2006: A Wrohan Odyssey

Trekking to Machupicchu

Well, our trek to Machupicchu was a success!! After spending a few nights in Cusco to adjust to the altitude (3,400 mts) we began our four day long expedition through the Peruvian Andes. What an amazing adventure it proved to be!

We were led by our guide Jose through the Sacred Valley of the Inca and further along "Paccha Mama" or "Mother Earth" until we successfully conquered the Ipsay Qasa Pass which rose up to an astounding 15,000ft!! A height that I certainly had never seen before by foot. The trek was difficult but incredibly rewarding. As we passed through snow capped mountains, littered with llamas and alpacas it humbled both Chris and I with a new respect for those who lived there.

What a view!

Wrohan power shot.

A much deserved beer after a LONG day of trekking

Fortunately for us we were able to meet numerous locals dressed in their famous cultural dress, all woven by hand with exquisite colors and Andean iconography. One family even invited us into their home made of stone with thatched grass for the roof. There, we sat on llama skin and watched dozens of guinea pigs run around our feet. Yes, that's right...here guinea pig is considered a delicacy and families will raise them in their houses until they are old enough to eat...Chris and I have yet to try one since we both are flooded with memories of our precious childhood pets but rest assured, we will try one soon.

Chris giving a local girl some food and school supplies

After a few days of trekking we decended down to the town of Aguas Calientes where we spent the night and awaited our 4:30am wake up call to prepare for Machupicchu. The ancient city itself came to life over the few hours we were there. We arrived at 6am and saw the morning sun kiss the ruins of the "lost" city of the Incas. The view was simply breathtaking and the lush grass and intricate stone architecture certainly felt as though a power greater than we could imagine had constructed such beauty. I like to think that being there was as close to the gods as one could reach.

At long last we made it to Machupicchu!

So here we are now, sitting in a small internet cafe in Aguas Calientes baffled by the experience of the last four days. Leaving with only our memories I am undoubtedly sure that this trek has been the highlight of our journey so far. The fellow trekkers that we shared it with, the hiking and camping, the sights, smells and sounds have all contributed to memories that we won't soon forget.

Jungle Fever!

After being spoiled in Brazil our trip out to the Amazon jungle was quite a shock. Although the jungle has always been on both of our ´to do´ lists, what was in store for us was more amazing then we could have ever imagined.

After a shot stay in Santiago, Chile and then in Lima, Peru, we caught a flight to a small city called Iquitos which is one of the main ports on the Peruvian Amazon. The city itself is much like any other in Peru, quite poor but the people are very nice, quick to help and trustworthy. We did however have a bit of a run in at the airport when Chris´ rain jacket was stolen while we were in transit. He´s convinced it was stolen by an airport worker with a slick hand while I keep assuring him it was the clever monkeys of the jungle who we´ve learned can certainly not be trusted.

Either way, after a quick stop in Iquitos and a new rain jacket in hand, we left by boat to a Jungle Lodge about 45min South of Iquitos called the Cumaceba Lodge. The lodge was amazing! As soon as we stepped off the boat we were bombarded with the mist and humid heat of the rainforest mixed with sweet tropical smells and rich animal song. The lush flora was everywhere and it truly was like being in a different world that was extremely foreign to both of us.

Sunset on the Amazon

Our lodging was also something to write about. We stayed in small huts made of local wood and palm leaves which stood on 4ft tall posts which protected us from the ever increasing levels of the amazon which can fluctuate exponentially with the intense rain downpours. We were caught in a few of them and got COMPLETELY soaked...I see now why they call it the rainforest =)

While at the lodge we took part in so many activities it´s hard to recall them all. We had an english speaking guide with us who took us exploring by boat and on foot and gave us a lot of information since he himself grew up in the jungle. We learned about the numerous plants and trees which are used for various medical purposes as well as got to meet some local indigenous people who still live in the jungle.

Chillin in the jungle.

Shooting a blow dart..no biggie!

My favorite part of the adventure however would have to be the wildlife. We saw birds, bats, spiders, monkeys, sloths, insects, crocodiles and of course snakes...I even held an ANACONDA! We also spent a fair amount of time on the Amazon where we fished, swam and watched local fish and dolphins swim about. Chris even managed to catch a piranha on one of our fishing trips which we ate for dinner that night.

Cooling off in the Amazon

Sloth

Can I take him home?

