JamieBrown

Across The Continent The plane banks left as it climbs out of la Paz Airport. Out my window, the red roof houses disappear in the valley as the sun peeps over the White Mountains. An hour later we land in Santa Cruz. Flat, cleared, Amazon savannah. Booming beef country and quite the opposite to La Paz. A short stop over than on to the Atlantic coast. Buenos Aries will amaze and surprise you. More grand architecture than Paris, greater piazza’s and sculptures than Rome and more passionate football fans than London. The people are very European, yet still possess that wild South American passion of life. They are aloof yet still extroverted; expressed in their dance, their actions and their love of each other. We tour the city, visit Evita’s Tomb ( inside the most amazing ... read more

La Paz After a most interesting bus trip from Puno we arrive in La Paz. The highlights being the countryside plus the ferry crossing. We are herded out of the bus and watch while our bus is loaded on to a boat, why we can’t stay aboard we wonder? We then have to pay to board another boat. As we are crossing the bay we watch in horror as our bus rocks from side to side in the swell, so glad not to be on board, reuniting with it on the other side. As the Altipano ends, La Paz appears in front of us. Nestled deep in a canyon with the snowcapped mountains as a back drop, the red roofed houses clinging to the edges overlooking the town Centre. It is an incredible sight. Imagine New ... read more

The Power Of The Mind With Limited Oxygen – A Personal Reflection. Author Sue We accomplished the Inca Trail Trek!!! – Keith, Kathy, Jamie and Sue Starting out on a dream of a lifetime, the unknown the mystery of the journey saw us leave our safe haven in Cusco. That is, a warm comfortable bed; flushing toilet; hot showers and connection to the world and its daily events. Backpacks on backs with minimal clothing and extra water we descend to the Sacred Valley to meet our porters and organize bedding. The rush of excitement carries us past villages, children playing and blowing whistles thanks to Jamie ... read more

Another early morning flight flying back to Lima and then on to Cusco. The day before there was a terrorist attack at Lima airport and security is high and lots of planes backed up. We fly over the grand mountains of The Andes, some snowcapped and others barren. Cusco is completely surrounded by mountains and our descent into Cusco airport a real adventure. I’ve learnt from the locals that a quick sign of the cross at landing is a good help. From Cusco we catch a taxi to Ollantaytambo where we are spending two nights. We travel over the mountains to Chinchero, reaching 3800 meters, than descending into Sacred Valley at Urumbamba which is situated on the river of the same name, which flows the length of this valley. Our altitude has now dropped to 2800 ... read more

We fly 4 hours north to Lima, the capital of Peru, than 2 hours more to Iquitos. The weather has changed dramatically. It is 30 degrees with 90 % humidity. Abreast the Amazon River, lying just below the Equator, Iquitos is surrounded by The Amazonian Rainforest. Only 120 meters above sea level. The largest city in the world only accessible by boat or plane; it has a population of 450,000 hot blooded locals. With a mix of Columbian, Brazilian and of course Peruvian backgrounds. Tuk Tuks dominate the streets, with fewer cars and the odd bus which have to be seen to be believed. The traffic is best described as Asian; speed, skill and prayer necessary to negotiate the streets. The smiling, laughing people spill from every house, shop and bar, adding colourful life to this ... read more