Day 157 - Huaraz, Peru

HORSE RIDING IN THE MOUNTAINS NEAR HUARAZ (07/06/09)

Liz thought it would be nice to go horse riding in the mountains, Adam thought it would be nice to walk along side Liz whilst she was riding in the mountains. Here are the horses owners getting them ready for a trek.

Setting off up the mountain dirt track. Rather amusingly when we asked the name of the horse it turned out to be "Gringo"!

Thoroughly enjoying having his own two feet on the ground.

The views accross the farmland to the mountains in the distance seemed very Peruvian for some reason.

Yet again we were lucky with the weather.

The path was through farmland and tiny villages. We saw many animals including this pig taking advantage of a bit of shade.

Really enjoying her horse ride.

Really enjoying not being on a horse.

Local people going about their business in their village.

It is incredible how effectively the people farm the land on such steep slopes using only simple tools, horses, donkeys and their own hands.

Whilst climbing the clouds formed these amazing patterns.

Wherever we walked we were always conscious of the imposing prescence and beauty of the mountains.

Adam and Gringo got on very well.

Mane-eye view!

A local mother and daughter doing their Sunday washing.

You can make a horse drink, but you can`t lead it to water, no hang on...

Over several hours we climbed quite high, Adam was more tired than Liz for some reason.

As we headed back down we noticed that a farmer had redirected a stream from one side of the path to the other using rocks.

Using a spade and more rocks he cleverely directed channels of water at intervals down into his fields.

Using more channels dug throughout the fields the farmer simply but effectively irritgated all of his crops.

"Queso!" (Spanish for cheese).

Have you ever seen an asparagus stalk this big? (It might not be asaparagus, it is at least 10 feet tall!)

Saying goodbye to Gringo.

Having taken a rather hair raising collectivo (a public mini bus which picks up and drops off people along the road) we had nice hot showers before enjoying sunset on the mountains from the hotel roof.