This is LAND CRUISE EMAIL

Have just a few mintues to do a quick post. Once again the weather gods are blessing us and we have had perfect sunny weather and again this morning it is absolutely gorgeous.

We are at the Monasterio the best hotel in Cusco and it is really nice. We toured the next best three hotels and they dont really compare. This is the place to stay.

The surrounding area is much more attractive and scenic than I had expected. We were out all yesterday touring the sights in Cusco and then we went out of town to see more Inca ruins.

We had a GREAT day. Today we are spending the day in the Sacred Valley and spending the night there. The next day we board the very expensive Hiram Bingham train and go to Machu Picchu. We are praying the weather holds because it makes such a difference when the sun is out.

The Lens Lads got some great shots yesterday but we did not bring a computer so we cannot view them yet. Linda has a new combo video.still camera so she is practicing for Africa. I stay with the guide and keep her busy while they take shots.

The people here are lovely. Even the little street vendors that make me crazy do back off very easily when you say no gracias. I am pretty happy with things so far.

Okay off to the room got to leave in about 10 minutes be back again if have access.

So happy you're having such a good time! Glad to hear you like the Monasterio Hotel in Cusco as that is where we will be staying in February. We also take the Hiram Bingham Orient Express train as you will so can't wait to hear about that too.
Continue having a great time with the beautiful weather!

I am in a small INCA town at the base of some fabulous INCA ruins. There are around 225 steps and as I have knee problems I want to save myself for Machu Picchu so I found an internet while the gang walks the ruins. Great time to post. I may type some then post then continue as I hate to do a big post and lose it if I get disconnected.

We had an adventure in Internet-phone last night. We decided to stop in town to just check email. We had an email from Kens brother that we needed to call American Airlines to confirm that we were approving him to use our miles to pay for his ticket to TUSK.

By the time this happened the reservation was expiring in one hour so we had to do it immediately. No time to waste or go back to the hotel.

Next challenge - how to use the phone. The young girl running the place (so tiny you would not believe it) spoke absolutely zero English. I wish I had Lindas video camera as Ken is trying to explain what he wants to do. It was quite comic. Why does everyone raise their voice thinking this will help the other person understand a foreign language. She got louder, he got louder eventually through sign language she got the idea. He kept picking up the phone and she was waving no. I think she thought we wanted to use the phone for the same fee as the internet because they had a phone that looked like it was to be used by clients. Eventually with much laughter that problem was overcome. Neither Ken nor I could figure out how to use the phone and neither one of us could remember the country code. What kind of Travel Agents are we not to know that!! We use email so much and very seldom call on the phone. Another total non comprehension time and then she produced a paper with all the country codes. We called and got disconnected several times then eventually we managed to connect and confirm with American Airlines.

Next was to pay. I think this little girl had no idea what to charge for the phone. Of course neither did we. We paid her in how many thousand of soles she asked just so grateful to have the problem solved. Later on we figured out this was all of about $4 to $5 for the internet and phone. At the hotel we checked the phone prices. $10 a minute!!!! We must have been on that phone for about 30 minutes. The people here truly are friendly, nice and very accommodating.

Moral of the story, have a good time, a few laughs and save a fortune - use the local phone!

I am going to post this and do another installment.

Great to hear from you, Ngaire and that the weather is cooperating.

You always learn something new to pass along to the rest of us. Thanks!

Hope to hear more when time allows and, of course, see the wonderful photos from the Lens Lads!

The drive from Cusco to the Sacred Valley is truly spectacular. This is a beautiful country. Of course the weather is PERFECT. Blue skys, puffy clouds and a perfect temperature. I need to make an offering to the Inca Gods for this to continue, I know, I will support the local economy and buy some silver jewellry. That should work!

