wanderlust (ˈwɒndəˌlʌst): Cusco

Before Inca Trail and Machu Picchu, we had a week to relax in Cusco. Cusco is a tourist hub in Peru, where almost everyone comes before heading out on different hikes and activities on the countryside. It´s also a good place for acclimatization, as the city itself is at 3400 meters above sea level. I was pleasantly surprised how lovely Cusco was - with a beautiful Plaza de Armas (main square), old churches, narrow cobble stone streets and excellent restaurants. What I thought was going to be a quite boring week of acclimatization turned out to be a relaxing cultural and gastronomical week (oh, the food was SO nice!).

After Machu Picchu, we took a bus straight to Copacabana in Bolivia. Our aim was to visit Lake Titicaca, but to get away from the tourist traps on the Peruvian side of the lake. ”Lago Titicaca” is largest lake in South America, the highest lake in the world and the home of many Incas. Copacabana is a town on the Bolivian side of the Lake, and definitely not a place to get away from the crowds. But Isla del Sol, an hours boat ride away was a beautiful get-away. We took an early morning boat to the northern side and hiked along the ridge of the island to the southern side. This trail had stunning views over the lake and the Andes, and is definitely something I would recommend doing if you ever find your self on Lake Titicaca. After a couple of days on the lake, we jumped on a local bus to La Paz, and I promise you - it was the scariest thing so far on this trip. Narrow roads, speeding and a semi-drunk bus driver made the experience a rather nerve thrilling one. To crown it all, the bus had to be transported across the lake on a rotten fleet! I was very happy to arrive in La Paz alive after that ride.

- Cusco -

How to get a kiss from a stray dog

Dream catchers

At San Pedro Market

Fresh juice for a penny.

Birhtday boy!

Plaza De Armas

The streets of San Blas

- Copacabana & Lake Titicaca -

Isla Del Sol

Breakfast by the lake

Hiking across from north to south, Isla del Sol

The main village lies on the top of a steep hill. The lack of fresh water supplies up to the village means that donkeys and humans have to carry all the water up some steep steep trails.

The fleet transporting our bus across the lake

“Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and celebrate the journey.”

Fitz Hugh Mullan

KLEM

When my partner in crime turns a year older, the only reasonable thing to do is to make him run out from a cliff attached to a paraglide. With a great number of butterflies in our stomachs, the pilot drove us an hour outside Cusco - to “the Sacred Valley of the Incas”. The highest any of us has been in the air prior to this would have to be on the five-meter diving platform in the local swimming hall.

In other words, nothing compared to this.

After a rather scary start with a crash after take off, and an unpleasant meeting with a bush, we both got to fly 20 - 30 minutes. The pilot caught some thermal winds, and on my flight we followed the wind up to about 4900 masl (about 1400 meters above the ground). Trust me, my heart has never been closer to my throat.

The view was amazing, and my gopro also got some wind under its wings. But I must admit, I´m way more comfortable 50 meters below water than 5000 meters above sea level!