2017-07-24 day 99

20°C this morning. Such a change.

Today we follow a river up and up then we go up. In the 110km’s to the pass at 4800m we had driven 4.3km’s vertical.

Managed to stop for some orchids which were just everywhere.Stopped for lunch at a small tarn just over the pass.

Drove downhill for a while then detoured of the main(red) road and headed on an orange rd north to get on a yellow east west road.

The initial turn onto the yellow road included a bridge that we chickened out of. Another 10km’s of orange then onto a white to take us further along the yellow road. All good.

We squeezed past a cattle truck and at least know we can fit down the yellow track. Lots of pines and gums being planted. Most in small batches but by hand and way up on the hillside.

Camped on a side track with a view down the valley to Cusco.

There are gums planted here too.

A big day 208km’s

2017-07-23 Day 98

John ran the heater which stopped a few times with flame out issues. Maybe the altitude. It is only guaranteed to run at 2200 metres.

2 km’s drive and we were stopped until 10am when the road opens. Looks like major repairs underway. Road only open going north from 10-10:15, 12.05-1300 and 15:00–15:15. We chatted to others waiting. A few families.

One lady was feeding milk to a day old kitten from the corner of a plastic bag!

Two young kids were kicking around an orange each practising their soccer skills.

An amazing road with high hills all around. We followed the river down for most of the day.

In one village we bought a round of cows-milk cheese and some tree tomato or tamarilla’s, 10 for one sol (A40c) We have come downhill all day. And drove through jungle….

Just before Loromayo we turned west up another river.

I saw orchids flowering from the banks as we drove past but nowhere to stop. So different to the previous months of travel. We are camped above this river at 508m altitude, a vertical drop of 3.4km for the day!!

At the time of 5pm when we stopped it was 29°C; last night at same time 5°C. Heater is not needed although we did heat water for a shower; much easier than heating water on the stove top especially as the stove is not starting again

2017-07-22 Day 97

Cold again this morning below Zero.Drove into the small town to look at the artwork. A big puma perched on the hill above the town.Bought some 20amp fuses.

Stopped off the side of the road to work on the heater. Had it out in no time...Practice makes perfect.

I put a chocolate cake into the bread maker to cook and while it was cooking we worked on the heater.

The combustion fan had some build up on it which was from it touching it’s housing so scraped and sanded that off. (nail file to the rescue).

The air fan was touching its housing although we’d taken a lot of trouble to set it up correctly.

After a piece of scrumptious choc cake the heater went back into its spot.

Heater failed on 5 – diesel. So we started again and it ran – hot air wonderful. Ran for an hour.

2017-07-21 Day 96

Continued the drive around the top half of the laguna before heading north on a white road.

Lots of animals and houses scattered around. Drove through a few small villages.

Lots of people were in a "paddock" we assume selling their live wares. Pigs, sheep and cattle. Didn't appear to be an auctioneer. selling was between two people.

To market to market to buy a fat pig......

The most interesting part of today was a church in a small village between San Anton and Union Soratira

Four young teenage girls were at the front of the church which is locked and “antique”. We tried to ask them where we find the caretaker they said something about a long way away. Any how amongst much giggling and carrying on, and photos they led us to a gap in the wall so we could walk around the church.

Got diesel in San Anton at 11.6 solas per (US?)gallon. Filled with water as well.

Drove on a red road which was sealed but had little traffic. Camped just off the road to the worlds 3^rd largest tin mine(1998). On the river.

2017-07-20 Day 95

I put a loaf of bread on.

We drove the short distance to the parking for Sillustani Pre-Incan cemetery. Cost us 8 solas each A$3.50.

Had a great walk around very interesting burial chambers. John went into a couple and was caught by the guard.There were no signs up to say not to…..

Waited at the car park till the bread was half cooked and then drove off up second rate roads (white) towards Juliaca. Here I did some market shopping while John got a hair cut. He looks much less scruffy!

Camped on the northern edge of laguna de Arapa near a village called Iscayapi.

I had a reply from Fransico in Spain who said we could try a 20amp fuse on the red wire only of the heater. We tried it and it blinked 5 reds. We then just tried on hot water. It ran for 50 mins until we’d showered and then tried for heat another 5 error blinks.

On Fransisco’s suggestion we will pull the heater out again and try to give the combustion fan a good clean.

We were visited by 4 people no doubt just checking the foreigners out. They all seem happy with us staying when they know we will be leaving the next morning.

2017-07-19 Day 94

Only down to -4°C last night.

Slowly got organised and headed down to the waterfront to park and launch the kayak.

We paid US$20 to park at a hotel. With the kayak inflated and food and drink packed we crossed the road and railway track and launched her in mud….

As we entered the area of the Eros Islands we needed to buy tickets 8soles each A$3.20.

 A load of reeds

Interesting how they layer the reeds on top of the old ones. I Wonder how far they go down. Water seems quite clean although in places the rubbish collects. Very touristy and everyone was very friendly. In the back streets we found the big reed boats to be built of plastic bottles and just covered with reeds.

Found our way back and this time came in where the other dinghy’s do. Carried the kayak back to the hotel and left her in the sun to dry while we went inside for lunch. John had an Alpaca steak and I had Lake trout. The alpaca was an interestingly fine grained meat.

Camped on lake Umayo just in sight of the Sillustani Pre-Incan cemetery.

2017-07-18 Day 93

 John was up and about early thinking it was such a warm sunny morning. He was surprised when I informed him it was -3.

John had a chat with a fisherman who arrived to go out fishing in his dinghy. He must have come in sometime last night.

A beautiful day so we stayed and did all our washing, including sheets and doona cover. It was all dry by 2pm so we headed off for Puna.

 



We had driven about 40km’s and were in a small town when there was a sudden “bang”. We pulled to the nice flat, wide, sealed kerb and got out. Yep we had blown the side out of the tyre. The back left so our decision has been made for us.

Just along the road 10 metres was a guy with old tyres outside his shop. I went along to ask him if he could put the tyre on the wheel. No problems AU$8. He did that while we put the old spare on.

Just about the most convenient place for a flat…..

So now no more tyre inside; two new spares on the back.

Got to Puno just before dusk, very busy little town. Finally found a camp on top of a hill overlooking the floating islands.