tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71490288493397894352024-03-12T16:49:51.266-07:00A year in the worldThis blog is to document the travels of me, Nicole Long, as I take a year off to explore the worldUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-35664962848429960852011-01-20T17:21:00.001-08:002011-01-20T17:21:42.958-08:00This is the end my friends<p>Well, I’ve reached the end of my year and the end of my South American journey.  The last week was in glorious Buenos Aires with the tango and steaks off the parilla.  The city was exciting and vibrant with dancers, musicians and vendors in the streets.  Lots of activity going on all day and night.  I hit a street market in San Telmo and finally got to buy a few trinkets as I wouldn’t have to be carrying my backpack anymore.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfeitJAtI/AAAAAAAABIE/_QYBJqL2-uY/s1600-h/BA%20029%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="BA 029" border="0" alt="BA 029" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjffofD1NI/AAAAAAAABII/aj8lyPe6Cfg/BA%20029_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="345" height="459" /></a>There is a great combination of the colonial…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfgdxzqeI/AAAAAAAABIM/1Z4Rr0djwJM/s1600-h/BA%20021%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="BA 021" border="0" alt="BA 021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfg6sDM5I/AAAAAAAABIQ/CU-AqmicIj4/BA%20021_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="316" /></a>    The modern…<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfhjiucwI/AAAAAAAABIU/8_cZMN_s4jY/s1600-h/ba2%20028%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ba2 028" border="0" alt="ba2 028" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfiA_Nn0I/AAAAAAAABIY/j5jegYpg6Hs/ba2%20028_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="432" /></a> and the unique here in BA<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfiqfP_TI/AAAAAAAABIc/GR9w8Nnd0DU/s1600-h/BA%20017%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="BA 017" border="0" alt="BA 017" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfjIhi_QI/AAAAAAAABIg/MQSMmKEGWEo/BA%20017_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="438" /></a> </p> I hit it off with a great lady, Annette, at my hotel and we went to a few tango shows and dinners together.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfj3DAR_I/AAAAAAAABIk/vhFpwwZHaOM/s1600-h/ba2%20008%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ba2 008" border="0" alt="ba2 008" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfkUmQ3LI/AAAAAAAABIo/5g_ibfeKEg0/ba2%20008_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="329" /></a> <p></p> <p>I made it to most of the highlights of the city and even stood on the balcony where Eva and Juan Peron addressed the masses. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjflEr_MBI/AAAAAAAABIs/CQoMsZbSpuQ/s1600-h/BA%20052%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="BA 052" border="0" alt="BA 052" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfl678JBI/AAAAAAAABIw/hrPvp01nFBk/BA%20052_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="332" /></a>  My last delicious steak was in colourful Boca alongside tango in the street and then I was on my way back to Canada.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfnPfac6I/AAAAAAAABI0/OXxiQFFCqwQ/s1600-h/ba2%20043%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ba2 043" border="0" alt="ba2 043" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfn12aa5I/AAAAAAAABI4/KGWym-xMNZ0/ba2%20043_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="328" /></a>  My world is wet and cold once again but it’s nice to see family and to sleep in the same bed for more than a few nights.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfo3r07RI/AAAAAAAABI8/ZJdY8SQ3qCM/s1600-h/ba2%20049%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ba2 049" border="0" alt="ba2 049" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TTjfpn7evuI/AAAAAAAABJE/HN6gBZRInmM/ba2%20049_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="345" /></a>  </p> <p> </p> <p>Top 10 List of my South America trip</p> <p> <ol> <li>Trekking the Puerto Moreno glacier in Patagonia</li> <li>Driving across the Uyuni salt flats in Boliva with random sightings of bright pink flamingos, vicunas and chinchillas</li> <li>Spending a day climbing in and around Machu Picchu, Peru</li> <li>Paragliding off the cliffs in Lima </li> <li>Riding a boat <em>under</em> the Iguazu Falls</li> <li>Horseback riding in some of the best scenery imaginable</li> <li>Walking with penguins on Christmas day</li> <li>Flaky croissants, creamy ice-cream, cheap but pretty good wine and thick juicy steaks in Argentina</li> <li>Four days on the Navimag boat navigating through the fiords of Patagonia complete with dolphins, glaciers and rainbows</li> <li>Every lovely person who patiently listened and interpreted my pigeon Spanish.</li> </ol></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-61855801869117445132011-01-06T13:43:00.001-08:002011-01-06T13:43:28.733-08:00Mendoza and Iguazu<p>Well, I’m heading down the final stretch and only have a few days left but I’m still enjoying Argentina.  Spent a few days in Mendoza which is the wine capital of the country and met some lovely ladies on a wine tasting tour.  We went out for a little tasting of our own as well as some delicious steak.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3D_yy1rI/AAAAAAAABHM/EB8ke3WtbNw/s1600-h/mendoza%20%2814%29%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="mendoza (14)" border="0" alt="mendoza (14)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3FoYbZ1I/AAAAAAAABHQ/sTy1L9_9Sn4/mendoza%20%2814%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="325" /></a> </p> I flew to Puerto Iguazu and spent all day today in the park. It’s absolutely fantastic.  Filled with kilometres of jungle and animals as well as a new waterfall around every corner.   One of these little guys stole my lunch…couldn’t catch him.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3HTXLNQI/AAAAAAAABHU/9oynDbUJeNI/s1600-h/iguazu%20022%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="iguazu 022" border="0" alt="iguazu 022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3IwqwcII/AAAAAAAABHY/fLCtqHHRv5o/iguazu%20022_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="394" /></a> Butterflies were everywhere<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3LonDwbI/AAAAAAAABHc/US-wALlGghI/s1600-h/iguazu%20086%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="iguazu 086" border="0" alt="iguazu 086" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3NQ7F43I/AAAAAAAABHg/2T17qk2jffk/iguazu%20086_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="422" height="318" /></a>Lots of fantastic birds<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3QQuEa9I/AAAAAAAABHk/OOjfzhJrs8Q/s1600-h/iguazu%20128%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="iguazu 128" border="0" alt="iguazu 128" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3RxWSsCI/AAAAAAAABHo/EJpev5DvbiE/iguazu%20128_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="324" /></a>  Reptiles<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3TjazljI/AAAAAAAABHs/yUy8q5NAmqU/s1600-h/iguazu%20042%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="iguazu 042" border="0" alt="iguazu 042" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3Uuf0imI/AAAAAAAABHw/dxULvFJtP5c/iguazu%20042_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> and, of course, the falls.  This was taken from a zodiac type boat that took us right up under the water.  It was like being under a fire hose but a pretty good way to cool down in the humidity.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3X6dAZWI/AAAAAAAABH0/zlOH-TI2r34/s1600-h/iguazu%20094%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="iguazu 094" border="0" alt="iguazu 094" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3aRVqAxI/AAAAAAAABH4/oB8Z-Ky2adE/iguazu%20094_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> There are so many waterfalls that it took all day to walk to them all.  Luckily, the park has a great series of boardwalks, paths and trains to get you around.  It was possible to walk around the bottom and over the top as well.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3dS94JKI/AAAAAAAABH8/XCHxb1ZYdjc/s1600-h/iguazu%20124%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="iguazu 124" border="0" alt="iguazu 124" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSY3fHZarqI/AAAAAAAABIA/PlQWRpzYQys/iguazu%20124_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="327" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-13357337220235872942011-01-02T07:58:00.001-08:002011-01-02T07:58:17.076-08:00San Carlos de Bariloche<p>On my way north and, finally, into some hot weather.  I actually wore sandals yesterday.  I got onto a bus that I thought was 18 hours but turned out to be 30 hours and ended up in Bariloche, a pretty little town on the edge of Lake Huapi.  It’s famous for skiing in winter and outdoor sports in summer but it’s also just nice for walking around.<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bariloche 004" border="0" alt="bariloche 004" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgasrpZgI/AAAAAAAABGg/wqfmLNo5Zxk/bariloche004_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="325" />See…pretty <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgbfVNrzI/AAAAAAAABGk/0_wMHCNjkYY/s1600-h/bariloche0084.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bariloche 008" border="0" alt="bariloche 008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgcf7dQCI/AAAAAAAABGo/GF-Lo-80uLI/bariloche008_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="343" height="456" /></a> </p> I hiked up to a cave that archaeologists say has had inhabitants for the past 8000 years.  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgdPTOWpI/AAAAAAAABGs/twF8wLgBxiU/s1600-h/bariloche0254.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bariloche 025" border="0" alt="bariloche 025" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgd2BdSEI/AAAAAAAABGw/qDz09vyqO0M/bariloche025_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="463" /></a>It was quite the hike but the view was worth it.  There were some cool cave paintings that the local guide explained might be a rudimentary map of the area. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgfeLK6fI/AAAAAAAABG0/EXKpKnQf0HE/s1600-h/bariloche0354.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bariloche 035" border="0" alt="bariloche 035" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgglxZojI/AAAAAAAABG4/jmPufe07cug/bariloche035_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="322" /></a> Then, I started the New Year out on horseback.  We got to go through fields, forests and mountains until reaching a beautiful waterfall.  This is my guide, Marie from France.