We are up and out for 06:50 and get to the bus station for 7am. Luckily we had some time to spare as the taxi driver dropped us off in the wrong part of the station. This added to having to queue to pay some unexpected departure tax meant we got to the bus at 7.29am! Even I don't like cutting it that fine!
The bus (Civa Exclusiva) is a marked improvement on the last one but still not amazing. It's really comfortable though with big reclining leather seats and plenty of leg room. We are sat at the back downstairs this time with limited visibility so it helps with our nerves! The only issues are the bus is old and tired and has a slight smell of fumes which is fine when all the windows are open but not when the stupid woman in front keeps getting up to close them all. Let window wars commence. In the end we settle for 50-50 which gives just enough ventilation to be comfortable. Oh and the toilet is like a festival toilet. Need to minimise liquid intake so we can get away with only using it once. Not great on a hangover.
Nat having no problems sleeping.
Or myself to that matter.
One other annoyance is that it is going via Juliaca again which is a good two hours out of our way but oh well. At least we get to see that absolute dump again. It's a damn long journey today. In all it takes us 12 hours to do the 635km trip to Cusco.
No really great pics along the journey today due my lack of visibility through a hole in the tinted window sticker.
As we get closer to Cusco the scenery gets better and better though.
We finally arrive in Cusco at 19:30. A monster 12 hours on a bus with no stops. They certainly havent invented the service station here we yet! Well worth it to see Arequipa though - it was only an additional 12 hours on a bus in total to add that to our trip.
We arrive at our hotel which is the same lovely chain as last night, the Tierra Viva. Great little boutique hotel and fantastic value.
It is absolutely pouring down with rain in Cusco and we are not dressed for it at all. We go to a little Italian called Trattoria Adriano just off the main square, Plaza de Armas for lasagne for dinner. We are starving as haven't eaten anything since 6.30am.
Cusco is a gorgeous place even in the rain. Looking forward to having an explore tomorrow.
Oh and the good news is that we have no altitude sickness having made the ascent to Cusco from Arequipa. Looks like we have properly aclimatised now.
Now THAT bus is the business! Glad you had a lovely relaxing journey, and that you have no altitude sickness! Cusco looke lovely after the rain.....v artistic!!! It was lovely to see you both and chat on FaceTime tonight.....you both looked glowing! All my love, Eric xxxxxxxxxx
ReplyDelete