Last post of a great adventure.

I did not know if I'd enjoy Equator or Peru, but I can say I came away with such an appreciation for what these two counties are doing to preserve their heritage and nature beauty. Although the cities and towns all seem to be crumbling around you, somehow it all works. My sense is that people here are willing to share what little they have and the result is a culture based on community and not selfless accumulation of goods and wealth. In the rural areas their day to day life is simple and harmonious with nature. This three week adventure has opened my eyes to South America. My goal is to now learn Espanol and return to South America to export in more depth the people, history and natural wonders. Any takers???!

Jeff Reaves
Sent from my iPhone

Mountains and structures in harmony

The setting of distant mountains with buildings is truly amazing.

Festival of the Crosses

Great gala and music in town to the wee hours of the morning. Lucky for me I was not on the street side of my hotel!

Atop Huayna Picchu

Steep and narrow all the way to the top. But at least it was is the shade!
45 minute hike to the top.

Machu Picchu - WOW

Started at 4:00am from Aguas Calientes and hiked the entry to MP! Its a long way up and when I got there I was soaked in sweat! TI my surprise I wad setting the pace for the 20 yr olds! Being in the 1st 400 into MP I got the privilege to then climb Huayna Picchu, which is the dramatic backdrop to MP.

Arrived in MP (5/03/2011)

Arrives today in Aguas Calientes or Macchu Pichu  today!  The Festival of the Cross is now in progress.  Tomorrow up at 4:00am to make the trek to MP and Temple of the Sun. Have to be one of the 1st 400 to get a pass to go to Temple of the Sun.  BIG DAY!

Jeff Reaves
Sent from my iPhone

Motel 6

Last night we camped here. I got to hang my hammock on the 2nd level, which doubles as a social hall for special events. I had wonderful views while everyone else slept on the damp grass in tents.

Rainbows in the Andes

Slaughtering of a cow

What a treat to see the process. Watched from beginning to end. In two hours it was complete.

Many friends

I started sketching again which is great fun. The end result is the locals love to see what you are drawing. The young boy Chic Alex tries his hand at sketching in my sketch book. Of course by the end of my time with him he was playing games in my IPhone!

One of many river crossings

Treacherous trails

3rd day was suppose to be simple walk. But, rains washed out the trail and created huge landslides.

Camping on the trail

Each night we stayed at a local farm house with chickens, pigs and cows. I got to use my hammock every night. To find support for the hammock usually meant I had to share the space with the local animals. But it was better than the rocky ground the others had to endure.

The Salkantay Mountain

Salkantay Trail to MP

Made the 65 kilometers trek and a climb to 4,900 meters (approx.. 15,000ft). The 1st day was a 16km walk from the village of Molleta to Soraypampa. The 2nd day was the hardest with the climb to the Salkantay pass, where the Humantay and Salkantay stand guard. Saw one avalanche within an earshot but we were safe distance away. 3rd day and 4th day followed the local village track which took us thru may small villages. Amazing how simple life is and how happy the people are with this life.
Jeff Reaves
Sent from my iPhone