September - October, 2003
Ecuador
 We spent Tuesday, Sept. 2nd getting packed
again. I didn’t like one of the bags we came with and bought a
new one. This time we went to a 29” from a 26” rolling bag. We
tried to take some of the heavier items out of the big bag and
into the smaller 21’ bags. The big bag can’t get too heavy.
Even without books and other items it will still weigh a lot
because of the scooter. Deb & Dianne went out alone for
breakfast one last time. When Daniel came home for lunch we
were able to play a few hands of pinochle. The girls won
again!
Ecuador
Journal...»
Galapagos
 We
had a wonderful time in the
Galapagos Islands. Thankfully, we found a internet cafe. One day
we heard a loud bang on the roof of our hotel balcony and
found it was a pelican. Startling to have him look over the
rim at you. We could look out at the water and watch sea lions
swim with a small sting ray, about 4 foot long. On the patio
below us are crabs and sea iguanas. The iguanas head for the
property next door and snuggle for the night in the rafters of
the outside restroom. What a surprise that would be to find
after your constitutional. Look up to see 40 little eyes.
Next we head for the highlands of
Ecuador including a brief stay in the Amazon Rainforest. Will
keep you posted. AD is increasing his food preference list and
is less of a difficulty. Thank goodness.
Galapagos Journal...»
Andes Highlands
 We climbed out of Quito through Cumbaya into the
Andes Mountains. The landscape is very arid until we get to
12,000 ft when we are in the clouds. The highest pass was at
12,500. There are thermal springs in this part of the
mountains and we stayed in a beautiful hotel which had pools
in the courtyards. It is one of the prettiest places I’ve
seen.
Adventure travel was the name of game on
our decent day. The roads went from paved with pot holes to
dirt and all holes. There were frequent areas of mudslides and
boulders.
Highlands Journal...»
Peru
 While in Peru we visited Lima with a gold museum full of Inca artifacts
and the Museo de la Nacion which traces Peru's history from
pre- Columbian times. Then to Cuzco, the main destination of all
tourists. From Cuzco we took a train to Machu Picchu and
spent an overnight in Aguas Calientes. The train traveled through the Sacred Valley of the Incas set in a high
Andes valley. We then returned to Cuzco. Peru Journal
One...»
 We
also visited Machu Picchu and Lake
Titicaca. We had a couple of restful days and then got
settled in Cusco to take care of personal life business like
laundry, mail, etc to catch up on. Cusco offers many different
colonial sites to tour.
Peru Journal Two...»
Chile
 After
we arrived at Arica, Chile we picked up a rental car and drove
up to the National Park in the Andes a few hours from Arica.
We stayed in village of Putre for two nights. Then stayed at
the Azapa Inn, Arica for 3 nights before heading south along
the coast to Iquique where we have been relaxing and surfing.
Chile Journal
One...»
 We packed the car with all our supplies and
luggage and drove 5 hours to Calama. Along the way we saw many
abandoned nitrate towns and the Cerro Pintados geoglyphs. They
are huge abstract drawings on the mountain side. We've visited Chuquecamata,
a huge copper mine, the Valley of the Moon salt flats, El
Tatio Geysers and had a wonderful tour of Lago Llanquihue Lake
into Argentina.
Chile Journal Two...»
 We
have to get from Bariloche back to Puerto Montt then pick up a rental car.
I returned the vehicle we had used yesterday. We waited for
our pick up to the bus station. It never came. Another one of
the English/Spanish misunderstandings. A taxi was called and
we made it to the bus station with 5 minutes to spare. The bus
took a route on the north side of the lake and then up to a
pass to cross over to Chile. Customs is a time eater at both
sides. The entire journey took 7 hours, not the five we had
been told. Maybe it was five hours travel and 2 hours for
stops and customs! The countryside changed as we climbed down.
Argentina was mostly forested with alpine lakes. Chile was
full of rich farms.
Chile Journal Three...»
Houston ...»
New Zealand ...»
Australia ...»
Bali / Singapore ...»
Thailand / Cambodia ...»
Nepal ...»
John's London Journal ...» |
