Taking holiday pics

Taking holiday pictures is a personal decision.  Do you want to capture just the moment   that reminds you of the fun times you had,  or do you want pictures that you could perhaps print off and frame.

I really debated for a long time what kind of camera to take on my Peru trip.   I thought carrying a larger camera would be bothersome as I was at altitude, hiking the Inca Trail for 4 days,  and it would be the last thing I wanted to bother with.

I tried point and shoot cameras,  but for me,  it wasn't going to be good enough.   So I went with a larger camera.   Yes,  it was a huge pain at times,  stopping to get it out of my back pack or bothering my fellow hikers to get it for me so I didn't have to keep taking the pack off.   But I am really pleased with the pictures I came home with.    It was a trip of a lifetime,  and my pictures reflect how special it was.

So if you are taking a big trip,  take some time to weigh up your options.

Check your Mobile provider for data options before leaving on your trip

When travelling out of country remember to switch off your data roaming on your mobile phone,   or you may get a nasty shock on your next bill.

You can always search out wifi zones in restaurants or coffee shops so that you can check your mail.    However,  it can be a bit habit-forming scanning for wifi as soon as you enter,  like a nervous tic.

The alternative is to check before you leave home and see if your provider offers a package for out of country data coverage.  There seem to be better deals out there now,  and it is so much easier that constantly scanning.

How much to tip when travelling.

It’s hard to know when visiting a new country what is expected in the way of tipping  for hotel staff, tour guides or in restaurants.

Before your trip it’s always a good idea to research a little as it can vary a lot.  Some countries/areas include gratuity in restaurants,  some do not.

Usually first world coutries have a set percentage that is expected,  while less develop countries do not.You can always check with your tour guide,  or hotel staff to see what the local customs are.

If you are on an organised tour,  it is usual to tip the tour guide,  the driver,  and cooks/porters, if it’s that type of tour.  You can always contact the tour office with these questions before you leave.

On my recent trip to Peru, hiking the Inca trail we tipped all of the 24 porters, cook, assistant cook and tour guide.   That seems like a lot,  but when you see the amount of work they do,  and realise how little they get paid,  compared to people in first world countries,  it just seems right.

For further help you may want to check this link;

http://www.fodors.com/news/how-to-tip-when-traveling-around-the-world-10820

Air Canada Rouge

Having just flown back from Peru with Air Canada on their newer Rouge service I just wanted to let others know about their inflight entertainment.

I entered the plane and was surprised to notice that there were no overhead TV's,  nor any seat back TV's.      I learned that you needed to download an app before boarding the plane that would allow you to access their inflight entertainment movies,  tv shows and music.   This can be downloaded to iPad, iPhone or android devices.

If you don't do this ahead of time you may rent an iPad for the duration of the flight at a cost of CDN$10 or be very bored during your flight.

I am not sure if other operators are going this direction with their inflight entertainment, but I would definitely check before flying.

Check your gate number... then ask

I arrived in plenty of time to Cusco airport. I thought I may have an issue with the weight of my luggage as usual, but amazingly enough it was right on the 23 kg allowed...phew.

Went to Gate 3 as indicated on my boarding pass and waited until the allotted boarding time 3.50. There was a lot of commotion over at Gate 5, I checked my boarding pass, it definitely said Gate 3. I waited... nothing. So at 4.10 I decided as the line had disappeared that I should probably check with the attendant there. Sure enough, that was my plane, they had written the gate number down wrong, and there was no electronic board or announcement or anything letting you know what flight was boarding.

So beware, always check.  Only a short flight,  1 hour and 15 minutes,  but awesome views of the snow capped Andes,  most enjoyable.

The jungle is very hot... obvious, but needs to be said :)

5 days later and I am back in Cusco after the jungle, what a diverse country Peru is.

The bus journey to the river port was a lot better than I thought. We stopped often to view Inca sites, had breakfast in a lovely little town, visited a museum and learned more about the Amazon area of Peru. It really didn't seem like a long journey. We ended the first day high in the Cloud Forest at a modest lodge. The views were wonderful.

The trip down the river on a large covered canoe was interesting. The driver was very experienced at navigating the rapids, and our guide pointed out numerous birds and wild life along the way.

