May 1, 2006
I am finally on the plane to Toronto without any
problems. Almost didn’t make the flight from Vancouver to Calgary. What a
disaster. Aeroplan failed to send an e-ticket for our free trip to Peru.
Good thing I checked in early. Spent an hour at the ticket counter trying
to explain the situation to the agent for Air Canada and at the same time on
the phone with an Aeroplan agent. Aeroplan was fairly good while the AC
agent didn’t help at all. In fact she was fairly rude.
In the end I used Damon’s aeroplan points, paid the
taxes($70.00) and traveled in the comfort of business class.
After sending an angry stressed out e-mail to Damon, he
of course took care of the matter. Unfortunately he was in Scotland while I
was having trouble in YVR. Since he is the Super Elite and this was all
booked through him there was not a lot they could do for me.
Damon will now be reimbursed for the Vancouver to
Calgary points and a full refund to my visa card for the taxes.
Had a wonderful time in Calgary wedding dress shopping
with my mom, Allison and Carolyn and even made a purchase! Can’t wait to
put it on again it is so beautiful and I am completely happy with my
important purchase. A big thanks to the girls!!
That is all the excitement I need for this trip and I
am now on my way (in business class of course) to Toronto to see the love of
my life. Haven’t seen him in a while so I am very excited to see him and
catch up.
Can’t wait to get to Peru!
May 3, 2006
Arrived at the hotel yesterday morning and had a 3 hour
nap. Still felt tired but managed to drag myself to the pool for a little
relaxing time.
The hotel we are staying at in Lima is quite the
hotel. Very fancy! The elevator up to our room is all glass and you get
quite a view of the city.
At around 3p.m. our guide Sol came to pick us up and
take us for a city tour around Lima. The van came to take us around can
seat 15 people there was just the three of us and a driver.
Our first stop was at a flat top pyramid about 2 blocks
from our hotel.
We also went inside the cathedral but it is not very
authentic due to a few massive earthquakes although it is still quite
impressive to imagine what it would have been like.
Went to the monastery and a very interesting fact about
this site is that many years ago people were wrapped in cloth and buried
here. Damon was a little turned off by the sight of all the bones and I
don’t even think he took a picture.
May 3, 2006
I was very worried about coming to Cuzco due to the
altitude. Not as bad as I thought it would be but noticed my breathing
pattern changed. 10 quick breaths and one very deep breath. Climbing
stairs and walking up a hill will take your breath away that is for sure.
The hotel Monasteries that we are staying at is Cuzco
is by far the best hotel I have ever stayed in. I love the old feeling of
the hotel and they play chant music through the halls. The buffet in the
morning is to die for and the staff is fantastic. I am quite enjoying my
stay here and will be sad to leave.
This holiday has not been exactly relaxing. We are
always on the go.
We saw a couple churches which were amazing and truly
take your breath away (or is it the altitude?) There have been few
restorations so everything is like it would have been many years ago. You
are not allowed to take photographs so it will have to remain in my
thoughts.
PS. Tried the cocoa tea. Not the best tea I ever had
but it is supposed to help you adjust to the altitude so I gulped down two
cups.
May 4, 2006
An 8 hour drive through the Sacred Valley was on the
agenda today.
The Inca’s certainly had their work cut out for them
building all these amazing ruins. I am having a hard enough time walking up
all these steps just to see them. It truly is a spectacular sight and a
wonder of the world.
Our last stop today was at Chinchero which was at a
higher altitude than Cuzco. Could barely walk up 20 stairs but after that
it was OK. Even Damon was gasping for air. What an amazing view so it was
totally worth it.
When we arrived back at Cuzco, I wasn’t gasping for air
as much while walking up the hills so I know I am starting to adjust. We
will spend the night in Machu Picchu tomorrow and back in Cuzco for one more
night. I can hardly wait to take the train to Machu Picchu tomorrow. This
is what I have been looking forward to the most. Although I am certainly
not looking forward to the 4a.m. wake up call!
