Magical Machu Picchu

Sorry for the delay in posting, here goes....

Most of you already know the story. I wrote a report on the Incas in the 6th grade and vividly recall the red construction paper cover and accompanying model of an Inca village. I've been wanting to get to Peru and Machu Picchu ever since. Now I can finally check this one off the "1,000 places to see before I die" list.

Very briefly - we flew to Cusco and then drove into the Sacred Valley of the Incas with some stops along the way: then took the train up to our hotel just below MP. The next morning we drove by bus up the switch-back road to the site. It was wonderful!! We walked throughout the site learning about the history and culture, then climbed to the high points for sundials and great views. I loved every minute of it. In the afternoon we took the Hiram Bingham train back to Cusco to stay at the beautiful Hotel Monasterio (a renovated monastery).

Bob- I did not submit to any ancient rituals (I try to avoid anything that may result in loss of life!).

The next day we saw some of Cusco, then flew to Lima. As much as I wanted to see Lima, I would have preferred to skip this and spend another night in Cusco rather than waste time with another flight. But, all-in-all a great trip. We left Lima Friday morning and flew to Quayaquil, Ecuador to meet up with the ship.

I was delighted to be met in Quayaquil by Sandra's (CHB) cousins who took me to dinner and to explore Las Penas. This is a neighborhood that spreads up the Santa Ana Hill and in recent years was transformed from run-down homes to a charming area that remains residential with it's local cafes, bars and shops. Each building has a photo on the wall that shows what it looked like prior to renovations. We climbed the 444 steps to the top where there is a lighthouse, a chapel, and great views of the city.

Photos: Machu Picchu (even Kimo remembered to come along), a hummingbird at MP (note that the wings are not moving while it drinks it's nectar - I'm told that this is to conserve O2 at the high altitude), a woman weaving at the side of the road above Cusco, the Presidential Palace in Lima and Las Penas in Quayaquil.

Going through to Panama Canal tomorrow which means that I'm almost home. Wish that I could stay on for a few more months!

Last Three Ports in Chile

Since I last posted, I've been to 3 ports of call. All have been interesting, but no great photos to show. First up was Puerto Montt with it's surrounding volcanoes. Not the most exciting place, but I enjoyed the shopping stalls with all the local arts and goods.

Next was Valparaiso with colorful homes built up the slopes of the surrounding hills. There are cable-car like funiculars at various locations to transit between the neighborhoods. A few of us went to the neighboring town of Vina del Mar to walk around and do a bit of shopping.

The last stop in Chile was Coquimbo. I did an excursion to La Serena and Elqui Valley. This is a very dry area where it only rains a few days per year. The surrounding mountains are brown and cactus-covered, but with lushly cultivated land along the riverbanks. Lots of grapes for making pisco (great drink!), nuts, fruits and other produce.

Pictures: one of the volcanoes behind Puerto Montt, knitted items at a market stall, a funicular on the hills around Valparaiso, one of the varieties of grapes for making pisco, and one of a couple of Moai's that I saw at a couple of museums. I guess I don't need to go to Easter Island now!

I leave for Machu Picchu early tomorrow morning. Will update when I return (probably over the weekend).

The Mountains of Patagonia

I flew from Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales in an 8-seater Cessna - even got to be the "co-pilot" on the way up. Then it was off to Torres del Paine National Park to see the spire-shaped mountains that I always associated with Patagonia. Saw lots of wildlife, including a flock of condors (are they called a flock?). I didn't get great pictures of the condors, but will post one any ways. Stunning scenery that just doesn't come across in my pictures. Another great day in South America!

We're traveling up the coast of Chili now, going in and out of the fjords. Not great weather for viewing the area as can be attested by the fact that I haven't taken one picture today. Hopefully it will clear for the last day in this area tomorrow.

Frank, Carlota, Carrie and the rest: good to hear from you all!

Sue: no colds, flu or plague. So far, so good!

Annette: I go to Machu Picchu on Jan 12; back on the ship on the 15th.

As I'm waiting for these pictures to post, I looked up out of the window and see the brightest rainbow I've ever seen. To bad my camera is back in my room!

Cape Horn and Beyond

Just a quick update to say that the notoriously bad seas around Cape Horn were not to be seen on this trip. It was smooth sailing the entire way back across the Drake Passage and around the Horn. Walked around Ushuaia yesterday (a nice little town "at the end of the world"), and then it was down the Beagle Channel and on to Punte Arenas, Chile where we are currently in the docking process. If the winds have died down enough I will be flying up into the Torres del Paine National Park around 8am this morning.

Photos include some kids hanging out in Ushuaia, store mannequins that I thought were a hoot, local wall art, and the very blue end of one of the many glaciers that we passed on the Beagle Channel yesterday.

Dodging Icebergs in Antarctica

The last three days have been spectacular. We've had unbelievably good weather. In fact, one of the wait staff told me that he'd been here 6 times before and this was the first time that he'd seen the sun. It was in and out for us on all 3 days. The time between sunset and sunrise was about 3 hours (and never got dark in between), so some of the best lighting was between 10pm and 4am. Who needs to sleep anyway!

The aptly named "Iceberg Ally" was fascinating. Large or small, I loved looking at the variations of size, shape and color. To give some perspective, I included a picture of one with penguins on it. I also included a picture of the route that we followed for anyone who is interested. I have so many pictures to go through, but hopefully these few will give you an idea of what it was like.

We're now back in the Drake Passage heading for Cape Horn and then docking in Ushuaia, Argentina tomorrow afternoon. For tonight, it's all about partying! Happy 2010 to all!!!

PS to Matt and Kira: how's everything going? Still hanging in there????

Sue: what picture?

Love those King Penguins!

Spent the day in the Falkland Islands. Boggles the mind that there was a war over this place not long ago. But, nice people and great penguins! Half the fun of this excursion was the off-roading over the bogs to get to the beach. A long, but fun drive. I took twice as many pictures as I took of the previous penguins; at this rate I'll need to do about 5 photo books.

Mom - I see that you've posted on a blog for the first time. I'm impressed!

Kenzie - It was good to hear from you. I'll drive up there one of these days with your mom as I'd love to see the area (and you!). Probably won't be for a while as they may not let me off work again for a while :) Have a great vacation!

I'm going into a "dark zone" for the next 5 days while we're around Antarctica. Will post again as soon as we have reception.

Merry Christmas from Penguin City!

Our port of call today was Puerto Madryn, Argentina. From there I did an excursion through the barren Patagonia plains to Punta Tombo Nature Reserve to see a colony of nesting Magellan penguins that number more than 1/2 million. Let me tell you, these guys were EVERYWHERE. we had a perfectly beautiful day with the typical Patagonian winds, but warm with blue skies - couldn't have asked for a better day. Basic rules for viewing: stay on the trail to avoid stepping on a nest and penguins always have the right of way. They're really quite busy and the path to the sea reminded me of the mass turnpike at rush hour.

I've posted a few of my 357 pictures (got a bit carried away). The penguins are obvious; the other llama-type animal is a "Guanaco". I'm not sure if there is another English word for it that I should know, but will check it out someday.

I hope that you all having a wonderful Christmas. Thanks for my gifts and the card from my work friends. And a special Happy Birthday to Matthew!

It's now 12:15am my time, so Merry Christmas!