tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66021518793162870142024-02-22T02:16:17.076-08:00Tydia vs. South AmericaTyrone and Lydia have once again sprouted wings and have this time decided to fly south for the winter (not to mention spring, summer, and fall as well). You can keep up with our misadventures from this blog!Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-6700335430767344782013-12-24T10:18:00.000-08:002013-12-24T10:27:14.446-08:00The way back<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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To quote Sir Paul, it was a "long and winding road" on the way from Buenos Aires back to Santiago. We could have easily stayed another year in South America, and kept heading south into the Patagonia region and further still to the Antarctic, but money was running low, family was beaconing, and we had a wedding to attend - OURS! </div>
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We had an extra couple of weeks to spend in Santiago before our flight was scheduled to take us home. Luckily for us, Amelia, one of the most generous and trusting people I've ever known, continued to open up her home for us to stay! Without Amelia's help, we truly wouldn't have been able to afford the bottom leg of our trip. Although we were using the current year (2011) Lonely Planet, there was a massive economic shift in Chile and Argentina after the time the book was published, resulting in a price inflation of up to 3 times what was published in our book (especially for bus travel). This blew our budget right out of the water for the southern countries; however, we had a secret weapon in Amelia. Amelia provided us with companionship in the Galapagos, an amazing experience at the observatory outside of Antofagasta, a place to stay in Santiago (I think we stayed at her house for over a month in total), and pure and true friendship that we will keep for a lifetime! We still keep in touch with Amelia and hope that one day soon, our paths will cross again (we're itching to return the generosity that she showed to us). </div>
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After our time in Santiago (spent drinking ourselves silly off of Chilean wine, shopping at the night-cat market, and maybe one or two more cafes con piernas) we caught our flight home. Our adventure didn't end there; however, as our connecting flight ended up getting cancelled, stranding us in Cancun of all places! There, we had to endure the hardship of having the airlines put us up at a resort for one last night of fun before real life started again. It was a tough break :)</div>
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Over the course of 10 months, we travelled to exotic lands and saw amazing sights. I still vividly remember landing in Cartagena, not knowing what to expect - hearing all the horror stories about the dangers of South America (Colombia in particular). Going in with an open mind and an open heart, we found nothing joy, friendship, generosity, and an adventure of a lifetime. Other than some of the crazy roads, I never once felt in danger during our travels!</div>
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I've been asked a number of times, "what was your favourite place?" and I honestly can't say. Each leg of the trip was an incredible experience that I wouldn't trade for the world. The beaches, festivals, and friendly people of Cartagena; our chance to play Indiana Jones and visit the Lost City, deep inside a Colombian jungle; getting fat off of pies and eating a 5 star meal with a spiritual leader in Otavalo; going to a Christmas concert in Quito; exploring the natural paradise that is the Galapagos; living with a family and experiencing life on a Chocolate farm in Puerto Quito; playing Evel Knievel in Banos; becoming beach bums in Huanchaco and mountaineers in Huarez; shopping in Lima; ridding sand buggies in Huacachina; eating in Cusco; fulfilling my dream of proposing to my wife atop of Machu Picchu (that was a particularly good one); making a wedding dress with Lydia in La Paz; exploring deep into the Amazon jungle; taking a road trip with new friends through the Salar; seeing the stars in Antofagasta and then Paul McCartney in Santiago; drinking the Malbecs of Mendoza; seeing the waterfalls of Iguazu, the dancers of Buenos Aires, and the sunset in Colonia. These are adventures I will hold next to my heart for the rest of my life. </div>
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Even with all the adventures and exotic lands, it will be the people and the shared experiences that I will remember the most! Above all else, I will remember my time spent with Lydia. For close to 1 year, we were joined at the hip; literally spending every minute of every day together! Of course we had a few spats here and there, but we never went to bed angry and we were always there for each other. It doesn't get better than sharing a once in a lifetime trip with the one you love, and I was lucky enough to be able to make it the trip of trips with the woman of my dreams!</div>
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I cannot recommend travel enough. See the world, eat the food, drink the wine, experience life (you only get one). I remember when we were planning for this trip, most people thought that we had won the lottery. How else could we afford such a trip?!?!? We would always hear things like, "I wish I could do something like that" or "I could never afford something like that" and the fact of the matter is, YOU CAN! Lydia and I saved for this trip with part-time jobs, while going to (and paying for) school, and that's it! The only thing left to do after watching your budget for a while is to take that first step and leave everything else behind. All it takes is planning and commitment! If you pick the right country, you can live for just dollars a day and live like kings or queens! </div>
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If there's one thing I hope people take from this blog, it's to not be afraid to get out and see the world. I guarantee you will have the experience of a lifetime!</div>
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Thanks to everyone for sharing this experience with us! Until our next journey!</div>
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- Tydia (Tyrone and Lydia Austen)</div>
<br />Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-36153192330523517752013-12-23T17:40:00.004-08:002013-12-23T17:56:44.251-08:00Colonia - Uruguay<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Just a quick 1 hour ferry ride from Buenos Aires, Lydia and I decided to take a side trip to Colonia, Uruguay for a couple of days. Am I ever glad that we did, as we found Colonia to be one of the most picturesque sleepy towns I've ever set eyes on. In just the two days we spent there, we took around 5 times the photos that we took in the month that we spent in Buenos Aires... and Buenos Aires is stunning! This place is just a freak of nature though for post card images everywhere you look!</div>
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That being said, the first thing we saw from the ferry wasn't all too scenic :S Technically, this was taken off the boat on the Buenos Aires side though. I have no idea what they're pumping out into the water, but it certainly doesn't look good!</div>
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That's more like it... though we're still on the Argentina side here :)</div>
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BC ferries may have the occasional lecture about dolphins and plankton during the trip between Victoria and Vancouver, but the ferry between Buenos Aires and Colonia has the forbidden dance of love! Take that dolphins!</div>
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Sorry about the shoddy camera work here, but I was battling with an old lady over positioning to film the dancers! I think she won.</div>
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Ok, so this is officially the first picture that actually takes place in sleepy Colonia. Cobblestone, tree-lined streets, vintage buildings and cars, cafe's, old forts, oceans, birds, and the perfect mix of sun shinning down over the blue sky means that camera battery life is in high demand here in Colonia!</div>
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Having worked up an appetite during the ride over, we decided to have a light lunch before we got started exploring.</div>
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Mmmmmm salad!</div>
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There's really not much I can say about the next set of photos, other than Lydia and I had an absolute blast just walking around the town and taking it all in! </div>
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Prepare the cannons!!!!! </div>
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Colonia has a number of old forts and walls lining the old coastal town. My guess is it's something pirate related.</div>
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Damn that town is beautiful!</div>
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Lydia and I found this cat saving us a seat at one of the street-side cafes. There we got to partake in our first yerba mate experience. Yerba mate is a very popular tea drink in Argentina and Uruguay. It's essentially a copious amount of tea leaves piled up in a wooden cup, drank with a filtered metal straw. You can only add a bit of water in at a time (since there's so many leaves in the cup), so you'll get a pitcher of hot water alongside the tea to keep re-filling the drink. It's potent stuff. After drinking it, you'll get quite a caffeine buzz (like head flying kind of buzz).</div>
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With their copious work breaks, you'll usually find the families sitting down with one another drinking their yerba mate together. It's believed to be a social drink, never to be taken on the go. You always have to sit down and enjoy it with your company (not such a bad idea), so we did just that! Our company just so happened to be a cat though!</div>
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That didn't mean that she couldn't enjoy some yerba with us though!</div>
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By this time, I was flying from the yerba! We loved it so much that we ended up taking home a couple of kilos of the stuff with us on our trip home (along with the special cup and metal filter straws). It must have given the customs officials a bit of a start to see the large kilos of green leaves taped up in our bags! lol</div>
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I imagine that there will be several times in my life were I will look back at this exact moment!</div>
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Some gorgeous vintage cars lined the streets of the city. I'm not sure if they were for decoration or function, but they definitely fit the scene there! </div>
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The car pictured above was definitely decorative. It was actually converted into a dining table at one of the local restaurants. We were a bit stuffed from our prior 'salad', so we unfortunately didn't take that one in. I'm not sure I would have fit anyhow!</div>
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I want to find this couple so that we can give them this picture!</div>
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The town didn't lose its alure at dusk.</div>
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One thing that I can't forget to mention is that by this time in the trip, Lydia and I were actually getting a little down on our spanish abilities. It seemed that since we left Bolivia, we weren't able to keep up in conversations with the locals as much as we had in the previous countries. Then in Colonia, while taking in the night shops, we ran into a sweet street jeweller, who we ended up talking with for hours. We were both really confused by this. Had our Spanish abilities finally come back out of the blue? Later in the conversation, however, we found that the girl wasn't actually from Uruguay, rather she was from Colombia - hence the reason we could actually understand her! The countries in the south of South America (i.e. Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay) each have unique and thick accents which makes understanding their people really difficult. Seriously, it's like they're speaking a whole other language! </div>
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The next day, Lydia and I continued to wander the streets, did a bit of shopping (for the worlds best alfajores and tea sets), and practiced our tango on the docks, before heading back to Buenos Aires and starting our long trip back home to Canada. </div>
Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-65793365272353630382013-12-23T12:13:00.000-08:002013-12-23T13:37:56.086-08:00Buenos Aires<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lydia and I spent about a month in Buenos Aires and thoroughly enjoyed the city! The beautiful thing about Buenos Aires is that you don't have to get up to anything in particular to have fun. You can easily spend weeks simply walking down the many streets in the city and absorbing the culture. More than anywhere I've been, the culture of Buenos Aires is incredible. It seems that in order to live in Buenos Aires, you have to be either a poet, a chef, a musician, a dancer, an actor, or all of the above. Turn any corner and you'll find a street performer putting on a show or maybe just some locals who have decided to dance in the street. As a result, for our Buenos Aires section, Lydia and I don't have any photos of any crazy activities (though I tried to go sky diving and was rejected on account of my apparent girth - by South American standards). All our photos are from simply walking around and taking in the sights. Something I could have continued to do in Buenos Aires for mucho mas anos!</div>
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After hibernating for the first 2 days (due to our epic travel debacle) and finding an appropriate residence to setup shop in Buenos Aires for a while, we decided to take a "free walking tour" of the city in order to get our bearings. Above you can see our Joe Rogan'esc tour guide boasting about the size of the cantaloupes in the city.</div>
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<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Throughout the walking tour, we got to take in many of historic and beautiful buildings around the Argentinian capital. We also learned much about the history of the city, including the not so distant "Dirty War", which lasted from the 60s to the mid 80s. During the Dirty War the Argentinian government "disappeared" over 30,000 Argentinian residents - anyone who was suspected of socialism. Not only are they still discovering new mass graves of these residents, who were often picked out of their homes, never to be found again, but there are also a number of groups working at re-pairing the orphaned or abducted children from these events with their blood relatives. The children of the abducted were often sent to the camps or murdered alongside their parents; however, there were also many cases where the children were sent to live with officials and other members of the currupt regime. Many of these children weren't/aren't even aware of their past, as they were raised as the blood of their abductors! Several groups in Argentina (most notably the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo (the plaza pictured below) work to reveal the truth behind such cases and expose the abductors and place the now adults back with their real families. </div>
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Luckily, this dark past is now behind Argentina. It is now a wonderful place to meet some remarkable people and explore the sights!</div>
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This building I thought looked a lot like the one from Moulin Rouge!</div>
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Another interesting thing we found on the walking tour (though I don't have a picture to prove it) is that we crossed the world's widest avenue - 9 de Julio Avenue! This ave is about 20 lanes across and spans over 110m in width, essentially the length of an American football field, including the end zones! Try J-walking that one!</div>
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As I mentioned earlier, the bulk of what we did in Buenos Aires is just walk around the city, eat great food and take in the culture. Often, you could combine eating and art by going to one of the many cafes that offered live entertainment. The video above was taken in a small cafe outside of our hostel. While we ate our copious amounts of meat, various performers would take the stage and demonstrate their craft. Dancers, singers, jugglers, all were entertaining! </div>
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The above video was taken of a particularly cute dancing couple, whose average age between the two of them was likely about 95 years old. Man could they still move though! Below is a video of Pinoccio - the later years (after he started hitting the bottle). These are two of the typical scenes you can take in by just walking down the cobblestone streets of Buenos Aires!</div>
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I've never seen so many antique shops and markets as I have in Buenos Aires. Basically, if it's not an antique shop, it's a cafe!</div>
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Check out these awesome antique clothes!</div>
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Buenos Aires also made Lydia very happy by having a central cat park, combining her love for flowers and CATS!!!</div>
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One rather beautiful side trip we made in Buenos Aires was a visit their Japanese garden.</div>
