Yesterday was one of doing as little as possible, moving from our rooms, to breakfast, to our books, to lunch, a brief kayak across the bay, back to our books, a little drink, then dinner, then back to bed again. It was nice not to be rushing around.
We each commented that as nice as the island had been, our chef on the Inca Trail, operating out of a tent, had delivered better meals. Mind you, his meals had been better than many during our trip, even if we discounted it a little for being starving and hugely grateful for food during a hard days walking.
The place we stayed at is at the top of the hill in this photo (the beach front place can be hired too). The blue skies tell a nice tale about warmth in the direct sun, but the climate was quite cool as soon as you move to the shade. This island is at 12,500 feet above sea level so walking up the stairs from the beach to the bar was still hard work!
Today was a day of travel, leaving Isla Suasi on our own private launch to return to the 'mainland' which you can see in the background.
After crossing the small channel between the island and the mainland Lucho drove us, by bus, the two hours up to Juliaca airport. I think the distance was probably only 80-100km but by the time you slow for sheep, alpacas, locals, and what Katie described as a perpetual state of road repair and realignment our average speed would barely have been 50kph.
Another very interesting behaviour that you notice travelling through rural Peru is the communities strong desire to paint the sides of the houses with the brands, colours, logos and names of the politicians they support. 'Lucho a presidente' (not our bus driver), even Elvis was back kand standing for election in the region near the beginning of the Inca Trail (free peanut butter and deep fried banana sandwiches for all? - Ed). Can you imagine painting the side of your house with 'John Key or David Shearer for PM?
There was so much of it visible I doubt that political pollsters could set up business here. There would be no need for such 'discovery'.
We flew to Lima together but from there we had to issue final hugs as Katie headed North to Paris and Ron and Mike headed South to Santiago, with two days to kill before their connecting flights home.
Whilst waiting at the airport Mike visited Starbucks for a coffee, and a name change:
As I write we are in Santiago, with respectable wifi speed at the hotel.
Tomorrow and the next day are filled with local tours to fill the daylight hours and then we fly out late on Thursday local time, getting home early on Saturday NZ time. The local guide said to expect rain tomorrow, something we have not seen since we arrived about 18 days ago, which has made for easy progress for us, especially on the Inca Trail which would have even more demanding, if wet.
We look forward to seeing you all at our various homes and then displaying many of our photos, which may one day include some that our Inca Trail 'friends' proposed to share over the weeks ahead.
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