True to their word, the guides had us up at 5:00 am. Mikhaila did not enjoy this at all. A quick buffet breakfast and by 6 am we were getting ready for our jungle hike.
We split into two groups and did the morning tour in opposite directions. My group started on the 4 km hike where we were told about many of the jungle plants and how they are used by the indigenous people for medicines and ceremonies. One highlight was the tarantula. We saw a monkey, a few birds and butterflies and one part of the group saw an anaconda poking it's head out of the water. The other group saw a black cayman and several monkeys. Sawyer even said "cool" when the guide demonstrated an emergency call from a tree that when hit with a log can be heard for 2-3 km.
We paddled around a lagoon, viewed the rain forest from an 11 meter platform, canoed down forest canals, and then returned to camp on a motorized canoe. After washing the mid off our rubber boots, some swam in the pool and others relaxed until lunch at 1:30. It is amazing how they can keep the pool water colder than the air temperature.
At 2:30, and after lunch, we went across the river to visit a local family. There were part of a community that is normally further down river, however they moved upriver for more land. We met some members of the family, they sold some handcrafted items and showed us around their home. A few tried the handmade bow and arrows with some success. The Papaya that we practiced on is alive and well.
We then went by canoe to monkey island. This is a sanctuary for monkeys that have been sold to tourists and then bought back because they cannot be taken out of the country. The offspring from the monkeys are put back onto the wild. There were about 4 species of monkeys that were fed bananas and helped themselves to Johanna Graf's water.
We are waiting around for supper and then some relaxing time tonight. It gets dark very early so we cannot just wander off into the jungle. We will head back to Puerto Maldonado in the morning and tour the town for a couple of hours before flying out at 3:00 pm. The election is tomorrow so very little will open.
We have started our flights home and I hope that I can post this and some pictures on the blog in Lima before we fly to Miami. We have not had much luck with wi-fi in the airports. This will also be the last post before we arrive in Calgary on Monday night.
A great trip and I am sure there will be many stories to share when we get home.
And next on the travel planner is.....
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Puerto Maldonado
We arrived in Puerto Maldonado in the pouring rain. There were a few "amusement-park" like drops on the plane as we were coming through the clouds. We were told that it had been sunny yesterday and just started raining about an hour before our arrival. Our luggage was stored and we took what we would need for two days.
The group loaded into two canoes for a 75 minute boat ride to the east of Puerto Maldonado to our lodges. The rivers are quite wide, even at this point of the headwaters of the Amazon. We are within a few hours boat ride of the Bolivia border.
It was starting to get dark by the time we arrived, but we went for a short tour of the botanical gardens. It had stopped raining by this time, At 7:00 pm we had a nice buffet supper. At 8:00 we went back into two smaller canoes to search for Cayman, small alligators. Each group got to see 3 or 4 even though the waters are too high for optimum Cayman spotting. It was very relaxing when they turned off the engines and we silently floated with current. Then it was bed time as we had a 5 am wake up call for our walk in the morning.
The lights are run for only a few hours a day as they are power by generator. There is no Internet so I will have to post these blogs at a later time. The lights do go out, exactly at 10:00 pm.
Buenos Notches.
The group loaded into two canoes for a 75 minute boat ride to the east of Puerto Maldonado to our lodges. The rivers are quite wide, even at this point of the headwaters of the Amazon. We are within a few hours boat ride of the Bolivia border.
It was starting to get dark by the time we arrived, but we went for a short tour of the botanical gardens. It had stopped raining by this time, At 7:00 pm we had a nice buffet supper. At 8:00 we went back into two smaller canoes to search for Cayman, small alligators. Each group got to see 3 or 4 even though the waters are too high for optimum Cayman spotting. It was very relaxing when they turned off the engines and we silently floated with current. Then it was bed time as we had a 5 am wake up call for our walk in the morning.
The lights are run for only a few hours a day as they are power by generator. There is no Internet so I will have to post these blogs at a later time. The lights do go out, exactly at 10:00 pm.
Buenos Notches.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Last Dance in Cuzco
The kids had a great time at the club last night with the salsa dancing. I think we have some budding salsa experts: Mikhaila, Morag and Pascal just to name a few.
The lessons lasted an hour and then they played some North American music. All the students were dancing and even some of the parents got up to dance.
