South America

Peru, Machu Picchu: Dream Trip

Jan — Thu, 20 Nov 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Aguas Calientes
Jueves, el 20 de Noviembre
Thursday 20 November 2003

Saludos a mi familia y mis amigos,

Please click on the image
for photos of Machu Picchu.

I am sitting in the central square of Aguas Calientes, a town tucked away in a valley in the Andes. Surrounding the town are steep, straight-to-the-sky green mountains topped with clouds.

Arequipa: La Ciudad Blanca

Jan — Mon, 24 Nov 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Arequipa, Peru
24 November 2003

Dear Family and Friends,

Please click on the image
for photos of Arequipa.

Let me describe The Perfect Lunch: shall we say, “a perfectly civilized lunch.”

I am ambling about the Plaza de Armas, the central square of Arequipa, the "altiplano"city in southern Peru.

Chivay: Altiplano

Jan — Mon, 24 Nov 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Day One

Arequipa to Chivay
25 November 2003

Dear Family and Friends,

Please click on the image
for photos of Altiplano and Chivay.

Say “Hello” to Enrique, my tour guide, and Felix, my driver.

My small tour group is bound for Chivay and the Colca Canyon, by minivan.

The group consists of a young married couple from Spain, a younger, soon-to-be married couple from Peru, a young man from Japan and a young man from Germany. Yes, as per usual, I am the senior member of the group. “Señor Juan,” if you please.

Colca Canyon: El Condor Pasa

Jan — Tue, 25 Nov 2003 00:00:00 +0700

Day Two

Chivay – Colca Canyon – Arequipa
Peru

November 25. 2003

Dear Family and Friends,

Please click on the image
for photos of Colca Canyon, The Amazon and Lima.

The visit to Colca Canyon was the highlight of the long ride through the desert and the mountains.

After a light breakfast at a comfortable inn – hot, hot water, clean room, and cheerful staff – our group hit the road.