We spent 2 nights at lodge in the middle of the Manu park (pictured above), surrounded by the sights and sounds of the jungle. The Howler Monkeys were an amazing wake up call. We made a number of hikes into the jungle to observe the wildlife and fauna, including a couple of night hikes. Our guide was excellent at explaining how all the jungle species worked together and pointing out many fascinating things. We were very fortunate to have a young jaguar run out onto the trail in front of us, a site I will never forget.

The trip back up the river took longer due to the fast current downstream, but we were able to break the journey at a wonderful thermal spring.

Another very enjoyable experience in Peru, however, if you don't cope well with heat and high humidity you may not enjoy it.

Back to the Cloud Forest

Early in the morning, we have another walk through the forest; as always it is teeming with life and by now many birds, monkeys, insects, trees and plants are familiar to us.

We walk until our car picks us up to take us to Cusco, where we arrive in the late afternoon.

Hot Springs

After a last morning walk in Pantiacolla, the boat takes us to the hot springs of Shintuya for a relaxing mineral bath, before continuing further up to Atalaya.

From here we turn back up the Andes by car. We visit a local orchid “sanctuary” along the way. We spend the last night in Posada San Pedro.

Parrot clay lick

Early in the morning the boat takes you to a nearby clay lick for parrots and the rare blue-headed macaw. 

There are many theories as to why parrots eat clay. However, in the past few years, research has shown that they eat clay for the sodium in it. Whatever the reason may be, a group of colourful parrots descending through the air to the clay lick is an unforgettable sight to be seen. From a blind you may see parrots and parakeets to ingest the clay on a bank.

From there we visit one of the higher trails of the Pantiacolla Mountains with it’s ‘Oil’ stream with small hot springs, oil wells and natural swimming pools.

Amazon Cloud Forest

At daybreak we continue by bus to tropical lowland rainforest. Here at the small village Atalaya at 650 m, we change into a motorized canoe to navigate some 2 hours down the turbulent Alto Madre de Dios River.

From here we get great views of the Andes. We stop for a visit of one of the very few lakes on the Alto Madre de Dios River, where you can go around on small traditional rafts. For the next two nights we stay at the Pantiacolla lodge, right at the foot of the Pantiacolla Mountain Range.

The forest of Pantiacolla Lodge is a very special rainforest: this is where the Andes and the lowland tropical rainforest meet and provides the visitor with a chance to see a good selection of birds and plants from both zones as well as endemics to the area. Your first hike will be on the lowland trails, at 400m above sea level.

Also at night, we explore the forest by torchlight looking for insects, snakes and the uniquely nocturnal night-monkey or 'douricouli'. We spend the night in Pantiacolla Lodge.

Heading to the Amazon Jungle

Leaving Cusco at 5am we begin our 8-hour journey over the Andes by bus, stopping for a coffee at the beautiful colonial village of Paucartambo.

Continuing, we climb to the highpoint of the Manu Biosphere at about 4000 m before descending to the cloud forest. In these mysterious surroundings we take a walk to the lek of the incredible Cock-of-the-Rock (bird below), to see the 'performance' of the males right under our eyes. We spend our first night in the rustic lodge Posada San Pedro (appr. 1,600 m).

A day off in Cusco

So I had a couple of days off to regroup after the Inca Trail and before the Amazon Jungle adventure so I decided to take a Chocolate making workshop in Cusco at Chocolate Museo.

It was a lovely venue over looking one of the squares in Cusco. The smell of chocolate wafted down the stairs.

We were educated on how the cocoa bean grows, where it likes to grow and how it is harvested. Then we were given some beans to see how they looked.

First they need to be roasted in a large open stone pot. As they heat up the smell of chocolate is stronger. Once they crackle like pop corn they are removed from the heat. We are given the roasted beans to peel off the outer shell. The remainder is put into a pestle and mortar where we grind them into a paste. Then they are put through another hand operated grinder to form a finer paste.

With this paste we are able to make 2 different types of Hot Chocolate that Peruvians frequently drink, one with water and spices, one with milk and cinnamon, both delicious.