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgiTt_-jI/AAAAAAAABG8/YU2up512jhI/s1600-h/bariloche0524.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bariloche 052" border="0" alt="bariloche 052" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgjjehJPI/AAAAAAAABHA/mhB2CBXdwhw/bariloche052_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="316" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCglLdB51I/AAAAAAAABHE/mCBNV_UFK_w/s1600-h/bariloche0574.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="bariloche 057" border="0" alt="bariloche 057" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TSCgl2qwZtI/AAAAAAAABHI/1JQQ6LzcFbA/bariloche057_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="419" height="316" /></a> I’m really hoping that this means 2011 will be the start of a new adventure and not a year filled with sore bums :)  Happy New Year to everyone still reading. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-38872630370587861712010-12-29T03:57:00.001-08:002010-12-29T03:57:29.396-08:00Ushuaia, El Calafate and the Holidays<p>I wanted to do something fun on Christmas day to make up for missing all the festivities at home so I spent the day at the end of the world in Ushuaia, Argentina with the wildlife.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh0AXo2kI/AAAAAAAABFQ/PDWlJtBhIz8/s1600-h/ushuaia%20024%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ushuaia 024" border="0" alt="ushuaia 024" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh1cDKVjI/AAAAAAAABFU/OAswi0B5_6Q/ushuaia%20024_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="414" height="312" /></a> </p> <p>Found out that sea lions are called ‘lions’ because the males have a mane…learn something new everyday.  These aren’t males, just pregnant females.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh2k7wR5I/AAAAAAAABFY/a7r1O4bccLE/s1600-h/ushuaia%20068%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ushuaia 068" border="0" alt="ushuaia 068" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh4Lh-5_I/AAAAAAAABFc/tXWQpX8azXw/ushuaia%20068_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="325" /></a> Went walking with penguins.  They sure do walk funny.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh5Pax24I/AAAAAAAABFg/8s7nuP-YIGI/s1600-h/ushuaia%20095%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ushuaia 095" border="0" alt="ushuaia 095" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh6Ij92cI/AAAAAAAABFk/i01zXNXOLws/ushuaia%20095_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="356" /></a> It was on a wildlife preserve so we could get really close…you can see the mommy and baby right behind me.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh7xLmTZI/AAAAAAAABFo/Alyec7YJjuk/s1600-h/ushuaia%20126%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ushuaia 126" border="0" alt="ushuaia 126" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh9H1BYGI/AAAAAAAABFs/A5-S_NwCv_A/ushuaia%20126_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="327" /></a> </p> After an 18 hour, four border crossing bus ride, I’m up in El Calafate which is a pretty little town with lots of cafes and shops.  The main draw here is the Puerto Moreno Glacier which I visited yesterday.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh-GAuStI/AAAAAAAABFw/sx22SRGsKzE/s1600-h/elcalafate%20026%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="elcalafate 026" border="0" alt="elcalafate 026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsh_LSqxhI/AAAAAAAABF0/cbLv8dSY3Qw/elcalafate%20026_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="328" /></a> It’s ridiculously beautiful.  Our tour started out by walking along kilometres of balconies across from the glacier where we could eat lunch and watch huge chunks fall into the lake.  The sounds of cracking and thundering were amazing.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiAGEHo-I/AAAAAAAABF4/6ozKpTNb7L0/s1600-h/elcalafate%20030%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="elcalafate 030" border="0" alt="elcalafate 030" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiBJBtzvI/AAAAAAAABF8/PN4q5YFrgEk/elcalafate%20030_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="334" /></a> Then we hopped on a boat to get closer.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiCW_yzZI/AAAAAAAABGA/rOqUwStgZtU/s1600-h/elcalafate%20064%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="elcalafate 064" border="0" alt="elcalafate 064" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiDLLIEDI/AAAAAAAABGE/qLrXO_dPCtc/elcalafate%20064_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="334" /></a> <p></p> We walked through a lush forest….<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiEv1KpJI/AAAAAAAABGI/kEPd-mJTpzY/s1600-h/elcalafate%20110%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="elcalafate 110" border="0" alt="elcalafate 110" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiF7xiQGI/AAAAAAAABGM/JJznSGsIBio/elcalafate%20110_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="330" /></a>.. and went trekking on the glacier for about 90 minutes. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiG98F3CI/AAAAAAAABGQ/i1EtUKxQ3Bo/s1600-h/elcalafate%20094%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="elcalafate 094" border="0" alt="elcalafate 094" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiHy0_IAI/AAAAAAAABGU/71M9DKJhNlU/elcalafate%20094_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="331" /></a> The trek ended with glacier ice in whiskey.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiI-lE67I/AAAAAAAABGY/O5gqkwbiAEo/s1600-h/elcalafate%20099%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="elcalafate 099" border="0" alt="elcalafate 099" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRsiJ8NXuZI/AAAAAAAABGc/Rs1um7Ty8d4/elcalafate%20099_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="333" /></a> <p></p> So far, the holidays are shaping up pretty well.  :) Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-78567021107349359512010-12-24T07:20:00.001-08:002010-12-24T07:20:32.754-08:00Torres Del Paine<p> <p>I spent the day in the famous Torres Del Paine Park.  I was going to spend a couple of days and do some easy hiking but the weather didn’t co-operate and I just went the one day.  It’s an incredible place with over 200kms of trails and views that just don’t stop.  Started out looking at Los Torres <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS598Iet4I/AAAAAAAABEA/Ofy1WCkRFTQ/s1600-h/torres%20del%20paine%20041%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="torres del paine 041" border="0" alt="torres del paine 041" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS5-87CpTI/AAAAAAAABEE/deghTXEWvkM/torres%20del%20paine%20041_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="334" /></a> </p> The (towers) del Paine really are quite impressive.  They were formed when magma entered under the rocks and forced then up into jagged peaks so there are layers of volcanic and granite mixed together.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6Ans6OJI/AAAAAAAABEI/y6h0nZ4GcTQ/s1600-h/torres%20del%20paine%20067%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="torres del paine 067" border="0" alt="torres del paine 067" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6Bmpp83I/AAAAAAAABEM/GG7psW_4PEM/torres%20del%20paine%20067_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="331" /></a> Saw some really cool animals like the flightless nandu, a relative of the ostrich and who, according to locals, produces delicious eggs that are the size of a dozen chicken eggs.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6CpdwbDI/AAAAAAAABEQ/ZzwSkMAcGfE/s1600-h/torres%20del%20paine%20023%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="torres del paine 023" border="0" alt="torres del paine 023" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6DjFf63I/AAAAAAAABEU/xEIiC-sSc7I/torres%20del%20paine%20023_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="331" /></a> and I finally got to see the forth member of the camel family, the guanaco.  This is a baby.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6Es94aEI/AAAAAAAABEY/cHjc88Aq2Zc/s1600-h/torres%20del%20paine%20031%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="torres del paine 031" border="0" alt="torres del paine 031" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6FifUQXI/AAAAAAAABEc/U__JgWi4sCM/torres%20del%20paine%20031_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="330" /></a> </p> The whole place used to be a sheep ranch until 1959 but now, at the base of these amazing towers of rock, are rolling hills of grass and trees with rivers, lakes and waterfalls.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6HBFt0pI/AAAAAAAABEg/QKmB3UVQAmY/s1600-h/torres%20del%20paine%20060%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="torres del paine 060" border="0" alt="torres del paine 060" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6JZomqrI/AAAAAAAABEo/NrtKImOYasM/torres%20del%20paine%20060_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="328" /></a> <p></p> The last part of the day was spent hiking up to a lookout for the Grey Glacier in the drizzling rain.  There was a huge variety of flowers in the forest  which made up for the lack of view once we got there.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6KYAzsiI/AAAAAAAABEs/qfzTGItneKA/s1600-h/torres%20del%20paine%20049%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="torres del paine 049" border="0" alt="torres del paine 049" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6LZdAc-I/AAAAAAAABEw/NBSbpJkLVjM/torres%20del%20paine%20049_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="322" /></a> <p></p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6MJnmp6I/AAAAAAAABE0/qGOuMX0GK_s/s1600-h/torres%20del%20paine%20109%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="torres del paine 109" border="0" alt="torres del paine 109" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6NPhfIiI/AAAAAAAABE4/p5CaNIHEETc/torres%20del%20paine%20109_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="322" /></a> <p>There were some beautiful icebergs floating around.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6PBY5UvI/AAAAAAAABE8/Re2jWwRuARY/s1600-h/torres%20del%20paine%20110%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="torres del paine 110" border="0" alt="torres del paine 110" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TRS6PxzTtLI/AAAAAAAABFA/MbFMPHuJpbw/torres%20del%20paine%20110_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="328" /></a> </p> I got back to the hotel very wet and very glad that I had taken a one day tour instead of camping out there. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-20719716296772566412010-12-20T13:04:00.001-08:002010-12-20T13:04:39.520-08:00The Navimag<p>What, you ask, is the Navimag?  It’s part ferry, part cargo ship and part cruise ship that travels between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales in Chilean Patagonia.