Today we have a bit of a leisurely morning. We will have a later wake up call and leave for the airport at about 11:30 am. We will say goodbye to the other group from Michigan as they are not going into the jungle. I think the students made a few new Facebook friends (Reed).
Last night the students were very excited to hear about their upcoming jungle experience: monkeys, cayman, parrots, turtles, catfish, piranhas and more. We were told that we will changing clothes about 3 times a day either because of the heat (sweating) or rain. Temperatures will range from 29 to 40 degrees Celsius...in the plus range!! Rubber boots are supplied. There is also only four hours of lights at night to conserve energy. Not sure if there will be any wifi? If not, I will have to wait to update the blog when we start our trip home on Sunday.
Off to the jungle we go!!
The lessons lasted an hour and then they played some North American music. All the students were dancing and even some of the parents got up to dance.
Today we have a bit of a leisurely morning. We will have a later wake up call and leave for the airport at about 11:30 am. We will say goodbye to the other group from Michigan as they are not going into the jungle. I think the students made a few new Facebook friends (Reed).
Last night the students were very excited to hear about their upcoming jungle experience: monkeys, cayman, parrots, turtles, catfish, piranhas and more. We were told that we will changing clothes about 3 times a day either because of the heat (sweating) or rain. Temperatures will range from 29 to 40 degrees Celsius...in the plus range!! Rubber boots are supplied. There is also only four hours of lights at night to conserve energy. Not sure if there will be any wifi? If not, I will have to wait to update the blog when we start our trip home on Sunday.
Off to the jungle we go!!
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Thursday evening
We had a good day of exploring the city on our own.
The visit to the orphanage was great. There were a not too many dry eyes but lots of satisfaction of helping. The leadership students and Mrs. Jacobson thought of a good international project to work on through the orphanage.
We are just waiting around for supper at the hotel. The students are very excited as we are going out for salsa lessons later this evening. We should have a few pictures of that for you later.
The visit to the orphanage was great. There were a not too many dry eyes but lots of satisfaction of helping. The leadership students and Mrs. Jacobson thought of a good international project to work on through the orphanage.
We are just waiting around for supper at the hotel. The students are very excited as we are going out for salsa lessons later this evening. We should have a few pictures of that for you later.
Thusday
A little more sleeping in this morning as we got in at 1:30 last night. There are a few groggy heads this morning We will set out for a walking tour of the city outside the main square. After that we will have little free time for our last shopping day in Cuzco.
Later this afternoon, Victor, our tour guide, will take us to an orphanage.
We don't have any set plans for this evening, but we are looking into some salsa lessons. That should be fun!! I will have some pictures of our day later.
Later this afternoon, Victor, our tour guide, will take us to an orphanage.
We don't have any set plans for this evening, but we are looking into some salsa lessons. That should be fun!! I will have some pictures of our day later.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Machu Pichu
19 students and parents ventured out this morning on the hike. It has rained on and off all morning, steep and the stairs are not what we are used to. The construction crew hasn't had time to put in the permanent handrail (Peruvian construction joke from Gary Graff). EVERYONE made it to the top and it was more than advertised. You can wait for the rest of that story from the students when they get home.
We had a tour of the proper Machu Pichu area and everyone has had lunch. This afternoon wil be free time to explore or to go on one of the shorter hikes....ironically the sun came out on our hike to Inkapunta, the Sun Gate.
We will eat supper at 7 back in the town site, explore the Machu Pichu town site, board the train at 9:30 and arrive back in Cuzco by 1:30 am.
We had a tour of the proper Machu Pichu area and everyone has had lunch. This afternoon wil be free time to explore or to go on one of the shorter hikes....ironically the sun came out on our hike to Inkapunta, the Sun Gate.
We will eat supper at 7 back in the town site, explore the Machu Pichu town site, board the train at 9:30 and arrive back in Cuzco by 1:30 am.
Early Morning
Wake up call this morning was at 2:30 am for the 20 students and parents that are going to do the hike of Huayna Picchu. This is the mountain peak that is typically behind the Machu Picchu site in the pictures. We need to line up early so we can be in the group of 200 that they let on this trail at 7:00 am. They only let 400 per day on this trail. The other group leaves at 10 but we cannot take this hiking time. The other 6 will join us at 9:30 am.
