Coquimbo, Chile

We sailed from Florida with only a rudimentary knowledge of South American.  It seems that Americans tend to ignore this whole continent and view it as filled with poverty and drug lords.  Yes, it has those, but it has been an interesting revelation as we journey from country to country.

Columbia had contrasts of extreme poor and rich; Equador seemed very poor; Peru is much more first world, but still has lots of poverty; and Chile seems to be the wealthiest of all the places we have visited.  It's obvious that a strong middle class exists.

The people in all the countries are warm and welcoming and filled with national pride.  We have not had a bad experience anywhere.  A new discovery:Pisco Sour...a most refreshing drink.

Pisco Winery, a local alcohol, that both Peru and Chile lay claim.  

A small church in Vicuna

Loved the patina of this old wooden door

Local market in La Serena

Lunch in Lima

Lunching in a Conquistador's Home.

Just before the looooonnnng four hour drive from Lima to catch the ship in Pisco, we had lunch in the home built by one of the city's founders in the 16th century.  The same family has occupied the house for 18 generations.  It was totally elegant with the white glove service.

The Lost City of the Incas

MACHU PICHU...It Was Magical

One of the big reasons for this cruise itinerary was to visit Machu Pichu.  We had a killer schedule over 2.5 days, but it was worth it all. We left the ship as soon as we docked in Lima and flew about an hour into the interior to Cusco.

You feel the altitude immediately.  They were selling oxygen canisters in the airport, but Jim and I remained positive that we wouldn't have any trouble.  Luckily, beyond feeling a bit light headed and strange (it's hard to describe), we did well.

Cusco is 11,000 ft. We had a great lunch of local dishes then went to a village in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, which was 15,000 feet above sea level. We enjoyed the traditional weaving demonstration and seeing the women in their native dress.  We finished the long day at a beautiful spa hotel in that valley.

Our long day to Machu Pichu started at 4:30 AM.  Our band of 11 travelers boarded our motor coach and set out to catch the Vistadome train to Aguas Calientes, an 1.5 hour trip.  From there it was another small motor coach for a 30 minute ride up a narrow, winding switchback road to the Machu Pichu Citadel. (I give you this detail to say that it was a long, long day.)

I can only say it was Magical. We were blessed with the sun and blue skies for 2 hours of our almost 3 hour trek through the citadel.  Rain came toward the end of the trek, but we were happy campers to get the picture postcard photos that we had dreamed of.

We arrived back in Cusco about 7:30 PM, tired, but totally happy that we had made the journey. There are so many pictures to remember the day.  I'll have the M.P. pictures up by tomorrow.

PERU'S ANCIENT WONDERS

The coast of Peru is an arid desert, while the interior is lush and fertile.

Our first stop was Trujillo. We spent the day touring ruins of villages and temples built by tribes that were eventually conquered by the Incas.  The largest city in the New World built entirely of mud has much of it still standing. 

Built about 500 A.D. by the Mochica peoples.

 

We had our first taste of Peruvian food at a hacienda where we lunched and enjoyed a Paso Horse Show and traditional dancing.

 

 

Peruvian Surf Boarding

 

Off to Machu Pichou

Our first day in Peru was terrific.  We'll be off to Machu Pichu in the morning, so it will be a few days before we start to post again.  We'll be back online on January 27, so stay tuned.  We've been told that we are in for a magical experience at over 11,000 feet.

More Ecuador

City Hall

Houses on the Hill

The Day of the Iguana

Guayaquil (pronounced key-a-gill) was more than we expected.  We shuttle bussed into the city and walked a really lovely promenade along the waterfront.  Money has been put into improving the city to try to attract tourism. 

We felt so brave, as we lunched in town.  Had some bean things that we didn't know what we were eating.  Turned out this was the appetizer.  The main course, lentils (rice and a spiced dry rubbed piece of beef) were very good.

The park in the town center was filled with iguanas.  They were on the ground and in the trees.  This lovely young lady was being filmed by a film team while she fed the iguanas and talked about them.

MANTA, EQUADOR

This is a fishing town and the Tuna Capital of the World. Chicken of the Sea has its largest processing plant here.  (Jerry T., that should thrill you.) There is not the prosperity here that we saw in Columbia. The average wage is $200 a month.

Home of the Panama Hat.  Monte Cristo is where the Panama hat is made and originated.  It should really be called the “Equador Hat. “ We didn’t buy one.

Fun Way to See the Countryside.

Rode to Monte Cristo in an open air Chivas with a band on top.  There were three of them and it felt like a Mardi Gras parade.  We waved to the people all the way there and back. Interesting note:  the adults readily waved back, but the children were shy and seldom waved.

Our Last Sites As We Leave the Canal

No We Didn't Drink All This Ourselves.  There was a party going on!

Panama City

Bridge of Americas, the last site as you leave the Canal into the Pacific Ocean.

PANAMA CANAL: What a Wonderful Day!

Up at 5:00 am, determined not to miss a moment.  Got front row, center seats in the Observation Lounge and stayed all day. Entered the first lock about 6:30 am and sailed out of the last lock at about 4:00 pm. This is an incredible feat of engineering and it's 100 years old.  Some of the same parts, like the gates, are still in use.  Can't describe how it works, but hopefully the pictures will help tell the story.

Having problems with the photo uploader.  I'm working on it, so hang in there. Our pictures will start to flow again.  We have just docked at Manta, Equador.  

 

More Cartagena

Fortress

In the 17th century the Spanish built the most fortified city in the New World.  All the gold and silver leaving S. America flowed through Cartagena.

Walled City

Photo Just One Dolla

Cartegena, Columbia

First Sighting of the City

Didn't dream that we would love this city.  Coffee...emeralds...drug cartels, that's all we knew.  The old walled city is lovely. They are preserving the Spanish architecture and buildings.  We sailed in just after lunch yesterday and left just after lunch today.  Two tours gave us a good flavor of the historical areas and the life in the city. 

Courtyard at Popa Monastary

The Spanish Inquisition was alive and well in Columbia.  Saw the torture tools.

Art in a public square. Can you believe she's called "The Fat Lady?"

Sunday Evening Mass at Benedictine Church