The chocolate used to make eating chocolate is slightly different and has to have been mixed for 24 hours. They have some ready for us to use. We are given moulds and pour the liquid chocolate into them along with our choice of additives, almonds, salt, coffee beans etc etc. After an hour we have are very own chocolate to take home.

A very well organised, educational and fun way to spend a few hours.

I survived the Inca Trail

I survived the Inca Trail and have the t-shirt to prove it.

The trail was amazing, so much more that I ever imagined. I was always focused on the end, Machu Picchu. But we saw so many wonderful inca sites and views along the way that the whole adventure is something I will never forget.

We hiked in the hot sun, the rain, the little tiny bugs that savaged our legs and left nasty red bites. We struggled up steep passes, going so slowly you can't imagine, but it was so hard at altitude to breathe.

The porters and cook were amazing. They gave us breakfast, lunch tea and dinner in the dining tent, table laid each time. Then as we hiked off they dismantled it and rushed past us to the next spot and set it all up again. Even though they carried 25 kg, they laughed and smiled as they went.   They brought us a bowl of warm water morning and evening to our tents to wash, it was such a wonderful service. 

Our group was wonderful and we had so much fun even during the really tough parts of the trail.  The tour leader was amazing, always positive and so passionate about the history of each site. He would brief us at breakfast about the day ahead, and at dinner would give us details of what to expect the next day.

An amazing experience all round, and I will never forget the trail or the people.

I would highly recommend Explore and will definitely be travellinng with them again.

Machu Picchu

We spend the night in Aguas Calientes,  the strange little tourist town that has grown up at the bottom of Machu Picchu.   There is no road into the town,  only the train,   the only road is the one the buses zig zag up and down all day.    

I was so excited at the thought of a hot shower,  but alas,  I only had a cold one,  but at least I was clean.   

Our final morning is spent at Machu Picchu, probably the most astounding feat of engineering in all of ancient America. Temples,stairways, palaces and gabled stone dwellings are scattered everywhere, testifying to the energy and ingenuity of the builders.  It's quite amazing,  and our guide Lobo, again with such passion,  explains about the different areas.      

Then we have some free time before taking the train with the glass roof back for 1 1/2 hours to meet the bus,  which takes us back to Cusco. 

What an amazing 5 days.    I would highly recommend it,  but it is very challenging.   

The Inca Trail - Day 4

Up early today as everyone is up and ready for their coffee.    Unfortunately the weather has closed in and those beautiful view that we had are gone.  Quite foggy,  I am glad we were able to see them last night.  

After breakfast we gather to say goodbye to the porters as some of them will leave before lunch,  and tonight we sleep in the town.   It's very sad to see them go. 

We set off downhill for most of the morning stopping at some amazing terraced ruins.    Most of the trail today was easier,  you had time to appreciate the wonderful views,  or which there were many.  

We descend to Winay-Wayna ruins (2591m), a small Inca city which, like Machu Picchu, was abandoned for unknown reasons.

Then from Inti Punku - the Gate of the Sun - there is a sudden and fantastic view of the Lost City itself, Machu Picchu.  It is quite emotional for all of us.  Having been a self-contained unit for the last 4 days, in isolation almost,  it was quite a shock to encounter lots of tourists.   People who had taken the train there, while we had hiked for 4 days.  It somehow seemed wrong.   But as it was mid afternoon the ruins themselves were empty really which was lovely.   

Inca Trail - Day 3

Up very early today,  as it's so early we get to have 2 breakfasts,   but that's the only good news.   Rained all night and very foggy and rainy when we got up.   

Very hard 1 1/2 hour climb to Warmiwanusca (Dead Woman) Pass (4200m), to the valley of the Pacamayo river with its tropical vegetation.  The view above isn't what we saw as it was so cloudy,  foggy and rainy.   

We then cross the Runkuraqay Pass (3950m). Here the selva (jungle) becomes visible on the slopes of the mountains. Sayaqmarca ruins are on a rocky promontory. They command an imposing view and have only one means of access, a narrow granite stairway. Our trail goes through cloud forest with vines, exotic flowers (among them orchids) and luxuriant trees, then on through an Inca tunnel and along a ridge above the Urubamba river to the lovely Phuyupatamarca ruins (3579m).