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9Pmu6-vI/AAAAAAAABCk/BLgmxQYIYOE/s1600-h/navimag%20081%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 081" border="0" alt="navimag 081" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9SJFUygI/AAAAAAAABCo/xnW6RQMecx0/navimag%20081_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="328" /></a>We boarded on a beautiful day and watched the volcanoes of the lake district disappear<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9UFDwe_I/AAAAAAAABCs/Jb_bKudVEwM/s1600-h/navimag%20017%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 017" border="0" alt="navimag 017" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9WBpWM5I/AAAAAAAABCw/c-EuNhe2NL0/navimag%20017_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="334" /></a>  </p> As we sailed off into the sunset<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9YIquPjI/AAAAAAAABC0/PtNIkLNkUcw/s1600-h/navimag%20019%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 019" border="0" alt="navimag 019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9bUy4lHI/AAAAAAAABC4/lnnjL3ypyUI/navimag%20019_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="328" /></a> <p></p> <p>That was the last time I saw the sun as we hit rough weather in the open seas.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9gvnx-FI/AAAAAAAABC8/CoDF1AqTBmw/s1600-h/navimag%20031%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 031" border="0" alt="navimag 031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9ka5d4vI/AAAAAAAABDA/7TVOtgjgitk/navimag%20031_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="319" /></a> </p> A lot of people were tossing their cookies but I had motion sickness pills for my roomies so we were mostly okay.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9m-rdYuI/AAAAAAAABDE/GekkiCaxvD4/s1600-h/navimag%20152%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 152" border="0" alt="navimag 152" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9pFp_93I/AAAAAAAABDI/_g17Uvapb-I/navimag%20152_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="322" /></a> <p>Julia, Elizabeth and Jenny, who not only didn’t snore, but turned out to be a lot of fun.  The next day, we got to take a hike at a national park and through a small village.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9s6XctXI/AAAAAAAABDM/Go3Dpm6lHrM/s1600-h/navimag%20077%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 077" border="0" alt="navimag 077" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9vRBxICI/AAAAAAAABDQ/FbL0rO-Zgsg/navimag%20077_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="330" /></a> </p> We also visited the biggest glacier in South America, Pio XI<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-94pVjFTI/AAAAAAAABDU/DYCcWuYdXiw/s1600-h/navimag%20114%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 114" border="0" alt="navimag 114" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-99pc4PNI/AAAAAAAABDY/QWHY8sOAP3k/navimag%20114_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="330" /></a> <p>Where it was bloody cold but also incredible<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ-9_mHpu-I/AAAAAAAABDc/us6HxI3FV0g/s1600-h/navimag%20120%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 120" border="0" alt="navimag 120" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ--BaQYQvI/AAAAAAAABDg/egE2XFPAAyI/navimag%20120_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="327" /></a>The weather became a crazy thing that tormented and amazed us with freezing rain and heavy clouds…. <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ_E0Zx3UGI/AAAAAAAABDo/JRnjnjebhU0/s1600-h/navimag%20134%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 134" border="0" alt="navimag 134" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ_E1ByBvuI/AAAAAAAABDs/FiTakF55uU0/navimag%20134_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="324" /></a> stray shafts of sunlight<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ_E2N_3r_I/AAAAAAAABDw/dqYgbfg3pcI/s1600-h/navimag%20136%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 136" border="0" alt="navimag 136" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ_E3F4GdMI/AAAAAAAABD0/It_MumRTxfU/navimag%20136_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="327" /></a> </p> and rainbows<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ_E313lg9I/AAAAAAAABD4/BhF6HU-COws/s1600-h/navimag%20138%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="navimag 138" border="0" alt="navimag 138" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQ_E40epmUI/AAAAAAAABD8/DY3uOy3gRQc/navimag%20138_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="458" /></a> <p></p> It was a great trip that I would recommend to anyone, regardless of the weather.  The crew was fantastic, food was tasty and plentiful, the entertainment was great and the wine wasn’t too expensive, although, you could bring your own bottle to the pub.  They also gave lectures on the wildlife that we would see, Chilean phrases, glaciers and National Parks but mostly, we just watched the fiords of Patagonia slip by our decks.  Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-87753809092395964422010-12-17T06:14:00.001-08:002010-12-17T06:14:31.031-08:00Puerto Varas<p>I got a little tired of traveling so I spent the last week hanging out in a sleepy little pueblo by the lake.   Walked around a lot, ate good food and went horseback riding.  </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQtwL3VCwNI/AAAAAAAABCM/oFOobpuSFwM/s1600-h/puerto%20varas%20015%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="puerto varas 015" border="0" alt="puerto varas 015" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQtwMgVBxrI/AAAAAAAABCQ/-betqx_7Ug4/puerto%20varas%20015_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="319" /></a></p> The Cochamo Valley was incredibly beautiful and I had a nice day out in the sun with a trail guide and my horse. <p></p> <p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQtwOJe4J5I/AAAAAAAABCU/H3sbS_mdwjE/s1600-h/puerto%20varas%20034%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="puerto varas 034" border="0" alt="puerto varas 034" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQtwPHVV0bI/AAAAAAAABCY/TRNHGlkKUhI/puerto%20varas%20034_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="321" /></a></p> Perfect day…<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQtwQZGDqVI/AAAAAAAABCc/euHRzzlCNWQ/s1600-h/puerto%20varas%20044%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="puerto varas 044" border="0" alt="puerto varas 044" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQtwRpC0qGI/AAAAAAAABCg/eaOmFArxz40/puerto%20varas%20044_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="324" /></a> </p> I’m on the road again and will catch a 4 day cargo ship ride down to Puerto Natales in Southern Patagonia.  Hoping for good weather as a lot of people get seasick on this journey… Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-85451098390802854612010-12-09T13:04:00.001-08:002010-12-09T13:04:44.372-08:00Santiago<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFELQzHeJI/AAAAAAAABBc/XlL9pBiVGYE/s1600-h/santiago0134.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="santiago 013" border="0" alt="santiago 013" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEMMDNPoI/AAAAAAAABBg/4UFUg3sUS-8/santiago013_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="417" height="314" /></a> </p> <p> <p>I’ve finally found a South American city that I would want to live in…it’s great here!  The city is a mixture of colonial and new architecture, has lots of green spaces and it’s wonderfully clean and vibrant.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFENd7sB_I/AAAAAAAABBk/MTJBgTVlz0Y/s1600-h/santiago0174.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="santiago 017" border="0" alt="santiago 017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEOAfaADI/AAAAAAAABBo/NFBg_07QkIA/santiago017_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="311" /></a> </p> <p>My hotel is across the street from the most interesting park/ cultural space/ church/ archaeological park. </p> <p></p> </p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEUXstMaI/AAAAAAAABBs/F3IUbqGqne4/s1600-h/santiago0164.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="santiago 016" border="0" alt="santiago 016" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEVbbeS5I/AAAAAAAABBw/CSXCJv3lKGE/santiago016_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="324" /></a> <p></p> <p>I spent a whole day wandering up and down the tree lined streets but don’t worry I made sure to keep myself hydrated and well-fed.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEWFxeAbI/AAAAAAAABB0/LP5yd0j9nNU/s1600-h/santiago0248.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="santiago 024" border="0" alt="santiago 024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEXLyYI3I/AAAAAAAABB4/2HsPxcxvEUo/santiago024_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="338" height="450" /></a> I ate fish and chips at the seafood market where they bring in all the catches of the day…a little smelly but at least you know it’s fresh.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEYAh8OOI/AAAAAAAABB8/NQsOtnqDkzU/s1600-h/santiago0454.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="santiago 045" border="0" alt="santiago 045" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEZGzrN4I/AAAAAAAABCA/EAsVWf3zfc8/santiago045_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="337" /></a> </p> Lot’s of police presence especially around the government buildings , but they mostly seem to give directions and look pretty.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEZ0uYm2I/AAAAAAAABCE/FE7bLCOj3lU/s1600-h/santiago0304.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="santiago 030" border="0" alt="santiago 030" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQFEaukmAiI/AAAAAAAABCI/aaMiKl79cA4/santiago030_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="319" /></a> <p>It’s interesting to note that there is absolutely no ‘traditional’ culture here.  It’s completely modern city with none of the woven bracelets/hats etc. seen in Peru and Bolivia.  The people look much more European too.    </p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-76156961131595622102010-12-08T16:49:00.001-08:002010-12-08T16:49:33.008-08:00First few days in Chile  <p>Well, it really was like entering civilization again.  As soon as we crossed the border from Bolivia, we hit paved road again.  The Chilean border crossing was very professional and efficient and we didn’t get ripped off by the guards, who actually put our stuff through a pretty thorough examination.  San Pedro de Cama was the entry city and I spent one night there.  Had a great goodbye dinner with my friends from the desert trip. (Richard, Sara, and Lucy),<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAnKJ8TLCI/AAAAAAAABAw/BZQlHUh8Uak/s1600-h/laserena0024.