Our room at the Montasterio
Courtyard at the Montasterio
Incan foundations from the Temple of the Sun that the Spanish used for the foundation of a church.Sunday, February 6, 2011
Images from February 6, 2011, II
Our room at the MontasterioCourtyard at the MontasterioIncan foundations from the Temple of the Sun that the Spanish used for the foundation of a church.
Images from February 6, 2011
Deb boarding the plane in Lima
A friendly alpaca (shorn)
Deb beside Incan ruinsFebruary 6, 2011
I am sitting in the Lobby Bar in the Hotel Monasterio in Cusco, Peru drinking a Cusquena beer. This beer is reputed to be the best one brewed in Peru and is actually brewed right here. Deb is at a nearby art museum but I thought that I would rest my feet for a while.
Today started off with a a hurry up to wait. We were bussed from the hotel in Lima to Jorge Chavez International Airport early in the morning for our flight to Cusco (el. 11,000 feet), But the weather was so bad in Cusco that the airport was closed. We did not leave Lima until noon. The one hour flight was on a charter plane operated by Peru Airliines. I will post a photo of Deb getting on the plane.
Both Deb and I have been concerned about the effects of altitude in Cusco. We remember having problems in Quito several years ago at 9000 feet. But this time, we have the presciption medicine that is supposed to ward off the nausea and headaches. So far, so good. I do feel a light tightness on my chest but it is certainly not debilitating.
After lunch at the hotel, we went to a couple of sites to visit Incan ruins. Of course, the history of Peru is largely the story of the Incas and their conquest by the Spanish. The center of the Incan Empire was Cusco. The current name is actually a bastardization of the orginal Incan name. It meant the center or navel of the world. There is very little in the way of complete Incan structures here. The Spanish took care of that, They commonly tore down Incan religious structures because they interfered with Catholicism. In fact, we went to a large Catholic church this afternoon that was built on the still visible Incan foundation. We will give you a picture of that later. There are also Peruvians in Cosco who wear the native colorful dress. Many are selling the beautiful textiles produced in the area.
The Monasterio Hotel is an amazing property. As the name suggests, it is a former monastery. I will post photos of our room and a courtyard which give a flavor of the place. Again, the hotel has wonderful website for more inquiring minds.
Tomorrow, we go down the valley to Macha Puchu (sp?). That will be one of the higlights of this trip. But we do not get back until 10:00 tomorrow night and eat lunch and dinner on the train. I am not sure that I will have the time or energy to make an entry for tomorrow.
My most perplexing decision right now is whether I am going to order another beer. I understand the altitude increases the effect of alchohol. Maybe this is not the place for those in our group who intend to watch the Super Bowl.
Today started off with a a hurry up to wait. We were bussed from the hotel in Lima to Jorge Chavez International Airport early in the morning for our flight to Cusco (el. 11,000 feet), But the weather was so bad in Cusco that the airport was closed. We did not leave Lima until noon. The one hour flight was on a charter plane operated by Peru Airliines. I will post a photo of Deb getting on the plane.
Both Deb and I have been concerned about the effects of altitude in Cusco. We remember having problems in Quito several years ago at 9000 feet. But this time, we have the presciption medicine that is supposed to ward off the nausea and headaches. So far, so good. I do feel a light tightness on my chest but it is certainly not debilitating.
After lunch at the hotel, we went to a couple of sites to visit Incan ruins. Of course, the history of Peru is largely the story of the Incas and their conquest by the Spanish. The center of the Incan Empire was Cusco. The current name is actually a bastardization of the orginal Incan name. It meant the center or navel of the world. There is very little in the way of complete Incan structures here. The Spanish took care of that, They commonly tore down Incan religious structures because they interfered with Catholicism. In fact, we went to a large Catholic church this afternoon that was built on the still visible Incan foundation. We will give you a picture of that later. There are also Peruvians in Cosco who wear the native colorful dress. Many are selling the beautiful textiles produced in the area.
The Monasterio Hotel is an amazing property. As the name suggests, it is a former monastery. I will post photos of our room and a courtyard which give a flavor of the place. Again, the hotel has wonderful website for more inquiring minds.
Tomorrow, we go down the valley to Macha Puchu (sp?). That will be one of the higlights of this trip. But we do not get back until 10:00 tomorrow night and eat lunch and dinner on the train. I am not sure that I will have the time or energy to make an entry for tomorrow.
My most perplexing decision right now is whether I am going to order another beer. I understand the altitude increases the effect of alchohol. Maybe this is not the place for those in our group who intend to watch the Super Bowl.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
One more image from February 5, 2011
February 5, 2011 Post II
We are in Lima staying at the Miraflores Park Hotel. The hotel is located in an ultramodern section of the city that sits on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, We had a beautiful view of the sun setting on the Pacific when we checked in around 6:30. The hotel has a website and does a better job of describing the hotel that I could ever do.
When we arrived in Lima today, we had to leave our main suitcase on the plane. We have all our possesions for the next three days in small wheelie. That took some planning.
We went directly to Larco Herrera Museum, the world's greatest collection of pre-Columbian art. We are talking about ceramics, gold, silver and textiles. This included Incan and pre-Incan pieces. The definite highlight for me was the Erotic Gallery with its famous collection of erotic ceramics. I took some pictures but I do think I will publish them.