May 5, 2006
Today was the best day of all! Had to drink some cocoa
tea on the train because I didn’t sleep well last night and the altitude at
the highest point made my tummy hurt and made me feel a bit nauseous.
Totally helped.
We are staying in a lodge style room tonight and it is
quite different than the other places we have been. It is a little more
rustic looking but sill very high end as what I am accustomed to! There are
wonderful grounds at this lodge although even Damon got lost trying to find
our room. I was trying to be calm but thought I was going to pee my pants!
I don’t think Damon will be allowed to let me find my own way. We are
joined at the hip while we are here.
The lodge is situated in Machu Picchu village so it is
a half an hour bus ride to the ruins. I like to call this the “death
ride.” The roads are very curvy and one lane only. Watch out because if
there is a bus coming the other way the drivers will play chicken. Thought
my life was over and I was going to die an old maid.
We met our friends from the last couple day tours (Bob
& Marsali) for lunch and they are a wonderful couple. They have been
married 43 years and they are great fun. Mom & Dad would really like them
too. They like to travel and are even going to the Galapagos in a week or
so. They are going to love it.
Our guide Rudy was wonderful. He had me hanging on
every word he said. The view was amazing. How the Incas ever managed to
construct this is beyond me. My favourite part of Machu Picchu was the
sacred rock. It is believed the Incas worshipped the Veronica Mountain and
made a replica out of stone right in front of the mountain. Very
interesting, I didn’t know that. Another one of my favourite things was the
16 waterfalls that are part of the irrigation system. They are very
beautiful.
Did I mention the view?
Damon and I had a drink with Bob & Marsali, to prepare
for the bus ride down the hill, and I opted to have two Pisco Sours. It
certainly helped.
We have made 8p.m. dinner reservations so we are
waiting to go for dinner and off to bed for us. We booked a bird watching
tour for 6:30 a.m. tomorrow. Can’t believe I am doing this but the
Galapagos changed me. I guess I do have some of my dad’s genes somewhere.
All for now, I am finished my shower, my Caesar and now
I’ll get dressed for dinner.
May 6, 2006
Had my bird watching tour first thing in the morning
and I loved it! Damon thought it was quite boring but he got some fantastic
photos. There are a lot of humming birds and they will let you stand quite
close once they are used to you. Dad would have been in heaven.
Took the train back to Cuzco and the view was again
fantastic. The train attendants also did a fashion show to try and sell
alpaca shirts. Wierdest thing I ever saw. I think the male attendant hated
every moment. I don’t blame him.
After the train ride it was back to my favourite hotel,
The Monasterio. They had us in an even better room this time around.
Separate bedroom from sitting room which included a flat screen TV and
double sinks in the washroom. Talk about living the high life!
We were quite tired and not that hungry after our huge
buffet lunch so we shared a personal pizza and got an ice cream.
Unfortunately our night was not that exciting and we
were in bed watching Spanish National Geographic by 9:30.
May 7, 2006
Today was a bit of a write off. The weather in Lima
was not cooperating so we were stuck in Cuzco waiting for an airplane. Talk
about boring! We were waiting there for almost 5 hours.
When we finally got into Lima we were pretty hungry so
we went to the restaurant in our hotel. Damon somehow fakes that he is able
to speak Spanish and fools the waiters into thinking we know what they are
saying. They are a little surprised when we ask them for a menu in “inglais
por favor.”
May 8, 2006
Walked around Lima today but not a lot to see. We
stopped and used the internet and headed back to the hotel to hang out by
the pool.
Damon and I went to a fancy place for dinner right over
the ocean. It was very beautiful but were not impressed with the $10 cover
charge. The food was pretty good although a little expensive. Took a cab
back to the hotel and managed a pretty good conversation with our Spanish
speaking driver.
May 9, 2006
Damon was pleased to find out that expensive dinners do
not agree with me. I have vowed to never eat at a fancy restaurant again
(which may be why I have that ring on my finger!)
Spent the day sicker than a dog and was dreading the
plane ride home. Needless to say that we spend the day beside the pool and
near the washroom. Can’t wait to get home!!!