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="la serena 002" border="0" alt="la serena 002" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAnMAYqDFI/AAAAAAAABA0/wWQlWJlPNsk/laserena002_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="330" /></a> only to find out that we all booked the same overnight bus out the next day and didn’t have to say goodbye quite yet.  I got off in the cutest place called La Serena <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAnO_wYO9I/AAAAAAAABA4/pm3ILjh8Npo/s1600-h/laserena0054.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="la serena 005" border="0" alt="la serena 005" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAnWpx-8rI/AAAAAAAABA8/MbrSstMmrGQ/laserena005_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="329" /></a>and took a few tours into the Elqui Valley where they grow grapes for Pisco (brandy) <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAncHB9sSI/AAAAAAAABBA/bH1FdE_6PuQ/s1600-h/laserena0124.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="la serena 012" border="0" alt="la serena 012" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAnd8HIStI/AAAAAAAABBE/FHl4L6NDCmM/laserena012_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="333" /></a>They grow everything there, including walnuts.</p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="la serena 034" border="0" alt="la serena 034" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAnf4NgTuI/AAAAAAAABBI/1ZCioAnl69Q/laserena034_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="327" />and copau, which tastes like a kiwi but grows on a cactus.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAnhbuei7I/AAAAAAAABBM/D5B7hlOOnF4/s1600-h/laserena0104.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="la serena 010" border="0" alt="la serena 010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAniwVHHKI/AAAAAAAABBQ/q0sb6FOz5po/laserena010_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="328" /></a>One of the most interesting things I learned in the valley was about Gabriela Mistral who is a national hero (has her face on money) but she also wrote the charter of children’s rights for the UN and, seems to be responsible for Chile’s success as she forced education along before other South American countries.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAnlmrJ_BI/AAAAAAAABBU/uPRueRU94PM/s1600-h/laserena0274.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="la serena 027" border="0" alt="la serena 027" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TQAnm_NdSFI/AAAAAAAABBY/Vf-K8S6o1EA/laserena027_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="348" height="463" /></a>  My favourite tour was a great couple of hours at an observatory with an astronomy guide who showed us galaxies, planets and explained how to find your way by the Southern Cross.  They have the biggest and best observatories Chile due to weather and clean air.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-48298445107552093092010-12-02T12:13:00.001-08:002010-12-02T12:13:58.866-08:00The AltiplanoI’ve just come out of three days in the high desert of the Bolivian Altiplano and I will never take running water for granted again!  All the books say that this journey is a crazy mess and you have to be prepared for the unexpected and they were all right.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9X_udW3I/AAAAAAAAA_M/8ONdKp33N00/s1600-h/altiplano%20001%20-%20Copy%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 001 - Copy" border="0" alt="altiplano 001 - Copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9ZqgEh2I/AAAAAAAAA_Q/TawvTX6WOz0/altiplano%20001%20-%20Copy_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="317" /></a> Here’s a picture of our 9 hour bus ride into the region turning into a 14 hour bus ride with a busted axel.  We all had a good time joking about who we were going to eat if the stranding went on long enough.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9buhVzOI/AAAAAAAAA_U/gGZIGWnffzs/s1600-h/altiplano%20062%20-%20Copy%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 062 - Copy" border="0" alt="altiplano 062 - Copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9fJcA6lI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/kOXE5gWXEmc/altiplano%20062%20-%20Copy_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a>  Here’s our jeep with the hood up because Shorlando, our guide, kept having to fill up the radiator along the way.   It proved to be tough enough to climb over volcanoes, around mineralized lagoons and through an amazing variety of terrains including, the salt flats.   We actually sat here and ate our lunch of grilled Vicuna (llama’s cousin) and quinoa (superfood that cooks like rice)<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9hAbKKxI/AAAAAAAAA_c/z9nT_GfLXtY/s1600-h/altiplano%20012%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 012" border="0" alt="altiplano 012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9o-R4uDI/AAAAAAAAA_g/DsFDZafErCA/altiplano%20012_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="324" /></a>  We also had a little fun with perspective on the flats and toilet paper.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9p0nxqUI/AAAAAAAAA_k/Gs0btvzWAFs/s1600-h/altiplano%20021%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 021" border="0" alt="altiplano 021" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9q30dkyI/AAAAAAAAA_o/nV00_nZAB3s/altiplano%20021_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="321" /></a> <p>Next, we trekked up an incredible coral island in the middle of the salts.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9sFcj7UI/AAAAAAAAA_w/jeg8BuJT7gw/s1600-h/altiplano%20027%20-%20Copy%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 027 - Copy" border="0" alt="altiplano 027 - Copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9toTuLvI/AAAAAAAAA_0/RTgn7sMiyHo/altiplano%20027%20-%20Copy_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="435" height="328" /></a> </p> There were even coral caves to explore.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9uSwHYBI/AAAAAAAAA_4/BBf3R3BS5dQ/s1600-h/altiplano%20044%20-%20Copy%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 044 - Copy" border="0" alt="altiplano 044 - Copy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9yKZo1HI/AAAAAAAAA_8/x60GDO3w0cM/altiplano%20044%20-%20Copy_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="452" /></a> Next, we happened upon drying salt lagoons and flamingos.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9zRf1ebI/AAAAAAAABAA/Kcd8TH6sHk0/s1600-h/altiplano%20079%20-%20Copy%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 079 - Copy" border="0" alt="altiplano 079 - Copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf90CteJoI/AAAAAAAABAE/AV7Jmi52Z8M/altiplano%20079%20-%20Copy_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="327" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf91lP4ntI/AAAAAAAABAI/_PCZ-MreuAs/s1600-h/altiplano%20098%20-%20Copy%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 098 - Copy" border="0" alt="altiplano 098 - Copy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf92lYosxI/AAAAAAAABAM/LZFR5Wc3SfM/altiplano%20098%20-%20Copy_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="326" /></a>All around us, the scenery was stunning.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf937WLpII/AAAAAAAABAQ/HyLMDS7354M/s1600-h/altiplano%20130%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 130" border="0" alt="altiplano 130" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf947RRT5I/AAAAAAAABAU/wOr0HZQHsLM/altiplano%20130_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="324" /></a>  That night we slept in a little village.  No water but the food was good.  By now, our group had become friendly enough to joke about how badly we were going to be smelling over the next few days.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf96sxyxWI/AAAAAAAABAY/Z4wSttC6KhQ/s1600-h/altiplano%20118%20-%20Copy%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano 118 - Copy" border="0" alt="altiplano 118 - Copy" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf98EkN2JI/AAAAAAAABAc/dehHqZLsfkY/altiplano%20118%20-%20Copy_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="326" /></a> Here we all are having lunch the second day.  We fed the leftovers to some chinchillas hopping around the rocks. The second night found us in concrete bunkers with six beds to a room.  Not a restful night especially as we got up at 4:00am to see the sunrise over the volcanic geysers. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf99lNpmII/AAAAAAAABAg/VBUiaCAhx5s/s1600-h/altiplano2%20006%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano2 006" border="0" alt="altiplano2 006" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf9-1vYBmI/AAAAAAAABAk/qF7sxiIaH_4/altiplano2%20006_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="326" /></a> It was a great trip but now that I’m in Chile, I’m really going to enjoy sleeping alone and having a toilet with running water.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf-APQHdbI/AAAAAAAABAo/59bo2qYdMhY/s1600-h/altiplano2%20011%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="altiplano2 011" border="0" alt="altiplano2 011" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPf-BGn7KSI/AAAAAAAABAs/0jEAtGkE4Mc/altiplano2%20011_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="331" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-90387641619823063852010-11-29T15:40:00.001-08:002010-11-29T15:40:49.543-08:00La Paz<p>Think of a canyon teaming with cars, trucks, buses, scurrying people, sidewalk stalls and thick smoggy air up to the rims on all sides and you’ve imagined La Paz.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPQ5wHOzKmI/AAAAAAAAA-0/2SmD_XvasR4/s1600-h/LA%20PAZ%20020%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="LA PAZ 020" border="0" alt="LA PAZ 020" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPQ5zxzzPMI/AAAAAAAAA-4/-VlVYpNgKS4/LA%20PAZ%20020_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="413" height="311" /></a> It’s insane here with no place to walk and people crushing from all sides.  It’s also pretty interesting with tons of shops to look in, winding alleyways to explore and lots of good food to eat.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPQ53u0vI3I/AAAAAAAAA-8/2ErLpXETF38/s1600-h/LA%20PAZ%20033%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="LA PAZ 033" border="0" alt="LA PAZ 033" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPQ56iydPKI/AAAAAAAAA_A/ySoGx6AvG5o/LA%20PAZ%20033_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="424" height="319" /></a> </p> Of course, there were the obligatory ruins to visit…these being the Tiwanaku, the ancestors to the Incans.