 Quick Hi from Peru
#98100
07/18/09 05:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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ssclbc
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I just had to pop in and say Hi now that I have a decent internet connection. The week in the Galapagos was so amazing, it really defies description. You can read all you want about how tame the animals are but until you actually nearly trip over a sleeping marine Iguana, have a sealion come right up to your snorkeling mask and blow bubbles at you or are surrounded by six huge sea turtles while swimming in the shadow of a volcano you just can't really understand how fabulous it is. I took zillions of photos and a few video clips, but uploading will have to wait until I get home. Lindblad does a great job, they have amazing naturalists, supply all the equipment you could need and the food was fantastic.
Today was a travel day...Galapagos to Guayaquil to Lima. Tomorrow we fly to Cusco then head to Pisac for the market, visit a lama/alpaca farm and then overnight at the Sol y Luna.
Lauri
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98101
07/19/09 05:30 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
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CruiserPK
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Hi Lauri,
So glad you are enjoying the trip so much. We booked the identical trip for October/November. Your description of the animals is exactly why we wanted to do the trip. Please report back about Macchu Picchu as well.
Cheers, Pam
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98102
07/19/09 09:17 AM
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171
KarenS
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Lauri, It sounds like you are having a great adventure, thanks for checking in!
Karen
Live long and prosper
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98103
07/19/09 01:22 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967
jhp
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Great to hear you are having wonderful time, Lauri, and that all has met/exceeded your expectations so far!
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98104
07/19/09 01:55 PM
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sedona
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Wow, Lauri, I second Oliva and Karen's comments. I hope the rest of your travels are as wonderful.
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98105
07/19/09 02:29 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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ssclbc
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This amazing trip continues. The flight to Cusco over the Peruvian Andes is spectacular. We had only a brief time in Cusco including lunch then headed to the relatively lower altitude of the sacred valley. We stopped by an artisanal alpaca farm where we saw the locals weaving, then on to the Sunday Pisac vegetable and craft market. Picked up a few things (of course) then continued to the sol y Luna hotel. It is beautiful and I'm just resting up before we eat again! I can certainly feel the altitude and the lack of humidity but it's not bad. Tomorrow we tour some ruins then have an optional trip to the ceramics shop thatFred spoke so highly of. Luckily I can pick up wifi from my room so I'll try to update again
Lauri
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98106
07/19/09 03:26 PM
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Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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Great reports Lauri!!!!!!
Joanna
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98107
07/19/09 04:45 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,868
Betty K
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Lauri, I am enjoying your trip reports. I'm glad you are having such a great adventure! 
Betty ![[Linked Image from i4.photobucket.com]](http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y150/bkoonin/Carnival%20Cruise%20%20-%202003/myoceanview.jpg)
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98108
07/20/09 03:31 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,395
southernlady
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Great reports, Lauri. I envy your trip. I'm looking forward to reading more.
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98109
07/20/09 08:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
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RachelG
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Glad you are having a good time. We did a similar trip a couple of years ago, and it was great. But the altitude can wear you out.
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98110
07/20/09 10:24 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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ssclbc
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I managed to climb to the top of Ollantaytambo this morning in spite of the altitude and that I seem to be coming down with a cold. Maybe it was the coca tea and sudafed that helped! The stone work is nothing short of incredible. Lunch featured a Peruvian barbeque ( I even ate beef heart) and a Peruvian Paso horse demonstration. I even got to ride one of the horses around a bit. It looks like Sol y Luna is expanding. This really is a beautiful place. Off to the ceramics studio this afternoon. Macchu Pichu tomorrow!!
Lauri
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98111
07/22/09 02:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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ssclbc
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Machu Picchu was incredible and exceded my greatest expectations! I managed to fill up a 2 gb memory card in no time flat. I'm back in Cusco now and I love the Hotel Monasterio. More later....
Lauri
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98112
07/23/09 04:04 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Mitch
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How is the altitude affecting you? Glad you are having a great time!
Mitch
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98113
07/23/09 04:27 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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ssclbc
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The altitude at Machu Picchu wasn't really a problem. I didn't find climbing the (many) steps there much harder than climbing the volcano on Bartolome in the Galapagos (about 114 meters). Cusco does feel very different. I find myself drinking even more water than at Machu Picchu, and find myself occasionally holding my breath (blowing off too much CO2?) especially when I'm falling asleep or resting. It's also very dry here and my lips and nose are getting chapped. It's OK, I just have to concentrate on taking it slowly and keeping hydrated. Don't know if the coca tea is helping but I actually kind of like the flavor.
Lauri
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98114
07/24/09 03:24 AM
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Joined: Aug 2006
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Mitch
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Bring me home a pound or two (hah). Did you use Diamox? You definitely do hyperventilate at altitude and it affects your breathing pattern especially during sleep with frequent pauses when your CO2 levels drop. Some people are sensitive to those pauses.
Mitch
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98115
07/24/09 05:10 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
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RachelG
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Coca tea tastes like green tea to me. I don't know if it helped, but I drank it. You mentioned that you felt as if you were coming down with a cold. I felt that way too, but I think it was just the altitude as I never actually got sick, and it went away as soon as I was home.
