We are finally on the Mariner after 5 days in Peru. We joined the pre-cruise trip to Manchu Pichu which included two nights in Lima at the MiraFlores Park, one night at the Sanctuary Lodge right at the ruins in Manchu Pichu, and two nights in Cusco at the Monestario Hotel.

All of the hotels were Orient Express property so were very, very nice. The first night in Lima wasn't...since we didn't arrive in Lima until midnight and it took Delta 1.5 hours to get all the bags off...ours of course were last. So it was 2:00am before we arrived at the hotel. We did join the Lima tour that morning since it didn't leave until 9:30am. We had been in Lima in 2002 but decided to join it anyway. We are glad we did. Lima Tours is Regent's ground operator in Peru and they do a very good job.

After seeing some of the "regular" stops, the main square, a typical colonial style house, we had lunch at a very good restaurant in MiraFlores with of course, our first Pisco Sours! It was a fixed menu which we really enjoyed, but anyone who didn't like fish would have had a problem. The appetizer was scallops and was wonderful. Plus, the Peruvian wines were not bad at all. The after noon was more siteseeing but we were back at the hotel by 5:00pm. We really wanted to try some of the new restaurants in Lima that specialize in traditional Peruvian cruisine, but the late night caught up with us and it was a light bite in the hotel restaurant and to bed.

The next day was an early one as we flew to Cusco. This itinerary had the added appeal of going to the Sacred Valley and Manchu Pichu before Cusco so we had a change to get more used to the altitude. There were 30 of us and it was a very good group. A mixture of Americans and British. There are quite a few British on the ship as there is the Circle of Interest about the Falklands War.

Everything was on time and we took two smaller buses to the Sacred Valley. Our first stop was at a very nice restort in the valley for lunch and a show of the famous Peruvian horses. It was a lunch of roasted meats and potatoes in the ground. There must have been more than 7 different kinds of potatoes plus lamb, alpaca, Guinea Pig, pork and chicken. There was also a stuffed chile and a sweet tample...and Pisco Sours and wine.

Then we visited several sites in the valley including a private home. It was the village were we caught the train...I'll have to look up the name! We were on the regular train that took about 1 hour to Aqua Caliente and then up to the Sanctuary Lodge. Unfortunately, it was quite cloudy and there was no sunset to see. The lodge is all about location, location, location. While the rooms are very nice, they are small. The best thing is that you have a restaurant for only hotel guests...if you have been there, you will understand as the other restaurant is buffet and open to all the day tours. We had cocktails (guess what they served), some very nice snacks, and then a Shaman ceremony in the gardens. It took about 1.5 hours so dinner was very late. We could order from the menu which had a nice selection. Fred had the duck which he said was one of the best he had ever had and I had Kingfish, a local fish.

Up early the next morning to light showers. We got outfitted in our heavy panchos I had brought with us and met our local guides to visit Manchu Picchu. By the time we started, the showers were even lighter and only continued for about 30 minutes during the tour. Unfortunately, Fred had a bad attack of his "fear of heights" and he turned back at the beginning of the tour. We had visited Manchu Picchu in 2002 so at least he had seen it before. I enjoyed the tour and seeing the ruins for the second time. They are beginning to show the wear and tear of the 4-5,000 people who visit a day! It is highly likely that they will be limiting the number of visitors in the next year and closing some of the major temples because of ongoing erosion and damage. It was back to the hotel for a nice lunch where Fred was waiting in the day room.

After lunch one of our new friends and I went back into the ruins and climbed to the Gate House. That is quite a view (and climb) and I had not done that before. We had the afternoon at leisure so it was fun just to wander through the ruins on our own. We caught the Hiram Bingham Express Train (Orient Express) and had a very nice dinner on the way to Cusco. Fred was not feeling well at all so he went to the bar car when dinner was served and took a short nap.

We got to the Monestario Hotel about 9:30pm. We had a double-decker room, i.e. bedroom upstairs and everything else downstairs. It is such a beautiful hotel and the food and service are great. We slept in instead of joining the Cusco Tour. We did join them at the Peruvian Art Museum (across the square from the hotel) for lunch since Fred was beginning to feel better after the good night's sleep. The menu was chicken, but they made Fred a bowl of chicken soup which settled his stomach. Afternoon was at our leisure and I spent it walking around the main square or Cusco and adjoining area while Fred took another nap. Dinner was at the hotel and was probably the only disappointing meal we had...only because the sea bass was a bit over coooked.

Next morning, we had a civilized hour to leave for the airport...about 9:30am. Unfortunately, when we arrived we discovered our plane was 3 hours (at least late). So we spent the time in the airport. I think the stores did quite well as I saw several H. Stern (Jewelers) and new alpaca sweaters being carried on the plane. Finally, the flight let about 3:40pm (instead of 11:30am) and we made it to Lima without further problems.

The bus ride to the port was a short one and embarcation was easy as well. Our glass of champagne, a quick photo and off to our rooms. All luggage was already there (it had been stored at the hotel and then taken to the ship for us). I had made reservations at Latititudes over the web, but the card on our door said we had reservations at Signatures. So Fred had to get a bit more dressed up that he planned. When we arrived, our name was not on the list but there was plenty of room. Another couple who was with us on the Cusco trip, had the same problem but were seated as well.