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It was a great place for deep contemplation.</div>
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Artistic Lydia - post contemplation.</div>
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Lydia was able to have her wedding dress tailored in La Paz, so continuing with the trend of custom-made South American wedding apparel, I decided to have my tux made in Buenos Aires. While we waited for the suit alterations, we also took a number of tango lessons to prepare ourselves for the big day!</div>
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The final theme to our Buenos Aires adventure was the end to the Canucks 2011 playoff run. We managed to find a bar in Buenos Aires that was actually playing the games, meaning we were able to watch the SCF on the big screen (as opposed to my typical iphone viewing experience)! Hidden away in the background of the above picture is our Buenos Aires travel buddy, Linda, who we met in Mendoza (on the wine tour), and got to watch the Canucks games with.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I thought the boys had it in the bag. Not only were they up 3-2 in the series, but I kept seeing omens around Buenos Aires. For instance, did you know that Kevin Bieksa is a fragrance model in South America?</span><br />
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Also, we found Bobby Lu in a Buenos Aires cafe, working his side job as bola juggler?<br />
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It turns out, fate was just playing a cruel trick on me. For the second time in a row, the Canucks made it all the way to game 7 of the SCF, only to fall just short in the end. </div>
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2014, here we come - Go Nucks?!?!</div>
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<br />Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-35348534618942556282013-12-20T13:18:00.002-08:002013-12-20T13:18:39.852-08:00Santa Fe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I have mixed feelings about Santa Fe. On one hand, we had a fair bit of fun while we were there. On the other hand, it started off and ended up on the wrong foot! Santa Fe is an industrial type town, with shipping, factories, etc. Not your typical tourist destination. We simply chose to (attempt to) spend the night there to break up the long journey between Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires. </div>
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After about a 15 hour bus ride, we arrived at Santa Fe in the morning. Not getting the best sleep on the bus, Lydia and I wanted to check into a hotel right away to get some rest. Out of the bus terminal, we walked around and found several hotels, but most were either closed or full. We finally found one that was open and took a room right away (by this point, exhausted and desperately wanting some sleep). Problem was, after we were shown into our closet of a budget room, I closed the door and immediately shouted to Lydia, "Don't sit on the bed!!!!". Why? Because there was a used condom laying on the floor! Blagh!!!!!!!! </div>
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If I haven't mentioned this before, I'll mention this now. Most of South America has a custom where the adult males live with their parents pretty much forever. As a result, it becomes quite difficult to have sexy time with their "putas", when mom and dad are watching TV in the next room :S As a result, hotel/motels serve two purposes in South America. They cater to the tourists by allowing beds for the night, but they also cater to the locals, as a place for some nooky - sin parents! Anyway, this doesn't bother me too much, as long as they keep things squeaky clean. I cannot say this hotel passed the squeaky clean test. According to my books, a used condom on the floor is an automatic fail! </div>
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After spotting the soiled man balloon, I darted back to the front desk and literally dragged the manager into the room to scold him like a puppy that just had an accident (short of smacking him on the nose). We then (not so politely) asked for our money and bags back, as we decided that we weren't going to be staying the night there.</div>
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Now exhausted, with nowhere to stay, we had to figure out a game plan. We decided to go back to the bus terminal and try to make it to the next town, Parana, where we thought we might have better luck getting a place to stay. We got our bus tickets for later that day, and we managed to find some showers at the bus terminal to freshen up and catch a second wind so that we could have some fun in Santa Fe. As a result, after the showers, we sought the most appealing thing that Santa Fe had to offer...</div>
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BEER!!!! What better way to spend a day with 24+ hour insomia delusions than to take in a brewery tour? We hit up the Schneider Brewery (Argentina's 3rd largest beer producer) for a really fun tour.</div>
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We toured around the factory to see the beer being produced.</div>
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Learned about the history of Schneider beer.</div>
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... and drank a lot of beer! I've been on a lot of brewery tours in my day and this one had one thing that separated it from other tours I've done...</div>
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Beer goodie bags!!!!! After taking the free tour and drinking the free beer, they actually hand each person a bag full of freaking beer to take home! How cool is that!?! I think there were like 4 beer per bag!</div>
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With a bit of a buzz on, we then went to appropriately watch The Hangover 2 in the local theatre. Then, in the evening we caught the bus to Parana (now up around 40 hours) to try to find a free hotel. Problem was, we had the same luck in Parana as we did in Santa Fe (minus the condom experience). After like 2 hours of walking around, we still couldn't find anywhere to sleep (a first on our trip)! Now we were getting full on crazy for being up 2 days in a row and made the judgement call to just keep on keeping on to Buenos Aires (about a 7 hour bus ride from Parana). By the time we got into Buenos Aires and navigated the massive city to find a local hostel, we were approaching around 50-60 hours of being awake. That first sleep in Buenos Aires was one of the best in my life!!!</div>
<br />Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-17230553050731629282013-12-20T08:53:00.004-08:002013-12-20T08:53:31.170-08:00Iguazu Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
After about a 20 hour bus ride from Cordoba, we finally made it to the top of Argentina - Iguazu Falls. Iguazu was truly one of the most amazing places I have ever seen in my life. Imagine taking about 30 Niagara Falls, scatter them around a jungle, then throw in a wild petting zoo of the cutest animals you could think of, and then what the F, let's just add in an unlimited supply of rainbows and butterflies, and there you have Iguazu Falls. You would think I'm making this up, but please read on :)</div>
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Iguazu is situated at the northern tip of Argentina. From the town, you can actually look at 3 countries. Pictured above is Argentina (where I'm standing), to the top right of the picture is Brazil, and the top left of the picture is Paraguay. Luckily for my brother and dad (with our country race), both Brazil and Paraguay charged a few hundred dollars for entry visas (two of the only countries in South America that charge for Canadian access). Because money was starting to become sparce, we decided to omit those countries from our trip (even though I could have literally thrown rocks at both of them - though if I did, someone would probably shoot me).</div>
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We stayed in a neat little guest house at Iguazu. The neat thing about this guest house was that it had the cutest dog/cat combo EVER! The above video starts off with the puppy pleading to eat my alfajores (delicious chocolate caramel cookies that are uber popular throughout Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay), then the most adorable puppy vs. kitten fight breaks out (complete with butt smashes).<br />
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The day before we hit up the falls, we took in the local wildlife sanctuary (not realizing that all of Iguazu Falls seems to be a sanctuary for animals). There we saw some pretty cool bird/monkey/cat life!</div>
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This monkey would not let go of this woman's hair!</div>
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"Give me your hair!"</div>
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This "mothelfly" was found outside our guest house. It was the size of two hands!</div>
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The next day, we were off to the falls. The falls are located a few minutes bus ride from the Iguazu town. It's a massive park with lots of trails and several boardwalks that go out to the various falls.</div>
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Throughout the walk, you'll find tonnes of different kinds of butterflies. I think this one was my favourite! He looks like a #88 racing butterfly!</div>
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At the end of each boardwalk, you could expect to find the end of the earth. The first waterfall that we visited was named "La Garganta Del Diablo" (the Devil's Throat). From a distance, it just looks like someone put a hole in the river.</div>
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Up close, it gets a little more dramatic! The falls that you're looking at are actually the Brazilian side of the falls (taken from the Argentinian side). The falls are split across two countries, similar to Niagara Falls.</div>
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You get to walk right above the falls to take it all in! Go Bieksa!</div>
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You have to fight to see the bottom of La Garganta. Also cool was the fact that there were clouds of birds flying around in the myst!</div>
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The birds were looked animatronic in their behaviour and they let you get right up close to them. </div>
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Show off!</div>
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I'm guessing the birds are so cool because they get to snack on exotic butterflies all day!</div>
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This was not a safe place to be a turtle!</div>
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Woman with a cool hat!</div>
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Lydia with a cool hat!</div>
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Possibly even cooler than the falls themselves are the coatis! One part teddy bear, one part racoon, one part ant eater, and 3 parts awesome = coati. These guys are EVERYWHERE around the falls... and I mean EVERYWHERE! You will see packs/herds/covens/whatever of these marching around, nosing people, stealing candy bars, but mostly just being ridiculously cute!</div>
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"Give me your candy bars!"</div>
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The hardest thing about this blog post is that I have like 500 photos like the above. Everywhere we turned, there would be an array of waterfalls tucked into the lush green jungle, with rainbows cascading over the lot. Every second, we were like OMG, must take a photo! Now, it just makes sorting through all the photos really difficult!</div>
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Awwe!</div>
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Double awwe!</div>
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Rainbow waterfall coati parade!</div>
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So much beauty (and the waterfalls are nice too) ;)</div>
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After we saw above, below, and beside the waterfalls, it was time to rent a speedboat and experience going through the waterfalls!</div>
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Lydia is ready to take on the falls!</div>
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The above picture doesn't really do justice to how chaotic it was to actually drive into the falls... luckily, there's a video below!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz0q6ZctQWcsxTDrr9J7JFbnukEofx0StqN0AihqfrqiytOjl4bE-AY81vUgcCUyTocam1LzchdU-8hydDoaA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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Damn that was fun!<br />
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I really need to figure out how I can get myself a coati! He thinks he's people!!!</div>
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Coati with a wide angle lens!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwA24fIJTyDJ9dytxUyEExymSU2n2tyDsC_ZCXoqWm0dqSNJmaxy-RQwrDzEV_Pd9xfxeYO0ehP-Z8062sa4A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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A live action coati parade!</div>
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Did I mention how cute coatis are? They just walk right up to you to play! Seriously, look at the cuteness!</div>
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The last thing to mention about our Iguazu experience is that, believe it or not, Iguazu has the best pasta in the world! The restaurant pictured above made an assortment of fresh pastas, sauces, and pies daily and they are all simply incredible. For like $5, you can eat like a mafioso king!</div>
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Ohhhh I want to go back!</div>
<br />Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-17314856248031321842013-12-19T13:35:00.000-08:002013-12-19T13:35:24.497-08:00Alta Gracia / CordobaIn order to break up the long trip north to Iguazu Falls, we decided to stop off at the quaint town of Alta Gracia. Alta Gracia is famous for being the home of Che Guevara from 1932 to 1944. His parents brought him to Alta Gracia (High Grace) because they hoped the dry and clean air would help with his asthma, which he suffered from throughout his life. At 16, Che left Alta Gracia for Buenos Aires to pursue his education as a physician.<br />
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Che's house has since been converted into a museum, where we were able to spend the day.</div>
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If you've never had the chance to watch the movie "Motorcycle Diaries", I highly recommend it. It's about the early life of Che, where he takes the above pictured motorcycle across South America to find himself, going into adulthood. Beautiful move!</div>
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It's interesting that many of our most celebrated human rights activists have had a rather unfortunate histories with the CIA. The late Nelson Mandela was visiting his home in South Africa, when CIA informed the local government his whereabouts, allowing them to imprison him for 27 years, starting in 1962! Che met his end in Bolivia, where again, the CIA informed the local government of his whereabouts, leading to his capture and execution! Throughout South America, Che is still celebrated as a hero - one that fought for a free and united people.</div>
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On a totally unrelated topic, check out this bimbo!</div>
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Other than the Che museum, there wasn't a whole lot of things to do in Alta Gracia, other than to take in the local beauty (like this drunken donkey). This is where Lydia and I first learned about the Argentine "siesta" time. Lydia and I walked around the downtown core at around mid day on a week day, and found that the place was a ghost town. There wasn't a person or open shop in sight. What we later learned is that the Argentinians have a much different work schedule than what we keep at home. They will typically wake up when they wake up; make it to their business at around 9ish, work for a couple of hours; close shop and go home for a few hours to spend with their family; go back to the shop for 'a couple' more hours of work; close the shop when they feel like it, and then drink into the wee hours of the morning. I couldn't understand why they had a recent economic crisis! It's definitely the place to be if you want to chillaxe for the rest of your life! It makes shopping a little difficult though :)</div>
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Alta Gracia was also the home of multiple beautiful parks, with really cool old-school playground equipment.</div>
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Lydia and I didn't miss the opportunity to spend the day riding horses, meeting the local natives, and fighting octopi!</div>
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We also found a vintage public water slide, which we raced toy ducks down! I won!</div>
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We also met a young Forest Gump at play!</div>
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Throughout the park, there were lots of grazing horses and ponies, which really added to the experience!</div>
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Never seen this kind of horse before!</div>