We stopped in a small town, sorry I cannot remember the name at this moment and dont have my books with me to look at. They had the real traditional market that they offer only on Sundays. This is more about the locals than the tourist although of course they had tourist items as tourists who are fortunate enough to be in the area on Sunday do come. The locals with all their vegetables was a target rich environment for the Lens Lads. I have been to many of these in different countries and always enjoy the authentic markets. Petropavslok, (spelling?)Siberia was a market that will always remain in my memory. The young girls were dressed in their best and this is a gathering place to meet and visit each other and where much of the courting seems to take place. You could tell the whole event as much of a social gathering for them as it was to sell their wares.

Of course Linda and I made the appropriate offering to the Inca Gods by supporting the local economy and as much as I am not really a shopper it is nice to help these people. They are very poor, and this is something you can do in a small way to help. There was a difference in the vendors here in the country than in the town of Cusco. Less aggressive and smiling all the time. The ones in Cusco speak more English and all have names like Martha Washington, or Tom Cruise. We have paid more than a few times to have pictures taken with the locals and hope some of those turn out well.

After the gang get back we are going to the Hacienda for lunch which I have been told is a wonderful place.

The tour is going very smoothly, K&D put this together for us and we really did not know what we were going to be doing until the last minute but they did a great job. We did get a reduced rate for the trip but then you have to wait until a few weeks before on a space available basis to make any plans at all. You do your air, set the dates and then just cross your fingers it all works out. We did not get our itinerary until about four days before we left. However, we have all the best places and experiences to enjoy and a great guide who is with us for the whole trip.

The Monasterio by the way Marcie has a great atmosphere with the Monastery music playing softly in the background. The rooms are all different. Linda and Ron ended up with a smaller room but they still thought it was nice. Ours was larger. They are not elaborate by any means but clean and comfortable. They have no air conditioning and at first it was hot but it really cools down at night so it was fine.

The altitude issue we did feel but not too bad. Walking is harder and you find yourself puffing when normally you would not even be breathing hard. All of us felt it at one time or another. We all got a slight headache but took asprin and we were fine. You are at about 11,000 feet at Cusco. Machu Pichhu is lower. For a cost of $25 they can pump oxygen into the room at the Monasterio. We did not do that but we woke up about 4.00am with a headache. This is quite common as your body is not really getting enough oxygen. We spend one more night there and may try the oxygen this time, although by then we will be more used to the altitude. I think if I had to do it again I would probably pay the $25 and see if that made a difference. The paperwork I read said a nights sleep in a room filled with oxygen really helps. Logic tells me you just have to adjust, I dont know which is right. Anyone else done this before with or without the extra oxygen? ONLY the Monasterio has the oxygen option.

The tour guide told me they normally pick people up and take them to the Sacred Valley first as it is much lower, I think she said 9,000 feet. Then go to Machu Picchu and finish up in the Cusco area when you have adjusted more to the altitude. I think that is a good idea.

Okay off to work and check emails now. May be back to you after the Hiram Bingham train and Machu Picchu.

This all sounds wonderful.
Will you be staying at the Sanctuary Lodge at the ruins?

Great report Ngaire! I now know I want to go there, it sounds so interesting.

Another fine report, Ngaire! Lots of new and exciting experiences and information to share with us all!

Hope you are all able to adapt soon and find yourselves headache free!

This is another adventure I want to add to my "to-do list". Great report, Ngaire. Looking forward to photos from the lens lads.

Ngaire - we had the oxygen pumped into our room the first night we were at the Monasterio in Cusco - we didn't request it but they turned it on. We had just come from the Colca Valley which is higher than Cusco and neither of us were feeling very well - stomach problems and also effects of the altitude. I think it made a difference - we both felt much better the next day and were fine the rest of the trip.

I got a kick out of the literature promoting the oxygen in the room - especially the line that said something to the effect of...." studies have now conclusively proven that people are irritable if they don't get a good night sleep..."

-----
Leslie

There is actually a malady called "Altitude Sickness" from the effects of being up that high! Makes you very sleepy and yes, headaches etc. We experienced that several times going up to the Rockies and crossing the Continental Divide at Trail Ridge Road - 14,000 Ft altitude.

Well we are back. Flew all night in Coach and came back at 7.00 am this morning.

I am writing this and then posting in sections so I dont lose the whole thing at some point.

