FUN-travel: South America: Cusco, Peru to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
March 4, 2012 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel: South America: Cusco, Peru to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Day 19 – Wednesday, February 22 – Cusco to Lima, Peru to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – big thick clouds w/sun – high 60’s
- 9:30 breakfast & all ready for check out
- Good News – take morning walk into plaza
- Really Good News – Carnaval parade through town w/over 3 dozen stilt walkers (5 to 25 yrs old) – adorned in colorful costumes w/marching band of drums & horns
- Good News – go shopping for my birthday present (money from my dad) find beautiful baby llama sweater on sale
- 2:00 pickup for airport – arrive 2:15 for 4:00 flight
- Bad News – flight delayed
- Good News – rescheduled on 4:55 flight
- Bad News – bag search for alcohol (we assume it’s a scam for them to get free booze)
- Good News – we lie & say “No” – poor search turns up nothing!
- Really Good News – no baggage police or gate Nazi’s in force
- Good News – ask to upgrade to biz class – told only $246 each
- Bad News – only one seat left
- Good News – nice, big terminal – relax & have beer & sandwich while waiting
- Good News – depart 9:50 pm
- Bad News – plane is full
Day 20 – Thursday, February 23 – Rio de Janeiro, Brazil – light wispy clouds, hot & humid
- Good News – arrive on time 5:50 am
- Bad News – really 2:50 am body time
- Really Good News – breeze through customs! & we are at Sea Level!
- Good News – get yellow taxi outside to hotel @ Ipanema – 40 minute ride
- Good News – arrive 7:30 am & room is ready
Carnaval Stilt Walkers
- Bad News – they charge us half day rate
- Good News – includes breakfast
- Good News – sleep for 5 hrs & take long walk on Ipanema beach
- Good News – Route 66 restaurant serves Mexican food & cold beer
- Bad News – not that good – order nachos – chips, meat, cheese whiz, little pico de gallo, Tabasco sauce on table
- Good News – Italian restaurant w/thin crust pizza across the street
- More Good News – nice wine – great people watching spot
BB-(Buyer Beware) – taxi in airport costs 99 reals – outside yellow cabs cost 75 reals
FUN-travel:Iguacu Falls
March 26, 2009 by Susan Clarke · Comments Off on FUN-travel:Iguacu Falls
Are First Impressions Really Lasting Impressions?
Our hotel in the national park
Day 1 – Wednesday, January 28, 2009
- Good News – able to change original bad flight, save time and connections
- Bad News – 4 hour flight delay in DC, mechanical
- Good News – in Business class, Champagne flowing
- Bad News – 4 hour flight delay in DC, mechanical
- Good News – in Business class, Champagne flowing
First day at the Falls
Day 2 – Thursday, January 29, 2009
- Good News – arrive Sao Paulo
- Bad News – miss connection, 10 hour delay
- Good News – Bonus Excursion, no additional cost! Go to Dobly hotel, get room, lunch, nap, shower, dinner, and scenic bus tour of Sao Paulo ghetto
- Good News – gotta love SA airport security! Don’t have to show liquids, computer, take off shoes
- Bad News – Not sure metal detector is working, Chris’s knee does not go off!
- Bad News – Plane takes off late
- Good News – arrive Iguazu, picked up by guide Valdir, arrive hotel 2:00 am
FFTN&T (Fun Facts to Know & Tell)
Staying at 50 year old Hotel Das Cataratas, located in National Park on edge of falls, very remote, fell trapped like a rat, would like to have gone into town.
Boat ride at the Falls
Day 3 – Friday, January 30, 2009 – 85 degrees, 85% humidity, bleach white, cotton candy clouds fill sky
- Good News – have full day of touring
- Bad News – oversleep and miss tour
- Good News – Valdir is flexible, reschedules for tomorrow, see Iguacu Falls from Brazilian side.
- Go to Wild Bird and Butterfly Sanctuary (Chris is beside himself with joy)
- Good News – Legs, hips & knees work! Go white water rafting and tour thru jungle, walk 240′ across catwalks and down spiral stairs to reach rafts, Happy Hour at hotel
- Bad News – Miss Iguacu flora & fauna lecture. (Chris is beside himself)
Day Rating – 10+
Toucan at Wild Bird Sanctuary
Day 4 – Saturday, January 31, 2009 – crystal clear blue skies, hot & humid
- Good News – Get wake up call, 8:00 am go to Argentinian side of falls, approx 700 meters across river
- Bad News – takes 55 minutes to drive, no bridge close
- Good News – not many people, take various catwalks, to waterfall after waterfall
- Bad News – pay for jungle ride, see no animals as promised
- Good News – get to motor boat for river and base of waterfalls tour, go opposite direction of rafting, get wet! Buy DVD’s of our adventure
Jungle Tour 2 – Day Rating – 10+
View from our hotel
Day 5 – Sunday, February 1, 2009 – not as hot
- Good News – park open to hotel guests only from 7 to 9 am, take last visit pictures and videos.
- Bad News – minimal animal viewing – no monkeys, 1 pecari (very rare) a pack of anteaters, 1 iguana, 2 toucans & 2 green parrots.
FFTK&T
Iguazu Falls is 2 miles around perimeter. Ranks top with Niagra & Victoria Falls. 25% in Brazil, 75% in Argentina.
First Impression/Lasting Impression Iguazu- Spectacular! Still 10+