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After a night or two in Alta Gracia, we stayed the night in Cordoba (a major city), before heading off on the final leg to Iguazu. I can't really say too much about Cordoba, other than it was our first experience seeing copious rent-by-the-hour motels, and that it was the first time we experienced our favourite wine, Tomero - a Malbec from Mendoza. Soooooo good (even when drank from a plastic cup in a rent-by-the-hour motel)!!!!!</div>
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Finally, Cordoba was also our first experience with public street tango! So beautiful!</div>
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<br />Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-73959560291840754422013-12-19T11:59:00.001-08:002013-12-19T12:32:06.027-08:00Mendoza<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I apologize profusely for the 3 year delay; however, since coming back from South America, we've been too busy with things like getting married, moving to Calgary, starting new jobs, buying our first house, traveling to Hawaii and Thailand to see Nigel and Emily marry Yoko and Mick (respectively), etc. That being said, we were never able to finish the blog (we ended up being virtually stuck in Santiago - not such a bad place). As it turns out, 3 years later, I finally have some time to myself to finish our South America blog. Yes, some of the memories might be a little hazy, but I'll do my best to remember the end of our trip. And so, without further ado - <b>Mendoza</b></div>
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Mendoza was, in my opinion, the most beautiful city of our travels. It's about the size of Victoria, filled with friendly people and amazing parks, and oh yes, it just so happens to be the wine capitol of Argentina!!! Not a bad place to setup shop for a while!</div>
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Wherever you find yourself in Mendoza, you'll likely be a stone's throw away from a beautiful green space. One of the first things that I did on the trip was rent a bike and tour around the area with a new found friend Lauren (who we met on the long and winding bus ride from Santiago).</div>
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On that bike ride, we saw countless lakes, bridges, fountains, and statues.<br />
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While Lauren and I peddled away, Lydia stayed behind to play with her new friends (that helped themselves into our room through the window). Not seen here is one of the cutest dogs ever, who followed us around wherever we went. It was so hard to leave him behind on our last day!</div>
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While in Mendoza (home of the best Malbecs in the world), it's mandatory to go on a wine tour. We ended up going to about 4 different vineyards (of the hundreds in the area), plus a olive oil farm.</div>
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At each of the vineyards, we were able to taste an assortment of different wines. Pictured above are Lydia and I with our friend from California (Lauren) in one of the tasting rooms, with the beautiful oak barrels in the background. I thought it would be a cool project to turn one of those barrels into a wine rack - maybe that's something I can now take on in my free time!</div>
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Always remember to stop and smell the roses!</div>
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Another tasting area from the wine tour.</div>
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A glimpse into the future - Tyrone and Lydia Austen, after buying their Mendoza vineyard... mmmmmm</div>
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With the buzz of the wine tour still strong, our group decided to hit up our first parrilla (ridiculous meat restaurant). If you like meat, Argentina is THE place to be. Their breakfast/lunch/dinner consists of meat, with a side of meat, with some meat sprinkled on top! Not only that, but their steaks are to die for, and the food is cheap! It's heaven for a carnivore like me! Above is Lauren pictured next to the parrilla grill, where we stopped for dinner - an all you can eat meatstraviganza for around $15 if I remember correctly. One of the best meals ever! </div>
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One funny thing about this meal was that we had a large group with us from the wine tour, several of the people were really fun, so we wanted to have a night with them. Also attending the tour though was the stereotypical obnoxious American tourist (*note, the people that we got along with were also American, so nothing against Americans - it's just that this one was like Eddie from National Lampoons vacation). So when the friend group tried to leave for our night out, cousin Eddie decided to follow us, and we had a bitch of a time trying to lose him. We ended up walking around for like an hour and a half until he got tired and went home! lol</div>
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That there is steak with a side of ribs, blood sausage, bacon, and something green so you can pretend it's healthy. Awllwwwwwllwwwwwww (drool)</div>
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Argentina also has a huge art scene (which we found throughout our time there). Our first major Argentine artistic experience came walking home from our night out, when we stumbled upon this street artist. Cigarette in one hand, and a can of spray paint in the other, this gaucho, dressed all in black, was incredible to watch. He brooded to his tango music blasting on the radio, while he free styled his works of art. No paint brushes, only spray paint and torn phone books were used to produce beautiful landscapes that were trapped in his mind's eye. We loved him/his work so much that we stayed there and watched him for over an hour, buying 3 different pieces of work (one for us, one for Nigel, and Lauren bought a one or two pieces too)!</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwdubyadOs7CIMbkF2_tn1KFjSJzbkU3X4hjIkajc7nIq8POfl1eTU53_ex6NXnBiv_olv9a7Jv7W8ez7WCCg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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Watch and enjoy! You won't get a more authentic Argentina experience from a video clip! *Also note that we have a video of him jamming to Bohemian Rhapsody as well! The guy is the boss!</div>
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Here's the final product of the painting he was working on from the video. This now hangs proudly in our bedroom.</div>
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After a few days in Mendoza, we had to move on north, as our travel budget was starting to run low and we still had a lot to see. In hindsight, I would have loved to spend more time in Mendoza. Out of all the places we traveled in South America, Mendoza is the one place where I could actually see Lydia and I settling down to. I can't think of a better place to become an alcoholic - OH the WINE and MEAT!!!!</div>
Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-76619089573031048002012-05-09T18:18:00.000-07:002012-05-09T18:18:10.053-07:00Santiago<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We crossed the Bolivia/Chile border and made our way to San Pedro de Atacama - a little desert town surrounded by arid valleys that bloom into a carpet of bright flowers for a short while after the spring rain. We didn't get to see these flowers, however, as Tyrone was fighting off black-lung symptoms left over from the Potosi mines, which were then exacerbated by the near frostbite from our Salar tour. Also, we weren't there during the blooming season, so the valleys were dry and dusty.</div>
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We didn't care much, as we were only making a pit stop on our way down south to Santiago. You see, we had purchased some tickets to see a fast-approaching Paul McCartney concert. After a stop in uneventful Antofagasta (no pictures necessary) and a visit with Amelia at her observatory in the Atacama desert (post to come later), we made it to Santiago... and saw...</div>
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Paul McCartney!</div>
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He was an amazing and unbelievably energetic performer. He still has pipes... and pipes.<br />
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I can see why all the ladies love this Beatle - Sir Paul is also extremely charming. And his acoustic rendition of Blackbird had everyone singing along (which kind of ruined it because we couldn't hear him - but it was a different kind of experience)!<br />
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A view from where we stood - amongst 40,000 people or so!<br />
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There is so much to do and see in Santiago. This is part of the historic square where we spent a lot of time watching buskers and artists.<br />
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The city is full of beautiful statues and sculptures that were gifts from this old King, or that country... This statue/fountain was a gift from Germany. The City disabled the fountain aspect of it, however, because too many children (and drunk adults) were using it as a water park!<br />
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There is a little mountain in the middle of Santiago with some beautiful look-outs, and of all things, their zoo.<br />
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After walking around all day, we were lazy and took the gondola up to the zoo.<br />
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At the entrance, we found a little lemur checking out the city view.<br />
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We also found a family of maras...<br />
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...a pretty pacing tiger...<br />
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...and this jaguar that was surprisingly perky when a baby next to us started to cry. We were almost close enough to see the drool.<br />
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Here's a wise baboon showing off his colourful assets.<br />
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And here's another baboon posing in front of the late afternoon view. We always found our direction in Santiago based on the tower behind my head - it was modelled to look like a cell phone and sticks out like a dirty thumb (albeit a very architecturally pretty thumb) wherever you are in the city.<br />
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Tyrone waited patiently by these flamingos for what seemed like hours to me in order to get the perfect picture. I'm not sure if this was it - but I think it's fierce.<br />
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This little guy is doing the Mona Lisa - I don't know if he's smiling or what. But unlike Mona Lisa, he's adorable.<br />
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Once I finished contemplating my meerkat friend, I found Tyrone playing peek-a-boo with a polar bear.<br />
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One of the first things we noticed about Santiago, other than the smog, was that it has a vibrant arts culture. Everyone paints or makes crafts or dances or sings... And there are markets all over the city showcasing these talents.<br />
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We found some of the most beautiful graffiti on random walls all over the city.<br />
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And Santiago has some of the best wine in the world! We made it to this beautiful bodega nestled under the Andes (yes, those are mountains in the background, behind the smoggy haze).<br />
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We seriously considered eloping at this vineyard ; )<br />
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This little guy was a strange fondant dessert with a candle sticking out in a curious fashion... he was supposed to be angelic (what with the wings and halo).<br />
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We went on a free walking tour of the city and were joined by these two furry body guards. They introduced us to the concept of the Cafe con Piernas - "coffee with legs" - cafes that littered the downtown core. They are like Starbucks, but with Hooters waitresses, and they're on every corner with their mini-skirt clad ladies serving all the Santiagan businessmen.<br />
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There are also cafes con piernas with dark windows... which are the previous, mixed with strip clubs! Which brings me to explain the "Happy Minute"... This is when you are at one of these coffee shops and the doors are suddenly locked for one whole minute and all the waitresses remove what little lingerie they have on and dance for you! The only problem is that these "coffee shops" don't serve any booze. Just coffee. And if you're lucky, a Happy Minute.<br />
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After we discovered the cafes con piernas, we were introduced to the TERREMOTO! This translates to "earthquake" in spanish, as this drink will apparently move the ground out from under you... and it's true. A true terremoto is a pitcher filled with one litre of sweet white white, a few shots of fernet (a hard alcohol that's about 45 proof and nasty), and a few scoops of ice cream. We went for the drink by glasses, instead, and definitely felt the earth shake...<br />
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Some time later in Santiago, we made it to the Chilean Comicon. It highlighted a lot of local comic artists, which was pretty cool. There were a lot of really talented makeup artists... and this guy scared the bejesus out of me!<br />
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Tyrone decided to audition for a role on the new X-Men TV show... However, his power of "gun fingers" didn't impress the directors and he was cut.<br />
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Our little dino, Licky Skittles (if you don't recall, we adopted him in Peru), made friends with Amelia's stuffed animals when we were staying at her lovely apartment in Santiago!<br />
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Here's the view from Amelia's 14th floor condo. It had rained that day, so the smog was washed out of the air and onto the pavement below. Thus, we got a lovely view of the newly snow-capped Andes!<br />
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During our stay, we got to experience an earthquake that was about magnitude 5.9 - luckily the condo was build to code, so it only swayed from side to side for around 20 seconds. It was kinda scary all the way up on the 14th floor!<br />
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We went a couple of times to the Dominicos craft market where we picked up some beautiful hand carved masks and other souvenirs. The highlight of the market was not the handiwork, however, but the friendly shop cats that lived and played in the market square.<br />
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We thought it was strange that all the locals told us we had to visit Santiago's cemetery. So we made the trip one day and were amazed at how beautiful and intricate the graves and tombs were. Some were like small mansions, others were built in stacked apartment-like complexes. We were also shocked by the number of visitors wandering around the giant graveyard with fresh flowers and families in tow to visit their passed loved ones.<br />
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We were also extremely shocked to find some sort of santa muerte ritual in the centre of the cemetery. We're curious to know what a glass skull sitting atop of a pile of popcorn, surrounded by a pentagon of candles means.... we also realized that a few of the candles were still burning... so we had just missed whoever had put them there.<br />
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It was set in front of this cross with well-wishes, etc., posted all over its base.<br />