Ken is currently working on pictures and trying to bring it down to about 50 - 60 shots. Not easy to do. He has a lot of people shots they were so fascinating.

An overview.

First night in Lima, nothing much to report here. The hotel was great but we just spent the night and left early the next morning for Cusco.

Cusco is really high and as I mentioned before the altitude is an issue for some. We handled this very well though. We had a tour of the area and saw some Inca ruins just outside of town. This is when the beauty of this area first struck me. There is a lot to see in Cusco. We stayed at the Monasterio and found this to be a great hotel. I really liked it. Ken will post an courtyard picture. The main square is just a block or so away so we wandered around there and also ate a good dinner (pizza) that night.

Off to the Sacred Valley the next day. A drive of about 2 hours. Wow is the word for the scenery here. We stopped at a very high elevation at the local Chincero Market. This was our first exposure to the markets and we loved it. Spent some money of course and the Lens Lads got some great pictures. The valley is called the Sacred Valley as it is rich in all the things the Incas worshipped. Fertile earth, water, mountains a truly beautiful valley. Here we visited some Inca towns that are still standing with many of the original Inca walls. The irrigation system comes down from the mountains and is still used by the locals today. Amazing. We did get to go into one house and could not believe how these people live. A courtyard with four "houses" attached They have a great sense of community and share their daily lives in the courtyards. The "houses" are one room, with very little inside. We have a picture. They all have guinea pigs which they raise to eat for special events. Seeing this is a little troubling but you have to look at the people. Here in this poverty they were smiling and proud of their traditions. It is hard not to put our values on other cultures. This is where I used the internet while the gang walked the ruins.

Then off to the Hacienda for lunch. This is a private home up the mountain on a long dirt road. Once there is was great. A HUGE house and a small dining room where a they host only a couple of tours companies guests for lunch or dinner. The house, scenery and food were all quite outstanding. We loved this it was a special treat.

Then we went to a local bar to learn about Chicha. This is a corn alcoholic brew that dates back to pre-Inca times. We had heard stories of how this is brewed and it is in a big pot and the just dish it out. The brew is covered with a towel, we could not bring ourselves to try this. Anyone else who has been there tried it?? I think if it was served in a restaurant and we did not see it in its natural state it may have been more appealing. Anyway it was fun to see and we have some pictures. They have a stick outside the buildings with a red plastic bag tied to the end that means "Chicha" is here. They also play a game in these "bars". A wooden platform with holes and a frog with an open mouth. You toss coins onto the platform and try to get the coins into the frogs mouth or the holes. Well we had a contest and I won and I beat the driver. He could not believe it and wanted me to do it again. No way, I knew it was a fluke and I was not about to give up my status as "champ". He was quite funny after that I think that really impressed him.

We stayed at a great hotel called Sol Luna. A four star property but with incredible grounds. The flowers were everywhere and the spa was incredible. Love this place would come back in a heartbeat. No five star properties in the Sacred Valley.

Next day off to the Hiram Bingham train to Machu Picchu. This is ridicuously expensive but I must say I really enjoyed it. Service was great, food was outstanding and very comfortable. On arrival you board a bus for a windy hilly road up the mountain to Machu Picchu. The road ends at the Sanctuary Lodge that is VERY close to Machu Picchu. A small but charming place. Rooms nothing special but being right there at Machu Picchu is special. We loved staying here.

For those with walking difficulties you can still see Machu Picchu. There is a walk and a few steps but you can reach a staging area where you can see Machu Picchu. Most people could manage this. I was told even people in wheelchairs have been able to make it with help. So those with some walking problems should not deny themselves an opportunity to see this awesome site. If you walk all over the ruins then you can walk literally hundreds of steps, that are very uneven and it can be quite challenging. There are options here it is up to you how much you do. We walked for four hours and went all over the place and were really tired at the end. The day was clear and the opportunity to see the place in the sun was really a blessing. The next morning it was foggy and that also had a beauty of its own. Ken's pictures will show both aspects. Machu Picchu exceeded my expectations. You can see the pictures but you cannot get the feeling of the entire area. It just cannot be captured in a picture.

