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The Dutchmen and I parted ways in Junín. They headed to Lima. I wanted nothing to do with a big city so I stayed in the Andes and headed further south.
More of the same. Great scenery, nice dirt roads, long drop offs, ho hum…….
I really cant get enough of this.
Great riding……….
…and realizing this is exactly why I am here.
My thoughts continue to wind along the cliffs with the river down below.
Until I pull into Ayacucho and decide to call it day.
This is a very welcoming town. Touristy, but mostly Peruvian tourists.
I killed a few days just walking around town.
Until the mountains, cliffs and rivers called me back. Once again on my moto, with my thoughts, spectacular riding.
Interrupted by this several times a day. Story of my life in Peru. I think they are in the process of paving the entire country.
Ah, back to the river………
I was getting closer to civilization and I was not too thrilled about it.
I wind up in Cuzco.
Back to life in bustling colonial tourist city.
However, there are a things that are a welcome change from the small villages in the Andes, like good food, lots of hotels to choose from, internet, and some nice bars.
Of course I had to do the tourist thing, since I was in a tourist place.
It is a spectacular setting.
Machu Picchu lawnmower.
I can see why the Incas built a sacred site here.
Amazingly rugged country.
The downside is that you get to share it with about 4000 of your closest friends.
But it does not fail to impress…….
….everywhere you look.
Impressive.
Spectacular.
It is worth the trip for sure.
OK. Its extremely touristy. Its expensive. Its crowded. Its a pain in the butt to go see. The structures are not as impressive as those in Palenque or Tikal. However the setting is mind blowing and its something you just have to go see.
In Cuzco I met up with Holger and Anja. They are a German couple doing a RTW trip and this is their third year on the road. I had met them about a year ago in Zacatecas, Mexico, and just ran into them again in Cuzco. Really great people. So we decided to ride together toward Puno and Lake Titicaca.
This is the great part about riding with other people, you get pictures of yourself.
A high pass on the fast road from Cuzco to Puno.
And to the shores of Lake Titicaca.
You kind of have to be a Beavis and Butthead fan to understand this next picture, Lake Titicaca and all.
I had a fantastic time in Peru. So far, it has been the best scenery and the best riding of the trip.
Next up, ¡Bolivia!
Saludos.