Secret to longevity!

The oldest person in the world says a diet of quinoa, mushrooms and coca is the secret to longevity. This 123 year old Aymara farmer still herds his cattle on his isolated farm near Lago Titicaca. Perivian and Bolivian menus promote these super foods. Coca leaves have been chewed and brewed for centuries amongst the indigenous Andean region. When chewed the coca leaf acts as a mild stimulant that suppresses hunger, thirst, pain and helps overcome altitude sickness. The coca leaf in its natural form is harmless; however, without coca there would be no cocaine. The coca leaf is banned throughout the world except for Peru and Bolivia who have negotiated recognition for traditional use.

The meals in these high altitude areas are largely carb based. This helps to combat the effects of high altitude. It is not unsual to be serve 2 or 3 carbs in one meal. Hearty vegetable sopa with quinoa often starts off the meal. Whole roasted guinea pig and alpaca are celebration dinners, often served for Christmas.
At the Amazon we were presented with little cane baskets that contained our picnic lunch of rice and vegetables wrapped and cooked in a banana leaf. Yummo!

Our chef on the Inka adventure was amazing. He would give master chef a run for the money. Three course meals were presented for every lunch and dinner. Amazing little avocado pastries,  hard boiled eggs shaped into animals , wontons and to the amazement of our English friends a magnificant camp oven cake!
Must not forget the humble Pisco. Used in a variety of ways on this tour, the favourite was the pisco sour although pisco straight came a close second on the bus trip!