Ahh, Peru. We have strongly mixed feeling about Peru. We had a fantastic time at Machu Picchu and in the Sacred Valley, Saben learned how to surf, we viewed some of the most stunning scenery from our first class bus seats, and played video games like 10 year olds at the Larcomar.

But Peru was also a giant pain in the you know what. We were both struck seriously ill for the first time due to the bugs in the water (or maybe the uncooked food), were subjected to hour upon hour of whiny adults, and ate plenty of food that we are pretty sure was not food. We hate to say it but overall we didn’t really like Peru. Had we gone there first, before entering Bolivia, things might have been different or it could have been our own jaded expectations. Either way, it was an experience if not an overly enjoyable one. The best stories are never fun at the time.

(Check out the Peru photo gallery here)

Favorite moments:

• Back terraces of Machu Picchu
• Cheap prices
• Surfing Miraflores
• Eating at Bembos
• First class service at low class cost
• Bus rides through the mountains
• Sacred Valley
• Arcade games at the Larcomar

Not so great:

• The water (and the damage done)
• Saben’s broken camera (not really Peru’s fault)
• Saben’s broken toe (kind of Peru’s fault)
• Adult tantrums on Peruvian buses
• The food (in general)

Total Money Spent Per Person: $462

Average Per Day Costs Per Person:

• Lodging: $6.50
• Food: $10.25
• Transportation: $10.25
• Misc: $6 (Beer, going out, guides, park entrance, etc.)

Total Average Per Day, Per Person: $33

Number of Days: 14