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There were about two hundred more photos we could have posted on Santiago - these are just a good sample! It was an amazing city - very modern and full of culture. The people were friendly (if you could understand them - I forgot to mention that Chile has nearly a different dialect of Spanish that took some getting used to), the sites were beautiful, the food was delicious, the wine was cheap and plentiful, and other than the smog, we would definitely consider living there!Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-4091961535283468532012-02-07T19:50:00.000-08:002012-02-07T20:45:42.424-08:00Salar de Uyuni Pt. 2 - Ice and Steam<div>After our day on the salt flats and playing around the train graveyard, we made our way to a tiny, un-heated little compound where we spent the night. It was so cold that we could see our breath as we all huddled in our dusty little cots for a few hours sleep. The next morning, none of us could even shower, as this is what our water source looked like:</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfXeMFmIYhwNLAwHg3wClNABIxFAUkvB6Ey06mWYdeKDJK2HY-VBqGLZ8NBNb6rDW7TmdPsRV8aUjk9MWqPjFeOQCoSB8pSTX8CmculbRjZFTuS59KsMmmQdY_J8Pqhf0pdzTJG16Tjs8/s1600/IMG_6814.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdfXeMFmIYhwNLAwHg3wClNABIxFAUkvB6Ey06mWYdeKDJK2HY-VBqGLZ8NBNb6rDW7TmdPsRV8aUjk9MWqPjFeOQCoSB8pSTX8CmculbRjZFTuS59KsMmmQdY_J8Pqhf0pdzTJG16Tjs8/s320/IMG_6814.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706612187464296450" /></a><br /><div>After a toasty breakfast, we made our way to a large valley with strange rock formations. Ty decided to take a nap in the sun on this cozy boulder.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggivziOrSHnV9sGYq0eFlJnFBh8p2T50l-jQHJ25hR2ORFcN6Ueqe0RfPSjDbQPyu3fbTILWU3T630uWlp32XBf-2NDoVS-tCmKrU0o19QkCs_y3KiDudR0b1daVzVuexc5vEhBMP-eto4/s1600/IMG_6815.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggivziOrSHnV9sGYq0eFlJnFBh8p2T50l-jQHJ25hR2ORFcN6Ueqe0RfPSjDbQPyu3fbTILWU3T630uWlp32XBf-2NDoVS-tCmKrU0o19QkCs_y3KiDudR0b1daVzVuexc5vEhBMP-eto4/s320/IMG_6815.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706612178040978850" /></a><br /></div><div>I, on the other hand, was full of coffee and wide awake!!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxqxARDxbXE7dVH_PU-Nddcto3SJ2vaj_6-VwCSR8kiWYrAWk4NVQuYxEeR4ZHzrryVSm3qZTqYO67OygKzE9GlGgKRmQ2ya3_MrxJ89ar0RlR_Zdmz00NSO8MaYEFpojZTNQ8WXmWq2H/s1600/IMG_6824.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTxqxARDxbXE7dVH_PU-Nddcto3SJ2vaj_6-VwCSR8kiWYrAWk4NVQuYxEeR4ZHzrryVSm3qZTqYO67OygKzE9GlGgKRmQ2ya3_MrxJ89ar0RlR_Zdmz00NSO8MaYEFpojZTNQ8WXmWq2H/s320/IMG_6824.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706612168849609874" /></a><br /></div><div>Here Ty is hiding in the "eagle rock", which also looked like a nice place to take a nap.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnN3DZygQOY6o41pnTqB6ioukLtT5ceFJjia5-ZeMKtaG9BiG8-p6LmmSIGYTlEHAdhohIB-zEvD5JPF45FfpS0Zoe9Ua_e1hammRqK1JqDvuRnG01a_siDZYff89tg2IRUzUu1gz7BYtM/s1600/IMG_6831.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnN3DZygQOY6o41pnTqB6ioukLtT5ceFJjia5-ZeMKtaG9BiG8-p6LmmSIGYTlEHAdhohIB-zEvD5JPF45FfpS0Zoe9Ua_e1hammRqK1JqDvuRnG01a_siDZYff89tg2IRUzUu1gz7BYtM/s320/IMG_6831.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706612164051668338" /></a><br /></div><div>Next, we made our way to an icy lake at a higher elevation. By this point, I believe we were around 5,000 meters above sea level - very cold and a little difficult to breathe.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1xDlNsEOK-lnppEn1EoPgE28UwrCJ09orDvcgGq78DZcMTEVmcG_69kzhB3zqCgodCh7hJ95G8pg-FTna5PqOnajtE0GaoJdsvRGq-koc6OLLb51IuMqPsR2ccjZL8jVJh-3OvO8oWxb/s1600/IMG_6838.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR1xDlNsEOK-lnppEn1EoPgE28UwrCJ09orDvcgGq78DZcMTEVmcG_69kzhB3zqCgodCh7hJ95G8pg-FTna5PqOnajtE0GaoJdsvRGq-koc6OLLb51IuMqPsR2ccjZL8jVJh-3OvO8oWxb/s320/IMG_6838.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706612157653803266" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelWU6rmGL8SWP4dRu622b1XbRkcC7_xMSGTQvnOWj8BpBEhU0CnQui78gyMzO3Gdz8BCHqMXHlIz3uQEA6bvnC1i7iMNPNBbHKjW3Dl5zBKJVk5H5QyreFCRytCPtJ_sVv_4ErG4PZcGs/s1600/IMG_6851.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelWU6rmGL8SWP4dRu622b1XbRkcC7_xMSGTQvnOWj8BpBEhU0CnQui78gyMzO3Gdz8BCHqMXHlIz3uQEA6bvnC1i7iMNPNBbHKjW3Dl5zBKJVk5H5QyreFCRytCPtJ_sVv_4ErG4PZcGs/s320/IMG_6851.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706611328688691042" /></a><br /></div><div>After lunch, someone from our group started a strange new game: rock bowling with scrounged random animal legs as pins. Seriously. It seemed like fun at the time!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUjyPKO7tQONIcdmix1HH2mHbCBK_mnaKZb82IUUijConhVz8vt4p00_gDH30wX9NZOO4XSdWT474eb1ajrOSwUpgVkQEpok3mwS7Ha1ItofLcYYnAec0nd8UAHWR66ez3H2LAdoZHGq5/s1600/IMG_6860.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifUjyPKO7tQONIcdmix1HH2mHbCBK_mnaKZb82IUUijConhVz8vt4p00_gDH30wX9NZOO4XSdWT474eb1ajrOSwUpgVkQEpok3mwS7Ha1ItofLcYYnAec0nd8UAHWR66ez3H2LAdoZHGq5/s320/IMG_6860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706611320616304578" /></a><br /></div><div>After a good hand sanitizing, we drove to another area with strange rock formations and beautiful mountain views.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_IbQ03zHoRY816acMGRKY1j_i620seKUAO62DnnUPw2iLR6Zh-ObaHHl9rrn7MEb8iP2sLEZ4P1faAecgqw4f1My8xVFZi8YVBgOhVFQS43dRK03cVD4E8O_fRhVZURhPmGL_XBleSZo/s1600/IMG_6876.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_IbQ03zHoRY816acMGRKY1j_i620seKUAO62DnnUPw2iLR6Zh-ObaHHl9rrn7MEb8iP2sLEZ4P1faAecgqw4f1My8xVFZi8YVBgOhVFQS43dRK03cVD4E8O_fRhVZURhPmGL_XBleSZo/s320/IMG_6876.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706611312199243218" /></a><br /></div><div>Finally, we made our way to our camp for the night, which was set beside a "techni-colour" lake. Here Manuella and I are rock-hopping our way to the lake look-out to see what this colour-changing lake stuff was all about.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtByOcXAfn5njCN3diC-c1necRehDfjzKYm_3UCPGtfRVcmm_4ag7vzPrpW9oNtqH9m7Rn88tiK6jsG5d8ututcRLhdmt_XHS1KAMsepiaqZ87wG9zCVOWzzEkapV8KGQZzmG6dNoynns/s1600/IMG_6892.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtByOcXAfn5njCN3diC-c1necRehDfjzKYm_3UCPGtfRVcmm_4ag7vzPrpW9oNtqH9m7Rn88tiK6jsG5d8ututcRLhdmt_XHS1KAMsepiaqZ87wG9zCVOWzzEkapV8KGQZzmG6dNoynns/s320/IMG_6892.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706611296440567858" /></a><br /></div><div>We weren't disappointed, as the lake glowed an eery red from our hilly perch.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OHQKOk8J0Ai6yomW2vna92syWLeibYDbg206cn7QOzV9y90uPLZExayJtA-_Th6fn7ufF59cHCPhyfVPsrwVG0Pn0ZkPkXbXi7m762QHWFpo4weGaPcV0ckuSebz1Al0rnmaaIv9W4zz/s1600/IMG_6898.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7OHQKOk8J0Ai6yomW2vna92syWLeibYDbg206cn7QOzV9y90uPLZExayJtA-_Th6fn7ufF59cHCPhyfVPsrwVG0Pn0ZkPkXbXi7m762QHWFpo4weGaPcV0ckuSebz1Al0rnmaaIv9W4zz/s320/IMG_6898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706611294033650994" /></a><br /></div><div>And in the other direction, it faded to purple.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0TE9ShxtfDZD0ssDjWzFovzBzcxBY-tdalRpaFrVImOwq3NhOlZEO5M_H9dFp_-HFs8sKzoCUEId18yhLRzn3IahL-cOU6fTyf1zSVl0hkqSs8IPxjZ1UDoW7VoUu7uHPFtMnIQO_-mF/s1600/IMG_6912.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0TE9ShxtfDZD0ssDjWzFovzBzcxBY-tdalRpaFrVImOwq3NhOlZEO5M_H9dFp_-HFs8sKzoCUEId18yhLRzn3IahL-cOU6fTyf1zSVl0hkqSs8IPxjZ1UDoW7VoUu7uHPFtMnIQO_-mF/s320/IMG_6912.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706609932934931602" /></a><br /></div><div>The icy cold lake was full of flamingos. I don't know how their little twig legs didn't freeze in place!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BMjrrEcVFQ24b9-ilT-Dh9f_RHsy1-Gvm7qz2EluG2vwHd8M-BFMS3c96IunQYvNgBSgafjBUi8cuXJRQKyyqfcCdSjwU0P23ej8FzwQ5DWNVCwDlIc0Tq-l8iOQoG_hOgDzyJibM8nN/s1600/IMG_6917.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BMjrrEcVFQ24b9-ilT-Dh9f_RHsy1-Gvm7qz2EluG2vwHd8M-BFMS3c96IunQYvNgBSgafjBUi8cuXJRQKyyqfcCdSjwU0P23ej8FzwQ5DWNVCwDlIc0Tq-l8iOQoG_hOgDzyJibM8nN/s320/IMG_6917.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706609917095335794" /></a><br /></div><div>On our way down the hill, eagle-eyed Tyrone spotted this strange looking rabbit squirrel! He gave us a good stare-down for around 5 or so minutes before hop/climbing away.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0-THznsEWCZ3siQnSpedDt_rz01xKuynfdf_N47gqkBXXVw4vyRy87JfqIWHARUGgzzx5QH_QV9vSfTINr6akWxHJABbql6by5p03WVdWYeqfsvFV7FCgD5qcfYqQ3NKFF_66PqoXpaW/s1600/IMG_6923.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0-THznsEWCZ3siQnSpedDt_rz01xKuynfdf_N47gqkBXXVw4vyRy87JfqIWHARUGgzzx5QH_QV9vSfTINr6akWxHJABbql6by5p03WVdWYeqfsvFV7FCgD5qcfYqQ3NKFF_66PqoXpaW/s320/IMG_6923.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706609910515298642" /></a><br /></div><div>Upon waking up from another chilly sleep, we proceeded to not shower for a second day (it was really that cold), and ventured to some geysers. Here Ty and I attempt to warm ourselves to no avail.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QAiJqaEP68ubv5t4ganCaFflW0mR_AOq4X6VSN17CzAahcFiUxmYsi6PpZM1cNHymA3Az0zjDq_4IG_zyrBYlfbT02zXpYj91QOYHu1i0fZMfjwRIZtJ7zvswh1eat2BeHomjHywVeYT/s1600/IMG_6932.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3QAiJqaEP68ubv5t4ganCaFflW0mR_AOq4X6VSN17CzAahcFiUxmYsi6PpZM1cNHymA3Az0zjDq_4IG_zyrBYlfbT02zXpYj91QOYHu1i0fZMfjwRIZtJ7zvswh1eat2BeHomjHywVeYT/s320/IMG_6932.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706609902554021858" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvTA1IXMHZOv1qWN1zmxyADZMOYlBQVSr8kTEXWuqCyM_LKLsuq3MPSpb4VKDFnVXCmUlE4wUHfS5sN5ifvlFF1AaTQiUGxH8mWboI1cSjwEBTIF6YTNcvE8-QWlx7WgdR0_vY5G1wWsm/s1600/IMG_6936.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvTA1IXMHZOv1qWN1zmxyADZMOYlBQVSr8kTEXWuqCyM_LKLsuq3MPSpb4VKDFnVXCmUlE4wUHfS5sN5ifvlFF1AaTQiUGxH8mWboI1cSjwEBTIF6YTNcvE8-QWlx7WgdR0_vY5G1wWsm/s320/IMG_6936.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706609892465429842" /></a><br /></div><div>Ty captured some beautiful sunrise photos through the steam</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjwOiUNtK2vVbyHaB-lJRoZSvdEKXluXPR2JvhbKse975TtRU_bX3Lemh3kRlHQXI5nIpYgGWTo7D5sKfMEHBktUJv-ntV3fwFdwxfGlrB8_DulVqoPnOuMxuXuUAicDMpXnev-fan78o/s1600/IMG_6949.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZjwOiUNtK2vVbyHaB-lJRoZSvdEKXluXPR2JvhbKse975TtRU_bX3Lemh3kRlHQXI5nIpYgGWTo7D5sKfMEHBktUJv-ntV3fwFdwxfGlrB8_DulVqoPnOuMxuXuUAicDMpXnev-fan78o/s320/IMG_6949.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706608852746515346" /></a><br /></div><div>And then came bath time! We spent the rest of the morning at very steamy hot springs.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEmZq5IzgSFDvUN_DxLCyKPzAIBEDCKYQMDx5OnC7I6CapBknGAqGc_sWLWvPuPNi1YL2mu8taNu5UCY0-K2VfOGFCd8BeeQRIMX7rhG7eeYMPKp4SAAT_MhDgdxW9CBcKte9HGcUCHP6/s1600/IMG_6956.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfEmZq5IzgSFDvUN_DxLCyKPzAIBEDCKYQMDx5OnC7I6CapBknGAqGc_sWLWvPuPNi1YL2mu8taNu5UCY0-K2VfOGFCd8BeeQRIMX7rhG7eeYMPKp4SAAT_MhDgdxW9CBcKte9HGcUCHP6/s320/IMG_6956.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706608847362075410" /></a><br /></div><div>Tyrone striking a steamy model pose... it was still so cold when he got out that by the time he finished changing, his swim shorts were frozen flat as a board!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln1TDQi0iYknFDv6IkW7hAuc-xs1CQQDQ5phP0gBJVYVQoz9VUuxwmVFF6SznkhACVDnFsspm9mI94F1WcBQVunr-z-__1eA1TkpOcb8tCKKl_swNO3rOwFBSpC3pZ3-f7QqHVe185sCQ/s1600/IMG_6959.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiln1TDQi0iYknFDv6IkW7hAuc-xs1CQQDQ5phP0gBJVYVQoz9VUuxwmVFF6SznkhACVDnFsspm9mI94F1WcBQVunr-z-__1eA1TkpOcb8tCKKl_swNO3rOwFBSpC3pZ3-f7QqHVe185sCQ/s320/IMG_6959.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706608835976419938" /></a><br /></div><div>Next, we made our way to the Chilean border. We do one final pose at yet another beautiful and frozen lake with our group before leaving them for our border-crossing.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUA3BDzPibmhjD_N1ywRGX6TF8fOps_9qAGPOqdH3S1ZBzgGzA-L_3hU0S0uhw2EzY9ddBc-cWCA7U9UvUoQ-ydzxv3S-iIcTdcEorHX7b2qkepdN5dEczBdKQnArkjA8MKT4jGOZhbt6/s1600/IMG_6965.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAUA3BDzPibmhjD_N1ywRGX6TF8fOps_9qAGPOqdH3S1ZBzgGzA-L_3hU0S0uhw2EzY9ddBc-cWCA7U9UvUoQ-ydzxv3S-iIcTdcEorHX7b2qkepdN5dEczBdKQnArkjA8MKT4jGOZhbt6/s320/IMG_6965.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706608825024435538" /></a><br /></div><div>At the border, I almost lost Ty to this cute little fox that he chased after until he got a good snap shot of him.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnUosBvyflV5nEQztMZgHT8KktAk_WWyUqvnMLuOnjvl5HTdnP8KaefQoTAKdhC4HCTQUOLOuYL54o95Y9lWDrc8AG9QwB6AbN6RfrTherDWDcsjxI3UOz4mjB3Di2PrmyVMRsX60Ab33/s1600/IMG_6971.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJnUosBvyflV5nEQztMZgHT8KktAk_WWyUqvnMLuOnjvl5HTdnP8KaefQoTAKdhC4HCTQUOLOuYL54o95Y9lWDrc8AG9QwB6AbN6RfrTherDWDcsjxI3UOz4mjB3Di2PrmyVMRsX60Ab33/s320/IMG_6971.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5706608821460216898" /></a><br /></div><div>After goodbyes and hugs, we boarded a little truck at a tiny shack, and continued our journey into Chile - first stop, San Pedro de Atacama!</div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-44495921893663471412011-11-08T20:27:00.000-08:002011-11-09T19:30:07.772-08:00Salar de Uyuni Pt. 1 - Salt Flats Fun<div>We joined a gal that we met on the Potosi mine tour on the bus ride south to the Salar de Uyuni (salt flats of Uyuni) and grabbed a few more people we met in town to join us on a 3-day tour.</div><div><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagRHBD-e4p_DvL686HuLavr79UBSNW14kkVqvBzo0SSch-4-rMcTZ61gJhIh1V2Kd9GC2KjegYttEAVZHUZfE6EgJBMmcJzOv3re_APaE33VkliQAbyRq3oFEzWTMM8VVRHUTG9YNcBZ6/s1600/IMG_6710.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgagRHBD-e4p_DvL686HuLavr79UBSNW14kkVqvBzo0SSch-4-rMcTZ61gJhIh1V2Kd9GC2KjegYttEAVZHUZfE6EgJBMmcJzOv3re_APaE33VkliQAbyRq3oFEzWTMM8VVRHUTG9YNcBZ6/s320/IMG_6710.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673191870142956850" /></a><br /><div>The tour started with a craft market that also featured salt statues, like this salt llama (constructed to size)!<br /><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl151XecZo4SgWQaC90l0K6emlKWc0SrKzDh0Hf-E6Ekon8EwGruUzP1W1mUYRG1XMKzZuhibURI_IChgqq_an7nYDL6Cle9TqXyCo8f2CHH-RSW0hyIUhhglbrrVjt3Wl5wiWEy-Qa9Sb/s1600/IMG_6713.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl151XecZo4SgWQaC90l0K6emlKWc0SrKzDh0Hf-E6Ekon8EwGruUzP1W1mUYRG1XMKzZuhibURI_IChgqq_an7nYDL6Cle9TqXyCo8f2CHH-RSW0hyIUhhglbrrVjt3Wl5wiWEy-Qa9Sb/s320/IMG_6713.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673191867092816498" /></a><br /></div><div>Tyrone and I were fascinated with the snow-like look of the salt and attempted a salt-fight, but failed when we tried to form salt-balls.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t0B2nyEAINQIPtNpRiTwobxTM-ZoTmtZ28tbOcucFga33ESQuA80JcxdFr0F_Y8O-uPTSCBEAFJgIUIbQSKMvfKWi5xR7nDtZ7HSP8nR1WbuJyP1W3W07cLnloZqgm-75tWEqBS2TFnp/s1600/IMG_6718.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_t0B2nyEAINQIPtNpRiTwobxTM-ZoTmtZ28tbOcucFga33ESQuA80JcxdFr0F_Y8O-uPTSCBEAFJgIUIbQSKMvfKWi5xR7nDtZ7HSP8nR1WbuJyP1W3W07cLnloZqgm-75tWEqBS2TFnp/s320/IMG_6718.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673191856147158834" /></a><br /></div><div>We hopped in a vehicle and took a ride to the middle of the flats. We didn't know until we arrived that stuffed animals, especially dinosaurs, magically grow to 1000x their size upon entering the salt flats...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl75yG7qIU54Ypf3893tVtu_1AiadBb_Hck3XSndigsY3g1tO_HL22jWHLwX1-yaOigjPl9CEOi2JDns16AB6LcvZq1Uk1T97515-lQiMqsVGXiU4bbMJ5AOTtpDsMXujPDIeBCT_z0V2r/s1600/IMG_6726.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl75yG7qIU54Ypf3893tVtu_1AiadBb_Hck3XSndigsY3g1tO_HL22jWHLwX1-yaOigjPl9CEOi2JDns16AB6LcvZq1Uk1T97515-lQiMqsVGXiU4bbMJ5AOTtpDsMXujPDIeBCT_z0V2r/s320/IMG_6726.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673182590908995618" /></a><br /></div><div>As do Tyrones... one of which almost stepped on the rest of our group!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito0rIC2xNufu9mRBHjg7N5jyBJfXEjSi6KE5zg82EL0qQgST6kJ-YRb8AqrJX-YudxkVRSk43s2uSgas8WiJlOkvsSrbWPBJr-Iv_tBhaEz43da932H4WYW0SoxTKDB3ap_HdDPoYgoo3/s1600/IMG_6728.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEito0rIC2xNufu9mRBHjg7N5jyBJfXEjSi6KE5zg82EL0qQgST6kJ-YRb8AqrJX-YudxkVRSk43s2uSgas8WiJlOkvsSrbWPBJr-Iv_tBhaEz43da932H4WYW0SoxTKDB3ap_HdDPoYgoo3/s320/IMG_6728.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673182582271336690" /></a><br /></div><div>He realized he almost squished me, so he picked me up for safe-keeping and gave me a kiss :)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaasqV_KRo_Qr6vig_1uukWAQjOjonc8fIwaDHRnhBPTzZoZtm5MbE-nZgLZ_VJcB07P5eAXhV_8TpXBJGizDRQF6__Eg8WzqceQVFqaCwfK-GOPaDG5-UawKKlOOh2QUZ-2cqLB2SKjTJ/s1600/IMG_6737.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaasqV_KRo_Qr6vig_1uukWAQjOjonc8fIwaDHRnhBPTzZoZtm5MbE-nZgLZ_VJcB07P5eAXhV_8TpXBJGizDRQF6__Eg8WzqceQVFqaCwfK-GOPaDG5-UawKKlOOh2QUZ-2cqLB2SKjTJ/s320/IMG_6737.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673182576965259170" /></a><br /></div><div>Our booze stash also grew... and here we stand proudly next to 40,000 litres of hardbar and wine!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aws2jeSd7_hCELikS5aZdepbkKgD53QWegrU8dEY4O-TPtgia7PBfYwIFE6m8zwfF551QJ3kOvtD_8psppzAaez3pedqY1kx8EBYBC1jl8wwDk3F_nXUcS8w1FZJ9wLOsZ8ZAkfjvsLS/s1600/IMG_6750.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5aws2jeSd7_hCELikS5aZdepbkKgD53QWegrU8dEY4O-TPtgia7PBfYwIFE6m8zwfF551QJ3kOvtD_8psppzAaez3pedqY1kx8EBYBC1jl8wwDk3F_nXUcS8w1FZJ9wLOsZ8ZAkfjvsLS/s320/IMG_6750.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673182570428497474" /></a><br /></div><div>Family shot :)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6B8vgiXzwSoVsC4eLNpFSoJpQnGFzYu8x3VIZJr-tPHVZ8paVb4N7XNJbRxcKvjMhJfoa90x1mnoNoBFf_mRzRPHf8LumzHDZyc3IOjAAbGCMX9QXRz7-8SyCxtVMZROIDFGownUA9H2/s1600/IMG_6756.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz6B8vgiXzwSoVsC4eLNpFSoJpQnGFzYu8x3VIZJr-tPHVZ8paVb4N7XNJbRxcKvjMhJfoa90x1mnoNoBFf_mRzRPHf8LumzHDZyc3IOjAAbGCMX9QXRz7-8SyCxtVMZROIDFGownUA9H2/s320/IMG_6756.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5673182565240963634" /></a><br /></div><div>We played a game of leap-frog...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa9lfwuVmrFkBYzxVrQEzDYBC1d2GcQiH5hyK7Bb5fna6RcF8vrFxYMsB3-J9OBZi9OlMoXVrt5572WadQgmmttbwucSQnrSt0UOFNhXN-AuHTFhGTo3QIQPJbih2TNfcJERHpLHVUTQo/s1600/IMG_6765.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoa9lfwuVmrFkBYzxVrQEzDYBC1d2GcQiH5hyK7Bb5fna6RcF8vrFxYMsB3-J9OBZi9OlMoXVrt5572WadQgmmttbwucSQnrSt0UOFNhXN-AuHTFhGTo3QIQPJbih2TNfcJERHpLHVUTQo/s320/IMG_6765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672855575439509778" /></a><br /></div><div>...and then decided to build a human pyramid!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc1fjQJWIJjm9oIL409QQnHXnXpykGNzUxwW2HIZQg-eRhl1td8ocYBrRPbGHtXhlImIptWBczPxP98o2XfBDq164FspwJS3-lpV5BIVnaXmYkktP1xk3PPCI3dtXwsupdchyWcRUF4Bu/s1600/IMG_6767.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoc1fjQJWIJjm9oIL409QQnHXnXpykGNzUxwW2HIZQg-eRhl1td8ocYBrRPbGHtXhlImIptWBczPxP98o2XfBDq164FspwJS3-lpV5BIVnaXmYkktP1xk3PPCI3dtXwsupdchyWcRUF4Bu/s320/IMG_6767.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672855565777340882" /></a><br /></div><div>We then drove further out to the wet flats and gave ourselves a natural, freezing-cold salt foot scrub.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cMseEdd9JKKLnL1EDrHy2hK4YAO16z7vNNAl8ECs8SeBL76qJjdixHCtCVDKBi7PTo7okZStSpv-IUur4fz_Z8zZ-2CgD6gkkRsKDNmHs-w8T00jw5iKbo-zOLaEaR06bAkzoXmwnrK9/s1600/IMG_6771.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cMseEdd9JKKLnL1EDrHy2hK4YAO16z7vNNAl8ECs8SeBL76qJjdixHCtCVDKBi7PTo7okZStSpv-IUur4fz_Z8zZ-2CgD6gkkRsKDNmHs-w8T00jw5iKbo-zOLaEaR06bAkzoXmwnrK9/s320/IMG_6771.