Friday we decided it would be a good idea to sign up for a mountain-biking tour of the Sacred Valley on the promise that the tour was "easy" and "entirely downhill". Oh the lies. The bike ride started with riding through Cusco city. We initially made the mistake of forgetting that we no longer should be riding on the left, which was quickly brought to our attention when we began to greet cars head on... Having had no road safety briefing and given the wild nature of driving in Cusco, this was a rather hair raising experience. Our safety "equipment" consisted of helmets that were far to big and had lost all padding so were consequently lined with velcro... We took a bus then to the Sacred Valley and started biking at 10. By 3 we were STILL climbing uphill, having spent most of the time pushing our bikes rather than riding them. We were so blinded by exhaustion that we could barely appreciate the beauty of the area. After the guide's promise that there was just 10 more minutes of uphill, which actually turned out to be a further hour and a half, we decided we had had enough of "cycling", and sought a way out of this nightmare. Luckily a taxi came by and much to the distress of the guides we then had to dismantle 5 bikes and cram these plus 5 people into the taxi. Looking back it was a rather comical experience, sitting crammed into the back of a taxi with our faces pressed against bike wheels and the boot open with bikes hanging out. We were grateful to get home and promptly passed out on our beds for the rest of the evening.
Today unfortunately we have to spend our time packing, but later may have a quick whisk around Cusco for some last minute shopping and perhaps a final drink in our favourite cafe.
One of the hills on the bike ride
Rebecca with two of the other volunteers Meryn and Michelle in the sacred Valley
Annie with some of the children
View out over the mountains
One of our murals! London, complete with Gherkin, red bus and millennium dome!
Desert mural
Some of the children from Rebecca's class (minus the one in orange and blue)
We've had an AMAZING time in Peru, but are looking forward to seeing you all back in England.
Lots of love
Annie and Rebeccaxxx
It is hard to believe the angelic children from Becky's class are really as bad as you say....
ReplyDeleteBut I am SO impressed with the murals - Annie did you do this?? If so, I feel perhaps we might have been unduly critical of your artistic talents in the past. I take it ALL back. They are lovely - especially the London one.
However, the mountain-biking - what can I say? After the horse experience, are you both INSANE?
Really can't wait to see you tomorrow night!!
Mut/Sx
OH Dear !! WHAT am I going to do without your wonderfully witty BLOG to look forward to? Not to mention the great photography!!
ReplyDeleteWell it's a miracle you are still alive ---WHAT an adventure !1What risks!! and What fun ! The children will miss you! Safe journey home XX
This entry has been my favourite because it signifies that you are COMING BACK SOON!!
ReplyDeleteThis joy is tinted with the fear that Rosedene life will be dull in comparison. I suggest that both of you spend the next week in dimly lit rooms, with only the Time's daily crossword and echoes of loneliness to occupy you.
On a less selfish note YOUR TRAVELS HAVE SOUNDED SO GOOD GIRLS, thank you for posting the tales so we could all share them! The quantity of quality words and pictures even makes up for a SEVERE lack of video diary. Thus I will let it slide, this time.
HAVE A SAFE FLIGHT, THAT IS AN ORDER.
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