They look cute but can´t be trusted!!

A face only a mother could love.

Anteater

Chris´ piranah that we ate for dinner. YUM!

Nice jaguar...purrr...

The whole point of the expedition was certainly to get a sense of how one can truly be self-sufficient in the jungle. We had no electricity, hot water, imported food or any of the seemingly unnecessary frills of home. It was truly rustic but certainly eye-opening. We had numerous talks over how pollution, overharvesting of the waters and land, and general ignorance is destroying the delicate ecosystem which we stayed in. It gave both Chris and I an appreciation beyond anything we could have imagined.

We promise to post pictures as soon as we find a cheap and reliable internet connection. Hope all is well wherever you are...
Bex and Chris

Frolicking with Fireflies

Well, as of last week, Chris and I are officially one step closer to our goal of experiencing first hand the 7 Wonders of the New World. Last weekend we spent the day visiting Christ the Redeemer which sits 700m above sea level and casts an ever present shadow over the city of Rio. I have to say that being in such close proximity to such an icon was overwhelming and it was clear to me why the statue is held with such high regard.

While on our visit atop the mountain we also met up with a lovely couple from Texas who proved to be our partners in crime for the weekend. Together the four of us took on Rio as we Sambaed the night away under the influence of cheap beer and Caipirinhas. Although Chris and I seemed to have two left feet, we managed to fit in quite nicely after a few lessons from some locals who took pity on us.

The next day we took in a soccer game at the Maracana stadium which is the largest soccer stadium in the world. For the record, Brazilians are CRAZY when it comes to supporting their local team. We chanted and waved flags and sang songs and did pretty much anything we could think of to psych out the opposing supporters across the stadium. Luckily the end resulted in a tie so the chaotic riot at that followed didn´t last as long as it apparently could have. It was INSANE!

Cheering for Brazil!

So after such an intensely fun-filled weekend, Chris and I jetted off to Brazil´s third largest island called the Ilha Grande for a little R&R. The island was surrounded by crystal clear waters and our hostel on the beach provided the perfect setting to watch the sun set with a Capirinha in hand.

We did however manage to explore a bit of the island on a couple of occasions, with the most amazing being our all day SCUBA trip with a local dive instructor. He took us out to a ship wreck from the 70´s and then along the coast to check out some local marine life. The waters were filled with hundreds of fish and Chris and I even stumbled upon a lonely seahorse relaxing on the hull of the ship and welcoming us to his underwater palace--amazing!

All ready for our dive.

The island was breathtaking and my favorite memory would have to be trekking down the side of a hill after a local had taken us in for some espresso and good conversation and seeing the lush forest illuminate with hundreds of tiny fireflies who guided us back to our hostel. I don´t doubt it when they say the island is one of the hidden gems of Brazil...it took my breath away.

So now we have landed in Peru and are about to hit the town. I hope this message finds everyone happy and healthy and loving life.

Till the next adventure report...

"at the Copa, Copacobana..."

Hello friends and fam!

Well we made it! It only took 24hrs of travel and some shady airplane food but we did in fact get here.

Rio De Janeiro is everything we thought it would be. Although the city smells (in my opinion) and the drivers are mad men, the beaches, friendly people and beautiful sights make up for it.
Chris and I have been spending the last few days lounging at a leisurely pace. Poor Chris thought it would be a good idea to introduce me to Caipirinhas (tequila shots on steroids -- look it up and replicate it..trust me, you won't be disappointed), so we've spent the majority of our time soaking up the rays in a half drunken state on Copacabana beach.

Copacabana beach

We did however drag our beach bums up to Sugar Loaf hill today, which is an amazing mountain you access by cable car from the town below. Some of you may know this landmark from Moonraker, the 1979 James Bond film where Bond battles Jaws on top of the cable car. The thought of attempting to re-enact the scene with Stoffe was tempting but in the end, the scenery thankfully negated that thought. The view was unreal and as the locals would say, "it's so beautiful, even God himself comes down to have breakfast with you".

The food has also been amazing. We've been surrounded by fresh fruit and delicious bbq which is to die for. Rio apparently is also known for its sinful deserts...this place is a diabetics hell! =)

Anyway, off to dinner and then out on the town and back to the room. I'm making Christoffe catch up on his beauty sleep as tomorrow we have Samba lessons and I need him in top Swedish form.

Hope all is well wherever you are.

Xoxo,
Bex