I found the secret to eternal youth finally.
And it is much better and CHEAPER than SKII.
The valley of Vilcabamba is nicked as the Valley of Longevity since the 1960's when doctors discovered that most of its residents live beyond 100years old. The vitality and health of its villagers is evident in seeing 70 or 80 year old men and women toiling the fields when they should be at home rocking in their chairs silly. This isolated town's famous healthy and pleasant climate has made many travellers settle in the valley and open ecolodges and restaurants to cater for the steady stream of tourists who are equally drawn to this charming town. The German-run Izycayluma Ecolodge that I stayed with was definitely one of the most luxurious lodge I've forked out money for a dorm ever. All guests are rewarded with a million-dollar view each morning during breakfast from the dining terrace and the food by the rotund and cheerful German cook was simply out of Ecuador. There is a swimming pool(which is too cold for me), a life-size chess board game and lovely landscaped gardens and blooming flowers of every color surrounding the stoned footpaths that lead to the cabins and the bar. The entire atmosphere in Izycaluma is relaxed and revitalising, especially when there is the service of Jimmy, a US-trained Reiki and massage therapist who has magic fingers to work their way round your knackered body from the long bus journeys. I survived (miraculously) a 20 hour long border crossing bus ride from Trujillo to Vilcabamba and boy was I glad to tuck into a delish German meal after a long day on a cranky bus.
Talking about bus rides, the North of Peru has got some wierd landscape on my way to Ecuador from the La Tina - Macara border. The dead trees spreaded densely across the hills reminds me of a Tim Burton cartoon movie setting...totally bizarre views. But once you enter into Loja, you are surrounded by lush green vegetation and pleasant valley views till you arrive in Vilcabamba.
Cycling into town, we popped by a popular Natural Yogurt cafe run by 45 year old local who looks like she's got the skin of a 20 year old. With her skin looking so young and taut, I knew the secret lies in all that freshly made yogurt...and hence I have started to only eat fruit salad con yogurt for breakfast from now onwards. The yogurt in Ecuador is amazingly light and delish...just so different from the factory made ones for sure. I can eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner!
After so much pampering and good food, I decided to work my legs a little and headed up the Mandango trail for a short hike. With the excuse that the sun is setting soon( it really is), we did the trek up only to the 1st cross on the hill and back to the lodge in under 2 hours. The normal trek would have taken 4 hours normally but I am happy with my 2 since the view I got from the top was breath-taking enough as it is. This is a place to live out your remaining years for sure...and to eat yogurt of course.
After discovering my secret to eternal taut skin(goodbye SKII) the natural way, I bidded Vilcabamba goodbye(tearfully) and hauled my reluctant body into another gruelling 6 hour bus ride to Cuenca.
Goodbye, Valley of Longevity!
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