This train ride was just plain spectacular! From start to finish simply first class. We departed from the train station in Puno this morning round 8:00 and arrived in Cusco (The Imperial Inca City) around 6:40. The best way to describe the trip was what Bobi Steingart said near the end. "It may have been 10 hours but that was really not enough".
The Andean Express has several classes of cars but allows for a total of 100 people on the train. I believe that it was totally sold out. Each day a train leaves from Puno heading towards Cusco while at the same time an identical train goes the other way. We stopped for about 5 minutes about the half-way mark to allow the Cusco to Puno train to pass us at a siding.
We were in the A car and it was really swank. You felt like you were in a old black and white movie riding on the Orient Express! Each seat was a padded side chair - nicely padded with a table between. There were either 2 seats side by side facing to the front of the train with a table and 2 more seats facing the rear of the train. Or, just a single seat with a smaller table and the other seat facing the other way.
When we got to the station and checked our luggage I went outside to people watch. A bunch of ladies with there kids were passing by.
Inside the boarding area a couple of guys were playing Peruvian music for us. You know, El Condor Passo with the pan flutes....
Time to board.
Found our seats....
In the observation car at the end of the train (obviously).
A lot of barren dry earth in the Alto Plano (High Plain).
We were in the A car and it was really swank. You felt like you were in a old black and white movie riding on the Orient Express! Each seat was a padded side chair - nicely padded with a table between. There were either 2 seats side by side facing to the front of the train with a table and 2 more seats facing the rear of the train. Or, just a single seat with a smaller table and the other seat facing the other way.
Larainne, Bobi and Paul
Gyle and Rich
We were told we were going to be fed but that was an understatement! They started us out with breakfast - a bunch of fruit in a yogurt base.
Then a bit later that came with an assortment of rolls and a salad made of quinoa with other vegetables with sprouts on top.
For lunch I had trucha (trout) over a slice of au gratin like potato. A bit overdone but you're on a train? I gave them a break.
Connie was still feeling a bit cautious with what she was eating and chose a pasta dish served in a big square.
For dessert a cheese cake slice with some fruit on top.
Ok we ate a BUNCH of food!
Stopped a couple of times along the way for a break and walk around a bit. Along the way we went through small towns were there were stalls right up against the tracks selling you name it!
Yes, we just had gone through there!
We stopped just after we had reached the highest point on the trip La Raya Paso. Either 14,000 some feet as the guide books say of 16,000 some feet as Rich Rediker's phone said. To be continued.....
The church you see there on the right is pretty famous for a painting of Jesus Inca style.
There it is.
Obligatory llama led around by a lady trying to get you to give her a few Soles for an image.
Later on some more Peruvian music and dancing in traditional garb.
How to make a Pisco Sour (traditional Peruvian grape based drink) with Connie as Vanna.
Fashion show of several juvenile Alpaca items. This is a pretty cool Pashmina.
At one of the stops this lady was hawking her wares. This was where we were waiting for the other train to pass by. A know event. She was hustling to try to seek something.
By the back of the train at the observation deck.
Seems to have worked. Mackenzie will have her new "Dolly Llama".
Snow capped mountains along the way. This was near the high point of the day.
Eventually disembarked in Cusco and got to our hotel for the next 3 days....
Belmond Palacios Nazarenas and all I can say is OMG!
Connie in our suite. WAY more about this place later. Buenas Noches from Cusco!
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