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98116
07/24/09 11:51 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,917
ssclbc
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I didn't use Diamox. Several other people experienced nasal congestion but I did feel a little ill the first night and it seems to be progressing like a minor head cold. It certainly didn't stop me from enjoying myself. Lima isn't the most interesting city in the world but we did have a final great experience...we dined in the private colonial home of a Count of Spain who has occupied the residence (17 generations) since the time of Pizzaro. It's directly across from the Presidential Palace. Amazing!! The home looks like a museum and we were served lunch in the formal dining room by white gloved waiters. Wow. I'm now at the Miraflores Park Hotel (very nice) with a view of the ocean and paragliders. 3 AM wakeup call for the flight to Miami then Dallas. 
Lauri
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98117
07/26/09 08:08 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
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ssclbc
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After a very long day I'm home. The trip exceeded all my expectations (and they were high!). I'll work on getting some of my 1500 plus photos uploaded and will post some thoughts on the whole trip (no way I can match Freddie's style and wit but I will do what I can).
Good to be back home.
Lauri
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98118
07/26/09 12:38 PM
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petlover
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Welcome home Lauri. So happy you had a wonderful trip. I loved your itinerary and knew you wouldn't be disappointed.
Marcie 
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98120
07/26/09 02:30 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,868
Betty K
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Lauri, I enjoyed your photos. Thanks for sharing them. I'm glad you had such a great trip!
Betty
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98121
07/26/09 02:35 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,612
Michele & Don
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Love your photos, Lauri! We really enjoyed following your trip.
Michele
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98122
07/26/09 03:31 PM
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Dreps
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Just glanced at photos. Love the iguanas. You sure had wonderful weather. Will take more time to look at them soon.
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Eugene
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98123
07/26/09 03:36 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,294
cindyr
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Definately on our list Lori...thanks so much for such great info.
Cindy
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98124
07/26/09 04:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
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lonestarlady
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Lauri:
Really enjoyed your photos - brought back great memories. I haven't been to the Galapagos yet, but was fortunate enough to spend 2 weeks in Bolivia and Peru back in the mid 90s - there are so many majical places there! Macchu Picchu is definitely one of the most amazing experiences, but I was also really blown away by our stay at Lake Titicaca. Such beautiful countries, and the indigenous people are truly special.
Cindy TravelingTexasDuo.com"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98125
07/27/09 01:45 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,821
Suzie
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Lori, magnificent photo's :app: you had a memorable trip and you look great! Thanks
Suzie
The days pass happily with me wherever my ship sails.
- Joshua Slocum
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98126
07/27/09 02:03 AM
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ITravelNow
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Lauri...Fantastic photos! Makes me want to book NOW! Thanks for sharing.
Margo
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98127
07/27/09 03:38 AM
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,078
Leslie B
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Great photos, Lauri - looks like a terrific trip. How did you like the ship?
Leslie
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98128
07/27/09 05:15 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,917
ssclbc
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I really liked the National Geographic Endeavour. It wasn't luxurious like a Regent ship but it was very comfortable, had great character and an amazing staff. It just seemed right for a trip like the Galapagos which really isn't so much a cruise as an expedition. The food was fantastic, they made use of local seafood, great products grown locally or from mainland Ecuador and presented local dishes at just about every meal. The cabins were small and the shower was tiny! They were quite functional though and the room stewardess was in to freshen up the cabin at least three times per day and you really spend no time in the room other than showering or sleeping. The toiletries were in dispensers but were of high quality (organic Kiss my Face). I can't say good enough things about the staff. The naturalists were top notch. The shipboard staff were extremely efficient and accomodating. Lindblad supplies most of the equipment you could need; snorkel gear, shortie wetsuits, hiking sticks, Wellies for the day hiking in the muddy highlands, waterbottles etc. There was an onboard wellness specialist who lead exercise classes and did great massages. There is an onboard videographer who compiles a 30 minute DVD of the trip (both above and below water). My ONLY complaint was the internet service was extremely slow and expensive. I wouldn't bother with it next time. I would just wait until the day in Puerto Ayora when you can get 30 minutes of high speed service for $1.25 at one of the several cafes.
You do have to have good mobility for this trip. There are no elevators on the ship, getting on and off the zodiacs can get challenging and many of the hikes are over really rough volcanic boulders. There is always an easier option for the hikes and they have a glass bottom boat for those who don't want to snorkel.
Lauri
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98129
08/02/09 07:15 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,210
Pam
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Laurie, your pictures are great! I'm so glad you went, and took all those pictures, because NO WAY could I do it!
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98130
08/02/09 07:27 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967
jhp
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Laurie, I've just looked at all of your pictures, What a trip that was, and looks like you packed in all there was to do! Thank you for sharing as well the information about the ship.
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Re: Quick Hi from Peru
#98131
09/06/09 06:22 AM
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 569
DebbieH103
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I just read all of the reports and viewed the incredible photos. Thanks so much for sharing.
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