Huamamarca - Troy

After a perfect time in Iruya, Tutu and I decided that all our cash-cutting with camping deserved at least one night in a truly luxury hotel. When in Purmamarca, during a hike, we came across the Hotel Colorado; it looked so perfect that we pretended to be customers and asked to be shown the rooms (despite the fact I looked like some cowboy half-wit hick). The whole hotel is nuevo adobe style, yet interiors are 4 star deluxe, apartment style with indoor fire place, full kitchen and all luxury appointments and the most amazing views of Purmamarca hills imaginable (and hot shower and actual bathtub!! (I mean an actual bathtub as well as enough hot water to fill it!!!!!!!!!!).

Thus on leaving Iruya we decided that we could do one night (ie 100 AU (ie same as CA (haha US dollar suck on that))). We rode toward Purma with that in mind thinking we would stop in Huamamarca (Tutu's idea) on the way, I was against it until we got to hotel Colorado, (I was only thinking of the luxury fittings, kitchen and possible fast broadband), yet gave deference where deference due, to Tutu's better judgment, so we stopped at Huamamarca.

Once there I got a vibe, I loved it, so we decided to stay a night and book the next night at the Hotel Colorado by phone. What a stoke of luck or chance or destiny was that!!! You will now find out why... Tutu booked us in for the next day.

We found a nice, cheap hotel in Huamamarca, then began to walk to the major tourist destination, just out of town. On the way I noticed an offroad motorbike out the front of what looked like a shop, just out to town, we were a little unsure of where we were heading, so Tutu suggested we ask the people in the shop if we were heading in the right direction. A usual I said lets just do our thing but she insisted "lets ask a local".

The shop looked closed and as we entered a guy went scurrying into the back as I began to notice the unmistakable odour of dope. I noted the walls covered with Bob Marley posters et al, and from the mist a red eyed tripper emerged from behind a jewelers desk. Tutu asked him directions and then he obliged until somehow Tutu mentioned we were riding a KLR 650.

The blinds came off, the jeweler was impressed, and his very stoned friend emerged from the shadows, then they both began to give us very detailed descriptions of the best highlights of the area, only accessible by moto. We were just in time if we could ride off-road and fast (which I could) to witness the most spectacular views of Humahuaca.

We hurried back to the hotel, grabbed the bike, and I rode hell for leather on the directions they gave us; at this stage I was wondering if either Tutu was as crazy as me, or really dug riding on roads that can kill you... anyway this is what we were rewarded with...