The Inca Trail that Leslie and Brad did must be quite challenging. I have new respect for these two now. What an experience. I know I could not do it.

Ken climbed Wayna Picchu. The huge pointed mountain you see in the shots behind the ruins of Machu Picchu. This was really tough. None of us would even attempt it. In fact a team of rescue workers were looking for a man that had gone missing a few days before. I have given up with Ken, he has to do these things but I was SO GLAD when he returned safely. There are drop offs here right into the jungle. If you fell they may never find you.

We came back via the Hiram Bingham train and had an outstanding dinner along with our newly discovered drink PISCO SOUR. Yes, we got quite fond of those during our visit. Kind of like a Margherita. Crashed that night and then flew to Lima the next day.

Lima is a fairly interesting city. Not somewhere I would run back to but we enjoyed our day. We saw the normal sites, the square, the Monastery, the Catacombs do not do it for me at all. Saw so many skulls and bones not my cup of tea. We toured a private home that only this one tour company, Lima Tours can get into by special arrangement. A museum of pottery PRE-INCA was pretty fascinating. By the way Lima Tours does the tours for Radisson to Machu Picchu. They did a spectacular job for us we were very pleased. We did have a great lunch at La Rosa Nautica and we have some pictures of this restaurant. It looks Victorian in architecture and is on a pier in the ocean. Wonderful food and a great atmosphere. We toured hotels as well and the Swiss Hotel Radisson uses is very nice.

Well that is it in a nutshell. A great trip, off to bed now. Hopefully tomorrow Ken will post pictures.

Ngaire - welcome back - sounds like you might have visited the same house - or group of houses - where we saw the guinea pigs - in Ollyantambo? We bought a lovely weaving from the ladies at Chincero.

One couple on our trip took a side trip for chicha tasting - she is a food historian, writer and instructor at the Culinary Institute and was quite keen on trying it, but didn't have anything positive to say about it!

Look forward to seeing Ken's pictures.

Welcome home! I think the Travel Channel needs to snag you up, your travels are fascinating!! I know I would watch for sure!

Your travels do sound wonderful. Plus, you are like the energizer bunny...you just keep going and going. How do you do it? You arrived home this am from an overnight flight and you're still posting. Wish you could bottle your energy. I'd be the first in line to buy it!

Yes Leslie that was the town. I dont have any of my paperwork with me so was not going to try to remember how to spell that town. I am a little brain dead right now. Fascinating wasnt it. The irrigation down the streets and the old Inca walls - something unique. Of course every where you turn they are trying to sell something but they have to make a living too of course.

All we can say is "Wow."
We heard wonderful things about your professionalism Ngaire and obviously, from the way you have checked out and reported on an important destination, that description of you has been fortified.

We look forward to future cruises and will be in touch with you for sure when the time comes to make reservations. At the moment the only reservations we are making are at restaurants!

Kens pictures at

http://www.kodakgallery.com/Welcome.jsp

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And once again, I like the guinea pigs. :) I'm trying not to think about what they're being used for.

Masaki

Beautiful photos of a magical place. I enjoyed viewing them. Thanks!

Welcome home Ngaire! You sure are a bundle of energy!!

I LOVED reading your report and seeing Ken's great photos! I'm also so happy you liked Lima Tours as we ARE doing the 2 night tour to Machu Picchu through Radisson(guess you know that since you booked us!). Curious about why they eat the guinea pigs....I can understand raising pigs at home to eat as we saw in Vietnam but why the guinea pigs and not the larger varieties?

Now, I REALLY can't wait to go to M.P. It won't be long now! Thanks for the great report!

Welcome back!! Those are some of the most beautiful pictures i have ever see. i want to go...........NOW. That is on my top 5 list for sure.
Cindy

Ngaire,
Thank you so much for the great travel report on Cusco and M.P.
It was as if we were there all over again as we did a private seven day pre cruise with Lima Tours before our Radisson cruise last year from Lima to BA.