I should probably be embarassed to rave overjust how nice some aspects of this trip really are.
I am probably just exposing myself for the rube that I am. But allow me a Gomer Pyle "goll..lee".
We boarded the plane at the Sanford airport this morning. It is a charter 757 which operated by Thompson Airways, a British company. The entire crew is British and has the accent to go with it. The luxury is overwhelming. The entire plane is first class. Not a coach seat in sight There were fresh red roses at the top of eachseat. We had about five feet in front of us to stretch. Then let's talk about lunch today. I consider myself lucky if I have some leftovers from dinner the night before to pop in the microwave. But today,
I am sitting in my seat and the lady comes by and puts a black cloth on my tray table. She then brings a fancy menu. There are four courses. Just listen to the starter course. "Mixed leaf and herb salad with asparagus spears, sun dried tomatoes, soft boiled quail's eggs with hollandaise sauce and parmesan shavings." Now would someone tell me where you can buy quail eggs. I told Deb that the very next time that we have a "high class" dinner party, we are going to serve quail eggs. The second course was either Alaskan Halibut or fillet of beef. Then came the cheese and fruit course. And certainly no lunch would be complete without the "white chocolate and vanilla cheesecake served with rasberry coulis, Chantilly cream and fresh strawberry". And then the lady comes by and says "Ms. Gaskins. Do you care for coffee? Liquers?"And I almost forgot to mention that we had been plied with first class French chablis.
And on all foreign trips I have taken, you have to fill out customs forms that they give you on the airplane.
No exception here but there is major difference. The expedition staff fills out the form and you just sign it.
When we arrived at the hotel tonight, dinner was scheduled for twenty minutes later. After that lunch, there was no way that we were ready to eat. We headed for the gym here at the hotel and will just make do.
My laptop is low on juice but I will try to add photos soon.
When we arrived in Lima today, we had to leave our main suitcase on the plane. We have all our possesions for the next three days in small wheelie. That took some planning.
We went directly to Larco Herrera Museum, the world's greatest collection of pre-Columbian art. We are talking about ceramics, gold, silver and textiles. This included Incan and pre-Incan pieces. The definite highlight for me was the Erotic Gallery with its famous collection of erotic ceramics. I took some pictures but I do think I will publish them.
I should probably be embarassed to rave overjust how nice some aspects of this trip really are.
I am probably just exposing myself for the rube that I am. But allow me a Gomer Pyle "goll..lee".
We boarded the plane at the Sanford airport this morning. It is a charter 757 which operated by Thompson Airways, a British company. The entire crew is British and has the accent to go with it. The luxury is overwhelming. The entire plane is first class. Not a coach seat in sight There were fresh red roses at the top of eachseat. We had about five feet in front of us to stretch. Then let's talk about lunch today. I consider myself lucky if I have some leftovers from dinner the night before to pop in the microwave. But today,
I am sitting in my seat and the lady comes by and puts a black cloth on my tray table. She then brings a fancy menu. There are four courses. Just listen to the starter course. "Mixed leaf and herb salad with asparagus spears, sun dried tomatoes, soft boiled quail's eggs with hollandaise sauce and parmesan shavings." Now would someone tell me where you can buy quail eggs. I told Deb that the very next time that we have a "high class" dinner party, we are going to serve quail eggs. The second course was either Alaskan Halibut or fillet of beef. Then came the cheese and fruit course. And certainly no lunch would be complete without the "white chocolate and vanilla cheesecake served with rasberry coulis, Chantilly cream and fresh strawberry". And then the lady comes by and says "Ms. Gaskins. Do you care for coffee? Liquers?"And I almost forgot to mention that we had been plied with first class French chablis.
And on all foreign trips I have taken, you have to fill out customs forms that they give you on the airplane.
No exception here but there is major difference. The expedition staff fills out the form and you just sign it.
When we arrived at the hotel tonight, dinner was scheduled for twenty minutes later. After that lunch, there was no way that we were ready to eat. We headed for the gym here at the hotel and will just make do.
My laptop is low on juice but I will try to add photos soon.
February 5, 2011
We have finally begun our trip. We leave the Ritz-Carlton here in Orlando this morning at 6:35 on a bus which will take us to Sanford, FL, We then board our 757 for the six hour flight to Lima. We will post photos tonight.
Friday night consisted of a cocktail party and dinner here at the hotel. It is quite obvious that there are quite a few "characters" on this trip. But what would you expect? Of course, Deb and I do not fit into that category. There are actually eleven people on the trip who are traveling alone. Since this is an extremely outgoing group, that should not be a problem. HG
.
We met the Bells, the young Army couple who won this trip on the Ellen DeGeneres show. They are the cutest couple and are so excited to be here on their honeymoon trip. I look forward to getting to know them better. DG
Friday night consisted of a cocktail party and dinner here at the hotel. It is quite obvious that there are quite a few "characters" on this trip. But what would you expect? Of course, Deb and I do not fit into that category. There are actually eleven people on the trip who are traveling alone. Since this is an extremely outgoing group, that should not be a problem. HG
.
We met the Bells, the young Army couple who won this trip on the Ellen DeGeneres show. They are the cutest couple and are so excited to be here on their honeymoon trip. I look forward to getting to know them better. DG
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