Cruise of the Condor

Best Condor Photo Evah
Originally uploaded by Johnnie Shannon.

Condors everywhere! Well, almost. A lot in Coca Canyon anyway (By the way, does anyone know the difference between a gorge, canyon, valley etc.). (Loads of new piccies as well, click the link)

Since the last time, we´ve been camping at Porta Inca (and getting a sneaky footy match in there), in the town of Arequipa, in the Colca Canyon looking at Condors and free camping on the way to Cusco, where I am now.

Condors were magnificent. Had to get up at the unearthly hour of 5am in order to get to the canyon to spot them rising on the early morning thermals. It was worth it. I won the beer for spotting the first one (haven´t had it yet, had a bit of a dodgy stomach over the last couple of days, nowt too serious though) and then suddenly they were all around. Females only at first, a couple of which perched conveniantly on the rock right in front of us. Then a few males came into view, even bigger with a distinctive white stripe on the top of the wings. Everyone was snapping pics left right and centre, and there was a crowd of several hundred to view the specticle. Beaut scenery as well.

In Cusco for a couple of nights acclimatising, then it´s off on the Inca Trail to Machu Pichu next week. It´s a four day hike, not too strenuous if you were doing it at lower altitudes, but could be a bit tiring at 4,000 metres or so. Be good to do some excersise though. Apart from the footy I`ve not done too much since I´ve been out here.