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPQ59IYas0I/AAAAAAAAA_E/RmAVnQJOQtI/s1600-h/LA%20PAZ%20046%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="LA PAZ 046" border="0" alt="LA PAZ 046" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TPQ5_zdwbOI/AAAAAAAAA_I/0ofS9Ixgn-k/LA%20PAZ%20046_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="426" /></a> One of my favorite things was the Luche Libre wrestling. <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:fdcb7b5d-fc0d-458b-a867-bd38eca7b842" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><object width="400" height="300" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150111601805033" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150111601805033" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></div></div> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-3631426284830896432010-11-25T17:11:00.001-08:002010-11-25T17:11:40.166-08:00Lake Titicaca<p></p> <p>After I had a snicker at the name of this place, I needed to take deep calming breaths because I was at 4000 meters and the breathing ain’t easy up here, never mind the snickering.  Of course, the first thing I did was sign up for a tour where I was expected to climb a mountain to see ancient funerary tombs.  I swear, somewhere, buried deep in my genes is a tiny strand of Incan DNA just dying to get closer to its gods.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8IucVy6ZI/AAAAAAAAA-E/Kx6uVCdpV-s/s1600-h/puno0055.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="puno 005" border="0" alt="puno 005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8IwLUgcbI/AAAAAAAAA-I/pONJ_dRZjmw/puno005_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="334" height="444" /></a> Sillustani was pretty interesting once I decided my heart wasn’t going to <em>actually </em>leap out of my chest.  For over a thousand years, different civilizations built their tombs here and you can see the development of architecture as they became more proficient.  These Incan tombs are some of the last ones built.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8I0QVgyeI/AAAAAAAAA-M/WZs8uy2pPKk/s1600-h/puno0254.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="puno 025" border="0" alt="puno 025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8I4R817tI/AAAAAAAAA-Q/y05ri9x9nUQ/puno025_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="328" /></a>   </p> We also got to stop at a local ‘farm’ to check out their lifestyle.  No electricity, no gas, no running water and dirt floors seem to be the norm.  It was pretty sad as the kids automatically put their hands out for tips.  I’m going to be a little more careful about booking tours after seeing the impact that tourism has here.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8I7L3WLVI/AAAAAAAAA-U/ojIDMuXhgso/s1600-h/puno0314.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="puno 031" border="0" alt="puno 031" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8I-eNtlsI/AAAAAAAAA-Y/BRdSHp-GC7E/puno031_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="330" height="439" /></a><em>Check out the bones hanging from above the doorway.</em>  <p></p> The next day I went out on the lake, thinking that I was in for a lazy day of cruising.  It <em>was</em> pretty easy in the morning as we visited the floating islands of Uros.  The islands, the houses and even the beds are made from reeds that grow around them.  Whole communities float around and live unique, separate lives from the people on shore.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8JDLQ9zLI/AAAAAAAAA-c/hqjGS7y4Ffc/s1600-h/puno0774.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="puno 077" border="0" alt="puno 077" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8JGGNBMsI/AAAAAAAAA-g/WKk05dkIOkA/puno077_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="326" /></a>  We got to take a ride on this matrimonial boat.  The newly wed couple would sit up top and go from island to island.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8JJnH_3NI/AAAAAAAAA-k/TJ-9TVQdC6E/s1600-h/puno0764.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="puno 076" border="0" alt="puno 076" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8JLvMdVXI/AAAAAAAAA-o/b6-Oy1iOXSw/puno076_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="423" height="319" /></a> We spent another two hours peacefully chugging out to Isla Tacile (the boats use recycled bus engines).  The island reminded me the Aegean near Turkey but with more sheep and no goats.  After a breathless hike 400 meters straight up the side of the island, we were fed some delicious trout (which I came to regret some hours later) and then 500 steps down the other side of the island to catch our boat and we were on our way back.  These high altitude climbs might kill me but I’m getting a good workout.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8JP6yacbI/AAAAAAAAA-s/speNye0KdJI/s1600-h/puno0924.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="puno 092" border="0" alt="puno 092" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TO8JSISpvQI/AAAAAAAAA-w/vU_JWEpvR6k/puno092_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="320" /></a> <p></p> I’m in Copacobana, Bolivia now but I can see Peru across the glittering lake.  I’m sad to say goodbye as it was a great country to travel through but tomorrow I hit La Paz and a new place to explore. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-26439813764294262952010-11-19T14:01:00.001-08:002010-11-19T14:01:33.291-08:00Machu Picchu<p>Up at 4:00am and on the train.  Sliding through the misty Andean mountains.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzQlIbckI/AAAAAAAAA9E/hlQlU3pcJKA/s1600-h/machupicchu%20003%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="machupicchu 003" border="0" alt="machupicchu 003" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzSoTXUII/AAAAAAAAA9I/h4AZwVAArnM/machupicchu%20003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="441" height="332" /></a> The terrain changes as we enter the Amazon and the sun comes up.  Bromeliads roost on massive branches hanging over the train.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzV-g5LHI/AAAAAAAAA9M/zyblzs_SMlY/s1600-h/machupicchu%20019%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="machupicchu 019" border="0" alt="machupicchu 019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzZ6LbqrI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/RTaTKbylFw8/machupicchu%20019_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="433" height="326" /></a>Finally, our destination…wait, we have to take a bus up the crazy switchback dirt road and then hike up the side of the mountain.  But then… <img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="machupicchu 096" border="0" alt="machupicchu 096" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzbihCVDI/AAAAAAAAA9U/SDyS_UmXTnY/machupicchu%20096_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="421" height="317" />Incredible…<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzdp2bB8I/AAAAAAAAA9Y/PteuGsBw0gQ/s1600-h/machupicchu%20064%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="machupicchu 064" border="0" alt="machupicchu 064" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzf_rSM2I/AAAAAAAAA9c/Xb3dPCJI1uQ/machupicchu%20064_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="322" /></a>Astonishing…<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="machupicchu 079" border="0" alt="machupicchu 079" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzg7OBYZI/AAAAAAAAA9g/Hm3QDx5qHgQ/machupicchu%20079_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="302" height="402" />Around every corner is a new discovery.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzi_X7A0I/AAAAAAAAA9k/J4CBjVec4WE/s1600-h/machupicchu%20063%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="machupicchu 063" border="0" alt="machupicchu 063" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzj3FTazI/AAAAAAAAA9o/vB572tdCH7U/machupicchu%20063_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="408" height="307" /></a>     And more…<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzl5q5vqI/AAAAAAAAA9s/sPFsFasw5h4/s1600-h/machupicchu%20088%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="machupicchu 088" border="0" alt="machupicchu 088" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObznmDo4gI/AAAAAAAAA9w/W5sZNgEEAsg/machupicchu%20088_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="306" /></a> I met my friend Marjorie and we spent the afternoon wandering and exploring.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzpHorC8I/AAAAAAAAA90/IkflNRL2XiI/s1600-h/machupicchu%20097%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="machupicchu 097" border="0" alt="machupicchu 097" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzqeDPj8I/AAAAAAAAA94/P4rQygSycAA/machupicchu%20097_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="327" /></a> </p> It was totally amazing and worth the 4:00am start.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzsni5DDI/AAAAAAAAA98/-sKelkgM1jU/s1600-h/machupicchu%20062%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="machupicchu 062" border="0" alt="machupicchu 062" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TObzufR0KZI/AAAAAAAAA-A/EVARVdf7NDo/machupicchu%20062_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="325" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-14116177243267052882010-11-17T13:47:00.001-08:002010-11-17T13:47:29.745-08:00The Sacred Valley<p></p> <p>Yesterday I took a day tour of the Sacred Valley to see three different villages and their Incan Ruins.  It was only $13 for the whole day with a tour guide.  What the tour company left out was the fact that, in order to live closer to their gods, the Incans built everything on the tops of the mountains.  Can you say stairs…big perilously uneven, steep stone stairs with loose crumbling rocks.  It was a good workout but, as you can see, totally worth it.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNKGOly2I/AAAAAAAAA8M/X4k9iShjW7s/s1600-h/sacredvalley%20001%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sacredvalley 001" border="0" alt="sacredvalley 001" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNLSBpKyI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/2d8NU8yKmoE/sacredvalley%20001_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="337" /></a>The green down at the bottom is corn which will be harvested in January.  Their corn has giant kernels that make our kernels look puny and pathetic.  They also grow over 900 varieties of potatoes here.  This was the beginning of the trip so I was very impressed with how lovely the Andean Mountains were…how innocent I was!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNNR8SuTI/AAAAAAAAA8U/VHqFYWLm8h0/s1600-h/sacredvalley%20016%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sacredvalley 016" border="0" alt="sacredvalley 016" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNOqUvt0I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/Re1YUYOynaA/sacredvalley%20016_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="436" height="328" /></a>  </p> The ruins at Pisac…they used these terraces until very recently and the irrigation systems still work after 600 years.