Peru Challenge
May 2007
I think it was on a Sunday morning last November that a friend came up and asked if I'd like to join him on a walk. I don't recall that he mentioned that walk was going to be on the other side of the world in Peru!
And so, my pal and I left Poole on 11 May with 7 others - in my case specifically to raise sponsorship for Forest Holme who do some tremendous work in hospice and palliative care in Poole.
I can honestly say that this 10 day adventure has given me sights and memories that I will never forget. The adventure was to involve mountain biking, white water rafting and then trekking along the Inca Trail to the fabled Lost City of the Incas, Machu Picchu.
The flight to Peru was a lengthy one and when we finally touched down in Cusco, in the Andes, some 13,000 feet up my first thought was relief that I can breathe at this thin altitude. Peru is a very poor but very happy country. There were many, many children and adults begging, trying to sell paintings, photos etc. One 4 year old boy introduced himself as Michael Jackson and another lad selling his sketches told me he was Pablo Picasso.
I think my favourite bit, apart from Machu Picchu, was the really scary mountain bike ride down a track no wider than 4 feet with mountainside on one side and 13,000 feet drop on the other - with no barriers or fence of any kind to stop you falling. Even with both brakes full on and white knuckles, the bike would not stop. What an exhilarating and fantastic start.
The next day was white water rafting down the Urabamba River (Sacred River). Again really exhilarating - I nearly fell out on the first rapids but got the hang of it after that. Soaked to the skin and a little bit relieved.
The same afternoon saw our trek to Machu Picchu begin. We had taken with us a lot of small books, pens and crayons to give to children - much safer than sweets and money. Having given out the first book we soon found ourselves being followed up the trail by numerous school children looking for their own books and pens. We learnt that the children often walked 2 hours or more to the nearest school and the teachers are so poorly paid that they often don't turn up to take the class. Imagine walking 2 hours to school to find out you have no teacher today!
On the days that we trek we are woken in our tents at between 5am and 6am with a hot drink and a bowl of water - the idea is to start walking early before the sun gets too strong. The trails are just beautiful - either on the edge of mountain paths or sometimes through semi-tropical forests where we see iguanas, snakes, spiders which look very much like tarantulas, wild orchids and beautiful flowers. The sights are quite spectacular surrounded by snow peaks 2 miles high. The trek is hard - all up and down mountains.
The porters are just amazing, they put up the tents, cook the food and carry immense loads and all in sandaled feet - one of them carrying our loo every day - and they always get to the campsite before we do.
By lunchtime on our penultimate day we reached Winay Wayna, very high in the mountains and overlooking the River Urabamba. Our guide Zach suggested that we spend a few minutes of silence looking over where we've climbed and reflecting on our lives and our loved ones at home. I have to say that I found it a very lovely, spiritual and special time.
Later that afternoon we climbed to the Gateway of the Sun where we caught our first sight of Machu Picchu - the hidden city of the Incas. Machu Picchu is quite a stunning place and soon to become one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World. After staying hidden for between 400-500 years it was rediscovered in 1911.
My very sincere thanks to all who have given support and encouragement - and for the sponsorship for the benefit of Forest Holme. I look back now on a challenging, superb adventure and I do know (as these notes are prepared) that my trek has raised over £6,000 for Forest Holme.
Peter Moody
