Create your Trip Journal [click here]We arrived in Lima pretty late. Found our driver and were a little freaked out going to the hotel. It was so dark! Got to hotel, checked in and went to sleep. Our room smelled like cat pee, which was actually pretty funny! Of course, I go to take my contacts off and realize that I totally forgot my saline and contact case!
Had breakfast in Lima and met our group. Went back to airport and found a store to buy saline and a contact case. One of the members of our group bought some coca candy. I took a piece and honestly thought that I was going to be sick. Then we were off to Cusco. Upon arrival, we met Juan Carlos, our guide for the next week. He was great! Got to our hotel, which we loved and then had some time to walk around the plaza. The entire town was in celebration mode, as we were there the week of Inti Raymi. Juan Carlos met up with us and we toured the churches in the square and walked around town. Had dinner as a group on the square...specialty was guinea pig and pisco sours. I am a really picky eater...I had pasta. Margy had alpaca.
We visted Saqsaywaman today and learned about how they believe the rocks/boulders were moved. Amazing! We also visted 2 other sites near here and I have forgotten their names. One of them had these really cool rocks on top and only during the vernal equinox or near it, can you see the shadows that look just like a tiger...very cool. The other one had something to do with water. It had these rocks that looked exactly like an arm outstretched with a hand and finger pointing to a snow capped mountain in the distance. We stopped at this lookout point and there were 2 women in traditional dress with alpacas. I took their photo and then they wanted a tip. I am horrible at math and just gave them a few coins from my camera bag. The older lady gave me a "hmmff". I didn't get it...when I got back on the bus, Margy asked how much I gave them and then she said it was like only a couple cents. Oops!
Today we left most of our bags and just took things for a few days. Went into the Sacred Valley and started out at the Llama Learning Center. Learned the difference between llamas and alpacas and witnessed weaving and dying of wool. Luckily, we didn't get spit on by the llamas there. Went to a store and bought some peruvian hats. Went to Pisac market, which was great and picked up a few things. I took a great photo with a little girl but, the police thought she was bothering us...we told him it was ok. She was so cute! Hiked in Pisac also. Wasn't a tough hike but, with the altitude, we were all winded. Starting to get a little "crowded" in the group. Ended in Ollantaytambo where Margy and I had the attic room, we were cracking up as we had slanted ceilings but, we must have had the best view in the house. We laughed really hard recalling things that were said during the day.
Woke up really early and climbed like 200 steps up the ruins of Ollantaytambo. Learned that this is the place that "El Dorado" is based off of. Views were awesome and due to the vernal equinox, we were able to witness some great shadowing. Amazing how far ahead their thinking was. Had a little time in town to walk around before boarding the train. We took little tuk-tuks to the station. I loved Ollantaytambo! It was a very peaceful village, just loved the feeling there. Got on the train and were slightly delayed due to some protesting. Upon arrival, our bags went to the hotel and we went to the bus to Machu Picchu. We couldn't believe the line to get in. That first view though is amazing. What an awesome place...so full of mystery. I learned a lot here. Funny enough for being so full of people, when I got my pictures back it looked like no one was there......
Today we were either free to go back to Machu Picchu or walk around. My feet were killing me from my new hiking boots so, I put on my flip flops and we walked around and went to the market. We picked up some great presents for friends and family and did quite a bit of bargaining. Dinner was across the street from hotel as a group. Pizza and really ornately carved vegetables. Went to bed early.
Took train back to Ollantaytambo and got back on the bus. We ended up in the back (again) somehow but, oh well. Continued on to Moray, which was amazing to see and learn about. Juan Carlos showed us the spot that a famous National Geographic photo was taken. I looked it up later and yep...it was right there. Also saw the salt pans in the mountains...who would have known?!! Kind of a scary ride on the edge of cliffs but, worth seeing. Ended back at our inn in Cusco with hot chocolate and dinner just off the square.
Today was the big day. We got our sack lunches and made our way back to Saqsaywaman for the festivities. It was packed! Very colorful and interesting. We were really hoping that there was not going to be a sacrifice but, there was (not sure if it was real though...lots of smoke). Lasted a few hours. Once we were back on the bus, it took FOREVER to get back to the inn. So much traffic! We were all laughing at watching people get out of their car in traffic to go to the bathroom on the side of the road. What a great day though.
