http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/amichele/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from amichele en-us Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:40:06 +0000 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 03:40:06 +0000 Since my internet time is seriously restricted it is ridiculously expensive on board I'll just say that the whole experience has been amazing. And in addition to the excitement of the islands and the animals we had a fire in the engine room on Thursday. It was kinda surreal but they got it under control quickly and no one was hurt. We've been running under one engine since then.........I'm http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/Galapagos/blog-310105.html So today we got to sleep in a bit and had breakfast here at the Hilton non descript western breakfast buffet. As we were herded on to buses and around the colonial part of the city I felt like a member of a herd of sheep. We drove by La Basilica newest church in old Quito only about one hundred years old...... As expected we hit several spots we had already seen The Plaza Grande San F http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/Mitad-del-Mundo/blog-307217.html Well what a difference a day and a new posh hotel makes. Yesterday I was so exhausted I could barely type. Now that we are safely in the arms of the Hilton family and soon the Passport to Travel tour group family as well I feel more relaxed since the before we left. I expect to update yesterday's blog more later but the internet at the Hilton is not gratis so I want to get today done f http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/Quito/blog-306865.html Ok we have no idea when we are supposed to be at the Hilton....Sharon thinks 3pm but isnt sure. And isnt sure if 3pm is the beginning of the CE class or if that is when we should arrive in order to check in and get situated before going to the class. ALL the ce is going to be done on thurs and fri before the cruise...... So she is going to call the travel agency in CALIFORNIA to find ou http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/Quito/blog-306547.html As I ponder the eternal question of all travelers I wonder how I always mange to get myself into these situations. But really how could I resist And most of my purchases were for other people.....Well obviously we made it to Otavalo a daily market in the Imbabura Province where at about 70 of the people are of the Native Imbabura Indians. And this area is a rare example of the native p http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/Otavalo/blog-306544.html Once more this weary traveler delays sleep to broadcast her intrepid adventures.......geez Im exhausted....I left off just before we went to the New Townfor some shopping me shopping. And once again I have made some fragile purchases......I knew I should have packed that bubble wrap After a fairly non descript dinner we headed back to Old town and on the way I saw the greatest sign... http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/Bellavista-Cloud-Forest/blog-306279.html Since the internet here at the hotel is gratis and available this evening I thought Id throw out another hiya and I made it private so I could gripe freely just a little . So I know that with the rare exception spending 24 hours a day with anyone is just going to get on my nerves. And really Sharon hasnt been TOO bad I suppose but little things are already begining to annoy. Numero http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/Quito/blog-305754.html Hello everybody. We made it After taking off an hour late about 45 min of which was sitting in the sweltering heat on the tarmac...... we had a relatively good flight. No bad turbulance but a kind of mild shimy sp which after a while you didnt notice until suddenly it became smooth. Anyway we landed safely to the teeny weeny Quito airport and had a few tense moments as we didnt se http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Ecuador/North/Quito/blog-305662.html and back in Cuzco. Thank goodness. Actually way too exhausted to blog but wanted yall to know were ok. Should have time to catch up tomorrow during our 14 hour layover in Lima . http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Cusco/blog-170849.html Well obviously still having photo issues......the pictures are too big and the internet connections to freaking slow.....will keep working at it.We weve moved two more towns since I last wrote. We left Aquas Calientes shortly after my last blog taking the train back to Ollantaytambo. We were expecting about the same trip on the way back and were somewhat taken aback when just after the drink http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Puno/Chucuito/blog-169523.html At last this blog is finally going to completely catch me up to the time that I am writing this. YEAH So...Aquas Calientes. I got to have my first real train ride ever and the views were amazing although somewhat spoiled by the power lines running along the Urubamba river. About 5 kilometers from Aquas Calientes is a hydroelectric station on the river and the power is run back up stream to th http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Aguas-Calientes/blog-168789.html At last The day of our big ride....and I have been queasy off and on all night and into the morning. However I was determined to make it and after some pepto and tea I felt well enough to give my best effort. We got to the resort about 45 min early relaxed and enjoyed the warmth of the sun and the scenery. Once we met Moesis Stef explained that we were fine with the change in drivers but http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Aguas-Calientes/blog-168548.html After a relatively quiet night only occasionally punctuated by a strange whistle noise like a police whistle we awoke feeling a little better about our accomadations. It didnt hurt that it was light outside and we had a plan to keep ourselves busy that day. I got up and out early to explore our little slice of heaven. Actually the grounds are nice kind of a less luxurious version of Luna http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Urubamba/blog-168530.html So as Stef was making the futile attempt to teach me to burp I was in the midst of trying to figure out HOW I was going to get all my purchases safely packed for our trip the next day to Urubamba. Finally after much cursing on my part and laughing on Stefs I managed to get everything in whew. I woke up early to get a few pictures and we got an early breakfast. Then we parted ways briefly http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Urubamba/blog-168204.html So yesterdays blog I actually finished today the 9th because the internet service went kablooie and I lost about 75 of it. . And todays blog I am actually writing on the 10th since we finally found the internet here in Urubama.....more on that on the next blog the 10th.....confused so am i..... at least the symbol keys work here for the most part.Anyway after the last blog we w http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Cusco/blog-167826.html So I have found an internet place wUSB ports....however they all have Windows Vista or the system doesnt recognize my USB.....who knew that in the middle of South America where you can't flush the tp that they would have the lastest system program. Anyway apparently the SD card reader that I have to read the memory card for my camera is not Vista compatible......hopefully I can find a older http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Cusco/blog-167090.html Hello out there Well after 48 hours and only about 3 hours sleep weve arrived in Cuzco. Our flight from Atlanta was delayed about an hour so we only had about 3 hours at Mami Panchita Hostel to shower and rest. Time to retrain ourselves not to flush the toilet paper. We had quite a reintroduction to South American plumbing when a mysterious moaning sound came forth at the end of every flush. http://www.travelblog.org/South-America/Peru/Cusco/Cusco/blog-166775.html It's the day before lift off and Stef and I are both running around at a slightly frenetic pace checking and double checking our supplies. Short of a few set backs such as Patty needing the pin pulled out of her leg and Stef ripping one of her contacts practically in half this morning we should be good to go for our Peruvian adventure http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Georgia/Marietta/blog-165943.html