Oct 9, 2012 - Lima, Peru

Lima was founded by Francisco Pizarro in 1535 and was the capital of the Spanish Empire in South America for almost two centuries. It was at that time the most important metropolis in South America. Today, Lima, Peru is generally considered only as a gateway to Machu Picchu. Contrary to opinion, Lima is a worthwhile destination in itself. It has an historic colonial heart to rival any other major capital in South America, a city square surrounded by colonial buildings and the president’s palace, and, pre-inca ruins within the city’s limits....

Sep 24, 2012 - Thoughts on Peru

As with all of our travels, each country has its wonderful and unique characteristics ... Peru certainly fits that. What we've noticed: Peruvians are wonderfully friendly and were always helpful with directions or help with suggestions. We felt very safe here even late at night walking home. Peruvians drive like crazy people, even worse than Italians. They use their horn all the time and vehicles are dented like bumper cars. No one seems to pay any attention to a car alarm or an alarm at a bank. They go on for a very long time before anyone...

Sep 23, 2012 - Lima ... the last supper

We road weary travellers are on our final leg of what Carlos is calling "Survivor Peru." In the three years that Carlos has been working with Intrepid groups, this is the first trip where he's had to leave people behind ... and it happened twice. Add to that the fact that everyone except three people suffered GI issues and he's likely feeling like we're the walking wounded. I'm sure he'll be glad to have a few days rest before he takes his next group ... and he'll be crossing his fingers that he has less health issues to handle. Our group...

Sep 10, 2012 - Lima - Joining our Intrepid Tour

Started our day with packing our suitcases and deciding what we could leave behind in Lima.  Since the weather has been cool, we're going to leave some of our lighter clothing (hope it's not a mistake) and take stuff that we can layer and will be warmer.  Off to the bank to exchange some money and to buy a sports bag to leave behind.  The Adidas at the mall is 140 soles ... and the handmade Peruvian, 100% cotton is 35 ... so it's the colourful Peruvian (about $12 CAD). After our great buffet breakfast, we hail a taxi to head to the Museum...

Sep 9, 2012 - Lima - Barranco

Since we're going to start our tour tomorrow, and it includes central Lima, we headed south to the charming seaside suburb called Barranco (means "ravine" in Spanish).  Again, the taxi was exceptionally reasonable at 10 Soles or $4 CAD for 15 minutes.  The nearby area of Chorrillos provides some protection from the colder and damper winds that come from the south, so we find it quite a bit warmer than Lima where there is always a fine mist in the evening.  If we ever come back to Peru, we'd stay in Barranco.   The taxi driver dropped us off...

Sep 8, 2012 - Lima - Exploring

Our hotel, the Mariel, is a small hotel in Miraflores. It's charming, clean and in the centre of everything.  We are a few blocks from Parque Kennedy and 20 minutes to the beach. Both of us slept very well and woke at 9 local time (7 home time). As is our usual, we head out to walk the neighbourhood and explore.  Close to Parque Kennedy we see rows of older cars ... it's the Lima antique car show!  1951 Chevrolets, a 1967 Ferrari, Model Ts and more. Down Avenida Jose Larco, on our way to the beach, are shops and restaurants ... a HUGE...

Aug 27, 2012 - Into the great beyond - we leave for Peru!

It was a shaky start - having been to the chemist I found half my prescription was missing - the half which prevents me doing a John Peel on top of Machu Picchu!! The booked in advance long term car park at Heathrow didn't recognise our private number plates - causing a little aggravation to the queue of cars behind us as the barrier refused resolutely to open. With a promise from the attendant that we definitely would not be charged to £425 full cost on our return, we finally got to check in, and with mounting excitement set out for the...

Jul 21, 2012 - Farewll to Puno

July 21st The day started off well with me discovering Alice's ipod in the side pocket of my pack. I woke her up to give it to her, she smiled, grabbed it, and went back under the covers... After breakfast I made my way to the Puno market – not that great and the people were almost hostile, so a brief visit indeed! Back to the central square the commemorates Colonel Bolognes. In the Peru – Chile was he and his regiment ran off a small contingent of Chilean troops and celebrated that night by the whole group getting drunk. Early the next day...

Jul 14, 2012 - A day of adventure!

Day Two – July 14th Up at 7:30 and a rather bland breakfast of fresh bread and jam, scrambled eggs with cheese and orange juice. I had tea but the also server a small pot of very dense coffee that you were supposed to mix with hot water to your liking. Almost syrup... Then met our guide – Sybil – and a bus ride around town. Saw some pre- Incan ruins that were being excavated – they were built to absorb earthquake shocks with open channels through the solid structure, Current buildings have more modern techniques but ones into this century...

Jul 13, 2012 - A day of Travel

Day 1 - Up at 5:15 and a quick breakfast. Taxi arrives right on time and off to the airport. Check in no problem, Bags checked all the way through to Lima! However, we had to sit i\on the runway for 30 minutes due to delays at Charlotte. No problems at Charlotte once we got there, quick connection to Miami. There though... We ate lunch at a very expensive place with blah food then we went to the wrong gate and realized it when Alice commented on how few people would be on the plane! Got to the right gate in time, but were among the last to...

Jul 13, 2012 - Entry 2 - Reunification & Bed Bugs

This entry would have been written last night at 10.40pm however all the PC´s were in use. After much stressing over our lost bags a huge weight was lifted when the delivery was made at 10.40pm last night. We had been praying all day that we would see our backpacks again as if we didn't we would have had to rush the shops today to buy clothes, supplies & everything in between. Needless to say there was excitement in the Jansson and George camp & a beer was had in celebration (yes only one, I think my liver is not impressed with the...

Jul 12, 2012 - Entry 1 - Lost Luggage

Hola from Lima!! Well here we are safe and sound after what felt like the longest flight of our lives, I must say thank you to Qantas for getting us here safely and for sitting us beside Christian in row 44. Christian was returning home to Ecuador after not having seen his family in 3 years. Christian assisted with our education on the do's and dont's for two foreigners travelling to South America, he even lent me his book he was reading which gave an insight into Peru & Bolivia from a crazy Aussie backpackers perspective. So crazy in fact...