After our guided tour everyone will have an opportunity to walk on the Intipunku trail (Sun Gate) in the afternoon.
I will try and access the Internet at supper time to update about the day, but no guarantees as we have to check out of our rooms. We do not get back to Cuzco until after 1:00 am. It will be a long day.
Thanks for comments. At the very least we know someone is reading them. I apologize for the odds typing error. I am typing these from my phone.
After our guided tour everyone will have an opportunity to walk on the Intipunku trail (Sun Gate) in the afternoon.
I will try and access the Internet at supper time to update about the day, but no guarantees as we have to check out of our rooms. We do not get back to Cuzco until after 1:00 am. It will be a long day.
Thanks for comments. At the very least we know someone is reading them. I apologize for the odds typing error. I am typing these from my phone.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Machu Pichu
We had a great ride on train through the mountains to Machu Pichu. It is amazing how the mountains start changing from dryer mountains to rain forest mountains in such a short drive.
A quick check in at the hotel then we were off to the Mountain. Of course it started to rain as soon after we got into the Machu Pichu site. We did a little exploring on our own then back to the hotel. Because we had to pack light, we are all scrambling to dry off what clothes and shoes we have: hair dryers, laundromat, etc.
Now, we are off to a restaurant within a block of the hotel. Alpaca and trout is on the menu. Almost everyone has chosen to have alpaca.
Tomorrow some have chosen to go on hike up the Huyana Picchu (young mountain). It is an early start at 3:30 am. Them we will all have a guided tour at 9:30 am followed by some other shorter hikes. Hopefully we will have a dryer day tomorrow.
A quick check in at the hotel then we were off to the Mountain. Of course it started to rain as soon after we got into the Machu Pichu site. We did a little exploring on our own then back to the hotel. Because we had to pack light, we are all scrambling to dry off what clothes and shoes we have: hair dryers, laundromat, etc.
Now, we are off to a restaurant within a block of the hotel. Alpaca and trout is on the menu. Almost everyone has chosen to have alpaca.
Tomorrow some have chosen to go on hike up the Huyana Picchu (young mountain). It is an early start at 3:30 am. Them we will all have a guided tour at 9:30 am followed by some other shorter hikes. Hopefully we will have a dryer day tomorrow.
Tuesday
From Cusco to Machu Pichu
A little later wake up call this morning at 8:30 am. Today we are headed to Machu Pichu for two days. We will take a two hour bus ride back to Ollyantaytambo then board the train for another two hours. We will get to Machu Pichu by about 3:30, check into our hotel and then go up the mountain to the Machu Pichu site. The site closes at 5:30 so we won't have too long, but we will have a fill day on Wednesday.
Not sure what the Internet situation is in Machu Pichu but I will try and blog from there.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Monday in Cuzco
Wake up call at 7:30, breakfast, and getting ready for the day. Patricia, our local guide for yesterday and today, met us and we started out for Saqsayhuaman. We will go up to the cedar line (tree line), visit the Sacred Valley, have lunch at Pisac and visit the Ollantaytambo temple.
We stopped for a view of the city of Cuzco from above and the received a lesson in silver jewelry making and the difference between the lama, alpaca, as well as the wild guanaco and vacuna. I think there were a few gift purchased here for home. We then drove above the tree line, 12500 feet on our way to Pisac.
We stopped for a view of the city of Cuzco from above and the received a lesson in silver jewelry making and the difference between the lama, alpaca, as well as the wild guanaco and vacuna. I think there were a few gift purchased here for home. We then drove above the tree line, 12500 feet on our way to Pisac.
Some more shopping in the market in Pisac. More of the same trinkets. Buffet in Pisac featured some more local food such as lupin and quinoa a well as alpaca meat. We saw plantations of both in addition to the huge-kerneled corn on our drive.
A longer drive to Ollantaytambo where I am sure there were a few naps taken on the bus. We toured a typical 4 dwelling house of the Ollyantaytambo people. Then we visited the Ollyantaytambo stronghold. Just about everyone rested their high altitude lungs and leg muscles on the 700 steps up the terraces.
Monday
Out first stop was at the Qorikancha that had the main Sun worshipping square, earthquake proof designs and the golden garden in front.