The views of the Urubamba and the snow capped peaks of Veronica (5750m) and Salkantay make these ruins one of the most beautiful places on the trail.  An amazing place to camp,  gorgeous views.   

The Inca Trail - Day 2

Greeted early morning by a hot cup of coffee brought to my tent,  and a bowl of hot water to wash.    Quinoa porridge followed by an omlette for breakfast. 

After breakfast we are introduced to the 24 porters and then set off.    It's an easy start,  and very hot,  hotter than I expected,  the sun is strong at this elevation.   

Following the course of the Kusichaca river the trail leads to Huayllabamba,   a quiet village of Inca Origins and the last settlement on the route.

We stop for lunch and to rest in the sun for a short time before we set off again.   Mid afternoon it starts to rain.  We continue for another few hours climbing 1200 meters to reach our campsite at Llulluchapampa 3800m with stunning views of the snowy peaks around us.  Wonderful view back down the valley.  

The Inca Trail - Day 1

Leaving the hotel at 8.30 we drive 2 hours to Ollantaytambo where we stop for 30 minutes to look at an old Inca town.   The we drive to landmark 82km along a dirt road which looks quite dodgy in spots. 

Here we enter the check point to the Inca Trail.   The trail was first explored by Hiram Bingham in 1911 and opened for walkers in 1970. The famous ruins of Machu Picchu are not the only historical remains within the area: many other interesting sites are hidden in places which can only be reached on foot,and have scarcely been explored. Our trek starts by crossing the Urubamba river, then follow its rapids down the Sacred Valley.

The porters set up the tent for our lunch stop and serve mushroom soup and a hot meal.  There is hot water in buckets to wash our hands,  cool drinks and a wonderful view.  

We hike for another hour or so and set up camp under the ruins of Llactapata.   A gorgeous valley,  we soak our tire feet in an icy stream,  have hot tea and biscuits and short nap before dinner is served.   It was one of the groups birthday and somehow the chef made an amazing birthday cake,  iced,  with "happy birthday' written on it,  amazing as they only have little stoves to cook on.    

Bed by 8 o'clock as we have an early start. 

A visit to the market

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I always find a visit to a market in a different country an experience for all the senses. The colours, the smells, different music playing in the back ground and this one was no exception.

Mercado San Pedro is the central market in Cusco is a hub of bustling vendors. From everything you can possible make from alpaca wool, to various strange meats which of course I avoided.

A wonderful experience and I would recommend anyone visiting a city in a different country to seek out the local market.

Coca Tea for altitude sickness

As soon as you check in at the hotel in Cusco they give you a cup of coca tea. This apparently helps with the affects of altitude which can vary greatly from person to person, and can be quite severe. Generally it's just a headache and maybe a light headedness. At 11,000 feet it can certainly be felt here.

I had heard of this tea, and expected something coffee like, thinking cocoa/coffee, who knows. I was wrong. When it came it was hot water with some large green leaves floating in it, and tasted somewhat like you had cooked vegetables and were now drinking the hot water. Not very nice. I said to a fellow tourist, I think the locals just do it as a joke and are laughing at us.

I'm not sure if it was the tea or it just affects some people, but I feel ok. The only time I notice it right now is climbing stairs, becoming breathless fast. It should take a few days to get used it in time for the 4 day hike to Machu Picchu.

Sleeping on the airport floor.. fun times.

So the flight from Toronto to Lima was about 8 hours arriving in Lima at midnight. My flight to Cusco wasn't until 6am, so I knew that I would have an uncomfortable night, but silly me had envisioned seats that you could lay down on.

Having collected my baggage, I look for the Departures area. Well the domestic departures is closed until the morning. There were several small cafes and restaurants, but none of those long bench seats that you see in other airports, that you can lay down on.

I circled the airport a few times hoping that I had missed the "comfy" area, but no. There was a wide corridor where a number of back packers and randoms had set up a sleeping dormitory. Fortunately I had my sleeping bag in my suit case, so pulled that out, organised my back pack as a pillow and called it bed time. Not the best, but not the worst few hours sleep ever.