And Ken's pictures are wonderful. I love the 'people pictures' and their glorious smiles.

We stayed at the Sol y Luna hotel, in the Sacred Valley, too for two nights before MP. That definitely is a place we would love to return for a longer visit. It was so peaceful and calming.

Thank you again for repainting my memories of a wonderful trip.

I love how you indeed go the 'extra mile(s)' for your clients and those on the board.

Thank you for the report and pics, sweet lady! The lovely Miss Lynn and I will be doing the 4 day post-cruise, as you know. The comments and pics have been most helpful. Welcome home! Hope there were no tragedies like those with the house last time.

I've always thought Peru would be a fascinating trip, but now I know I just have to go!!

Maybe you can add BKPeru to your offerings?? <img border="0" alt="[bounce]" title="" src="graemlins/ubbbounce2.gif" />

Just as a side note. I met a tour escort on the bus down from Machu Picchu that was with Holland America. She said the cost from Holland America was $3000 a person - two nights in Cusco at the Hotel Liberator and the REGULAR train to Machu Picchu. If that is correct it is so much more than RSSC, the cost for RSSC is $1795 per person and INCLUDES the train trip on the Hiram Bingham Train.

Glad to hear that RSSC's excursion is less than HAL's! As expensive as this is, we're happy we slurged!

NEVER expect less than Ngaire! She (and the entire B & K staff) are the VERY VERY BEST!! Trust me....I'm picky!

Hi Lauri --- working on BK Peru right now. Will spend this weekend doing the web and it might be ready by Monday or at least at the end of the week. Lots of work to do it all and since I write it from scratch from my experiences and use only Ken's pictures it takes a while.

ROAR got me started on this land portion of my business and I am finding that there are really some special destinations that need a land trip to do justice to the destination.

Never thought I would say this but my next "possible" destination is India. I have been to India and honestly did not like it. However, the wildlife safaris, seeing the Tigers and animals of India are getting rave reviews and there are now some incredible hotels that rival hotels anywhere in the world. Ker & Downey are starting to do India and are talking me into considering it. I might see if I can fit in a trip to India in 2006 and see what I think.

Ngaire, you also need to think about doing China. After Australia/NZ and Antarctica, that will be the next big trip we'll look for. Wouldn't mind doing it on a cruise as long as I could go a ways up the Yangtzee and also see the major sights like the Great Wall.

Been to China twice Gerry. I like doing that on a cruise ship although Anne, Gary, Linda, Ron, Kens brother and sister and I did do a post cruise for about 4 days in Beijing and had a good time. Probably wont do a land trip to this destination. Beijing is included in a cruise and it is pretty easy to add on the Xian warriors from the ship. The Shangri La hotels in Beijing are excellent by the way.

I used to want to go up the Yangtze but those that have done it have not been very enthusiastic about the experience. The feed back has varied of course. Maybe one day - I just wish there was a better ship on the Yangtze. I keep waiting, just like I waited for the Hanseatic to do South Georgia. Comments from those who have been on the Yangtze will be forthcoming. Maybe as a pre or post cruise excursion would work. Just want a better ship!!!

In 2007 I am thinking about doing the Tokyo to Hong Kong Fall trip again. I love Beijing/Shanghai and Hong Kong and want to go the other ports in Japan. After all a girl HAS to go back to the Beijing Pearl Market.

2007 Tokyo - Hong Kong again???? Hmmm ... Ngaire, as you know, both Amanda and I have been looking at this itinerary FOREVER! This might finally be the time to pull the trigger.

Masaki

Ngaire, although I have done many cruises and land trips, a land trip to India was one of my favorites. We were fortunate enough to have spent 26 days there and thought it was an unbelievable trip.I am sure you would find many people who would love to do the trip.That is one county, in my opinion, that has to be seen by land and not from a ship in order to be fully appreciated.

Ngaire, Tokyo to Hong Kong sounds good. Theres even a direct flight from DFW to Tokyo to make it easier! Actually, India sounds good too. Looking forward to hearing the plans for 2007.