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNPkn93II/AAAAAAAAA8c/Tt2iUfH5R_U/s1600-h/sacredvalley%20019%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sacredvalley 019" border="0" alt="sacredvalley 019" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNRVLFNuI/AAAAAAAAA8g/F-Wd1yKrEqk/sacredvalley%20019_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="443" height="334" /></a> <p></p> Look at the view from the top….taking lots of pictures was a good excuse to stop climbing for a bit.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNTMgSTuI/AAAAAAAAA8k/XU0vCUb5SiE/s1600-h/sacredvalley%20028%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sacredvalley 028" border="0" alt="sacredvalley 028" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNUiKgWXI/AAAAAAAAA8o/UrA4iTKuU_s/sacredvalley%20028_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="329" /></a> One of the great things about Peru is that there are no ropes or signs that say “don’t touch” so we could clamber all over the ruins and follow narrow passageways to our hearts’ content…that is if your heart hadn’t given out by then.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNVgvklyI/AAAAAAAAA8s/xR8A0HNx-5A/s1600-h/sacredvalley%20051%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sacredvalley 051" border="0" alt="sacredvalley 051" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNXp97xTI/AAAAAAAAA8w/5OWod5nEzcA/sacredvalley%20051_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="438" height="330" /></a> This is Ollantatamba which looks totally different with the large cut stone because it was a temple.  All those large rocks would have been covered with sheets of silver and gold before the Spanish came and stole it all.  240 steps to the top…at least that’s what the guide said, none of us could keep count.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNY82_YQI/AAAAAAAAA80/pFEerl7wkdk/s1600-h/sacredvalley%20076%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sacredvalley 076" border="0" alt="sacredvalley 076" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNZ82wPfI/AAAAAAAAA84/2vL1nifAYJ0/sacredvalley%20076_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="441" /></a> After the ruins, we went to a high mountain village that specializes in traditional weaving.  It’s not unusual to see women dressed like this even in the city.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNbeSSt-I/AAAAAAAAA88/Ha7vRiC3o08/s1600-h/sacredvalley%20067%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="sacredvalley 067" border="0" alt="sacredvalley 067" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TORNcNgia6I/AAAAAAAAA9A/n10uyNQh_M0/sacredvalley%20067_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="321" /></a> High Andean plateau lake.  The farmers here are all still using teams of oxen to plough their fields.  Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-14494723880563523142010-11-15T18:10:00.001-08:002010-11-15T18:10:27.917-08:00Cuzco<p>My new favourite place in Peru is Cuzco.  I’m not going to say anymore…just look at the pictures.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHn3xIFNPI/AAAAAAAAA7g/mctrAKEeQNU/s1600-h/cusco%20003%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cusco 003" border="0" alt="cusco 003" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHn41ShTqI/AAAAAAAAA7k/RuE2FQs6rSQ/cusco%20003_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="327" /></a><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cusco 009" border="0" alt="cusco 009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHn6ZYJjgI/AAAAAAAAA7o/1KKmMVv-tmc/cusco%20009_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="347" height="461" /> </p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHn8MJJlCI/AAAAAAAAA7s/WZSI42h8Piw/s1600-h/cusco%20011%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cusco 011" border="0" alt="cusco 011" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHn9VE1MII/AAAAAAAAA7w/_WlXOwIK8EU/cusco%20011_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="350" height="466" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHn_MoyBDI/AAAAAAAAA70/_7CoGrAJPpc/s1600-h/cusco%20025%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cusco 025" border="0" alt="cusco 025" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHn_xXqE2I/AAAAAAAAA74/gfC4XuzScIQ/cusco%20025_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="337" /></a> <p></p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHoBO9ZxMI/AAAAAAAAA78/novItm5VvDo/s1600-h/cusco%20023%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cusco 023" border="0" alt="cusco 023" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHoCUJ5qkI/AAAAAAAAA8A/gQUY1GTRlbk/cusco%20023_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="390" height="518" /></a> <p></p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHoDskkk1I/AAAAAAAAA8E/HC6k1-8Fn6w/s1600-h/cusco%20021%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="cusco 021" border="0" alt="cusco 021" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TOHoEg7fh4I/AAAAAAAAA8I/m9nvHZk5qrk/cusco%20021_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="340" height="451" /></a> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-85918500779291306982010-11-13T19:42:00.001-08:002010-11-13T21:09:24.746-08:00The Colca Canyon<p></p><p><p></p><p>To plan my two trip into the Colca Canyon, I went to a travel agent. Our conversation went something like this;</p><p>"I would like to visit the Colca Canyon."</p><p>"You have several different options." He says with a big smile. "The first option, we will pick you up at 3:00am."</p><p>"In the morning!!!" I exclaimed in horror.</p><p>He kept smiling while shuffling his papers. "The second option is a two day trek. You know the Colca Canyon is very beautiful and also is the second deepest canyon in the world."</p><p>"Uh, how deep is it?"</p><p>"Approximately 4000 meters but don't worry, you will only climb around 2000 meters." He brightens his smile.</p><p>"Yeah, um, I don't think that's going to work out me. What's option number three?"</p><p>"Well, you will take a minibus with 14 other passengers. On the first day you will relax in the mountain hot springs and have a buffet lunch. There will be entertainment that evening...."</p><p>At this point, I'm wondering why he didn't lead with this option and quickly stop him to say, "Where do I sign", before he terrifies me with herding llamas over the edge of the cliffs. </p><p>Two days with bus, tour guide and hotel cost $50 and yes, there were hot springs but absolutely no llama herding. </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9aWwPv0YI/AAAAAAAAA6w/jxrQmm34Rq8/s1600-h/colcacanyon%20029%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="colcacanyon 029" border="0" alt="colcacanyon 029" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9aaf-W1qI/AAAAAAAAA60/UaT-n_SDjwM/colcacanyon%20029_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="337" /></a> Check out the adorable llama and lady…the way she’s wearing her hat down in the front indicates that she’s married…presumably not to the llama.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9aeCNI9YI/AAAAAAAAA64/tU6S_k9Sh_E/s1600-h/colcacanyon%20007%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="colcacanyon 007" border="0" alt="colcacanyon 007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9afdmYs2I/AAAAAAAAA68/nIA9vd4NXbA/colcacanyon%20007_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="331" /></a> These are vicunas which are the softer cousin to the llama…very rare and protected by the government. A kilo of their hair goes for $500…guess I won’t be getting one of those sweaters.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9ahBTpf1I/AAAAAAAAA7A/odBQjT_PL_A/s1600-h/colcacanyon%20020%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="colcacanyon 020" border="0" alt="colcacanyon 020" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9aiN4w6LI/AAAAAAAAA7E/SQ8iFvNmUmI/colcacanyon%20020_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="336" /></a> </p><p></p>Bizarrely, after driving through kilometres of dust and more dust, a huge bog appeared. This is where all the cool critters hang out, including pink flamingos and, apparently, pumas. The tour guide very skilfully avoided answering my question on how many of these pumas might be wandering around. <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9aj4JOJbI/AAAAAAAAA7I/LiGGc_yZEHo/s1600-h/colcacanyon%20046%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="colcacanyon 046" border="0" alt="colcacanyon 046" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9ak1FeJtI/AAAAAAAAA7M/0cOlGs2OfHY/colcacanyon%20046_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="332" /></a></p><p>This farming technique comes from before the Incas but they improved the irrigation system so that they could terrace way up the sides. I wouldn’t want to be the unlucky farmer that got stuck up the side of the mountain. Talk about a crap commute!<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9amgCCaPI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/n_6bANNp3rU/s1600-h/colcacanyon%20081%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="colcacanyon 081" border="0" alt="colcacanyon 081" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TN9aoXIgdqI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/LA-dEYInsDw/colcacanyon%20081_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="337" /></a> The canyon was breathtakingly beautiful and we got to trek along side the edge for awhile. We did see a few of the giant condors (3 meter wingspan) but they’re so damn fast and I was busy standing there with a stupid grin on my face so I don’t have a photo. </p><p>So, after eating about a ton of dust and a few guinea pig chunks (at the buffet), I’m back in Arequipa and bound for Cusco tomorrow. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-32368222087918577822010-11-11T17:06:00.001-08:002010-11-11T17:06:02.241-08:00From Nazca to Arequipa<p></p> <p> <p>Well, my ten hour overnight bus turned out fantastic.  I said goodbye to my new friends, Mark and Nat and was almost asleep before we hit the highway.<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="nazcatour (20)" border="0" alt="nazcatour (20)" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNyS6bCCHaI/AAAAAAAAA6c/kP2Z5u46qC8/nazcatour%20%2820%29_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="292" /><em>Natasha, Mark and I in front of the Nazca people’s aqueducts.</em> </p> </p> I really like Arequipa.  It’s a sunny place and all the buildings are made with white stone from the surrounding mountains or painted with bright colors.  I visited the colonial mayors’ house and heard all about their lifestyle.  They had two chapels.  One of which was put to use as a place to lock their crazy son away until he died of dehydration….the irony of this was not lost on me.  