Monday, January 16, 2006
Inca Trrail - Day 1
We got picked up from our hotel at 6AM for the drive to KM 82 where we would begin our walk. The bus stopped at Ollantaytambo for a break at 8AM. Jeanette had started hydrating for the walk since waking up and had drunk around 1.5 litres of water which started to make its presence felt on the bumpy road around 7:30. A request for a stop was met with "we will be stopping in 15 minutes". 30 minutes later a very uncomfortable Jeanette raced to the nearest restaurant and got the best value she will ever get for 1 sole. ($0.40)
After losing a face off with a bulldozer on a one way road and after another hour we reached KM82 and got ready. We then had to wait for "Control" to allow us onto the trail. There are around 200 trekkers starting every morning plus Guides and Porters so it is very crowded. There were 24 groups the day we started and we were the last.
We were incredibly lucky to have an excellent Guide and a small group. Most groups seem to be 15 or 16 people. The group started off together and after 2 hours stopped for lunch. Surprise number 1 - the porters had setup the lunch tent with a two course meal that could have fed double our number. It was excellent and representative of all the meals we were to have. It is absolutely amazing what they achieve with a 2 burner gas stove and all ingredients and utensils being carried on their backs. Several times during the trip we all took photos of the meals.
The porters always run ahead and setup either lunch or a campsite. It is sad in this day and age that most of them wear sandals and carry loads wrapped in tarps whilst the tourists carry their fancy backpacks and are protected by Goretex. Despite this they were a very happy team and looked after us like we were royalty. They were friendly and despite the language barrier we got to know some of them a little bit.
After 3 more hours walk we reached our first campsite. It was set in a small plateau on top of a hill and we had the place to ourselves. We were sitting down admiring the view when I said "What would you pay to get a beer now?". Jamie answered "5 soles" - a local lady had just cruised by with a bucket full of beer and softdrink. The lady sussed us out and soon returned with a full bucket of beer.
After Tea at 5PM and dinner at 7:30 we retired for the night.
After losing a face off with a bulldozer on a one way road and after another hour we reached KM82 and got ready. We then had to wait for "Control" to allow us onto the trail. There are around 200 trekkers starting every morning plus Guides and Porters so it is very crowded. There were 24 groups the day we started and we were the last.
We were incredibly lucky to have an excellent Guide and a small group. Most groups seem to be 15 or 16 people. The group started off together and after 2 hours stopped for lunch. Surprise number 1 - the porters had setup the lunch tent with a two course meal that could have fed double our number. It was excellent and representative of all the meals we were to have. It is absolutely amazing what they achieve with a 2 burner gas stove and all ingredients and utensils being carried on their backs. Several times during the trip we all took photos of the meals.
The porters always run ahead and setup either lunch or a campsite. It is sad in this day and age that most of them wear sandals and carry loads wrapped in tarps whilst the tourists carry their fancy backpacks and are protected by Goretex. Despite this they were a very happy team and looked after us like we were royalty. They were friendly and despite the language barrier we got to know some of them a little bit.
After 3 more hours walk we reached our first campsite. It was set in a small plateau on top of a hill and we had the place to ourselves. We were sitting down admiring the view when I said "What would you pay to get a beer now?". Jamie answered "5 soles" - a local lady had just cruised by with a bucket full of beer and softdrink. The lady sussed us out and soon returned with a full bucket of beer.
After Tea at 5PM and dinner at 7:30 we retired for the night.
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When you return from this holiday I suspect that you will have a complete new set of luggage and cast iron stomachs. I hope that you are taking heaps of video and photos. Good luck.
Paul
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Paul
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