The hi-light of my night was going to the bathroom to watch the water flush in the other directions. The Coriolis effect.

I was in Barcelona in June.   There are so many wonderful things to see in the city.   We wanted to go and see the famous Gaudi cathedral Sagrada Familia which is one of the top things to see there.

On arrival at the cathedral there were 2 lines,   one to line up to get 'entry' tickets,  the other to actually go in.   The first line was about 1 hour-long,   and it gave you a ticket for a specific time to enter the cathedral.  In our case it was 3 hours later.    So we had to go away and kill time for 3 hours.   Fortunately we found a lovely cafe and enjoyed some tapas.

To save waiting in the first line for 1 hour we could have booked the tickets online and then just showed up for our 'time slot'.

So if you are planning on visiting any city to see a specific attraction it is definitely worth while to see if you can book your tickets online to save wasting valuable time while you are there.

Currency delivered to your door.

I was going to go to the bank today to order the currency that I needed for Peru.  I always check things out online first, so I googled best rates etc and a number of different companies offered their services.

I am not sure what other companies offer,  but I found one with excellent rates.   You can order the currency you require and pick it up at their office free of charge,  but for $10 you can have it delivered to your front door.

When there are so many last minute things to do before a trip it doesn't get much more convenient than that.

Oh,  and in Peru,  the currency is Peruvian Nuevo Sol,  just in case you ever need to know :)

http://www.interchangefinancial.com/

 

Upgrade your seat for more luggage allowance

I fly back and forth to London, UK once or twice a year.   For some reason I can't seem to limit myself to 23 kg.  Yes,  I know,  its shocking,  and it has become a family joke.    Checking in is always a very stressful experience as I know that I have over 23 kg,  and if they need to weigh my hand luggage then I could be in trouble.

Last year I actually paid to bring home an extra suitcase,  and I was still verging on being over my limit with 2 suitcases... yes,  I have a problem.

There is quite a hefty penalty if your luggage is overweight.   It used to be a per kilo fee,  then it change to a flat rate.

Instead of stressing before leaving for the airport this year, I checked a few days before and discovered that for half the cost charged for the penalty on over weight luggage,  I could upgrade the seat, and get an extra 10 kilos of baggage allowance.   This also gave you a free seat selection, priority check in, priority boarding and priority baggage handling - meaning your suitcase comes out first at the other end,  that was a huge bonus.

It was definitely worth the extra $55 and I will be doing it again,   only on the return flight when I have bought too much.

Carry on liquid restrictions

I recently took a flight from London Gatwick to Barcelona.   It was only a 3 night visit so I just had my carry on luggage.

This creates problems with regards to cosmetics, hair and body products which usually come in liquid form,   and as we are all aware now,  only 100 ml of a product can go in your hand luggage.

I spent sometime before the trip moving shampoo, conditioner and body lotion from big bottles into 100 ml bottles.  Also bought small versions of other products that I use so that I was prepared.

When I got to security I discovered that all of my precious little bottles had to fit in 1 clear plastic zip lock bag supplied by the airport (unless you were so organised that you had your own).  This was a whole new problem.    It was quite a site,  all the ladies trying to squeeze, move  and juggle their bottles to fit into the clear bag.

I finally got everything squeezed in  and put the suitcase onto the screening conveyor belt. As it went through the x-ray machine,  a metal arm came out and pushed mine to the 'what illegal products do you have in here' side for inspection.

As I waited at the end the kind lady went through my suitcase and brought out a miniature sized hair styling mousse that I had just bought and forgot was loose in the case.    Now it may be a miniature sized mousse,  but it still had to go in that same little plastic zip lock bag that I had spend 20 minutes stuffing all the other things into, or it was going to be confiscated.

Fortunately the nice lady was an expert at these things.  Took all the little bottles out of my zip lock,  re-positioned everything,  and squeezed it all in and was able to zip the bag up.  I don't know how she did it,  but what a relief - bad hair days in Barcelona had been averted.

Did you know that is possible to buy products such as shampoo, conditioner and body lotion in solid form from Lush?   This would have avoided the whole liquid restrictions nightmare.