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672855555415916226" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsXL4diPzHZlFyYPVKHoWNVTC_0x3ErVnRdN8p6lMjXIiBMyTm9-wwmAzZcBgCmnE_hWqN9o27THiO7GFZspj3tHiynfyCrVe_7Brd-CD4GMWjR1v1GWJ6OM5z8WEI6yjSDSMTcFEfxjF/s1600/IMG_6773.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsXL4diPzHZlFyYPVKHoWNVTC_0x3ErVnRdN8p6lMjXIiBMyTm9-wwmAzZcBgCmnE_hWqN9o27THiO7GFZspj3tHiynfyCrVe_7Brd-CD4GMWjR1v1GWJ6OM5z8WEI6yjSDSMTcFEfxjF/s320/IMG_6773.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672855550023305746" /></a><br /></div><div>The salt flats change in appearance with every angle... they go from looking like a snow and ice-laden desert to looking like a luxurious beach at low-tide.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLeWXRKSmbIgumHEgPXTN67EBdXY894YQZhfjzEZXVkMpsLf7boINa2gtVqeososux6WGF1HTQo4e68pJsLjLcuzEygpu24cTU2L_9mN8JO9Coq7uKCTc9vhPHOj4bB4p20v_c9I3JmIp/s1600/IMG_6776.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLeWXRKSmbIgumHEgPXTN67EBdXY894YQZhfjzEZXVkMpsLf7boINa2gtVqeososux6WGF1HTQo4e68pJsLjLcuzEygpu24cTU2L_9mN8JO9Coq7uKCTc9vhPHOj4bB4p20v_c9I3JmIp/s320/IMG_6776.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672855548166380978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LR6fro2rrfXhZIqswqhUiLfo4ZByRCuDXOYjNKbdEdrDI5azII3aE93ns4HJsR22Kp6mpvQPHyiNNvxetzaLqAvZCuZj_EdPTJyvtZ970EOFDs7cuNSK5uMulwQM-kLLrFdCXcom3v7c/s1600/IMG_6778.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LR6fro2rrfXhZIqswqhUiLfo4ZByRCuDXOYjNKbdEdrDI5azII3aE93ns4HJsR22Kp6mpvQPHyiNNvxetzaLqAvZCuZj_EdPTJyvtZ970EOFDs7cuNSK5uMulwQM-kLLrFdCXcom3v7c/s320/IMG_6778.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672854771954577986" /></a><br /></div><div>After some lunch at a shack-like hotel in the middle of the flats, we headed to a train graveyard nearby. We didn't know what to expect from a lot with retired trains, but we found ourselves upon a photographer's paradise! The skies and lighting were perfect to highlight the rusting locomotives.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIN9lzE-socd5omX4de2ONCv48WxD2KAm96x8SNXfCmhQm-vq0pRyXPE9VC392nNSbAT_phd5YQ0fec_1UQZvEyT13fmLTDjI5Obn3AndOzmPXUO4p8S7069_Ilnn7_5H04LmWhBSC2Zc/s1600/IMG_6785.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMIN9lzE-socd5omX4de2ONCv48WxD2KAm96x8SNXfCmhQm-vq0pRyXPE9VC392nNSbAT_phd5YQ0fec_1UQZvEyT13fmLTDjI5Obn3AndOzmPXUO4p8S7069_Ilnn7_5H04LmWhBSC2Zc/s320/IMG_6785.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672854767661230946" /></a><br /></div><div>We had fun exploring the trains, much like kids at a jungle-gym!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYo_KHXCYm8c0V6jla4DM72gDKHxmmtfz1pwyVmp2wouY66yt7vkJ0gqwufxpuhxvCzDjZRRkNo632rS5wFvDcyf4pbshC89yyUOjllWMEChwFTkiz8qWDanwgpzkk-rzVBmgiotonoO4/s1600/IMG_6790.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBYo_KHXCYm8c0V6jla4DM72gDKHxmmtfz1pwyVmp2wouY66yt7vkJ0gqwufxpuhxvCzDjZRRkNo632rS5wFvDcyf4pbshC89yyUOjllWMEChwFTkiz8qWDanwgpzkk-rzVBmgiotonoO4/s320/IMG_6790.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672854747109105378" /></a><br /></div><div>Tyrone posing and pointing at something off in the distance... </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWScpNwRtXQpwga8XZ4WQvGt_e42kl-c-Vmf1qR3WqTY5dl_a5SfjbTsebXbrSsGossN3F74MLSsqQLY0FkqwnqyT86CkOYWNjrHX2EISCxRq6Zmxfdj8Luywsp29R9a9DRoeogulEoFh/s1600/IMG_6797.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWScpNwRtXQpwga8XZ4WQvGt_e42kl-c-Vmf1qR3WqTY5dl_a5SfjbTsebXbrSsGossN3F74MLSsqQLY0FkqwnqyT86CkOYWNjrHX2EISCxRq6Zmxfdj8Luywsp29R9a9DRoeogulEoFh/s320/IMG_6797.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672854744549044242" /></a><br /></div><div>...and later climbing that something off in the distance and posing some more! </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMajcJsC5KnrP6u519XiC876nenE6FsbFPo8Nt9Al6o0ZWn_02Ewt3KUT4c5HoA9xVzT_mqiKZgJMZGakFtm2qIkj5GH6E9c2iYi9X-7Sy74PJ30P_tVQtVy3ySfv5Yjva5_LlfHqci_fD/s1600/IMG_6804.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMajcJsC5KnrP6u519XiC876nenE6FsbFPo8Nt9Al6o0ZWn_02Ewt3KUT4c5HoA9xVzT_mqiKZgJMZGakFtm2qIkj5GH6E9c2iYi9X-7Sy74PJ30P_tVQtVy3ySfv5Yjva5_LlfHqci_fD/s320/IMG_6804.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672854741267708898" /></a><br /></div></div><div>Later that afternoon, we drove to a small encampment consisting of a few bungalows to house the groups of tourists. They were basic and dusty and so cold that the shower was a frozen stream of water hanging from a tap! We didn't mind much, though, as we were all awestruck from the vast and majestic day at the salt flats... and we had our giant bottles of booze to crack open that night! We were definitely excited to see what the next two days of the tour had in store for us, and most certainly were not disappointed...</div><div><br /></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-2633635690492721082011-11-07T18:12:00.001-08:002011-11-07T20:23:13.188-08:00Potosi<span class="Apple-style-span">After the jungle, we arrived back in La Paz to pick up my wedding dress (which turned out lovely, if you weren't at our ceremony or haven't checked out photos)! As soon as we mailed it back home to Canada, we high-tailed it out of La Paz and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span">made our way to the city of Potosi, which is apparently the highest city in the world at an elevation of 4090 meters above sea level.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><br /></div></span>Once we arrived in Potosi and found a decent hostel with hot water showers to wash away our chills, we decided to book a tour of the city's main attraction: the Cerro Rico mine. This mine is famous for its silver production and infamous for its extremely poor working conditions and child labour. The movie "The Devil's Miner" is about a young boy and his little brother who work in this very mine and worship the devil for their safety. This rendition isn't far from the truth, as many diablo-like characters were set up in the mine as good-luck symbols, such as the pirate below.<div><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDIHZVuFSduhrSm_Mis50RwjIgQc4xkEI1hXzSaKSTO2pPunbere4E6qh7JClauKDHdagf2iTjEZcalNz7IVdSH3PwBsg8om6CGsOk7N4R9MgE3r2zKeX19Vu7ci52RgoTFvmmObiUKWn/s320/IMG_6663.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672451693662861314" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our tour guide had worked in the mine for three years before he realized he didn't want to get sick and die at a young age, like his father, and his father before him. He used what little money he had (the average miner makes around $200 a month) to educate himself in languages and went into tourism to bring awareness to the mines.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We started off the tour by gearing up in dusty cloth suits, boots and helmets with head-lamps. Next, our guide brought us to a mine supplies shop where we were encouraged to buy dynamite, fuses, juice, coca leaves, and cigarettes for the miners. A stick of dynamite cost less than 50 cents and there was no restriction on their sale - any child could buy them if they wanted!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIM6yW5WnevkMQz6RVJ5nWzjHZ6-TQxZPCUG38jhzzD4YqUOv9a80h6WuF8g1dJfbA9mUF3Yn1nlOgQQYib023GLkB_eLu9JJkYqTZT2jZV4XWVGP6lUZ_30t3albZ9JPI6w2qVmePkhxj/s320/IMG_6602.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445784421013218" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span><span class="Apple-style-span"><div><div><br /></div><div>We were then driven up the hill to the processing area where the mined material is crushed and the raw silver is extracted.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8vN1d7ZJGWUcBJUDoNMcXnjAPl23UQ5rHG7__0092dc6_qnut2HXDdgwAAYLlCAngHAyIRvlcnAU5OLzw_U8E9sHszKmKnZXhKkVwINcIsYNTSQo5qU1krmrJwh54fEoyXXO2c6OBKxT/s1600/IMG_6605.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8vN1d7ZJGWUcBJUDoNMcXnjAPl23UQ5rHG7__0092dc6_qnut2HXDdgwAAYLlCAngHAyIRvlcnAU5OLzw_U8E9sHszKmKnZXhKkVwINcIsYNTSQo5qU1krmrJwh54fEoyXXO2c6OBKxT/s320/IMG_6605.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445776781321730" /></a><br /></div><div>A worker turned on one of the machines that basically frothed the water to bring the tiny silver particles to the top.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWOVFYPnZxAR9Ob6KFijooLu2767zqvSjE4nnltZie4cHjXo9ZB9JN1fOV4umSDTQw8xvot1UlIMVXM7r7ZOQGHl09dLRNP5K_MaMQFLyMFhBXNudWfzXP01SqcRI5mY0e2asXRaBnyGG/s1600/IMG_6608.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEWOVFYPnZxAR9Ob6KFijooLu2767zqvSjE4nnltZie4cHjXo9ZB9JN1fOV4umSDTQw8xvot1UlIMVXM7r7ZOQGHl09dLRNP5K_MaMQFLyMFhBXNudWfzXP01SqcRI5mY0e2asXRaBnyGG/s320/IMG_6608.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445773838479090" /></a><br /></div><div>He then proceeded to pan the silver...</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMrF6jiewVqDz0_iMSh20hr2GvmMyMj4GbsApK14pzUEY3RrzVbJbOfwYQlwos4SQm7_G86nj324bYxz2dzTcJmsYGoXVHP2zEmvcK9jyjdhBAuA6Axmg7THFBEUz7TkpGle5WLG08ni-/s1600/IMG_6610.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqMrF6jiewVqDz0_iMSh20hr2GvmMyMj4GbsApK14pzUEY3RrzVbJbOfwYQlwos4SQm7_G86nj324bYxz2dzTcJmsYGoXVHP2zEmvcK9jyjdhBAuA6Axmg7THFBEUz7TkpGle5WLG08ni-/s320/IMG_6610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445763562402482" /></a><br /></div><div>...and then gave us sparkly real-silver war paint!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1Qj8CDD76TWvpjfW5d3O0o4E8uNyjOiRq36UZSmS0X9pp21hjd_Jb5ZxWypOGVYRjjtYqOWrhYEqZO_ZYttZCdT8GYqMi0j2_KjGn3NHc0aoYWkYYTuElA6EIAacVUOquFpuK97fjXu4/s1600/IMG_6611.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1Qj8CDD76TWvpjfW5d3O0o4E8uNyjOiRq36UZSmS0X9pp21hjd_Jb5ZxWypOGVYRjjtYqOWrhYEqZO_ZYttZCdT8GYqMi0j2_KjGn3NHc0aoYWkYYTuElA6EIAacVUOquFpuK97fjXu4/s320/IMG_6611.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445759432622258" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdEYwkvKx1a8yDmuqaApWuUXjqLPpSeCZ2jqkFFyAzx6z-hbOI0dL7tHBNf8-8kNuIY62b6dx4ILG5AmPYBzjfHN1mvfSSG_Jmh-fNQxAjjGPwP6t03BIDBhIr2MSzo3AyL7zd_Ba980M/s1600/IMG_6619.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdEYwkvKx1a8yDmuqaApWuUXjqLPpSeCZ2jqkFFyAzx6z-hbOI0dL7tHBNf8-8kNuIY62b6dx4ILG5AmPYBzjfHN1mvfSSG_Jmh-fNQxAjjGPwP6t03BIDBhIr2MSzo3AyL7zd_Ba980M/s320/IMG_6619.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445140548630818" /></a><br /></div><div>Then it was time to enter the mine. We drove further up the mountain and proceeded down a dark hole, ducking constantly along the narrow path and crawling the rest of the time. It was extremely difficult to breathe - the air was hot and moist, low in oxygen, and thick with dust. There was a distinctly unpleasant smell, too, which we later were told was cyanide. After only 10 minutes in the mine, we couldn't believe that people could work there for their entire lives... which isn't very long, seeing as the life expectancy for those working in the mines is lowered dramatically. </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fPhBIwKKtjg5rTSWW0mWKRv-hQzHej_jdy0W4BNhAzZq1vwkTkTF6W7i0IjV_vXNInmcXO25vSBExb4DrP16fv6rYiZyLJ83K1wub8YzQuh6sTR71SkkzsLsHl-DunrPLbSOPnVZlEmX/s1600/IMG_6661.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fPhBIwKKtjg5rTSWW0mWKRv-hQzHej_jdy0W4BNhAzZq1vwkTkTF6W7i0IjV_vXNInmcXO25vSBExb4DrP16fv6rYiZyLJ83K1wub8YzQuh6sTR71SkkzsLsHl-DunrPLbSOPnVZlEmX/s320/IMG_6661.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445136256688658" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUiEDmWNJOWsDNex0Q9NzY3b_WQSfncu_qpb-NUE37180A6-_tAiBBQOgd2LuUt3F6KfWXU3u3yZl6AQG3CCnpmxVtTsr0_7ItNQLZ3QPWbmaYh5356DUH_YLnAWDEDLGvYRcI3kWwk8p/s1600/IMG_6622.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOUiEDmWNJOWsDNex0Q9NzY3b_WQSfncu_qpb-NUE37180A6-_tAiBBQOgd2LuUt3F6KfWXU3u3yZl6AQG3CCnpmxVtTsr0_7ItNQLZ3QPWbmaYh5356DUH_YLnAWDEDLGvYRcI3kWwk8p/s320/IMG_6622.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445131484064082" /></a><br /></div><div>We crawled down muddy tunnels and some questionable wooden stairs until we were three stories down and soaked in sweat.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjCEeRadhXUqkq042oRNLuGb2HUqcxldU5gbXJWpmefr7LI9-VZVTHYL9Fbngg7iEAFKUL92U5AY48heQrsakTE5WEsQBeZOtLSbZNggBp_ZPtU5fSlhJhA4WVnhuiYJ_-BY4jVJ9GXNu/s1600/IMG_6643.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjCEeRadhXUqkq042oRNLuGb2HUqcxldU5gbXJWpmefr7LI9-VZVTHYL9Fbngg7iEAFKUL92U5AY48heQrsakTE5WEsQBeZOtLSbZNggBp_ZPtU5fSlhJhA4WVnhuiYJ_-BY4jVJ9GXNu/s320/IMG_6643.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445121364054498" /></a><br /></div><div>This is where we found some workers manually breaking and shovelling the ore into carts. They were pretty happy to receive our juice and coca leaves.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB44hsA8_VRtb-I9R2rom9syQIhjlYzOaDBLDbYiJ3Aoqaz-Ti4M70JAtECK69oQsd0cgFWWnZ7tgn7WqBe3wWIoTPk-qWhepf_ylA7JW3uOZ9QSxgVU9waHGjlDIbZNHnsdMjaLNBRIAJ/s1600/IMG_6654.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB44hsA8_VRtb-I9R2rom9syQIhjlYzOaDBLDbYiJ3Aoqaz-Ti4M70JAtECK69oQsd0cgFWWnZ7tgn7WqBe3wWIoTPk-qWhepf_ylA7JW3uOZ9QSxgVU9waHGjlDIbZNHnsdMjaLNBRIAJ/s320/IMG_6654.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672445116395340002" /></a><br /></div><div>After an hour and a half in the mines, we were all pretty darn happy to see blue sky again and breathe in fresh, although thin, air again!!!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCX2Cd5FT9AkV5aayHQf-piN2Ho7TB2JBzMonpmSZI8k7INYiOoGuS0ArY8eW5Hyy_FLCT59Y9n0U0eTyKhSXx5AowP_RgkjnAU1jmvyP5BdG0bPY0uZ0gnjd0VSj0vePXN2jgCEidZ47Q/s1600/IMG_6667.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCX2Cd5FT9AkV5aayHQf-piN2Ho7TB2JBzMonpmSZI8k7INYiOoGuS0ArY8eW5Hyy_FLCT59Y9n0U0eTyKhSXx5AowP_RgkjnAU1jmvyP5BdG0bPY0uZ0gnjd0VSj0vePXN2jgCEidZ47Q/s320/IMG_6667.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672444189980859282" /></a><br /></div><div>The next day, we set out for some lunch and found ourselves in the middle of a big festival! I don't remember exactly which festival it was, but it had something to do with good fortune. There are just too many festivals to remember the meanings of them all... </div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQP6zNebVwqUrxg4FrH4IkqEkau3WCxiYDeUwfZyyLZA3T7nPK3ijTa-PFVynqMGDa-LktiAwWlXdLzY7DDj5O4Pkf_Va1AOPg15ghwom5XOHBMjKcXvl2Ipq0KT3o6jp2M2LG2KrT4H8/s1600/IMG_6689.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNQP6zNebVwqUrxg4FrH4IkqEkau3WCxiYDeUwfZyyLZA3T7nPK3ijTa-PFVynqMGDa-LktiAwWlXdLzY7DDj5O4Pkf_Va1AOPg15ghwom5XOHBMjKcXvl2Ipq0KT3o6jp2M2LG2KrT4H8/s320/IMG_6689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672444177942996194" /></a><br /></div><div>The whole town participated, young and old.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCizID26eea9Jz12A8HJSMnByJZCdd8YqUEe_i4F0Om7JVtFtIsztmJNy_qHgswAjbP705YJM3grh_CDwHbOJUlfXkCw75mdq7YUfGVa0_7TiO15wHVRKb8G7FZHimhyphenhyphen49ftw0WmPVPl5N/s1600/IMG_6676.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCizID26eea9Jz12A8HJSMnByJZCdd8YqUEe_i4F0Om7JVtFtIsztmJNy_qHgswAjbP705YJM3grh_CDwHbOJUlfXkCw75mdq7YUfGVa0_7TiO15wHVRKb8G7FZHimhyphenhyphen49ftw0WmPVPl5N/s320/IMG_6676.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672444177457236898" /></a><br /></div><div>I was going to get these dresses duplicated for my bridesmaids... but I thought I would be nice and let them pick their own instead ;)</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-0eXXoCFWrV3CICF8pbauTyozr4g2cLfJQKzeHhcj1SYMJWDs0eOsONT5-20DVGimJG1zn9-yh-cJ86oz0SeiYRPOlSTN0oC_Z2NW0nIlklbzs4zNidh37jEqxiXbh6Vmub-bD5Ktxgo/s1600/IMG_6687.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-0eXXoCFWrV3CICF8pbauTyozr4g2cLfJQKzeHhcj1SYMJWDs0eOsONT5-20DVGimJG1zn9-yh-cJ86oz0SeiYRPOlSTN0oC_Z2NW0nIlklbzs4zNidh37jEqxiXbh6Vmub-bD5Ktxgo/s320/IMG_6687.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672444157124526146" /></a><br /></div><div>People not only decorated themselves and paraded and danced down the street, but also decorated their cars. Our favourite was this fluffy teddy vehicle with the sheep dogs all over the hood!</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbInG-q3pH0ARjdWiE7J27ZGo535jvgKIJC4YTVwiNL2gQa6G6lhKkAwmP-u1Vxviwnxu6Y2l2BFM2c6LbzM_89l7XZp1UuVWWjow8nbWlz5pvdGdBpBFRsTmLPR0L_BKAkxlcBCzFxvv/s1600/IMG_6691.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbInG-q3pH0ARjdWiE7J27ZGo535jvgKIJC4YTVwiNL2gQa6G6lhKkAwmP-u1Vxviwnxu6Y2l2BFM2c6LbzM_89l7XZp1UuVWWjow8nbWlz5pvdGdBpBFRsTmLPR0L_BKAkxlcBCzFxvv/s320/IMG_6691.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5672444148027620290" /></a><br /></div></div><div>We really enjoyed our time in Potosi, other than the fact that Tyrone picked up "the black lung" during our trip to the mines. No joke - he had a respiratory cold for the next two weeks! Our mining experience was extremely humbling and taught us to appreciate our own jobs and lifestyles so much more. If you don't realize how good you've got it, you will once you're standing in mud and dark 60 feet down a hole and have a mine cart coming down a narrow path straight for you!</div></span></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-88176715635523737902011-08-23T16:34:00.000-07:002011-08-29T11:18:58.789-07:00Rurrenabaque Jungle - Pampas y Selva<div><div><div><div>After a week in La Paz, and missing our first flight over, we were finally able to kick the food-poisoning and make it to the jungle! Luckily, the airline we went with issued us a 70% refund on our missed flight, no questions asked - like that would be feasable with any North American airline!</div><div> </div><div>When our tiny little 20 passenger plane finished its rickety climb over the Andes, it descended down into the lush, green, muggyness of the Bolivian jungle. The humidity in the air was near 100% when we exited the plane and we immediately peeled off our sweaters and shoes. After a bus ride into semi-civilization, we quickly found ourselves a decent hotel with a comfy bed and beautiful view of the little town of Rurrenabaque (Ruri) and the Beni River (which is part of the Amazon River).
