Day Thirteen ... time to leave the Amazon fornthr next phase of our adventure
Today was time to pack everything back into our duffel bags, leave the bags outside our rooms and depart Posada. Esau told us our departure wasn't until 9.40 and that breakfast was at 7.30 so we would be able to have a sleep in!
We set the alarm for 7.00 and after slathering my back in a cream given to me by Esau (a type of physio cream but it also contained arnica so I am hoping I won't bruise as badly as I normally do) we settled in for a good night's sleep. At this stage I dont have any visible bruises but have a lot of deep tissue pain beneath shoulder blades and in my left arm.
I struggled to find a comfortable position and Ian's stomach decided to keep playing the gurgly game ... and added to that the two Australians in the room next to us had their alarm set for 4.45 even though they were leaving at 9.30. So they began clattering about, chatting, and making whatever multivitamin drink they need that involves a spoon stirring a glass and then being tapped on the glass. The clincher though for my fury was when one of the ladies decided to Facetime her son and grandchildren ... at 6.05! Oh my ... I lay there thinking ... be kind, be gentle, be patient whilst screaming on the inside.
So needless to say we didn't get a lot of sleep ... but hey the adventure must continue. So up, packed, a last breakfast with Emily and James, settle the bills and then wait for our departure.
When Esau arrived to escort us to the boat we were able to grab a few last photos together as a group (these are on Emily's phone for now) before we headed down to the boat ramp. I am going to be honest, by the time I got to the "stairs" my heart rate was elevated and my anxiety a little peaked. However ... Esau had organised for one of the staff who had had to help one of the older Australians to the boat to remain behind to make sure I was okay. I paused to take a last photo of my footprint (slide) and my lucky branch and then we were away.
The boat ride took us back to the Amazon ramp where we disembarked ... Esau carefully holding my hand (I think he thinks I am a clumsy git). We then boarded the bus and once again escorted by security, made our way back to Puerto Maldonado. We aren't sure why they use security but we ponder if it means they can advertise and promote that they have no incidents with any of their tours. At no point did we feel unsafe ... but having them escorting us just adds to that feeling of being looked after.
At the bus depot in Puerto Maldonado we disembarked in the pouring rain, repacked our suitcases ... the smell when we opened the duffel bags was quite ripe ... tossing things in knowing that when we got to the Sacred Valley we would need to wash and repack. We then reboarded the bus with our newly packed suitcases to take the 5 minute drive to the airport.
And there we said goodbye to Esau. He has been an absolute gem. His knowledge of the Amazon, willingness to share stories, kindness and humour made our Amazon experience memorable. We checked our luggage in and headed through security.
Ian takes up the writing ...
Once airside we discovered a pretty small seating and retail area for an "international airport" that only appears to connect to Lima and Cuzco, both of which are in Peru. But there was a table free in the corner of a small pizza restaurant so in we went to fill the "no scheduled lunch" gap. 3 Americanos, an Americana and a Margharita later the four of us were well fed and ready to board our flight to Cuzco.
If Emily and James are reading this ... Thanks guys. (The rest of you can skip to the next paragraph if you like, or for the complete story, read on). Your presence, brightness, openness and sense of fun made for a really memorable few days. Our best wishes for all you have ahead in your lives. You are very special people who made our life better.
Quick flight to Cuzco (45 min), luggage, hugs goodbye and Hello Arturo (transfer guide) and Ricardo (driver) for our 90 minute trip to Urubamba. We cleared the city area in about 30 minutes, with pretty standard roadside sights from South America, Morocco, East Africa and parts of India - aside from the obvious ethnological differences. But when we made it to the rural lands things changed. Agricultural activity, livestock, crops (corn, quinoa, etc). Patchwork fields in various greens, golds and browns. And off in the distance the heavily snowed peak of Mt Peronica (?).
And then we crossed a ridge and started our descent into the Inca's Sacred Valley. In front of us a towering wall of green grey ridges stretching north and south as far as you can see. Snow capped mountains. Absurdly steep valleys with settlements in the narrow river flats along the base. I'm not sure if I have ever seen a landscape that made me fall so small and insignificant - a microscopic dot on nature's canvas.
We arrived at our hotel - Aranwa Sacred Valley Hotel and Wellness - around 4.30. A bell was rung to announce our arrival as we passed through the gates. Into Reception to see several plaques celebrating World Tourism Awarda for Resort of Resorts 2023. Why might it have that accolade?
The stunning floor to high ceiling stained glass window in the lobby. The exquisite gardens with lawns, flower beds, lakes, bridges, arches and endless statuary. The private chapel with ornate gold altar and icons and balconies overlooking the gardens on two higher levels. The beautiful courtyards. The museum and amazing artworks in the hallways. Or perhaps ... the on-site 40 seat cinema - tonight showing Paddington in Peru!
And check this out ... a hummingbird. They flap their wings so fast you can't see them.
We need to do a memory check but we think this may be the most spectacular hotel we have stayed in.
The room itself is very nice - lovely views from the huge bed onto a lake surrounded by flowerbeds. Having done a walk of the grounds we got straight into maximum use of our personal jacuzzi ... tossing in all the damp and stinky clothes from the past week with a few soap sheets and putting washerwoman Jacqui to work.
An hour later, if you look under, past, behind, beyond the clothes hanging from every drainage point, you might find a lovely hotel room. But we (mostly) have clean and dry clothes and shoes for tomorrow.
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