The dinner was one of the best we have ever had at Signatures. I had the rack of lamb and Fred the Veal. All the traveling then caught up with us and it was off to bed!

We slept in this morning and decided that we did not want to get on a bus. Pisco has been so devasted by the earthquake last August, that all the tours were modified or cancelled. There was no shuttle service as downtown Pisco was completely destroyed.

So we are enjoying a nice day on the ship. We've seen many familar faces who welcomed us back to the Mariner. Tomorrow is a sea day and then we are leaving the ship for a two day tour into the Acama Desert...somewhere Fred has always wanted to see.

Haven't met Debbie and Clay yet but did see their name tags on their door.

The Mariner sure looks nice with all the new carpet, the new upholestry, coffee bar, etc. No flat screen TV's yet, at least in our room, and probably not until the end of this cruise (says our stewardess).

Well, that should catch everyone up with what we have been doing the past 5-6 days.

Jan and Fred

Woops, I didn't nice Joanna was signed on the LCT. This is from Jan and Fred!

Thanks Jan....really enjoyed reading about your trip. It brings back wonderful memories of our trip there 2 years ago.

Jan, thanks for your great report. At first I was quite confused since I wasn't aware that Joanna was on a cruise!!!

Nancy

Thought I would add this comment for anyone considering this trip. The Cusco airport flights get delayed very often. Happened to us in 2/2006. We were scheduled to leave in the early am but did not leave until after 5pm. Was worried as we had flights home at 1am that were non changeable. Clouds come into Cusco very often and that closes the airport to takeoffs and landings. Be aware. Going to the Santuary lodge is a real treat and something I would really recommend.

Joanna was still logged in on the Mariner??

Nancy I'd gladly change places with Jan - No idea how that happened??

I'll join you!!!

Nancy

LOL all this time I'm thinking to myself - Joanna is not supposed to be on a cruise and who the heck is this Fred guy?!? Does Tony know? Funny...

This was one of the most outstanding places we have ever been. It far out shone the pictures we had seen of it. We did a Lindblad land tour before joining the cruise in Lima last Feb. Same hotels but an extra few days. spent 2 nights in sacred valley. This is the rainy season but the advantage is less people. Easier to lose yourself in the atmosphere of Machu Pichuu. People who are joining or leaving this cruise in Lima might look into this option. Cost effective.

LOL Robert.....we'd better not tell Tony! He'd be devastated! :D

I guess I did not log off on Lamb in computer room - wow that was some time ago! Marcie, tonight Tony would welcome Fred or anyone to take ME off his hands :D

Too funny! After all this time....who'd a thunk, that would have happened.

Cute, Robert!

Wondering myself, how Joanna can be in two places at once!

Jan, thanks for your report!

Great report, Jan and Fred.

And, Joanna stayed onboard after all. That is too funny!

Joanna - you have managed to be the virtual traveler! Hope you enjoyed the trip as much as Jan and Fred (LOL!)

Machu Picchu is truly remarkable. So very glad you had the two nights to enjoy the area and do a bit of extra exploring.

More sea mail, please!

Cheers, Anne

Another place that's on the to see list. Thanks for sharinh, Jan.

I was wondering why Joanna kept referring to Tony as Fred too!

Jan, thanks for the info & the signature! The Orient Express sounds as interesting as I've heard.

Sounds like a great trip Jan - and you have Joanna with you, hope she is behaving herself!! :D Thanks for checking in. Give Fred a hug for me!

Guess no one else had signed on to LCT since Joanna left! I didn't see her signature until after I posted!

We are just off the coast of Chile where we will be docking at Afogasta about 1:00pm today. We are going to take the 3-day, 2-night excursion into the Acama desert and will be back on Monday to meet the ship in Valperiso.

Yesterday was the most beautiful sea day. Very light seas with enough motion to splash the water in the pool. A bit windy but it kept the temperature very nice...so nice was didn't realize we were getting a little too much sun! The food continues to be some of the best ever. Thursday night we ate at La Veranda where the menu was the Italian Steakhouse...Lobster for both of us. The lobster was done just right but we thought the sauce was a little too much. A very spicy, thick tomato type sauce. It was easy to just push it aside. The waiter said we could have had the light butter sauce and offered to get my another one. I was not that unhappy with the one I had and was already full since I had tasted the calamari, and the risoto before the lobster.

Last night we ate at the Compass Rose after the Captain (Alfred Romero) Welcome Party. They are doing something a little different most nights in the Compass Rose. There is at least one dish from Terry Breene (she's aboard) with a Latin American twist. And then the special menu from the Executive Chef (Mike) was from Captain Romero's Italian home - Litiguria (defintely not the correct spelling!). It featured Italian dishes including the main course of a seafood stew.

We both had the beef wellington which was done exactly right. Plus chocolate souffle!

Sunny again today but with a bit of wind. I'll probably not post again until we get back from the desert!

Jan and Fred

Jan, I truly miss Mike's creations!
I am looking forward to hearing about your desert experience.

Does that mean Karen I have to eat the desserts so I will be able to post them?
We will be boarding in Buenos Aires when Jan and Fred are getting off.