Peru Diaries 3 - Hiking in the Andes

If you are visiting Peru you MUST hike the Andes. Yes it is tough and the altitude will get to you but it is all worth it. The food that you devour as you lick the last morsel off your plate, the scenery that you see on your way up the mountains and the locals you will mingle with; will all be worth it. It is a truly unique experience.
We were picked up by Ruben our tour guide at 5:30 am in the morning; along with him were 2 ever eager helpers - the porter and the cook with their horses. We trekked from 6 am till 7 pm that night. In those 13 hours we crossed 10 mountains, saw the most beautiful valley that was covered with purple flowers and tested our limits as far as altitude sickness goes; but it was all worth it.
It was just us, nature and of-course ever eager Ruben prodding us along when we felt we could not go any further. We camped in Huchuy Cuzco which was where the Inca's first settled. We slept like babies that night. The next morning we woke up to see the sun rising over the beautiful mountains - it was magnificent. We continued to a small town called Lamay from where we would make our way to Aguas Caliente - which is the town that rests in the foothills of Machu Pichu.

FARM FRESH

I was watching Top Chef last week where they featured Blue Hill at Stone Barnes. I knew that it was going to be in the 50’s on Sunday – so why not go visit this farm! It is about 40 minutes away from NYC and there is a wonderful cafe there where you get yummy scones, cookies, coffee and other savory things. The Farm is about 80 acres – we walked around and saw many cute animals. Daisy the cow, Roger the sheep dog, Porky the pig, Rocky the rooster. The Farm reminded me of a book that I read in school called My Family and other Animals by Gerald Durrell. I recommend making a reservation at the restaurant – we did and plan on going back to eat the fresh organic farm food. If the cafe is any indication the restaurant is going to be simply divine.

Taking pictures was a little difficult – nothing was too picturesque everything still had snow and the trees were bare. I know a photographer should be able to find pictures anywhere – but it was very difficult to be inspired. I am looking forward to another trip to the farm when it is lush and green.