<br /></div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644207915429362050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrywExbaH9aexXZtLx7CDyWC9ZCg4Ck_IAc58-Ewx62gRpUcdN5ySfEgri8EuESmZoWdP53iC0Zo4OeCCDUz_BpY9sRe0-gZjgukuP-tCGPXoAYFWBcbMYzl8_usyb3WH8nk25aliuJI4U/s320/Imagen+146.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>We spent our first afternoon in the little town checking out all the local tour companies to see which would give us the best tour for the best price. We discovered that there are eco-friendly, somewhat expensive tours where you stay in nice lodges, mid-range still eco-friendly tours where you stay in decent shared rooms, and super cheap tours where they have you pitch a tent in the middle of the jungle and do your business behind a tree (yikes)! We opted for the middle ground and set off on a 3-day pampas, 2-day selva tour!</div><div> </div><div>Day 1, we drove for a couple of hours on a dusty, rickety road with our guide and a young British couple who would be joining us. We arrived at a little lodge on the river and awaited lunch in the sweltering hot sun. We noticed some splashes in the water and were told that a group of pink river dolphins lived in the general vacinity! We were super stoked to head out and see some of the wildlife. We even bought some wicked hats to prepare ourselves for our adventure ahead!
<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVBoZdrD-Lj4QJLA63kdKgCBbXp_m9jkN5QbxKnFnQYnVs-fw1MucVeqTdpLjGqUfE_zR4GoiMdHZeQpRY3K-9Lyb74Q4vGJjeycqVhWQIAc_HyQhJC8LXtXdGKXbxds7Kgr_9rlOYC4w/s1600/IMG_6137+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206711285975074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgVBoZdrD-Lj4QJLA63kdKgCBbXp_m9jkN5QbxKnFnQYnVs-fw1MucVeqTdpLjGqUfE_zR4GoiMdHZeQpRY3K-9Lyb74Q4vGJjeycqVhWQIAc_HyQhJC8LXtXdGKXbxds7Kgr_9rlOYC4w/s320/IMG_6137+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We arrived in the pampas during the wet season, so we were surrounded by water and did our sight-seeing by boat. One definitely requires an experienced guide in this neck of the woods, as the pampas is basically a series of river and bush mazes. We winded around for hours and hours and didn't know how on earth our guide knew how to get home!
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCENscUlX9jRe4ChOFlzcx0ugSboxY-Z6RUVd-zHe_7bg4AIiJUBQhGKIgclP-6Ai4a5fTBtHMOO0bw065PK49smCMyFnwUMyShg0uPqnQMyQY8Db2E4iCEogiw1GAg3ol7O8I4O29Q8JM/s1600/IMG_6144+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206706961988194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCENscUlX9jRe4ChOFlzcx0ugSboxY-Z6RUVd-zHe_7bg4AIiJUBQhGKIgclP-6Ai4a5fTBtHMOO0bw065PK49smCMyFnwUMyShg0uPqnQMyQY8Db2E4iCEogiw1GAg3ol7O8I4O29Q8JM/s320/IMG_6144+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><div>On our first day out, we were so lucky to see a capybara wading around on the riverbank.</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MGRwUibwQoNh5VvoMCb6e7Hh25E7aBVLtvOmO9AcMrUV7FGTxRta1tgJPJd06UlXgMY7q3PUapGcVS5HNhyJ9UIYNfF5kp2hdDGTi2GbDXUTUFDGOf1tJiGvma9GiuMIcHpQVkr1eK04/s1600/IMG_6157+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206703848797410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4MGRwUibwQoNh5VvoMCb6e7Hh25E7aBVLtvOmO9AcMrUV7FGTxRta1tgJPJd06UlXgMY7q3PUapGcVS5HNhyJ9UIYNfF5kp2hdDGTi2GbDXUTUFDGOf1tJiGvma9GiuMIcHpQVkr1eK04/s320/IMG_6157+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>And not even five minutes after our first exciting encounter, we stumbled upon a whole family of capybaras!!
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlsbIoVm9mOJPuo9ZvfPkGH9XrKFgSZUhDW5DePELIYfS7JQTp5MZkGJ93Z_mFMcJiijxpN76FI_iW9qCEnZvJ9WwiqnDUL-J87Koh-qiN0QbALhBmqFJ0AhfXXvkeBcnfpY1RRu1d3WX/s1600/IMG_6164+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206700131386722" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzlsbIoVm9mOJPuo9ZvfPkGH9XrKFgSZUhDW5DePELIYfS7JQTp5MZkGJ93Z_mFMcJiijxpN76FI_iW9qCEnZvJ9WwiqnDUL-J87Koh-qiN0QbALhBmqFJ0AhfXXvkeBcnfpY1RRu1d3WX/s320/IMG_6164+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The giant trees growing in the middle of the river were unlike anything we'd ever seen before.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaIzmqnCf1FNMCFIV5MOaspIFh2CnQae8b6H2iSj5dYqBUY2NVTCfn_QBT3Hvo4ON9J5tciJGVc6aH-OV7Rq66EMw9GigmRJFQLVJbNUX75-Ey6dhqaLKV6VHPk84RBPPhqt2TIVkYSTa/s1600/IMG_6168+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206697057617890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcaIzmqnCf1FNMCFIV5MOaspIFh2CnQae8b6H2iSj5dYqBUY2NVTCfn_QBT3Hvo4ON9J5tciJGVc6aH-OV7Rq66EMw9GigmRJFQLVJbNUX75-Ey6dhqaLKV6VHPk84RBPPhqt2TIVkYSTa/s320/IMG_6168+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Our guide, Ishmael, had an amazing eye, and pointed out every bird and reptile that we otherwise would have missed.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3M7QlCVblx441MC-q-Km34WFCoSi5WfUCsTI-nhcRsXl9XZ-UG4EUr5QeXLlCe3V4o1iikWo6ki60Gtgxu7m7T8lHefW0JDJ6rZaVlQcVs44-Z9QvDUObxs4rP7JWRGCI5a7Zw9F2-W5/s1600/IMG_6169+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206315957603874" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic3M7QlCVblx441MC-q-Km34WFCoSi5WfUCsTI-nhcRsXl9XZ-UG4EUr5QeXLlCe3V4o1iikWo6ki60Gtgxu7m7T8lHefW0JDJ6rZaVlQcVs44-Z9QvDUObxs4rP7JWRGCI5a7Zw9F2-W5/s320/IMG_6169+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>An abandoned river house.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QglGRSLc1vrlpHez4Cxn0tjcCdiFFOP4uhFM1xdwZAABQV7eSm3TUTD1YwQIT9bHZxCqQW0HXKnuWm7Ap4bS5Fy_j4JzrvnWxIWBoBx1ekcxzO0v3SPECAn4SMPDX8GYp9_pggtDtJQb/s1600/IMG_6175+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206313978604610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9QglGRSLc1vrlpHez4Cxn0tjcCdiFFOP4uhFM1xdwZAABQV7eSm3TUTD1YwQIT9bHZxCqQW0HXKnuWm7Ap4bS5Fy_j4JzrvnWxIWBoBx1ekcxzO0v3SPECAn4SMPDX8GYp9_pggtDtJQb/s320/IMG_6175+2.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrgtDC1aRM-578JOfaEkQ7dLRfazsEvaGzW0hBrholVOnxK2GtKy_mFT4mnaQ8a6XACk8mqDqksQe1fUziKvN-odwQpgIjP9sIzSDIbnwGyW7bXK_A7iH4nu5oYCnkFlp1tFD1381ihMo/s1600/IMG_6179+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206311858722130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicrgtDC1aRM-578JOfaEkQ7dLRfazsEvaGzW0hBrholVOnxK2GtKy_mFT4mnaQ8a6XACk8mqDqksQe1fUziKvN-odwQpgIjP9sIzSDIbnwGyW7bXK_A7iH4nu5oYCnkFlp1tFD1381ihMo/s320/IMG_6179+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOw2epL8_H90OcGgRxN-dFq86AkccGIJylERUvg3dJ4mLpQ_CH1DYxIHKY8zcddQ380cWA9ODmoCcNeGC3sLm8W2cjb6AT-SJ0002VEzaL0yfvGNTBzBJwsuBGwd-gS8cjJsQCg9sS4OwI/s1600/IMG_6189+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206307798752018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOw2epL8_H90OcGgRxN-dFq86AkccGIJylERUvg3dJ4mLpQ_CH1DYxIHKY8zcddQ380cWA9ODmoCcNeGC3sLm8W2cjb6AT-SJ0002VEzaL0yfvGNTBzBJwsuBGwd-gS8cjJsQCg9sS4OwI/s320/IMG_6189+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The view from the front of our boat.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-XMxrmDDxKoLFaxjO4tGRqd0DY2qgBI4ECrzmziL3kEfuM1Lvf-w_lc8L1GPfgKM5vxszxaaRM5h2tl8WmuG7jcV9ROdVlHw6i88jA0ECDJvVnqKfBhoqLFfqIT7qecImSIOyKWFSdzS/s1600/IMG_6208+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644206307364313330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-XMxrmDDxKoLFaxjO4tGRqd0DY2qgBI4ECrzmziL3kEfuM1Lvf-w_lc8L1GPfgKM5vxszxaaRM5h2tl8WmuG7jcV9ROdVlHw6i88jA0ECDJvVnqKfBhoqLFfqIT7qecImSIOyKWFSdzS/s320/IMG_6208+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><div>We were taken to a little cove where we could safely swim with the river dolphins. The guides also have to know the areas in which crocs and cayman live, as they aren't quite as friendly as the dolphins. Tyrone, being strong and manly and brave, was the first out of the boat and into the water! It was creepy looking - because the water is so thick with mud, you become surrounded by black and can't see more than a few inches depth into the water.</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOxzxXZMTb3O2VZjd5il1zP2uQJh48-tLP-4sYPSkghh7pJAmpL-DfHeHwhY6DcKymTTnY-4hMF8HO1K-eaak9bhPjH3tmSZPYMwQLIgneHECA56BE2y14BePa35Jxo4FMx13Lay0fccj/s1600/IMG_6225+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205874755320258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOxzxXZMTb3O2VZjd5il1zP2uQJh48-tLP-4sYPSkghh7pJAmpL-DfHeHwhY6DcKymTTnY-4hMF8HO1K-eaak9bhPjH3tmSZPYMwQLIgneHECA56BE2y14BePa35Jxo4FMx13Lay0fccj/s320/IMG_6225+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The British couple and I were a little slower to get into the black, murky water. However, it was a very welcome dip after melting in the boat all day.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexUPjCey40vxn0Fugdhp097ti8dnlrEk-CWDubin_pN_rOPkkJdl2BF06n5pOVQmGSOF9iynU3DwVrg8uM2fduko5LvkS__PxP-EwVz_G3O-SjP98iYnSFmJ1xapFAEthD5iLv1B_-hvF/s1600/IMG_6226+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205867918893426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhexUPjCey40vxn0Fugdhp097ti8dnlrEk-CWDubin_pN_rOPkkJdl2BF06n5pOVQmGSOF9iynU3DwVrg8uM2fduko5LvkS__PxP-EwVz_G3O-SjP98iYnSFmJ1xapFAEthD5iLv1B_-hvF/s320/IMG_6226+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><div>Although Tyrone was the first to swim with the dolphins and accidentally kick one, I was the first to get bit by one of the playful, pepto-bismol pink creatures! He or she left me a few nice little needle-like teeth marks, but only managed to draw a few droplets of blood!</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35CQmEP0cCNW0BqEzP8prH9MVmIr39mZ4eBb6Roxrf1T3XHBuLwSvdpL-TYMMcajNpomM5c7kcdNGEWXU2l1YUF6WcKCySRpszLW3yLwGaKvKza_NY2ZQE26wU6YYiuzkPc393z5fgadP/s1600/IMG_6253+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205868367747554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35CQmEP0cCNW0BqEzP8prH9MVmIr39mZ4eBb6Roxrf1T3XHBuLwSvdpL-TYMMcajNpomM5c7kcdNGEWXU2l1YUF6WcKCySRpszLW3yLwGaKvKza_NY2ZQE26wU6YYiuzkPc393z5fgadP/s320/IMG_6253+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>After our swim, we experienced an amazing pampas sunset. The quick and cheeky little dolphins managed to elude our photos for the most part, but we were determined to get at least one good photo of the pink guys before we left.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG-gjBPpAQmScy057EWQCTnveYoyX9rhVAR4IxPe6Iz54gVj6Xe22Gv6QQTlZugpGLMWjrptk0c79hRDOyu1GA6DJUFcVY27ewIe-OvSheI0ep_2EiTpP3xUQzowIrxETzKpFvKriWBHz/s1600/IMG_6266+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205865061375586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKG-gjBPpAQmScy057EWQCTnveYoyX9rhVAR4IxPe6Iz54gVj6Xe22Gv6QQTlZugpGLMWjrptk0c79hRDOyu1GA6DJUFcVY27ewIe-OvSheI0ep_2EiTpP3xUQzowIrxETzKpFvKriWBHz/s320/IMG_6266+2.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtdKSKOXHdWqS6FuT2DggyKtzQjWkfhTiu5lEhTWmCHhCFLPKUYstHKtFAc3Fuzceq_ftTlojl6hgshLt1h1iNHYLunFNCKCoUVPPVTrQngQQUtNys8lZ8GO1eK5Sjj0tHn5iCU76-0Xc/s1600/IMG_6283+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205858815132674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVtdKSKOXHdWqS6FuT2DggyKtzQjWkfhTiu5lEhTWmCHhCFLPKUYstHKtFAc3Fuzceq_ftTlojl6hgshLt1h1iNHYLunFNCKCoUVPPVTrQngQQUtNys8lZ8GO1eK5Sjj0tHn5iCU76-0Xc/s320/IMG_6283+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>That night, our guide came and grabbed us from our rooms before dinner to show us a snake that someone spotted outside. This guy was tiny, but apparently highly poisonous... So flashlights are a very hot commodity when walking around in the jungle at night!<div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1yIL2j51ud4bRZ-nHxac9ImM2wKYeSvEd4OeTPjUPFNaV3z8hNwnmsxuYbKCCnKHfX85lbv-kIR_BeX-2mAQXobesm_-TJc9znU7I8JAYcJG41ChqijwcoiE01zb6ZtmfaBXii6sI8fT/s1600/IMG_6294+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205461550548370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL1yIL2j51ud4bRZ-nHxac9ImM2wKYeSvEd4OeTPjUPFNaV3z8hNwnmsxuYbKCCnKHfX85lbv-kIR_BeX-2mAQXobesm_-TJc9znU7I8JAYcJG41ChqijwcoiE01zb6ZtmfaBXii6sI8fT/s320/IMG_6294+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>On the second morning, we woke up super early to paddle down the river by moonlight and listen to the buzzing and singing of the nocturnal creatures and crawlers. After an hour, we were greeted by an amazing sunrise.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53cHrO87MEL8GmoeZccrzk2PHTDGIy2l49suG9ELmOOoO0oiViya2s_8qltQGAKkG7qQh7-TFeBwIYH5vlFS8HDt33dHSFrVHrnt4abZZBW3bnZTw5f1BDkxxAnifGgPxHNEDA095mf5C/s1600/IMG_6323+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205460660730946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi53cHrO87MEL8GmoeZccrzk2PHTDGIy2l49suG9ELmOOoO0oiViya2s_8qltQGAKkG7qQh7-TFeBwIYH5vlFS8HDt33dHSFrVHrnt4abZZBW3bnZTw5f1BDkxxAnifGgPxHNEDA095mf5C/s320/IMG_6323+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>As our morning bath, we again jumped into the little cove in search of the dolphins. Ty, of course, was the first to get in.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOqL07wcFp85kfqeuD09b-a-Yy0A2AjuIOCJtCDAgSb_onE677pA22k7KYq6d0nCEWEQ7dntBNQ_fnJIOv5JrCz1biLFrE7sfz7VO1NMyYSJv1cswhktjEyC_gwygD69ZxI1Tf1k_aJx6/s1600/IMG_6349+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205458988208258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOqL07wcFp85kfqeuD09b-a-Yy0A2AjuIOCJtCDAgSb_onE677pA22k7KYq6d0nCEWEQ7dntBNQ_fnJIOv5JrCz1biLFrE7sfz7VO1NMyYSJv1cswhktjEyC_gwygD69ZxI1Tf1k_aJx6/s320/IMG_6349+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>This is probably the best shot we got of the elusive guys after draining our camera battery a couple times!
