Exploring Lost Worlds: Peru and the Galapagos Islands

Tuesday, May 15, 2001. Cloudy 65°

We thought we were going to have the opportunity to stay in bed a little longer this day because our plane to Quito didn't leave until 11:00 AM. Wrong. Milagros insisted that we be to the airport three hours before departure. So once again we were up before 7:00 AM. When we arrived at the airport at 8:00, …

Wednesday, May 16, 2001. Sunny 86°

Once again we were up for a 6:30 AM bus pick up. Last night we had repacked all our bags, leaving our warmer clothing at the hotel, and taking only a small duffle bag. Ekaterina said we only needed to arrive at the airport one hour early. We thought she had made a big mistake when we saw the long lines. …

Thursday, May 17, 2001. Sunny 86°

The midnight sail was not as romantic as we'd hoped. First, there was lot of wind so the sea was “lumpy.” In addition, we never put up the sails that would have smoothed out the ride considerably. Because of the diesel smell, Linda slept in Lana and Joe's cabin on the third bunk. When she …

Friday, May 18, 2001. Sunny 86°

We sailed west all night to get to Floreana Island, west of Española. Again we were up at 5:45 AM so we could explore the island before the heat and the arrival of other tourists. Just before we dropped anchor, the crew caught a yellow fin tuna for dinner that night. Our first stop was Punta Cormoran. …

Saturday, May 19, 2001. Sunny 65°

The next morning we were up at a reasonable hour for once (7:00 AM). After breakfast our destination was the Tortoise Reserve. At the dock, a bus met us with a driver, Caesar, and two beautiful daughters (Simone and Donna), who would take us 35 miles into the highlands. The girls laughed at every bump we hit …

Monday, May 21, 2001

It was an early 4:00 AM wake up call for the Joplin crowd. The rest of us had a pick up at 6:00 AM for the flight home. Again Ekaterina met us and took us to the airport. Check in was a breeze. Chris and Linda did some last minute shopping. The trip home was predictable:

The Joplin group’s flight from Miami was …

Most Amazing Machu Picchu

Most Unreal Museo de Oro in Lima

Most Naturally Beautiful Valley near Chinchero

Best Place To Stay Hotel Sauce in Ollantaytambo (had washcloths)

Hotel Machu Picchu Pueblo

Best Meal Fresh tuna and snapper caught off the boat

Most Endearing Chatchi boys running down the stairs at Machu Picchu to say …

Birds in Peru

Amazon Kingfisher

Andes Gull

Giant Hummingbird

San Anja (Angel of the Sun) Hummingbird

Roadside Hawk (aka American Kestrel)

Black and White Swallow (aka Andean Swallow)

Tropical Pewee

Black Phoebe

Blue Capped Tanager

Redstart

Vermillion Flycatcher

Speckled Chachalaca

White Tipped Dove

Rufus Crowned Sparrow

White Banded …

Monday, May 14, 2001. Cloudy 65°

Unfortunately, it's not easy getting from Cusco to the Galapagos Island. First, you have to fly back to Lima and stay overnight. Then, it's onto Quito for another overnight stay. And, finally, on to the Islands. Although we only had to get to Lima today, we had another early 6:30 AM pick up to make the …