The Peru Photos:-
One of the world's highest Train journeys, care of the Orient Express and its Andean Explorer.
After travelling round a lot of Peru by coach, it made a refreshing change to have a luxurious 10-hour train ride.
Notice in the photo below, Ann is drinking Inca Kola. Apparently Peru is the only country in the world where the indigenous Cola outsells Coca Cola.
The last compartment was partially open, to better admire the views over the high Andes.
Peru Rail did us proud & laid on entertainment, including dancing, a fashion show & a live band. Beats British Rail!
We were told by one of our guides that road travel is always quicker than taking the train. The reason being was that when the Peru Government awarded the rail track contracts in the 19th century, they paid by the mile. Hence there was more profit if the railroad companies chose circuitous routes to lay, rather than the most direct ones.
After Machu Picchu, we took the Vistadome train back to Cusco. Again entertainment was laid on - in this case a mime artist in traditional costume.
A reed boat built by the Uros Islanders on Lake Titicaca. Most of us sat on the top for our trip.
Very early in the morning, a little way out of Chivay, en route to Colca Canyon the coach stopped at this little village. The local school kids were dancing round the fountain in traditional dress with music blaring out of a couple of speakers. We were told they do this to collect money for their education. I felt a little uncomfortable for something so contrived and exploitative, just for the benefit of the tourists.
Breathtaking views across one of the deepest gorges in the world.
On the way to Chivay from Arequipa we stopped at a scenic spot, at the highest altitude of the whole holiday - 4,900 metres above sea level (that's over 3 miles up). This is where Ann got her Andean knitted hat.
At another stopping point on the journey from Arequipa, Ann took this photo of us drinking coca tea with the Alpaca in the background.
The Alpaca had a sweet tooth. Its party trick was to barge into the table so as to knock over the sugar bowl, then lick it all up.
This Lama was much more obliging.
Wild alpaca, with the male standing guard, left.
The popular drink Inca Kola was widely advertised.