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDnhlNEw1zvPbQcolIHOP8rFFhi1iBU33sEE3PdGwFRMODqETaIXHWvKLXSrc49jSO9JP0H_B_-p7va3ZYmhNv5oaeAVQSJtZZgdkLoLoCCqYahXsB0M4EW7CVwy5pZiIC6JxH4nXB81W/s1600/IMG_6361+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644203476926207922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIx8SDfeUUdpwC60n_yg1RzfvxxuR4YUjpnAm9AYTdEfv2-PQSZKSN1kkF0Msj4EvGI-VWvPR6vT5IQlp3yVlpitLMyRb9QOZjYlPqhRY5AIiAM6M71f6iOpg9CzDDBe-MnBngq5X-oFy/s320/IMG_6495+2.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div>Turtles, on the other hand, are patient posers. This little guy was just waiting for his chance to ham it up in front of the camera!</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR5zDmSn2y60hT6g4aJY_4i1rzynnA-9jSMNdj2YHsBm2cQiFYXzfWjqKNzgGq_G0iydBcMlGeb4_wfV4HNHDFJXVVRvJF_0XAVnwRewlnXr1O19cL6K6E48RpqUif4OjXpgZRi7UDytv/s1600/IMG_6367+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205454183952546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyDnhlNEw1zvPbQcolIHOP8rFFhi1iBU33sEE3PdGwFRMODqETaIXHWvKLXSrc49jSO9JP0H_B_-p7va3ZYmhNv5oaeAVQSJtZZgdkLoLoCCqYahXsB0M4EW7CVwy5pZiIC6JxH4nXB81W/s320/IMG_6361+2.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzS66xDOvW7SNDG4F9tlSPAUu7MZ42WU3_Ypj3mOSsfhjw-AsyLNnqL0qoBR4wBKl2vNUYxjh01zrL7GSz9ksZv-_4v6Qrb4QSL_qbCIRjf4ASD12xzGJKNnyOIvK97zjOWDN4lqKalFE/s1600/IMG_6377+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644205453403245650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxR5zDmSn2y60hT6g4aJY_4i1rzynnA-9jSMNdj2YHsBm2cQiFYXzfWjqKNzgGq_G0iydBcMlGeb4_wfV4HNHDFJXVVRvJF_0XAVnwRewlnXr1O19cL6K6E48RpqUif4OjXpgZRi7UDytv/s320/IMG_6367+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Here's a funky jungle bird.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644204954682140114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzS66xDOvW7SNDG4F9tlSPAUu7MZ42WU3_Ypj3mOSsfhjw-AsyLNnqL0qoBR4wBKl2vNUYxjh01zrL7GSz9ksZv-_4v6Qrb4QSL_qbCIRjf4ASD12xzGJKNnyOIvK97zjOWDN4lqKalFE/s320/IMG_6377+2.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>Our guide had a crazy ear for different animals. He would stop the boat and shush us (well, he would shush the British couple who never stopped talking and arguing about separate food cupboards when they moved in together at the end of the trip), so he could listen and then tell us what he heard. On this occasion, he heard Amarillo monkies and pulled the boat up so they could greet us! We also saw red and black Howler monkies and Cappuccino monkeys! Shortly after this photo, this curious little guy (about the size of a small cat) jumped into our boat for a ride.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OGE5ZTNvR31TQVgn8IHmm5IlVjOmhZmQm8d564W9MDRO9hjFGPo3L4cLf1rviGSMOUsf7nS7EMokxHRpQARO6iS6FroDWrxKnK4nG3yKH2SeSM6XDTLc9onPjC4Jta-LE_EM1X8knLoX/s1600/IMG_6389+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644204511321803234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4OGE5ZTNvR31TQVgn8IHmm5IlVjOmhZmQm8d564W9MDRO9hjFGPo3L4cLf1rviGSMOUsf7nS7EMokxHRpQARO6iS6FroDWrxKnK4nG3yKH2SeSM6XDTLc9onPjC4Jta-LE_EM1X8knLoX/s320/IMG_6389+2.jpg" /></a><div> </div><div>We later made our way to a guest-house in the middle of the watery maze for some lunch. I, of course, made friends with another kitten. This little guy was brand new and nameless, so the owners let me call him Oreo! He enjoys hammock rides, chasing bugs, avoiding crocs, meowing and cat food.</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLygvKRAou51ibdWb4Didwz-PT8XkvZmECv09S5FohUrwnYcigIGtxvcOtTePE04DKMD-e6sBO5jqL_Y9N4g8knY1DIcEfpYKOq3B1Ey7bHN4aT7Lu0VZshciMtKx1qNz5pB2bed4qoI2/s1600/IMG_6415+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644204501565111570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLygvKRAou51ibdWb4Didwz-PT8XkvZmECv09S5FohUrwnYcigIGtxvcOtTePE04DKMD-e6sBO5jqL_Y9N4g8knY1DIcEfpYKOq3B1Ey7bHN4aT7Lu0VZshciMtKx1qNz5pB2bed4qoI2/s320/IMG_6415+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>This guy was floating nonchalantly outside of the guest house... waiting for his lunch.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxsMjx9uphYoTVHn7xlcIwKujwGz9apeAK_jlcXjbre_g_35cvPRLZ7f0btfV_GvK5Dg9VZ6eHdJnK2dE9kvGOkPbY8Ft3fxyxhybRL1WcCgh_AtNaNlm1mjvluBWPiAIDWPpCQoezKA-/s1600/IMG_6429+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644204498647667618" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfxsMjx9uphYoTVHn7xlcIwKujwGz9apeAK_jlcXjbre_g_35cvPRLZ7f0btfV_GvK5Dg9VZ6eHdJnK2dE9kvGOkPbY8Ft3fxyxhybRL1WcCgh_AtNaNlm1mjvluBWPiAIDWPpCQoezKA-/s320/IMG_6429+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Who would have thought you could get a beer in the middle of nowhere?! It was welcoming, cold, and cheap to boot!
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tkWLiLDFqvPUKmKcXEO8lw_1XFSQvE8Hc1uE8CM1gQM2nknSEhTwyOGeNeQyCd5dhKJ69AcfNQKpSL57TGCGgFkHXXMCFg-BL34c5IlYVvjLG6PxueFeAU-zQCQl-AiGDC1sene9JMQJ/s1600/IMG_6431+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644204500515564946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tkWLiLDFqvPUKmKcXEO8lw_1XFSQvE8Hc1uE8CM1gQM2nknSEhTwyOGeNeQyCd5dhKJ69AcfNQKpSL57TGCGgFkHXXMCFg-BL34c5IlYVvjLG6PxueFeAU-zQCQl-AiGDC1sene9JMQJ/s320/IMG_6431+2.jpg" /></a>
<br /><div>We saw a lot of diving birds, including this one, which I belive is a type of fisher.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkIx8SDfeUUdpwC60n_yg1RzfvxxuR4YUjpnAm9AYTdEfv2-PQSZKSN1kkF0Msj4EvGI-VWvPR6vT5IQlp3yVlpitLMyRb9QOZjYlPqhRY5AIiAM6M71f6iOpg9CzDDBe-MnBngq5X-oFy/s1600/IMG_6495+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644204497141826898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3p_nmAAnU9HrMrJ9t8kDfpXWnMH_DR1pYu1bCKxLBMHJlgdfvigU3fm7Hk1IxfxC7EpKUEjX-05ApUExxK1M2a-i0ywmzls5NdKdEnH9cvyvyFBFCadzH27-HwyQSWGYZ2dOUNP16s3Rj/s320/IMG_6436+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Ty chillin' on the boat on our final afternoon out in the pampas. We would stick our feet out to get a little breeze and the occasional splash - again, it was boiling hot out!!
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievNAjDUTK9CCbXZJrQZ9Fxw1kzcdjLaevkis7-2flb4E8pt-oi117it0RYFYjbzTFZMJixYVOAsHAjRwK9ReOayxhyphenhyphenq3ugG0shEWgXv8fXtv2L6NwQvtJzcTUx7vHf86DqIhkedJpjFDq/s1600/IMG_6522+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644203472502721234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEievNAjDUTK9CCbXZJrQZ9Fxw1kzcdjLaevkis7-2flb4E8pt-oi117it0RYFYjbzTFZMJixYVOAsHAjRwK9ReOayxhyphenhyphenq3ugG0shEWgXv8fXtv2L6NwQvtJzcTUx7vHf86DqIhkedJpjFDq/s320/IMG_6522+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>On Day 4, we headed to the selva (the jungley part of the jungle). Our first stop along the river was at a sugar cane farm. Here we are running a log around in circles to manually press the sugar cane into juice.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-ezV9Wh1uhTNkV5eu0Hfj9UgVyAPSRdbdx9udmhyphenhyphenX6h0EldqYmc-E5yZcLuAaw9WcHqBizi4lk-zfWOGXSEXRXMOEojkDCZbQrIe2oCSbTjQoIO8SsmrWMLbJF1DvEub4obKH2aachSU/s1600/IMG_6534+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644203467824331426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-ezV9Wh1uhTNkV5eu0Hfj9UgVyAPSRdbdx9udmhyphenhyphenX6h0EldqYmc-E5yZcLuAaw9WcHqBizi4lk-zfWOGXSEXRXMOEojkDCZbQrIe2oCSbTjQoIO8SsmrWMLbJF1DvEub4obKH2aachSU/s320/IMG_6534+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Mixed with lime, the can juice was extremely refreshing!
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx28uAxBdF_ZMJ_5Jm1mXm54wGqc6JWenOWgnlLITYhEw5CgQrv3dcMF4-2_sIsGnG_jugle4lsSHQzLFBvJ2u_gTnS3nXh0_G1Sa21bSpG2FbRAUBX7Iar0gihYBT1NWrgfGyt0VCn6_/s1600/IMG_6542+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644203470302353442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNx28uAxBdF_ZMJ_5Jm1mXm54wGqc6JWenOWgnlLITYhEw5CgQrv3dcMF4-2_sIsGnG_jugle4lsSHQzLFBvJ2u_gTnS3nXh0_G1Sa21bSpG2FbRAUBX7Iar0gihYBT1NWrgfGyt0VCn6_/s320/IMG_6542+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Ty managed to track down one of the most vibrantly coloured butterflies either of us has ever seen!
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wo8XE_IQCMlwqQGRMK7Cppstra8T-5FU2jSidaWXuyXmIKBxGo06V8o_x-uClQUPBW2y8sv7y_2AChtH7j31f3JQqGYxcWhBmCpF92BKJ27-ISGJRjzD9EGLRERdjPJfxYuP-sfO6QmH/s1600/IMG_6544+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 267px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644203464060868114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1wo8XE_IQCMlwqQGRMK7Cppstra8T-5FU2jSidaWXuyXmIKBxGo06V8o_x-uClQUPBW2y8sv7y_2AChtH7j31f3JQqGYxcWhBmCpF92BKJ27-ISGJRjzD9EGLRERdjPJfxYuP-sfO6QmH/s320/IMG_6544+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Here a local boy paddles his boat across the river.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz9c3ZDrRG7oyNnK7PKMI_4CaCw3WBJ-UsiRtK0A9f6o1gw1gHFkQg9RhVSFqn1ihBaF5s4kVo5w-NeREL3nTY7PTgBgZx806x4kzhQ142Z87yJxiOAQm18cSp8Qh2xelqtiKVof6EBwB/s1600/IMG_6547+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202970078669074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNz9c3ZDrRG7oyNnK7PKMI_4CaCw3WBJ-UsiRtK0A9f6o1gw1gHFkQg9RhVSFqn1ihBaF5s4kVo5w-NeREL3nTY7PTgBgZx806x4kzhQ142Z87yJxiOAQm18cSp8Qh2xelqtiKVof6EBwB/s320/IMG_6547+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div><div>We had a lovely little private cabin for our jungle sleep.</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cVr8HUcHnSdkb_KIY6U82_bvaJ-T8qt-nvNRm_hgiSH8FKL26JFFkDGs_6VaJHFSzVIY8VWc4fO-WUNZmr4GZeWCyaGmYKh38QXwWfgan_nDfcabNj47_26NimzsKSAhuwivAdnZVHws/s1600/IMG_6548+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202968292341666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cVr8HUcHnSdkb_KIY6U82_bvaJ-T8qt-nvNRm_hgiSH8FKL26JFFkDGs_6VaJHFSzVIY8VWc4fO-WUNZmr4GZeWCyaGmYKh38QXwWfgan_nDfcabNj47_26NimzsKSAhuwivAdnZVHws/s320/IMG_6548+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We set off on a hike later that afternoon in search of parrots. We found some of the craziest looking plants along the way!
