists who us had gone the past ten years for among which meanwhile a number of acquaintances. We were already immediately invited for the kerst, but yes this leekt still up to that point gone... The next day was there work to the shop. Lucho are beside cyclistcyclist cyclist, bicycle maker and a part of its clientele exist from fitnesscentra's. Nicely what to return and therefore went along I with him. It is an enraged affair in the fitness centre and between all this poor and muscular instructrices none unpleasant stay for blondharige Europeans. We return with two to pile up full staircase presses which as far as possible gereviceerd must become and an invitation a lesson to go "spiders". Anita is firstly not this way glad but such as we the next day has the lesson behind the back she is enthusiastically fortunately enraged and lets them gladly invite itself for still a next time. The third day is rung and a new cyclist is kondigd. It an American proves be and he seems know our. Both have we no insipid benul which can this be. But if they arrive after half uurtje we recognise them direkt such as Ryan and Jamie. (The couple that we in the north of Argentinie against had come). Nicely that two to encounter say... Therefore as lot of catch up and experiences exchange. Afterwards appetites we summon jointly on with all gezelligheid of serve. The programme of Lucho was full. He dragged our cash overal to. Permanently on the programme his training was, but moreover was also participate with wielrenwedstrijd inevitably. The omroeper became overenthousiast with three expatriate to the start and our presence was thus announced constantly. Eventually Ryan the Second and Lucho the third would obtain price. Not bad therefore and reason for intervieuw and a etentje afterwards.
After a common visit to the temples of Chan Chan, vestiges of a pre Inca culture, R&J must take unfortunately farewell because they want bring the kerstdagen at family in Ambato (ecuador) by. But we agree each other on Anita's anniversary (12 meet januari)weer. And therefore we are only with the family Ramirez d'Angelo what is moreover well for our Spanish. The time flies beyond. These Peruvians make hundreds of agreements and promises and exactly this way frequently modify them. Time has no meaning and plans is difficult or impossible. Welcome in Z-Amerika... but all complete nicely to experience this way of near. On 24 December is 50ste anniversary celebrates a friend of Lucho and also we have been invited. We expect and grand festival and are astonishes if the family, a number of friends and an uncle present are only. But after music is incited and the chamber has been filled with Latin-American music is the small bezetting absolutely no problem more. It is in abundance danced and for us none has escaped to. We swing to late in the morning.
Kerst is also a complete belevenis. After everyone has been busy with kadootjes buy and wrap up it is for 12 uur(kerstnacht)eindelijk up to that point. Fire work is switched on around and in huiselijke ring the paneton(een type kerstbrood with and chocola are vruchtjes cut) and are served with chocolade-melk. Afterwards is it time for kadootjes. I get a t-shirt of Trujillo and a pocket lamp which I cycle tevens on can do (skilful have been on the tunnelweg)en Anita gets a zelfgemaakte satchel and bicycle hand shoes. After two hours it has been beautiful and goes everyone sleeps. The next day to be the streets exactly as very as always and are there of the kerstsfeer nothing more outside see that the "Plaza the Armas" (the centrum)nog are always decorated. In fact we want leave now but again we to be persuaded also old and new here celebrate. A grand own festival us are put in the expectancy with of course much dance. Tja, these sound very nice and we can then immediately people where we previous celebrate have had invite. After a number of days this seems all of a sudden no longer possible be but as an alternative a another one festival is presented. Organised by the church but with everything and and very sociable. Thus we invite everyone for this festival. Eventually it becomes a large vexation. The festival proves to be of plaatslijk the gospelgroep or this way something. Also the pater is present but has that to our conception nevertheless complete strange ambulatory forms with youthful little girls. There is no duppel alcohol but as an alternative for sangria one has raspberry frambozen-limonade with bits apple. It sees the same but tastes very differently. Also the feesthoedje what we must do on do not raise joy for us terrible. Everyone whom we have have invited the bui probably, however, sees arriving and its toevlucht has somewhere else gezocht. After a couple hour we have, however, seen. Of dancing much do not come and disappointed we step in our bed. We let us have this conscience we rather gone had gone.
The next day is it then at last up to that point and after farewell to have taken of these particular people we leave. We take off the first piece to Piura with the bus. Thus we win what time (12 January always, the day that approaches we J&R meets in ecuador). From Piura it cycle has been blown. We pedal between the mango trees direction ecuador. Everywhere we see crates with these nice fruit along the way. We eat more mangos than ever. Sometimes we must pay them but exactly this way frequently get offered we them. It is warmly and therefore seems it our nice do limon in the bidons. Thus we go to a group people who to store sells limoentjes. If we want see gone bicycles we that we a both have leak achter-band. Probably we not well have paid attention and we by thorns have cycled. Thus we stand repair the punctures just as later for a general nieuwschierig public. The five minutes which we have by link necessary make impression... After still a half day bicycles it is then at last this way far; the Ecuadorian border has been reached. (Our 9th foreign country)./span>
