After leaving Colombia I had some time in Ecuador so I decided to find myself some whales. Turned out to be rather easy during whale season off the pacific coast. Whales head to the Ecuadorian coast to breed in the warmer waters.
Pueto Lopez was the port I took my trip out of, a small fishing village with dirt roads and a chilled atmosphere. I enjoyed my 2 days there. It wasnt too long into the boat trip that we saw our first whale jump/leap out of the water. We were close enough to see very clearly just how big they are. We sailed around the waters for about 45 minutes everynow and then a whale would jump/leap out of the water and return again. It was super bueno! The rest of the day was walking aroung Islas de las platas which is known as a poor mans Galapagos (there is another one in peru also I late found out. Even though I had seen the same animals before we were able to get very close to them which made for some great photos! As most boat trips do, we finished off with some snorkelling which I always enjoy.
After this it was one night of resting and then crossing the border to Mancora, Peru. A surf town where the sun shines most days and the parties continue. I managed one night here before I decided to move onto the next surf spot, Huanchaco. 2 night buses in 3 nights was starting to take its toll but I had to soldier on. I really enjoyed Huanchaco, checking the ruins of Chan Chan, Huaca del Sol y Luna etc.. I met an archeologists who took me to the sites and gave me a great run down of the Pre Inka history so that was certainly a bonus!
I met some great people and would have liked to stay longer but Huaraz was calling. After another night bus I arrived in Huaraz, Farahs home in Peru. So far I planned 5 days but managed to stay 9 days as I met some super super people and I loved working with the children. . I passed most days helping out the same organisation Farah worked for, Seeds of Hope. As always I thoroughly enjoyed being around children again and helping. Oh and the added bonus was teaching maths in spanish. An interesting and valuable experience, my spanish is certainly better now than when I was in Cusco.
The weekend was full of mountain biking in the Andes and Rock Climbing. Sunshine, blue skies, and great people what more could you ask for! Huaraz was a town I would certainly like to visit again someday. However, by this stage I needed to move on quickly as my flight home was lingering.
A group of us headed for Lima the next day for only one night before we separated and took our different paths. It was a little sad to say goodbye to the friends I made but I had a feeling we would meet up again.
I continued travelling with my friend Ben to Nazca. The flight was brilliant. You really cant go wrong in a light aircaraft, nothing like the feeling that you may fall out of the sky at any minute. Sharp turns plenty of circling whilst checking out the lines, it was all great. We stayed one night as travelling with Ben had us drinking wine, testing restaurants and eating cake all the time(I was not complaining I found the perfect travel partner).
Our next stop was Arequipa, even though it is a big city it was really fantastic. Ben had been before so as you can imagine we ate very well. He showed me where all the good food was etc.. I took a bus tour around the city, checked out the Monestry, and soaked up the sun. A couple of great party nights where I was told my spanish improves after a few drinks. This is another city I would like to return to someday so much more to do.
With only 4 nights left and still in Peru I had to make my way to Bolivia. After realising that I had the date of my flight home correct but the wrong day I had only one option which was to fly from La Paz. We headed straight for Copocabana, Lake Titicaca. It was nice to get back to a small town and once again we discovered some great food. Ben and I spent the day walking around the lake (only a very small section). Took a short tour to a very small floating Island, relaxed on a reed boat and took a short walk for some spectacular views. The lake is really quite magnificant everywhere you look a photo opportunity, absolutely stunning! We had word that our friends we made in Huaraz were in Copocabana so Ben and I emailed them to meet us for sunset on the hill!
Whilst Ben and I were walking up the hill we met Iceman and Fannie which was super great, when we arrived at the top we met the others Christine, Rick, and Jen. The sunset was a little covered with cloud but we had great company and 3 bottles of red wine, everyone had the same idea (now you know why I get along with these people so very well). It was my last night so we found the one place where we could dance and had a great time. I was sad to say goodbye but I know we will all met again someday. I couldn´t have asked for a better last 2 weeks, I have been very fortunate to meet great people and have the opportunity to get to know them and travel with them. I am very lucky!
My time finished with some last minute shoppping in La Paz where I will return in Novemeber, and one night in Buenos Aires in a nice hotel. I didnt have to do a thing other than sleep in a very comfortable bed before I take my long flight home. Time has gone very quickly but I look forward to my return to South America but not before some great times in Melbourne!
