Hotels near Macchu Picchu etc Hello John. We don't really know about the hotels near Macchu Picchu but there seem to be a number in Aguas Calientes, the town from which the buses go to Macchu Picchu. But if you took the Inca Trail, you'd go to Aguas Calientes after, not before, arriving at Macchu Picchu.
As for your safety, all we can say is that we had no problems whatsoever in Central or South America. Granted, we didn't wave flashy gear around and kept our cameras (one each - a larger Lumix and a DSLR with a zoom lens) in locally-made shoulder bags, not brand-name camera bags. People we know have had no problems with expensive gear on the Inca Trail.
Some of the climbs around Macchu Picchu are steep, and apparently there are some serious climbs on the Inca Trail (although you can pay additional porters to carry your gear, we're told). And altitude is a consideration as well.
The trip is worth it. Have fun!
Travel Interest I am retired and live in Costa Rica in order to have access to Central and South America. I am interested in Macchu Picchu but worry that I would be unsafe in the Inca Trail with my camera gear and might have weight difficulties at the site. A safe hotel for early morning access to the site for the morning light?
You'll like the drive north of SF If you liked the drive through Big Sur then you'll really enjoy the stretch of coast north of San Francisco. Road is a bit narrower though - at least that's what Virginia would remind me to say.
Hello Damien Great to hear from you. Hope you've recovered from the tree that attacked your head and you're enjoying your time in Mozambique. We didn't see any new year celebrations, probably because we moved into the lowlands (near the Brazilian border) where the Indigenous presence isn't as strong. Looking forward to hearing about your trip. Take care.
Just looked up your blog! Hi!
Not sure if you remember me - I was part of that group that visited the Jungle in Ecuador.
This is the first time I've looked at your blog (unfortunately only the first) and it's amazing! So interesting, it's making me miss S.America. And you guys put so much care and thought into it, it's really lovely.
Funnily enough, I just celebrated the indigenous Bolivian New Year! I am in Maputo, Mozambique and am friends with a Bolivian lady who informed me that it, as of yesterday, the year 5518 according to the indigenous Bolivian calender. To celebrate, a big group of her friends rocked out to the beach to watch the sunrise and drink coca tea. It was great. Did you guys see any celebrations?
Anyway, I hope you are doing well. Take care, safe travels.
Damien
We'd love to head to Argentina Another great blog! You adventures are making us want to quit our jobs and hop back on the road. Loved the photo of you acting like a local. Hope you bought some drums and sent them home.
and... it's an easy walk from our place in Fitzroy. Carlton is a chance for this year given they were only one kick short against Geelong and that was only because Warnock had concussion when he took it!
The MCG The MCG should be in striking distance for us soon-ish. 2012 is right on track for a Carlton Collingwood Grand Final and I am looking forward to it.
When we travel We always cherish those weeks when we can have a place of our own to do some cooking. The post office sounded painful. Loved the dog walker photos.
an experience but... obviously an experience but when you get back, you might want to join us one day at the MCG to see how big events are staged with passion, safety and bonhomie.
Argentina Argentina's always been a place on my list and I'm now finding more reasons to go there. Great to know about local Legacies. Frontline Flea Control
Football derbies Did I tell you about the time I was in Istanbul in 2006 and went to the Fenebache Galetasary game. Like you the fans were kept well apart by policemen with the biggest machine guns Ive ever seen. but they allowed fans with machetes into the ground where a sheep was slaughtered in the stands for fans to dip their hands into for good luck! It worked though, Fenebache won 4-0...
Alex
Birds in the stairwell Thanks for you comments Dave & Merry Jo. We had fun taking photos in that stairwell and getting the stuffed birds at different angles. Pat´s were all from the top down, but we´ve lost the lot.
Chile-- excellent blog You've painted a lovely picture and sounds like you continue to enjoy your travels. We enjoy following you. Enjoyed the winery info.
chile thanks. like reading about Chile. I lived there for 3 years and my memory has certainly romanticized it. If you ever make it back, you might find some things here:
http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Lump/ to add to your comeback list. Definitely the Lakes District and Torres del Paine should make the list. Happy travels.
Traveling around the southern end The cruises only run during the southern hemisphere summer so it should be the right time. I don't generally do cruises except in this case, as you agreed, the distances are vast. By sailing the Chilean Fjords I would avoid the long bus trips and this would probably be the best way to see the fjords and mountains. However, I recognize the best way to see Argentina and Brazil is to travel by land. Hence the time in Rio and nearby at the end of the cruise.
Our travels over the years have often sought out those places that we haven't yet experienced. We have loved chasing new places, but there is a change underway. We continue to enjoy experiencing other cultures along with their food, beverages, history and ways of life but now, having a little more freedom, we will also make more effort to seek out out such things as music events and festivals, particular natural attractions that we have missed and places where we can better appreciate the history of a place and its people.
The attraction of the road less travelled and the place less visit... full info
Slowfeet
Slowfeet
Hotels near Macchu Picchu etc
Hello John. We don't really know about the hotels near Macchu Picchu but there seem to be a number in Aguas Calientes, the town from which the buses go to Macchu Picchu. But if you took the Inca Trail, you'd go to Aguas Calientes after, not before, arriving at Macchu Picchu. As for your safety, all we can say is that we had no problems whatsoever in Central or South America. Granted, we didn't wave flashy gear around and kept our cameras (one each - a larger Lumix and a DSLR with a zoom lens) in locally-made shoulder bags, not brand-name camera bags. People we know have had no problems with expensive gear on the Inca Trail. Some of the climbs around Macchu Picchu are steep, and apparently there are some serious climbs on the Inca Trail (although you can pay additional porters to carry your gear, we're told). And altitude is a consideration as well. The trip is worth it. Have fun!