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNyS7cEqqsI/AAAAAAAAA6g/Lh_k9yQaDgc/s1600-h/arequipa%20042%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="arequipa 042" border="0" alt="arequipa 042" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNyS8MqzLtI/AAAAAAAAA6k/-3rjgFvOjsY/arequipa%20042_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="329" /></a> I also went to the most famous tourist draw in the city which was the Convent.  It’s really a small city with tons of cool passageways, tiny houses for the nuns and countless other nooks and crannies to explore.  The tour guide kept stressing how the slaves did everything while the nuns devoted themselves to prayer and, apparently sewing fancy clothes for the priests.   I wasn’t sure if she was condemning or praising them so I just kept smiling and nodding my head.   <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNyS9GP3X0I/AAAAAAAAA6o/urepBXvfbYA/s1600-h/arequipa%20062%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="arequipa 062" border="0" alt="arequipa 062" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNyS-Fa2suI/AAAAAAAAA6s/JCWCHt_1ktE/arequipa%20062_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="357" height="475" /></a> My last stop for the day was the museum of Archaeology to see Juanita the Ice Mummy.  They showed a very touching video of how she might have been sacrificed and then a guide showed us all the things that were discovered with her.  Finally, we got to view her tiny wrapped body.  Poor little thing was only 12 or 13 years old and had been chosen from birth for the privilege of getting her head smashed in (they know this because her umbilical cord was found with her) but I think the museum did a great job in showing how she and her family probably thought of it as an honour.  They confiscated our cameras at the front door so <a href="http://www.mummytombs.com/mummylocator/featured/juanita.htm">here’s a link</a> to see what she looks like. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-3398919768837842782010-11-10T19:44:00.000-08:002010-11-10T19:59:26.885-08:00Nazca LinesOver 10,000 lines and 100 geoglyphs cover the Nazca dessert area of 500 sq. miles so I was rather surprised to learn from my tour guide that the local school kids don't even really know about them...I wonder what they think all the tourists are flying around looking at?<br /><br />So, this is how it works. You pay for a flight and they bring you out to the airport at 6:30am where you wait and wait and wait until the kilograms per airplane load work out for you to get on a flight. Apparently it used to be easier but the planes kept crashing and killing all the tourists so now they only let a few 'certified' airlines operate....come to think of it, that wait wasn't really so long.<br /><br />Then you fly around for 35 minutes straining to see the figures out your window. It was actually pretty cool but some passengers got sick from the dipping and rolling of the plane. I got to practice my Spanish as the pilot shouted out the names and then I tried to figure out what I was looking at. Surprisingly, astronaut is the same in both languages.<br /><br /><br /><object width="400" height="300" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150100549640033" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150100549640033" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-61893393492144032782010-11-08T19:25:00.001-08:002010-11-10T16:52:06.215-08:00Paracas<p></p><p>Caught a <em>very</em> early bus out of Lima to Paracas. It was an interesting process as all passengers were scanned and videoed before departure. I had been worried about the quality of buses but was pleasantly surprised to be sitting on the luxury second floor with wifi access and a lunch served. There was also an onboard toilet which I’m going to be very happy about on my up coming 12 hour trip. </p><p></p><div align="justify"><p>Hit Paracas in the morning and was asked by the bus company representative, Maria Elena, if I wanted to take a look at their new hotel (next door). <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi-1RBvsDI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/HvvDR0IQmRU/s1600-h/paracas0023.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="paracas 002" border="0" alt="paracas 002" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi-2Si3loI/AAAAAAAAA5U/IOhIlxGM0FE/paracas002_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="325" /></a> </p></div><p></p><p>Brand new and only S/35 ($10) with a five minute walk to the downtown (note that downtown means the one street malecon). I would recommend Zarcillo Tourism after all their advice and help with everything in town. Walked around town and took in the sights. It’s mostly a fishing town with a sideline of tourism. I met a nice couple (Lara and Dominic) from Australia to hang out with and we all signed up for the next days’ tour. </p><p></p><p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi-4DeeH1I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/kxWhKz4MaZQ/s1600-h/paracas0043.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="paracas 004" border="0" alt="paracas 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi-5b0Mc2I/AAAAAAAAA5c/piMwRfraw-s/paracas004_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="327" /></a></p><p>This is the local specialty, cebiche (raw seafood marinated in lime) and chicharones (fried seafood). It was pretty good and some of the raw fish just melted in my mouth and <em>bonus</em>, it didn't kill me. A must try for the Peruvian coast.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi-6rJquEI/AAAAAAAAA5g/Q5AGO5WNNNE/s1600-h/paracas0087.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="paracas 008" border="0" alt="paracas 008" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi-74rVX6I/AAAAAAAAA5k/-U4HxZMdp0c/paracas008_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="335" /></a> Started the next day out in a speed boat. This is the famous ‘candelabra’ which is probably a representation of a cactus or a tree, or a map to buried treasure or a landing pad for aliens. 184m tall and 50cm deep in the hard packed dirt. It’s been there for hundreds, if not thousands, of years due to the extreme lack of rain. Apparently Martians (the peruvian term for crazy people) have been walking on it so it's now a federal offence to go anywhere near it.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi-9OhRMyI/AAAAAAAAA5o/9cjOd0fDlPk/s1600-h/paracas0147.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" title="paracas 014" border="0" alt="paracas 014" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi--D6CzQI/AAAAAAAAA5s/RoUapef9a4c/paracas014_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="327" /></a> Next, the Islas Ballastas (the crossbow islands) otherwise known as the Peruvian or poor mans' Galapagos. Tons of birds, including penguins, pelicans, vultures, boobies and seagulls but the sea lions were the best. We also saw dolphins hoping around while we waited for the boat. <img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="paracas 029" border="0" alt="paracas 029" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi-_D_0nOI/AAAAAAAAA5w/JVmJg6Qs4mk/paracas029_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="428" height="322" /> </p><p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi_Ah2av-I/AAAAAAAAA50/AM_0WRHxTXw/s1600-h/paracas0737.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="paracas 073" border="0" alt="paracas 073" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi_Bv6jnXI/AAAAAAAAA54/OHcxOVJ3k6I/paracas073_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="426" height="321" /></a> In the afternoon, we went on a tour of The Paracas National Reserve. The driest place on the earth (other than Antarctica), it was incredibly stark but beautiful. </p><p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi_CpHrqdI/AAAAAAAAA58/Cou0X0_yQ5o/s1600-h/paracas1157.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: block; FLOAT: none; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" title="paracas 115" border="0" alt="paracas 115" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi_DsLD0eI/AAAAAAAAA6A/BdnaaefsRf8/paracas115_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="447" /></a>The road you see going through the picture is made of salt which is found in great big chunks all over the place. Our guide, Luis, got us out of the bus to prove it, He smashed some rocks on the road and we could taste the pieces…I was just glad he didn’t make us lick the road.</p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi_Ew5gCWI/AAAAAAAAA6E/ZKngnaeBobE/s1600-h/paracas1114.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="paracas 111" border="0" alt="paracas 111" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi_Fjd74ZI/AAAAAAAAA6I/9mfAF6vTptE/paracas111_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a>This beach behind me has red sand from the iron in the nearby rocks. It’s currently the icon of the park.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi_G5dg6bI/AAAAAAAAA6M/GLkpoAkHoI4/s1600-h/paracas1303.jpg"><img style="BORDER-RIGHT-WIDTH: 0px; DISPLAY: inline; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-BOTTOM-WIDTH: 0px; BORDER-LEFT-WIDTH: 0px" title="paracas 130" border="0" alt="paracas 130" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi_H1SntkI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/aTkHbOCJw5M/paracas130_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="432" height="325" /></a> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi_Ew5gCWI/AAAAAAAAA6U/iTzaNU6Ke-E/s1600-h/paracas1112.jpg"></a></p>Next stop, Nazca.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-44473614573438195082010-11-08T19:14:00.001-08:002010-11-08T19:14:37.726-08:00Last days in Lima<p>Finished my classes and had a celebratory lunch with the ladies.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi8gO26bQI/AAAAAAAAA44/lx0FyceKGxY/s1600-h/lima50063.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="lima 5 006" border="0" alt="lima 5 006" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi8h2CIcUI/AAAAAAAAA48/_gbT7a0s3Dk/lima5006_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="431" height="375" /></a> </p> <p>Had a great day on Thursday.  Went paragliding with Matilda.  It was S/150 ($50) for ten minutes over the cliffs of Lima.  Sooo much fun!!! We couldn’t stop smiling on our way to have beer.  You can see me coming in for a landing here.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi8iyp_x-I/AAAAAAAAA5A/nQ9d63INEcc/s1600-h/paragliding1%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="paragliding1" border="0" alt="paragliding1" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi8kVqWd-I/AAAAAAAAA5E/SpRwyGgesfI/paragliding1_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="346" height="443" /></a></p> <p> Stumbled upon a fantastic dance performance after our beer.  I’ve noticed that this is a very musical country with bands performing in parks, shopping centers, restaurants and on the street.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi8lU48unI/AAAAAAAAA5I/nlFMyoc-FEU/s1600-h/lima40334.