FUN-travel: South America: Lima to Cusco, Peru

February 28, 2012 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: South America: Lima to Cusco, Peru 

Day 15 – Saturday, February 18 – Lima to Cusco, Peru – cloudy w/intermittent showers (never lasting more than 10 minutes) – mid 60’s 

Cusco

  • Bad News – only 5 hours of sleep
  • Flight departs 9:30 am – get to airport 7:30
  • Good News – ticket agent doesn’t weigh carryon bags
  • Bad News – Baggage Nazi’s @ gate in full force! tell us they are checking our carryon bags – we both say “NO” repeatedly – after much arguing I start taking all of my personal items out to show her & finally she allows us

Not so FF – I HIGHLY RECOMMEND NOT FLYING LAN! I will only do so if it is the only airline available.

  • Good News – arrive Cusco on time @ 10:45 am
  • Bad News – total fiasco @ customs (once again – not enough staff)
  • Good News – we are picked up by Metropolitan Touring – driver & English speaking guide
  • Good news – Casa Andina San Blas Hotel is only 15 minutes – have time to eat light meal & acclimate to altitude of 11,150

 

  • Good News – no headache or sickness – only a little light headed
  • Bad News – tired & force myself to stay awake
  • Good News – Danny our guide is  wonderful! Doesn’t repeat everything

    Saqsaywaman

  • Good News – only half-day tour scheduled from 2 to 5 pm
  • 1st stop  – the main town square & Cathedral of Santo Domingo – incorporates the foundations and some walls of the Inca Temple of the Sun – and contained shrines to a variety of other gods – Incas regarded it as a sacred site and was used as an astronomical observatory.
  • 2nd stop – Koricancha –  important Incan temple destroyed by Spaniards who turned it into the Dominican Convent of Santo Domingo
  • 3rd stop – Saqsaywaman – an Incan walled complex built at an altitude of 12,142 feet – it is the most common starting point for the three-day, four-night hike known as the Inca Trail

    Dominican Convent of Santo Domingo

  • 4th stop – Kenko – more ruins at top of hill – one of the largest holy places – naturally occurring rock formations – believed to be place where sacrifices and mummification took place
  • Good News – Danny recommends Ciccolino for dinner & reserves for 7pm
  • Good News – lay down for siesta

FF – (FUN-facts) – Cusco was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983. Really cute with European influence. Balconies & French doors with clay tile roofs and narrow cobblestone streets.

FUN-travel: South America – Galapagos Islands to Lima, Peru

February 26, 2012 by · Comments Off on FUN-travel: South America – Galapagos Islands to Lima, Peru 

Day 14 – Friday, February 17 – Galapagos Islands to Lima, Peru – via Guayaquil & Quito – hot, humid, high 90’s – lots of sun

View From Top of Isabella Island

  • Bad News – 6:15 wake up! Bags have to outside room by 6:30!

Valentine's Day King & Queen!

  • More Bad News – have to be off ship by 8:30
  • Last Excursion – take zodiac to town – to take bus to see Los Gemelos Craters (more stuff to pass time) – then take ferry to Baltra Island where airport is
  • Really Bad News – a totally wasted day! flight is at 2:00!  sit at airport in humid, 90 + degree heat for 4 hours!
  • Bad News – not on direct flight to Quito – get on that plane and have to get off – arrive Quito 4:45 pm – transfer to LAN for flight to Lima, Peru
  • More Bad News – Baggage Police in full force! ticket agent weighs bags – two big ones are OK – carry on too heavy – Chris’ bag is all camera equipment & after pleading she allows his – I start transferring items & told to carry laptop – what is the point? Weight is weight!
  • Good News – put it all back in my carryon
  • Bad News – this is a domestic flight & still takes over 2 hrs from check in to gate
  • Good News – depart 8:55 on time – arrive Lima 10:30 pm
  • Bad News – takes an hour to get through customs
  • Good News – Ramada Airport Hotel – right across the street
  • Bad News – finally get to bed at 1 am

FF (FUN-facts) – I got to swim with “The Galapagos Big 5” – sea lions, penguins, sea turtles, sharks & stingrays in the wild! 

Larry the Lava Lizard

 

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