Then we went to a cathedral that had some examples of Inca architecture and art along with the Spanish influence that came later. The last supper painting in Cuzco serves up local fruit and Guinea Pig.
Then we went Saqsayhuaman (sounds like sexy woman) which was a huge palace with that held the biggest Sun worshipping festival of the year on June 21 which was also the fist day of their year. We visited some caves that were used for mummification.
Then we went to a cathedral that had some examples of Inca architecture and art along with the Spanish influence that came later. The last supper painting in Cuzco serves up local fruit and Guinea Pig.
Then we went Saqsayhuaman (sounds like sexy woman) which was a huge palace with that held the biggest Sun worshipping festival of the year on June 21 which was also the fist day of their year. We visited some caves that were used for mummification.
Each place that we visited today was part of a very large section of the city shaped like a Puma.
Sunday
I apologize for no posts yesterday. I was having difficulty figuring out how to do this from my phone. I think I have it figured out now and we will attempt a photo today.
Flew from Lima to Cuzco. Had some free time for lunch on the main square while were waiting for the Michigan part of our group to arrive on another flight. The weather was nice when we arrived but would later rain and turn cool.
I will write more as the day goes on about yesterday and today. I need to check some facts. I will not be able to post them until I have Internet service later today.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Afternoon...
We toured downtown and the Miaflores area by bus with our local guide Natalia. We got out at the Main Square downtown and toured the Fransiscan Monestary. Lots of great spanish architecture and Catholic Art. The catacombs under the Monestary will be memorable for many. The typical pigeons being fed in the courtyard and vultures in the bell tower added to the atmosphere.
Then we went to the National Museum of Archeology and History of Peru. There were many artifacts on the Incas (1500s), Wari (1100s) and Nasca cultures.
After that was some free time for lunch and to explore the area closer to the hotel.
Tonight we are going for a chicken supper. The restaurant is in a mall by the ocean. It is quite the view from the mall that is built into the cliffs.
Tomorrow morning we have a wake up call at 6 am and we head to the airport at 7 am with our boxed breakfast. We will make the hour flight to Cuzco at 10am. (Other half of our group flys to Cuzco at 9). Everyone has started taking their altitude sickness medication and tomorrow afternoon will be for aclimitization.
The weather her was a little overcast, but everyone was comfortable wearing shorts and sandles. (We have heard there is a little snow in Didsbury)
I have forgotten a chord to download a photo on here. I will have to find out who has one. Tomorrow I will try to post a photo.
Mark
We toured downtown and the Miaflores area by bus with our local guide Natalia. We got out at the Main Square downtown and toured the Fransiscan Monestary. Lots of great spanish architecture and Catholic Art. The catacombs under the Monestary will be memorable for many. The typical pigeons being fed in the courtyard and vultures in the bell tower added to the atmosphere.
Then we went to the National Museum of Archeology and History of Peru. There were many artifacts on the Incas (1500s), Wari (1100s) and Nasca cultures.
After that was some free time for lunch and to explore the area closer to the hotel.
Tonight we are going for a chicken supper. The restaurant is in a mall by the ocean. It is quite the view from the mall that is built into the cliffs.
Tomorrow morning we have a wake up call at 6 am and we head to the airport at 7 am with our boxed breakfast. We will make the hour flight to Cuzco at 10am. (Other half of our group flys to Cuzco at 9). Everyone has started taking their altitude sickness medication and tomorrow afternoon will be for aclimitization.
The weather her was a little overcast, but everyone was comfortable wearing shorts and sandles. (We have heard there is a little snow in Didsbury)
I have forgotten a chord to download a photo on here. I will have to find out who has one. Tomorrow I will try to post a photo.
Mark
Saturday Morning, After over 24 hours of travelling through Dallas and Miami (unexpected) we have arrived in Lima. It is overcast, but warm, with no snow!! We have checked into our hotel, had showers and everyone is just about done breakfast. Breakfast started with toast and eggs and contiued to get better with salads, fruit salads, tamalitoes (sp?), and excellent coffee. We have learned all about the federal elections on our way to the hotel and that Lima is a city of over 9 million people. We are going to start with a tour of Lima at 10 am. After a tour we will have a little time to explore later this afternoon. Of interest will be a mall that is built into the cliff beside the ocean. More later.....
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