| Orient Express from Puno to Cuzco
Apr 23, 2005 | (click to enlarge)
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 | | show all 6 | | Alice sitting at our table on the Orient Express | | The view from the back of the train | | Some people we saw from the train | | |
| Well the day started with a lot of confusion because our transfer to the station hadn't been booked. Luckily we managed to persuade Jane and Graham's guide to let us share theirs for a fee.
The train was really nice - it's supposed to be the Orient Express, although we're not in the Orient and it wasn't very Express, but let's not be picky. The seating was proper armchairs that weren't fastened to the carriage, and everybody had a little table as well. Then there was the bar carriage, with more armchairs and sofas, and on the back of the train the viewing carriage which was mainly windows, but with an open back, almost like a little balcony that you could take photos from and generally enjoy the view.
The journey took about 10 hours, but was not at all boring - there was a lot of waving to children to be done, and that was just between the various things going on. First of all some Peruvian men wandered around playing music, then we had a really nice lunch. After lunch we got off at the highest point - over 4,000 metres above sea level - Raya station, where there were lots of locals trying to sell us things. Then we began our descent and there was a fashion show. Not traditional Peruvian outfits, but jewellery and alpaca jumpers. Very odd. Lastly a man and his two daughters appeared dancing and singing and playing music. This was the best of all because when they got to the viewing carriage the girls made some of the men wear pom poms and the traditional hats and dance around with them, which was hilarious. Then we all had to join hands and dance round and around the carriage.
Anyway, once we arrived we hijacked Jane and Graham's transfer again and were taken to the hotel. We've had to change our programme slightly because there is a train strike on the Macchu Picchu trains on the 26th, which means everything has been shifted about. It's ok for us but Jane and Graham are going to miss their sunrise at Macchu Picchu because they don't have any spare days to move things around with.
We're in the Libertador again and have got an absolutely enormous room. I think it's a mini suite. The restaurants in these hotels are really good. I may not be able to fit in my seat on the plane home. We're also 1,000 metres closer to sea level than we were, so have a lot more energy!
We've uploaded lots more photos, so make sure you go back and look at some of the previous days - we're particularly pleased with the Uros photos, and the ones from today.
Anyway, rest day tomorrow (Sunday) and then off to Urumba (I think) on Monday. |
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