by Kathy
3. November 2009 19:19
Choosing the next country for Ben and I to explore by motorcycles is always an exciting process. Looking at the world map that hangs in our home, I can usually let my imagination roam free during the planning process. This year, my gaze was limited to North and South America. During our ride in Bhutan last year, our son Sebastian (then 6) had suffered a concussion when he fell off his grandma’s bed while playing. Knowing that Ben and I were on the “other side of the world” had added to the emotional stress that Ben’s mom had experienced during the brief emergency room episode. She had asked us to “please stay in the Western Hemisphere” this year, and we were happy to honor that request.
Peru enticed us with its narrow dirt roads that wind up and down the Andes Mountains, countless small villages and towns in the northern area where tourists are still fairly uncommon, the lushness of the Amazon jungle, and the opportunity to communicate with people in our basic (but continually improving) Spanish. The primary lure, however, was Machu Picchu. Like many people, I have had Machu Picchu on my list of “must visit” places for far too long. From the moment I first saw a photo of the extensive stone dwellings stretched out beneath pointed mountain peaks that rose high above wispy fog, I knew that I must one day experience that splendor for myself.
We expected great things from this trip. And we were surprised at how far our expectations were exceeded. The vistas, the diversity of the terrain, the endless curving roads, the warmth of the people, the delicious food—all were stellar. I am proposing that the word “peru” should become a new adjective that means amazing, glorious, outstanding, superb. (“How was your trip?” “Oh, it was so peru!”).
Click on each “Day” below to read more about why Peru captivated us so completely.
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Days 1 and 2: Traveling to Cusco, through Lima
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Day 3: The Wonders of Machu Picchu
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Day 4: Lima to Barranca, Off to a Sizzling Start on the Bikes
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Day 5: To Caraz, Winding along the Cordillera Blanca
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Day 6: To Pampas, So Close and Yet So Far
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Day 7: To Cajamarca, The Guessing Game
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Day 8: To Celendín, Fiestas Galore
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Day 9: To Chachapoyas, Why We Ride
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Day 10: To Tarapoto, It’s Raining It’s Pouring
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Day 11: To Tocache, Rocking Out
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Day 12: To Huánuco, Receipt of Blessings
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Day 13: To Tarma, I Did it My Way
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Day 14: To Lima, Just Believe
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Days 15: Lima and Home, Pomp and Circumstance
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