Old MarlburianCharlie Good

In 2000 this OM decided to forgo the archetypical career of the accountant and so moved to a ski season and then client relations. Apparently life had been too predictable and routine, despite rollerblading to work punctuating the normal London lifestyle. Now, almost 7 years after this divergence from his expected career, he has opened an adventure lodge in the Peruvian Andes on the edge of the Huascaran National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site with burgeoning trade in all manner of adventure sports.

Relaxing in his lodge on the edge of a turquoise lake with pre-Inca ruins, he seems to feel that he has found his home and more importantly for him the ideal location to run his business from.

“Well, people ask me what the location is like, and I can’t but help myself from smiling when I reply….I think I have found the most extraordinarily beautiful and strategic site in the whole of the Peruvian Andes”.

Perhaps he is right, with direct access to the most popular mountain in Peru (Pisco 5752m), the second most famous lake after Lake Titicaca – Laguna Llanganuco, and the Santa Cruz – Llanganuco trek which is only second in South America to the fabled Inca trail, how could he be wrong? All this is quite apart from the amazing views, the peace, tranquillity, the teeming wildlife and the fresh mountain air.

	Of course it hasn’t been easy all of the way. To get the land was a test of patience, self belief and perseverance in itself, quite apart from finding the right site. Negotiating with the locals for the land was a complicated, risky and intricate process. However, after two years of living amongst the locals, becoming god-father to many, attending their weddings, planning their town layout, painting the school, building school playgrounds, and training the local youngsters to trek with clients, Charlie now feels he is finally winning over their hearts and minds.
The lodge has been kitted out to a high standard with orthopaedic mattresses, English goose down duvets, bedrooms with fireplaces, surround sound and possibly the only double glazing in the whole of Peru.
“When our guests arrive back from their activities in the mountains I don’t just want them to feel completely relaxed and refreshed, I want them to feel that this moment in life can get no better. In fact, I would like the lodge not only to be an exceptionally comfortable refuge in the mountains, from mountain hardships and tests, but also a refuge for artists, writers, birdwatchers, fishermen, and the overworked city boy. We have willingly substituted mobile phones and internet access for Pimms, Vin Chaud and a glass of Port.”
		The lodge opened in May and now comes the hard work of operating the lodge up to the high standard Charlie desires and which clients have already come to expect. Charlie is also looking for GAP students to volunteer to come and help with sustainable development projects within this impoverished Andean community.
Applications are welcomed from those seeking hardship, self insight and to selflessly help others less fortunate than themselves… APPLY NOW! For more info contact Charlie@llanganucolodge.com www.llanganucolodge.com