http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Steff-and-Tyler/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Steff and Tyler en-us Sat, 02 Jan 2010 10:50:45 +0000 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 10:50:45 +0000 Something I had trouble dealing with was packing and I really appreciated reading other people's packing lists. So I thought I'd try and share the same information.Things I was glad I brought1. Packing cubes httpwww.ebags.comebagspackingcubes3pcsetproductdetailindex.cfmmodelid13032 These were awesome for keeping these organized and compact definitely worth the money when http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Iowa/Des-Moines/blog-366763.html Lima httpwww2.snapfish.comthumbnailshareAlbumID275127136a3616504136165041otscSHRotsiSALBlinkJungle httpwww2.snapfish.comthumbnailshareAlbumID275125817a3616504136165041otscSHRotsiSALBlinkCusco httpwww2.snapfish.comthumbnailshareAlbumID275123573a3616504136165041otscSHRotsiSALBlinkThere are the three albums on Snapfish. It took FOREVER to load them since we http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Iowa/Des-Moines/blog-366195.html On our last day in Peru we took a morning trip out to the Palomino Islands. It was similar wildlife to the Ballestas Islands but we got to jump in the water and swim with the sea lions It was very cold and salty but the sea lions came right up near us for probably twenty minutes and flipped and splashed us. It was really exciting to get that close and see them so well and well worth the extr http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Callao/El-Callao/blog-364456.html This morning we went to see some of the ruins outside of Lima. They were very expansive and represented four different cultures that had inhabited and built on their own temples with the Incas being the last. The different styles of building and brick were neat to see as well as the excavation process. One of them the Women temple was renovated to what it would have been like. Very nice tour http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Lima/Lima/Lima/blog-364124.html Were back from our two day jaunt We had a busy time traveling to Paracas Peru where the Ballestas Islands are nearby. Our hotel was nice and had a cute terrace to look at the beach for our anniversary. The bus we rode on was really nice as well and we were in the VIP seats apparently. Very comfy chairs. The next morning we left for the boat tour to the islands and got to see our very first http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Ica/Ballestas-Islands/blog-364115.html Here we are Here is the skyline of the city at nighthttpwww.theperuguide.comgraficamirapark2.gifYesterday in Puerto Maldonado was marginally better. We attempted to go to a guidebook recommended Butterfly House only to be told that it wasnt open and that if we were tourists it was 25 US dollars. A piece Yikes. So we walked down to Serpentario which was a neat display of local snakes http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Lima/Lima/Miraflores/blog-363121.html And were done with the jungle blog. In case youre wondering why we have that much time on vacation its because there is nothing to do here in Puerto Maldonado. We booked the flights before the jungle trip and are left here with two night and a full day tomorrow to fill. Fortunately our hotel is nice and has free internet so we can waste time doing all of this We rode from the airport http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Madre-de-Dios/Puerto-Maldonado/blog-362484.html 18 We got up early this morning to try and see the famous clay lick that the TRC is known for. It then began pouring rain. After getting up at 345 to see them we watched the clay until the boat came back instead of the birds. That was the only rain we suffered for which were really lucky during rainy season On the walk to the clay lick we saw a tarantula which we later visted twice more. http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Madre-de-Dios/Puerto-Maldonado/Amazon-Rainforest/blog-362461.html Were back Our jungle trip was very exciting starting on the 6th of January. Were now in Puerto Maldonado in the pouring rain so we have plenty of time to give a long account of it day by day haha. We booked our trip through Mondove.com and Rainforest Expeditions planned all of it. After speaking with a guide we learned that they form partnerships with area communities to staff and run t http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Madre-de-Dios/Puerto-Maldonado/Amazon-Rainforest/blog-362423.html We made it up here after all last night and go to see Machu Picchu this morning.Yesterday we got up at 4 to race to the train station and figure out our tickets. After several miscommunications the day before turns out we were in the clear the whole time with our reserved tickets. If anyone reading this goes to Machu Picchu I highly recommend buying tickets beforehand on Perurail.com. We took http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Aguas-Calientes/blog-360404.html I'd like to preface this blog entry with an apology if everything seems to be written in cliches or superlatives. It's hard to describe anyways besides the fact that we're paying for internet time. So if you're thinking in your head that I should'nt have graduated with an English degree please forgive me. Yesterday was the horseback ride in Urubamba which is in the Sacred Valley about an hour http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Urubamba/blog-359725.html Tyler says Lets Go Hawks can you believe hes thinking about football in Peru Just kidding we have some time to kill before we see an Andean dance exposition and its raining outside.We have had a big two days. Yesterday we mailed postcards and it was ridiculously expensive so if you get one from either of us you should feel very special and that we knew your address. Qoricancha is what http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Cusco/Cusco/blog-359117.html Hello allHere is our first email slash blog entry. Our hostel is nice and has lots of sun and hot water but well probably downgrade the rest of the nights to save money. Maybe not Tyler says now haha. The altitude is a little crummy for puny old me but not as bad as when I was in Tibet perhaps because I havent eaten any yak. Cusco is beautiful There are gorgeous gardens and bright colors http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Cusco/Cusco/blog-358637.html HelloWe thought that wed start a blog so people didnt have to read our emails if they didnt want. Plus its nice to look back at as I found with my China trip.Weve been here three days and are on our third hostel We decided the first one was too expensive and the second one was a crazy party hostel. It felt like Spring Break Cusco with all sorts of drinking and loudness. So the thi http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Cusco/Cusco/blog-358635.html