Mother of all delays

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What a nightmare journey to get to the jungle!!!

Left Bonaire yesterday as scheduled and had an ok flight into Lima. Only 3.5hrs, although we did then spend 30 minutes circling over Lima until there was a space to land! Out of the airport into the chaos of Lima - it´s totally mad...men everywhere shouting at you about money changing, taxis, going to cusco etc etc.

We managed to get a taxi with a nice driver who spoke good english - learned that taxi drivers don´t bother getting car insurance....agreed this was probably a combination of the state of their vehicles (smell of burning rubber from right wheel arch area most of the way there) and the fact that ALL drivers in Lima are totally crazy...they basically just zig zag backwards and forwards across the roads with their hands on the horn.

Our hotel was really nice.......even tho we were only there for a few hours. Glad it´s good tho as we return there for 3 nights after the jungle and it will be nice to have a little luxury,

So...this morning up at 3am again to get to the airport in time for our 6.15am flight. All good, in terms of we got here on time, all checked in and down at the gate ready at 6am......and THEN......our flight got "delayed" due to bad weather in the jungle!!!! But no, it didn´t just get delayed......IT GOT DELAYED FOR 11 HOURS!!!!

So here we are.....hanging out at Lima airport for the day, hoping that the promised flight at 5pm does materialise and we get to Iquitos tonight! Apparently, it will be too late to do the 3hr boat trip to the jungle lodge tonight, so we will be staying in Iquitos and then heading out in the morning........the plan is to have a few beers and maybe try and locate a Caiman Steak for dinner!

So.....yes the trip really is living up to expectations....we thought it would be the road journeys that would be temperamental, but it looks like air travel is an adventure in itself. Hopefully by the time you people read this we will be swinging in a hammock watching the monkeys......but...watch this space!

Buenos tardes, hasta luego
Ali & Lorna

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Comments

[Janice]

Message from the workers!
Good to hear all your news - am hoping that you have now arrived in the jungle. How did you cope with the delay - Do you have your sudoku books? - or chess? - or you could do an exercise routine to get into shape for Inca Trail?? I understand that the best thing for altitude sickness is chewing coca (don't know whether that's how you spell it) - my son says that the guides will give it to you?? Everything is wonderful here!!?? I have just had a few days off so am struggling with E mails etc! We're very envious of you!! Lots of love

[Jo Beale]

Hello!
Hi Lorna and Ali....sounds as though you are having fun and everything is proving to be suitably traumatic...good job you are both so calm and competent!!!!??? I've just come back from camping in Devon and that was quite dramatic enough so not sure I'd be coping as well as you both are...Ali, I trust you are sticking rigidly to a 'green day / red day' diet!! Have you sampled any local men yet??!!! keep us posted on all gossip and try not to get arrested, lots of love, Jo xxxx

[Del]

Not got one
Arse :-)

[cathy]

needed a good laugh
well you two seem to be having fun !!! have just read your last two blogs and nearly fell off my chair laughing ! Have been alone on a plane seated next to a gent with an absolute fascination with the contents of his nose before but your travelling companion beats that one by a mile ! Take care and keep the blogs flowing....Cathy x