Peru Adventuring

[pwc]

After much debating and pondering, and then talking with my doctor, I'm heading to Peru. I was actually able to get tickets through Alaska Air with miles (only 35,000 to South America, wahoo!). Two hops and I'm there on Tuesday. I'm a bit excited.

After talking with my doctor about various South American locations he visited, he convinced me to hit Peru first. It wasn't a prescription, just his advice. I'll be spending most of my time there in a mix of jungle exploration near the Bolivian border and then I'm hoping to tag along on a 5 day trek to Machu Pichu up the Inca Trail. I might be a bit late for that, but it's worth the try (only 500 trekkers are allowed in each day). The other main activity I want to experience is some rafting. I've been jonesing for some white water since Nepal and what better place than the Amazon??!

I'll be carrying my Spot Satellite Messenger if you'd like to follow along. It sends current positions to a satellite that can be accessed from a webpage on Google Maps. The map can be accessed here and will have data starting Tuesday probably. Updates via SPOT will be available on Twitter as well. I also plan on blogging as I go, with updates posted here, but don't always know where I'll have internet access. But it'll be more 'real-time' than the Nepal trek (which will be finished on the blog and this site when I return). So be sure to subscribe to the blog here via email or RSS/ATOM feed, if you aren't subscribed already.

The pack list is changing a bit to add in a warm layer for the trek in the mountains (passes of up to 13,000') but there isn't much time, as I leave tomorrow.

I've never been south of 17 degrees north so this will be a new world for me. I am keeping my expectations in check and trying, in vain, to not plan too much like I normally do and just let things unfold as they will. And now I must get to more packing!

[Connie]

Wow, sounds like an awesome trip!

[C Red]

It does sound like a great trip. I hope it goes well and I will check out the blog.

[XXXpedition]

i love the first pic already ;-)

[pwc]

Thanks all. I leave for the airport in an hour and I hope I'm packed. Sucker is heavy.
And admitedly that first photo is not mine but I didn't know how to add the caption right. It's from flickr and comes with a Creative Commons license. I'm sure I'll have plenty of my own upon return and hope to post some as the trip progresses. Like of Miami airport and stuff.

[Desertdude]

If you get to Cusco stop in to - Hotel Andenes al Cielo my friends and owners Tony and Monica should still be there as they close up for the year.

[Lost Canadian]

From Nepal to Peru, how sweet! Have a few Cusquena darks for me.

[pwc]

Pasquale, I'll be hitting Cusco and will look them up. It's always good to have a reference as I had no accommodations for Cusco yet. I appreciate it!

And I think I will possibly have a beer or two. That's one thing I enjoy about travel, sampling local brews and wine.

[pwc]

Monday November 17th, 2008 - 12:13pm

Something here smells. It’s followed me since I left home. I’m in SeaTac International Airport on my way to Peru, arriving tomorrow. But the smell will probably follow me there. I’m learning the smell is me.

It seems the shirt I wore on my last trip and that may, or may not, have been washed sparingly while on the trail in Nepal, hasn’t given up that wonderful trail aroma. The wonderful trail aroma seems a lot more poignant here in the airport where people are wearing perfume and going on business trips.

Well, give it a day and I’m sure I won’t notice. But for now if you happen to be around me, I’m sorry if I offend.

Other than that, SeaTac has been making some big improvements for the better.

Read More On The Blog

[pwc]

I’m here in Lima all safe and sound. Sitting on a rooftop terrace as horns blare, dogs complain about passersby and kids scamper on the street below. It’s a big city that’s for sure. $18 gets you from the airport to the city center. Another 20 minute walk gets you to the real center of town.

I’ve learned some things today. I’ve learned my laptop can in fact bounce and survive. I’ve learned I still don’t sleep well on airplanes. I’ve learned all the warnings in books are good, while at the same time, my comfort level increases when I get out amongst the masses. And I’ve learned that I really like Peru, a place that only held a passing fancy in my past. yes, I used the word ‘fancy’, sorry if that offends you.

I first caught site of the country before the sun was fully up. Read more on the Carey Adventures blog!