After an exhausting five days spent on my computer researching the places and destinations that we wanted to travel to and see in South America, I was struggling to put an itinerary together from so many different suppliers and travel companies. Given that we had only a short month in South America to tour Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia I realised some help was needed. Read More
South America is full of gastronomical treats and cultural treasures, and you can experience both in a single cup of coca tea. Arriving in Colonial Quito I look around our accommodation and find a generous supply of Coca tea in tea bag form. Read More
If you are searching the web for information about the four day Inca Trail trek you will find hundreds of travel companies offering this popular experience in Peru. However, many of these companies are acting only as agents for the relatively few specialist trekking companies that actually operate the trek of the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. Read More
Day 3 – Inca Trail
Chaquicocha to Winaywayna – Inca Flats
Our reward from yesterday’s slog on the Inca Trail is a somewhat more leisurely scenic six hour day on what is called Inca Flats. In reality the “Inca Flats” means up, down, up down, and then there is a long slow drop of 1,200 metres to the third camping spot Winay Wayna – where the luxury of a shower and cold beer awaits – bliss.
Part 1 is here if you want to read it first. Read More
Inca Trail – Day 1
Km 82 (2720m) – Ayapata (3300m)
The big day has finally arrived. We are actually going to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. There has been little preparation apart from alcohol and coffee abstination, but we are feeling confident. We wake at 3.30am on the morning of the beginning of our trek tour along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu, it’s still dark and the street lights are on in Cusco. Read More
After days spent trawling the internet for a suitable cruise ship to travel in the Galapagos, I settled on Athala II at Haugen Cruises. (update 2018 I see it has been renamed Exploration) It met many of my pre-ordained criteria for a cruise and we did have a fantastic time traveling and exploring the Galapagos. However, as many travellers know not all details relevant to the enjoyment of your trip are found on the company website. Read More
One of the reasons people go to the Galapagos Islands is the animals never experienced humans as predators. This means you can get up close and personal with them without them being afraid of you.
Never in a million years did I think I would get to the Galapagos Islands. Hell I hardly even knew exactly where it was back then.
Until one day in late 2010 I just said ‘I’m going’… Read More
“Dear Guests – Prepare for a Wet landing” – What the Heck? I thought this was a luxury cruise?
Of course a wet landing just means you get your feet wet…no big deal, but it sounded so funny over the loud speaker on our boat.
For our first trip to the Galapagos Islands we chose an 8 day First Class Cruise with Haugen Cruises on the 30 metre Catamaran
‘The Athala II’. would prove very expensive but totally worthwhile and pretty mind blowing.
Would I recommend it?
Yes, in a heartbeat. Read More
Every day we were surrounded by special scenes of mating, courtship, territorial disputes, birth and death and every other extreme of wildlife up close and personal.
It’s so hard to choose a defining image or moment from our week long cruise in the Galapagos Islands…what would you choose?
The Galapagos Islands are home to so many unique and fascinating wildlife species, it’s hard to choose a favourite.
But it was the mysterious and comical Galapagos Blue Footed Booby that really caught our eye. Not just because of their striking bright blue feet but their comical mating antics, clumsy movements which are in total contrast their precision diving and fishing talents.
Such funny birds… Read More