We flew to Quito and after dropping off our bags, had a city tour. Our guide was a little new and had this great laugh. We went down to the historic district and saw a few churches and squares. We then went to the statue on the hill and took pictures and then went to the Equator. There is this little Disney like village there which is kinda touristy but, standing on the line was awesome! I stare at my picture on that line everyday at work! Had lunch in a little restaurant there and had the best soup I have ever had. Quito is a very interesting city and totally different from Peru.
Woke up and had breakfast at the hotel before flying to Galapagos today. As Margy was walking out of our room she was looking at the hotel's pet bunny in the courtyard and she tripped and wiped out. It was actually pretty funny and we were both cracking up. Upon arrival and bag inspection on the Galapagos, we got our little stickers on and the boat crew found us. Went into town/pier by bus and then got on a zodiac to our boat, the Archibal 2. It was a new boat and we were glad that we chose it. Different group of people from all over the world. Once everyone was on board, we met Luis, our guide for the next few days and then met the crew. We started off circling Kicker Rock which is a lot bigger than it looks. Saw a couple of sea lions and lots of birds. Then we went to Isla Lobos and jumped in and snorkeled with the sea lions...that was great! They were very playful and curious. We went onto the island and took a walk. Unbelievable how close you can get to these animals. Saw lot of blue footed boobies.
Woke up today to a great breakfast and Darwin Bay on Genovesa. I dropped my camera right when we were boarded the zodiac and the zoom broke on deck...ugh! The rest of the time I had to use my underwater camera. Major bummer! Hiked around the island and there were tons of blue footed boobies and frigate birds. We actually saw a red footed boobie and Luis was beside himself. He said that it must be lost...it shouldn't be on that island! Birds are my phobia so, it took a lot to keep it together.
We went to 1 other island but, I forgot the name. It was really close to Genovesa though. It is like a bird haven! We actually saw this really unusual owl too so, the birders in the group were really excited. Lots of bats here...it was a little freaky. Got to see some of the iguanas here too.
Woke up at like 5am today...yes, 5am. Got into the zodiac and hiked to the top of Bartolome Island. We had to walk on these wooden platforms, as the island is all ash. Was a good hike up and the view from the top was awesome. You see this viewpoint in a lot of photos from the Galapagos. Once we got back down, we were on the beach and got to snorkel a bit. We were all trying to take pictures of the (fast!) penguins though. Totally amazing to see penguins on the equator! Got back to the boat and had our daily dose of hot chocolate after snorkeling.
Later in the afternoon we went to another nearby island. Walked a bit and saw again lots of birds (and poop). Got to see these giant red crabs too.
We started back to San Cristobol early today and I think we all turned a shade of green. We normally moved at night so, I didn't really notice but, this time I did. Ended up skipping dinner and going to bed early.
Got off the boat today and hiked a little on Frigate Hill. We were all hot and just wanted to get to where we could swim but, Luis kept stopping and telling us about some political type issues....we were all cracking up. He was too funny! Got to the coast and were able to swim if we wanted. Once we hiked back, we walked into town and did a little shopping. Then got on a bus and went to see some of the famous turtles. Checked into our hotel, showered, changed and then met some of the group for dinner on our last night.
Woke up to roosters right next to our hotel on the Galapagos this morning. Just had to laugh about it. Bus picked us up and took us back to the airport. We found the passport stamp there and got our turtle stamp, which we loved. Flew back to Quito, met up with the girls from our Peru trip and ate dinner a few block from the hotel. Early to bed tonight, as we have a really early flight.
Had an early flight so, were at the airport around 4am. Of course, my bag gets chosen to get inspected. It smelled horrible! I had my water shoes in a plastic bag and since it was so humid, they never really aired out. He got a load of that and decided not to check Margy's bag. Flight to Miami was uneventful, however once we were there, there was a shift change and our bags took over an hour to come out. We had to run through customs/security and the terminal to make our flight home to Chicago.
Glad to get home but, will never forget Peru and Ecuador. What a fabulous trip!