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="lima 4 033" border="0" alt="lima 4 033" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TNi8mqvNIiI/AAAAAAAAA5M/L9p5iR8uWMs/lima4033_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="356" height="473" /></a>Heading out of town tomorrow.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-73512136977607896702010-10-31T14:24:00.001-07:002010-10-31T14:24:03.375-07:00Halloween in Lima<p> <p>Our school had a Halloween party on Friday night.  They served ‘pisco sours’ which is a local cocktail that I’m going to be spending a lot of time investigating…just to support the local economy, of course.  We also had tiny baked potatoes and beef heart on skewers…sounds odd but it was tasty.  <object width="400" height="300" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150094847590033" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/10150094847590033" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object></p> <p>So, Lima doesn’t have a city bus system.  What they do have is several minibus companies which careen recklessly through the streets, disregarding everyone’s safety, including the touts hanging out the doors incomprehensibly hollering out the bus’s destination.  This seemed like a lot of fun so yesterday, my classmate, Matilda, and I took a couple of these minibuses out to see the nearby ruins of Pachecama.  They weren’t much to see but it was a gorgeous day. </p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TM3eVyqZo6I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/IlKRyjK9mmw/s1600-h/lima%203%20019%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="lima 3 019" border="0" alt="lima 3 019" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TM3eWmd4BfI/AAAAAAAAA4c/TS-nxT4ZOkU/lima%203%20019_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="335" /></a> Matilda  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TM3eXpD-tRI/AAAAAAAAA4g/x8ZUdgVm6r4/s1600-h/lima%203%20027%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="lima 3 027" border="0" alt="lima 3 027" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TM3eYa4Y1rI/AAAAAAAAA4k/rqZu0gZu-ew/lima%203%20027_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="446" height="336" /></a></p> <p>The hairless Peruvian dog.  They live at the site and you can see what they think of the Incan gods that were worshipped here.</p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TM3eZ-Kzs2I/AAAAAAAAA4o/wnn7A49PLfY/s1600-h/lima%203%20033%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="lima 3 033" border="0" alt="lima 3 033" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TM3ea43TD5I/AAAAAAAAA4s/uOGbzI9EdK8/lima%203%20033_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="450" height="339" /></a> <p>There’s not much to see here as earthquakes and time have pretty much destroyed everything but it’s on the ocean and the two hour walk was great.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TM3eb0YIt6I/AAAAAAAAA4w/w2QhGVWtjo4/s1600-h/lima%203%20026%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="lima 3 026" border="0" alt="lima 3 026" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TM3eclUUJyI/AAAAAAAAA40/GcQ0IUgVI18/lima%203%20026_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="337" /></a> </p> Those Incan priests had all the best views even if they did have to share with the condors. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-39271364586619578322010-10-28T13:16:00.001-07:002010-10-28T13:16:35.809-07:00First week in Lima<p> <p> <p>So I took a tour of Lima city this past weekend.  It was four hours and cost $28.  Kind of expensive considering that my hotel costs $25 per night and lunch is usually $2 or $3.  It did give me a quick look at the different parts of the city including the slums climbing the surrounding hills and the historic areas.        <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnZkTbFF8I/AAAAAAAAA3w/t8BTP9ueQN0/s1600-h/limatour%20001%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="limatour 001" border="0" alt="limatour 001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnZm2RPlcI/AAAAAAAAA30/ceL0_fDSsos/limatour%20001_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="316" /></a> </p> </p> As with any tour, there is the obligatory museum rush through.  Found out that the oldest civilization discovered in Peru is around 5000 years old.  Every civilization has practiced human sacrifice and they cultivated the first potatoes…over three thousand varieties exist in Peru and I’ve already eaten a few.</p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnZqNuYjMI/AAAAAAAAA34/QlE_4NIsKcY/s1600-h/limatour%20004%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="limatour 004" border="0" alt="limatour 004" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnZupb_aPI/AAAAAAAAA38/aLokevsTR60/limatour%20004_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="439" height="331" /></a> <p></p> La Plaza de Armas is the main square and is flanked by government buildings and a huge cathedral…it’s the same layout in every Latin American town.  Got to watch the changing of the guard which was very musical but behind big thick bars and a line of riot police. <p></p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnaCYZOnyI/AAAAAAAAA4A/284nmiGYvHU/s1600-h/limatour%20025%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="limatour 025" border="0" alt="limatour 025" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnaDnqs3mI/AAAAAAAAA4E/JJkKo_arwLs/limatour%20025_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="337" height="447" /></a> <p>The police presence is heavy everywhere thanks to high crime rates and the history with the Shining Path Terrorists.  Every business has iron gates that you have to be buzzed into before entering and all high end shops have a security guard, even Starbucks. </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnaE_cvcsI/AAAAAAAAA4I/BAjxyhVb4-I/s1600-h/limatour%20014%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="limatour 014" border="0" alt="limatour 014" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnaG1ukvGI/AAAAAAAAA4M/9F1SxILKDiE/limatour%20014_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="434" height="326" /></a></p> This cool fountain in the center of the Plaza gets filled up with the local alcohol, Pisco one day a year and everyone can drink for free. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnaHxYnL0I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/H999njf2pgQ/s1600-h/lima%20015%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="lima 015" border="0" alt="lima 015" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMnaIiskkwI/AAAAAAAAA4U/cwaYMwSci9E/lima%20015_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="442" height="333" /></a></p> <p>Lovers Park, not far from my hostel holds a ‘longest kiss’ contest every Valentine’s Day.</p> <p></p> I’ve started my Spanish classes this week and, although they’re not as good as the ones in Mexico, I’ve met some nice people and have a traveling partner for the first week or so of my trip in Peru. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-77046110472036425352010-10-25T15:35:00.001-07:002010-10-25T15:35:24.478-07:00First weekend in Lima  <p>  </p> <p style="width: 431px; height: 0.18%">So I finally made it to Lima.  I’m staying in a cool neighbourhood called Miraflores <em>(look at the flowers)</em> in a hotel a block from the 80 metre high cliffs that overlook the beach.  So far, I really like Lima.  The people are friendly and it feels quite safe here. <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYFuTAbhZI/AAAAAAAAA3I/sjN2cxGM37Y/s1600-h/lima%20005%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="lima 005" border="0" alt="lima 005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYFwPdbqLI/AAAAAAAAA3M/iA8yJqSB_30/lima%20005_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="307" /></a></p> <p>In the main plaza, there is a book fair going on and people here seem to read a lot in the coffee shops.</p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYFzxstaiI/AAAAAAAAA3Q/9lNm3GX7dCk/s1600-h/lima%20009%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="lima 009" border="0" alt="lima 009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYF1qwxihI/AAAAAAAAA3U/pJkntof_Ntg/lima%20009_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="327" height="435" /></a>  <p></p> <p>Along the paths of the main plaza park there is an exhibition raising awareness of poverty in the city.</p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYF9BikLjI/AAAAAAAAA3Y/bzuZhUNkSpY/s1600-h/lima%20008%5B10%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="lima 008" border="0" alt="lima 008" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYF_F0QEmI/AAAAAAAAA3c/csL6VB6MQbw/lima%20008_thumb%5B6%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="420" height="316" /></a> <p></p> <p>Look closely and you can see all the cats.  People put plates of food out for them and there are even a bunch of cat beds.</p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYGEXMEvUI/AAAAAAAAA3g/HLUmm7OT3_A/s1600-h/lima%20002%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="lima 002" border="0" alt="lima 002" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYGGr4LMFI/AAAAAAAAA3k/rIgteKz-XFQ/lima%20002_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> </p> <p>Check out the cheap deals.  T-shirts for three dollars (they’re good t-shirts)</p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYGJzddvKI/AAAAAAAAA3o/rRq3rA9YJaQ/s1600-h/lima%20017%5B9%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="lima 017" border="0" alt="lima 017" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_BTBqutf4DXU/TMYGK2Hfk-I/AAAAAAAAA3s/hY0y04W35NI/lima%20017_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> <p></p> I stood and watched these guys from the shopping mall high on the cliffs and then I ate some gelato….life is pretty good. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-1331647080257589942010-10-18T21:19:00.001-07:002010-10-18T21:19:06.705-07:00Heading out again  <p> <p>I’m heading back out on the road again this week.  Spent over two hundred dollars in vaccinations but I know have a ‘star trek’ quality shield around my whole body…nothing can touch me.  </p> First stop; Lima, Peru.  I’m staying there for two or three weeks to update my Spanish before heading out to see the rest of the country and more. <p></p> <p></p> <p> <div align="left"> <p></p> </div></p></p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7149028849339789435.post-23974263655592965752010-10-06T16:21:00.000-07:002010-10-06T16:22:18.255-07:00Nicole and Christine's Excellent Adventure<object width="400" height="300" ><param name="allowfullscreen" value="true" /><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always" /><param name="movie" value="http://www.facebook.com/v/496017450032" /><embed src="http://www.facebook.com/v/496017450032" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0