20/7/2013 Sicuani to Santa Rosa
D69, T8.5, Av15, Max73, Tot16489, 6422
Fine warm though cool each end of the day
The lodgings we had were great, the hostal Oasis. Hot showers were enjoyed, though the owner wasn’t overly impressed with our washing socks and underpants.
Neither was he impressed with our mobile cafeteria facilities.
It was no big deal, he didn’t persue it far.
The morning saw Deirdres dog bite wound perfectly healed with no infection.
Leaving the room about 0800 we headed over the road for manzana and Quenua with Bread cheese and avocado rolls.
Well we got past the infamous gas station, the mut was there, the girl called him to heel as he came towards us.
We greeted her as we passed.
It was a lovely day both of us riding in shorts, Deirdre is much more tolerant of cold than I. She was in sandals and tee shirt. Myself in runners, shorts and a woollen tee shirt under a woollen long sleeved shirt.
We were riding up a valley, with ranges on both sides.
Some 1okm from Abra de raya we stopped at Aquas Calientes for lunch of of Caldo de Cordero, mutton soup.
Here were thermal baths, needless to say we headed in for a dip. It was so relaxing in the naturally hot water.
Back on the road we were now up around 4000m . It was slow going, a little chew on some leaf was enjoyed.
Two other riders were heading north, a couple of Argentino guys, really nice guys, we talked awhile and swapped email addresses. They had been on the road a few months.
They said their peso was worth nothing so it was costing a bit.
Explaining their country is a mess with political corruption. There is a wealthy class there that have good contacts with the government. They like to keep the poor that way so they can’t influence any politics. The opposition party is very weak.
There are many young Argentinos trvelling in Sth America, many feel the same way.
Nearing te summit, the Cuzco, Puno train crosses the road. We nearly witnessed a major accident, a semi took on the train and had to swerve almost off the road to make it across the tracks in time.
Admittedly the train was moving slowly but it was so close to catastrophe.
The train stopped in the middle of the road.
The driver greeted us with a big smile.
Passengers, all foreigners, some outside at the back of the last carriage had no idea of events only moments before.
Soon we reached the top.
Up here were vendors, you guessed it, selling every manner of garment to ward off the cold, many made of alpaca.
There were tourist buses pulling in with their occupants spilling out to take photos and peruse the stalls. One load were Argentinos and the other was loaded with Germans.
Getting ready to leave here and descend we rugged up, the norm, long pants, beanies, rain coats.
The road was in perfect condition with smooth asphalt, we had an excellent tail wind.
Off we went, it was superb cruising, at one point my gear propelled me to 70+km per hour.
The scenery was that of high plains, with snow capped mountains to our left and high grassy ranges to the right, both rising from a large flat plain.
It was riding pleasure.
Deirdre rode well, usually in front of me some distance, we were often united then split up again.
Some 5km from Santa Rosa we met up with two young riders from the US.
They were putting in some big miles each day.
Though we were prepared to camp, on arriving at Santa Rosa, we found a hostal in the one street town.
It was quite mild, they get snow here in the pueblito on occasions.
We settled into the hostal and enjoyed hot chocolate drinks, they warm you up so much.
Tea was Avocado, salmon, olive bread rolls followed by fried potatoes. They have special potatoes just for frying.
A wander round town was enjoyed as were some pieces of fried Alpaca, very nice I might add.
It was nice to have a day reminiscent of earlier riding together, where we had a rhythm going and most importantly just had a good time, stopping to take photos, chat, rest, or just enjoy the moment.
The straight open road allowed us to ride abreast for sometime which was a privilege.
D69, T8.5, Av15, Max73, Tot16489, 6422
Fine warm though cool each end of the day
The lodgings we had were great, the hostal Oasis. Hot showers were enjoyed, though the owner wasn’t overly impressed with our washing socks and underpants.
Neither was he impressed with our mobile cafeteria facilities.
It was no big deal, he didn’t persue it far.
The morning saw Deirdres dog bite wound perfectly healed with no infection.
Leaving the room about 0800 we headed over the road for manzana and Quenua with Bread cheese and avocado rolls.
Well we got past the infamous gas station, the mut was there, the girl called him to heel as he came towards us.
We greeted her as we passed.
It was a lovely day both of us riding in shorts, Deirdre is much more tolerant of cold than I. She was in sandals and tee shirt. Myself in runners, shorts and a woollen tee shirt under a woollen long sleeved shirt.
We were riding up a valley, with ranges on both sides.
Some 1okm from Abra de raya we stopped at Aquas Calientes for lunch of of Caldo de Cordero, mutton soup.
Here were thermal baths, needless to say we headed in for a dip. It was so relaxing in the naturally hot water.
Back on the road we were now up around 4000m . It was slow going, a little chew on some leaf was enjoyed.
Two other riders were heading north, a couple of Argentino guys, really nice guys, we talked awhile and swapped email addresses. They had been on the road a few months.
They said their peso was worth nothing so it was costing a bit.
Explaining their country is a mess with political corruption. There is a wealthy class there that have good contacts with the government. They like to keep the poor that way so they can’t influence any politics. The opposition party is very weak.
There are many young Argentinos trvelling in Sth America, many feel the same way.
Nearing te summit, the Cuzco, Puno train crosses the road. We nearly witnessed a major accident, a semi took on the train and had to swerve almost off the road to make it across the tracks in time.
Admittedly the train was moving slowly but it was so close to catastrophe.
The train stopped in the middle of the road.
The driver greeted us with a big smile.
Passengers, all foreigners, some outside at the back of the last carriage had no idea of events only moments before.
Soon we reached the top.
Up here were vendors, you guessed it, selling every manner of garment to ward off the cold, many made of alpaca.
There were tourist buses pulling in with their occupants spilling out to take photos and peruse the stalls. One load were Argentinos and the other was loaded with Germans.
Getting ready to leave here and descend we rugged up, the norm, long pants, beanies, rain coats.
The road was in perfect condition with smooth asphalt, we had an excellent tail wind.
Off we went, it was superb cruising, at one point my gear propelled me to 70+km per hour.
The scenery was that of high plains, with snow capped mountains to our left and high grassy ranges to the right, both rising from a large flat plain.
It was riding pleasure.
Deirdre rode well, usually in front of me some distance, we were often united then split up again.
Some 5km from Santa Rosa we met up with two young riders from the US.
They were putting in some big miles each day.
Though we were prepared to camp, on arriving at Santa Rosa, we found a hostal in the one street town.
It was quite mild, they get snow here in the pueblito on occasions.
We settled into the hostal and enjoyed hot chocolate drinks, they warm you up so much.
Tea was Avocado, salmon, olive bread rolls followed by fried potatoes. They have special potatoes just for frying.
A wander round town was enjoyed as were some pieces of fried Alpaca, very nice I might add.
It was nice to have a day reminiscent of earlier riding together, where we had a rhythm going and most importantly just had a good time, stopping to take photos, chat, rest, or just enjoy the moment.
The straight open road allowed us to ride abreast for sometime which was a privilege.
The Argentinian guys
The train just stopped in the middle of the road.
Santa Rosa, our stop for the night.
A la cumbre!
|
Aquas Calientes, such a relaxing dip in thermal water.
At the summit, 4380m, before a clothing change
typical adobe dwellings and back drop
|
