Lima, Peru

Lima seems to be covered by clouds all the time.
Went to see the Pacific yesterday and today again.
This morning I visited "Huaca Pucllana", an old pre-Inca adobe pyramid from AD 400. Very interesting!!

The rest will be a rest.

From Cuenca (Ecuador) to Lima (Peru) with the bus

I finally made it to Lima after a long and interesting bus ride.
The quality of the busses improved with any connection. The first one was quite adventurous and we were passing some beautiful landscapes and went along some crazy roads (between Cuenca and Pasaje)- steep to my side of the bus! I will upload a video to YouTube, I think. This was from Cuenca to Huaquillas at the border to Peru. It was really hot and dry there.

After doing the immigration process I went on to Piura, Peru. On the Panamericana.

As I didn't know if I could get the connection with Cruz del Sur (Bus company) the rest of the day was open. I reached Piura at 18.30h and the bus was 19.30h but from a different part of the town unfortunately. I also needed Peruvian money. The taxi driver was driving like crazy, and I really mean C-R-A-Z-Y. ... but we made it. And the I had the most comfortable bus ride ever, with Cruz del Sur. I thought I was on a plane. Big one!!!
Lima ... Sunday ... I need to relax .... and have a shower.

2 nights in Lima ahead of me in the and bus ride to Arequipa booked for the 21st at 21.00h, A 15hrs busride again ... with Cruz del Sur, por supuesto!

Cuenca, Ecuador

So, I took the bus ride with "Panamericana" for $10 to Cuenca. It was 10 hrs over night. Somehow the only way i CAN sleep seems to be horizontal :-/ ... anyway, I closed my eyes for some time. But 6.30 h a too early arrival at a hostel, but they were up already at let me store my bags, so I could go for a walk around. Check in at 13h. .... The suns is burning hotter, some 2,5 kms closer to her.

The hostel is very nice. I needed a single room, after that bus trip.
I will have to get up early tomorrow, the bus to Piura in Peru leaves at 7.15h. Buff. Another 10 hrs on the bus. Buff. And the best thing: I guess i will step on the next bus straigt away, again15 hrs.... buuuuuuufffff. But one ride during the day, the other overnight. Saves the hostel costs ;-)
So, lets see. I'll be dead when I arrive in Lima. I will need 2-3 days there before heading my destination in Arequipa.

More photos:
http://www3.snapfish.de/snapfishde/thumbnailshare/AlbumID=12385965010/a=7967262010_7967262010/

Quito, Ecuador

After a long flight I finally made it to Quito, Ecuador.

First I need to acclimatise a bit.

On my first day I went to the Middle of the World - La Mitad del Mundo - to walk on the equator.

(although specialists claim that the actual one is some distance north or so but I didn't mind).

I thought it may be nice to start in the middle and head on down to the end of the world in Tierra del Fuego, but thats some weeks ahead.

Now I will have to check how to get to Peru!

I checked one bus connection from Quito to Lima - 38 hours .... aaaaah

I may head to Cuenca first and stay there to pass to Peru later on a shorter ride.
The hostel in Quito was very nice (Hostal Jhomana) , run by a swedish guy.
The Bus to Cuenca is at 22.00h.

Flights are booked
14.06. Frankfurt - Quito

booked a return flight within 90 days (visa reasons) from Sao Paulo which I will have to re-schedule. I guess December would be a good month to return ... xmas etc, y'know?!

Yipiiii

Arrived in Germany, well and happy.
Will book my flight to Lima pretty soon. The return should be from Buenos Aires.
Excitement!

.... to the Grey Havens

On Tuesday I will take my ferry from Rosslare (IRL) to Cherbourg (FRA). I will be back at my parents' house on Wednesday night.
After almost 5 years of living and working in Cork, Ireland, I will finish the last chapter of this book on Monday night with the very last Session at the well-beloved Franciscan Well with some great musicians!
Thanks Ireland for being such a great host :-)