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnQIBCRPSxCGNs0GPSOC7mJN0OwwoiESfNwT9PTN5ETb_ZO5hkfoEcuDWti56C9hN-T-2zKdumSILkw7NBJ4897fkmTLVcYtknC2zyZr2hGWz7u9saWllvBZUzL0NZBmtVVgydzewXteU/s1600/IMG_6554+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202966896174738" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXnQIBCRPSxCGNs0GPSOC7mJN0OwwoiESfNwT9PTN5ETb_ZO5hkfoEcuDWti56C9hN-T-2zKdumSILkw7NBJ4897fkmTLVcYtknC2zyZr2hGWz7u9saWllvBZUzL0NZBmtVVgydzewXteU/s320/IMG_6554+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>And some of the hugest, most poisonous ants! This photo doesn't quite emphasize how big they are - about the size of my pinky finger. Well, maybe not quite as fat - but definitely about 2.5 inches or more long! Their bite is supposed to feel like a gunshot!
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsDz2GcLOz09abeDHcXLd4G7d05XdK4BntJIrjfpINHEv5pbmfkB768hcZhOqOu_Oyav_NApL_A6hSzwBcEjcYspopxzeyCVvuy12KbfHEnoQuNJTsArYVeLJqaUtGBfuZQAS6r_mu1ew/s1600/IMG_6557+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202961099741890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjsDz2GcLOz09abeDHcXLd4G7d05XdK4BntJIrjfpINHEv5pbmfkB768hcZhOqOu_Oyav_NApL_A6hSzwBcEjcYspopxzeyCVvuy12KbfHEnoQuNJTsArYVeLJqaUtGBfuZQAS6r_mu1ew/s320/IMG_6557+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We hiked for about an hour to the top of a bluff over-looking the jungle. This is our first encounter with the parrots (macaws). They live in the cliff-side that we were standing above and would fly back and forth atop the tree canopy.
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRBvzAZPDnpqUfPNX2kchjzqlsR7FwwpDzf0X1qnCk78B0Q-8DqYC8bHU3Gks5ncrHUchcqSmQ5pphyphenhyphenNjgrUvDBxcvi_2Kf6EuNzqUW3hADzfVqKd7JoghJVSwBGgyo2jpJ-gOK7H__fv/s1600/IMG_6566+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202963851231330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMRBvzAZPDnpqUfPNX2kchjzqlsR7FwwpDzf0X1qnCk78B0Q-8DqYC8bHU3Gks5ncrHUchcqSmQ5pphyphenhyphenNjgrUvDBxcvi_2Kf6EuNzqUW3hADzfVqKd7JoghJVSwBGgyo2jpJ-gOK7H__fv/s320/IMG_6566+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Ty and I posing on the bluff... I hung onto that tree for dear life! There was a little memorial up there for a young Israely kid that wandered too close to the edge and fell off...
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jj2l7A6RP90R8RW1BMlZzLHSG0ppU6xkaiKnGYcJp3EAh6xFsEZSlo9p6kDskuRUORIlQ8UjHouReoLC76Z6HARyxWR_mVC_Ay8gXwNEdRPZT2CzOyejOj7B88XdKx2AxGlrvCt8hcX4/s1600/IMG_6570+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202514603718706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jj2l7A6RP90R8RW1BMlZzLHSG0ppU6xkaiKnGYcJp3EAh6xFsEZSlo9p6kDskuRUORIlQ8UjHouReoLC76Z6HARyxWR_mVC_Ay8gXwNEdRPZT2CzOyejOj7B88XdKx2AxGlrvCt8hcX4/s320/IMG_6570+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>After our long hike, we took a quick boat ride to a little beach and were told to change into our swim suits. By the time we finished changing, our guide had finished fashioning a large raft out of beach logs and bark rope! We hopped on the raft and floated back home down the Amazon river to our campground as we watched the sun set.</div><div> </div><div>When we returned to our little hut, we were greeted by Sally, our giant new salamander friend... Who later turned out to be a highly poisonous lizard of sorts that you should avoid touching at all costs. She was cool, though.
<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63LveJ7yba5k0h_vwn0MaezeNJKqxBbfUUsST0aovuS9iHh1vggM2JhLS6s7PSNpSOBAC2qhZAGZQCP0sxnW8nF_-hdQcMcCw5N1m9Ex-HiLv5qzhNDnwTq1FdP1PidC5rDMF61RDGvZD/s1600/IMG_6582+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202509422073234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh63LveJ7yba5k0h_vwn0MaezeNJKqxBbfUUsST0aovuS9iHh1vggM2JhLS6s7PSNpSOBAC2qhZAGZQCP0sxnW8nF_-hdQcMcCw5N1m9Ex-HiLv5qzhNDnwTq1FdP1PidC5rDMF61RDGvZD/s320/IMG_6582+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Too pooped from our early-morning wake-ups and all the hiking and rafting, I decided to go to bed after dinner that night. Ty and our guide set out for a night walk in the jungle rain to see what creepy-crawlies they could spot with their flashlights. They saw this lovely ghost-like spider...
<br /></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbwShzWk1WP0-F7A2Wsp1FcEQBJveCDxRPWClcWBud-ob6oI8JjTd-y2FlYt5S-yv8GYJErwcs9h5hb7shj9BRnLAJQaCq3FRRx-5L5hqmlphtLb2aojEoSl08pqeV58V4pfuq06WR1X0/s1600/IMG_6584+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202507686443314" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUbwShzWk1WP0-F7A2Wsp1FcEQBJveCDxRPWClcWBud-ob6oI8JjTd-y2FlYt5S-yv8GYJErwcs9h5hb7shj9BRnLAJQaCq3FRRx-5L5hqmlphtLb2aojEoSl08pqeV58V4pfuq06WR1X0/s320/IMG_6584+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>...and this fuzzy-wuzzy tarantula...
<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS_VAccfgfr-bNGgDylqPrgAVNZhL1iUlWJk6PMFKfetcpuXEeM-Zvv1V6GgEF3mPA6_geJ0a78s3LKSIQS8hfJ0JvjiJPsFPIl3JbQzHEp-bM2lS0kb3uNaa9gWSokBIApK2YkZKxrQ4/s1600/IMG_6585+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202501158125730" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVS_VAccfgfr-bNGgDylqPrgAVNZhL1iUlWJk6PMFKfetcpuXEeM-Zvv1V6GgEF3mPA6_geJ0a78s3LKSIQS8hfJ0JvjiJPsFPIl3JbQzHEp-bM2lS0kb3uNaa9gWSokBIApK2YkZKxrQ4/s320/IMG_6585+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>...and satan.... who came in the form of a plate-sized spider with a giant, gaping pie-hole that probably sucks in souls...
<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjvFrCDzucKQJLFO-xlnF0qj2NFqdYU4dcb7yQAHqtk_darp5uSk8702Fel82Q_9y46negWsKSf9ILiBMJzf0mIgreKr8vs4LuvTsWa01QbQw6HwmrDX4ZtqquNfAyaPAyn2V1ch6PCQO/s1600/IMG_6586+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202498612451362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjvFrCDzucKQJLFO-xlnF0qj2NFqdYU4dcb7yQAHqtk_darp5uSk8702Fel82Q_9y46negWsKSf9ILiBMJzf0mIgreKr8vs4LuvTsWa01QbQw6HwmrDX4ZtqquNfAyaPAyn2V1ch6PCQO/s320/IMG_6586+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>I was glad I decided to sleep in our safe little hut with my mosquito-netting shield.</div><div>The next morning we woke up to buckets and buckets of rain! There aren't rain drops in the jungle - as you can see below, it is more like a continuous stream, like a billion faucets being left on low all at once.
<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPGsggWQo7iGEaXqSUGftY0obmduWYiOUb1Rjy_Vdj9qdy_k6h1fVQRe_r6Zd-f-1skvDWxSW0-OAatkxCPNvCezINRK4q_Sl3pRUyHX8_QnWDRc5fo2QBCkJrcSiVsCzeNxGsiazoUtw/s1600/IMG_6590+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202025670998162" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPGsggWQo7iGEaXqSUGftY0obmduWYiOUb1Rjy_Vdj9qdy_k6h1fVQRe_r6Zd-f-1skvDWxSW0-OAatkxCPNvCezINRK4q_Sl3pRUyHX8_QnWDRc5fo2QBCkJrcSiVsCzeNxGsiazoUtw/s320/IMG_6590+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We couldn't go for a hike that day, so we stayed under-cover and made necklaces instead.
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNMchyphenhyphen5AC4ec6GOu06kUGaF3mO9FwIdX-eJRpd3t3yH_tjh7WSV7fH7u3iSHgdhUf4bYux7XjLB_f6fZ85xPH_DEtdDMycbGDhwIxLbKJq26AUZhkudbPzIbawfWy5tN5F8Jdihz3E9gU/s1600/IMG_6593+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202025397817890" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkNMchyphenhyphen5AC4ec6GOu06kUGaF3mO9FwIdX-eJRpd3t3yH_tjh7WSV7fH7u3iSHgdhUf4bYux7XjLB_f6fZ85xPH_DEtdDMycbGDhwIxLbKJq26AUZhkudbPzIbawfWy5tN5F8Jdihz3E9gU/s320/IMG_6593+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Tyrone tied little knots for about 2 hours until he had blisters to create this pretty neclace for his mom.
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Ms_UepqeuFGQ-LgTwRVxwlWf1Ghub2RDsjMiPGyF7pGeSZS2vawWZ7lI2yviimgUI-umAHshR7DvjfxNkxcHpVc4ALqUZY3C1Ka17yzScgQtRPuvoAfMgry4K_G7aUBLoC4vtJMuCj0/s1600/IMG_6594+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202022520782226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR5Ms_UepqeuFGQ-LgTwRVxwlWf1Ghub2RDsjMiPGyF7pGeSZS2vawWZ7lI2yviimgUI-umAHshR7DvjfxNkxcHpVc4ALqUZY3C1Ka17yzScgQtRPuvoAfMgry4K_G7aUBLoC4vtJMuCj0/s320/IMG_6594+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We had a wet boat ride home to Rurrenabaque that afternoon. Blanca the dog decided to take a little shower on the bow of the boat, as she had been running around in mud puddles that day!
<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_BFSSCbsxxYi3amsYU5UUxSYj5kj8otL_7KxzbUA6VO5NNUjgMbUt0VSVlsIhBTysVozqAJ0X24laxnQ9o7K10ExMnnb5Yl6IdS_3AsWRCis40ZXuz2KpjgtWD0MzQcmUcDXEMu2JS2w/s1600/IMG_6598+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202023111332594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_BFSSCbsxxYi3amsYU5UUxSYj5kj8otL_7KxzbUA6VO5NNUjgMbUt0VSVlsIhBTysVozqAJ0X24laxnQ9o7K10ExMnnb5Yl6IdS_3AsWRCis40ZXuz2KpjgtWD0MzQcmUcDXEMu2JS2w/s320/IMG_6598+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The next day we were off to the airport and on our way back to La Paz. We flew in with one airline and flew out with another... This particular one didn't have an airport... or benches. So we stood kinda confused on the side of the tarmac waiting for our plane to arrive!
<br /></div></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWIDMfoqSj6G2DqrLoy4SAQ2XCHalxAm9okT-Bf-6uPS85rvYY2fX39zLVGeeVU6duxB7jZ2MPvE1qg1HKv-4EO-RT7xQ6zL3e-kv9lyE-T_1vYW7byI1aEl0YMVQKn4B-_u2cL9BHfR2/s1600/IMG_6600+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644202017713318130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcWIDMfoqSj6G2DqrLoy4SAQ2XCHalxAm9okT-Bf-6uPS85rvYY2fX39zLVGeeVU6duxB7jZ2MPvE1qg1HKv-4EO-RT7xQ6zL3e-kv9lyE-T_1vYW7byI1aEl0YMVQKn4B-_u2cL9BHfR2/s320/IMG_6600+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We had an amazing time in the Amazon jungle! It was so different from anything we had experienced before and we were lucky to get a great local guide who was very knowledgable about the terrain and wildlife. We will definitely go back one day!!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-84901537754732677892011-07-20T19:04:00.001-07:002011-07-20T21:04:22.373-07:00La Paz<div><div><div><div>From Lake Titicaca we headed straight over to Bolivia's capital city, La Paz. The bus ride in was intense, as the homes and buildings are built in the middle of a giant valley, with apartment buildings clinging to the sides of rocky cliffs!</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631621050282342434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQBAGpmweGYPWMwtzzV59ZCHn14prk44jSsWZcNY1ArPBMPwcJlc53ouSBv5mDqr4OqsF_aKlUznXm0OpUBQ4X_nPU8Qkppe29S-CHmgSUJPbYiSi0FKQXIa9fCfC9q6l7Tn09lDLsDi7n/s320/IMG_6104+2.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div> We managed to make it in time for Easter, and were both pretty happy to find a few chocolate shops dedicated to the occasion. Along with giant easter eggs, there was an amazing chocolate bar with cocoa nibs and salt from the Salar de Uyuni, which I wish we could have brought home to share (but I ate it)! </div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631621256512065298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLOuD0vvWFe9ALf8KmcHXXWkIrchOkh0leuSxRwdcen7Xr7RyB_ObtrwnrKeUa6P0g6978f7flGNeldkfCbcDRzOU_2hnwNg3SwVVbxdXSkOvLQSfOpfhCSEIRWyLC63QLFLuw9iJYHGHS/s320/Imagen+124+2.jpg" /></div><div> </div><div>We also managed to make it to La Paz in time for a week-long demonstration held by locals who were enraged by rising gas prices. Apparently Bolivia had subsidized gas prices for its residents, but due to illegal selling of gas to neighbouring countries to make a profit, the government stopped the subsidy. However, the government also froze utility costs and raised wages to counter this loss... So, basically the gas smugglers (and those with jobs requiring copious amounts of gas) were all protesting by setting up major road blocks and gathering in streets and squares to set off fire-crackers and dynamite until the wee hours of the morning. This caused some pretty interesting war dreams!</div><div> </div><div>You can see the protesters heading toward us, below, as we were walking to the movie theatre. </div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O0x7kYVEklc_D35dY9_eXxpaTKq2I1mBGfUqAgtrSxf8qzM-ZQO_8hFyv2HaYIOGOIwoJj0pvbs6wTcYhth4SZok7w9IiXcO39nhyphenhyphenGMgfghF0x4JaCFm2JHZ8Fi2RGf2w597TE1w_S7-/s1600/Imagen+130+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631621236243002114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O0x7kYVEklc_D35dY9_eXxpaTKq2I1mBGfUqAgtrSxf8qzM-ZQO_8hFyv2HaYIOGOIwoJj0pvbs6wTcYhth4SZok7w9IiXcO39nhyphenhyphenGMgfghF0x4JaCFm2JHZ8Fi2RGf2w597TE1w_S7-/s320/Imagen+130+2.jpg" /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRTwpYAZuiRqHwpMF6A2xgzlbKnE-sV3Ib0PgPYK4xEW3JohdsjnkmVg4fpQhP2T6kbq8NBW54bIOtYytdVXIkmPdmT4DrW-7_T_HCV-Or2U8ckpzLCDig9GtF_OJJln_ZX0wPzoX8oG_/s1600/Imagen+131+2.jpg"></a>Random horse statue... we didn't take many La Paz photos...<br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw4XuSwG1y6BTN-JkpaBXjApnNRe2J9C4y9VTUSv8aGNGOOsoJxEhHvpr2DUZsDU7mQpXbzV1rPG6NrtZ199OJGJ5pYxsR2us73RmX-rgvRSu98ijkZzDbKBZEIZcARTVDThZnJ18uR6b/s1600/Imagen+131+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631621070161483186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbw4XuSwG1y6BTN-JkpaBXjApnNRe2J9C4y9VTUSv8aGNGOOsoJxEhHvpr2DUZsDU7mQpXbzV1rPG6NrtZ199OJGJ5pYxsR2us73RmX-rgvRSu98ijkZzDbKBZEIZcARTVDThZnJ18uR6b/s320/Imagen+131+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We stayed in the touristy area of town located next to the Witch Market. Ty found us a nice place for lunch over-looking the shoppers on the street below. A very popular item in the market that is carried at almost every stand is dried llama fetus, which, if buried under your new house, is to bring good luck... kinda gross. No, we didn't feel comfortable taking photos!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwc3B2GXydf318SBlRfFiEtTl67QOQd3IA0KFxids0D2gqV96mHi9nWdsgLuQ2tG53U-ELCo_NmYijWSEDqtSIn0M87cp2cn0LVcuwY6BEJ7cl8Lxtx-6S-PFAcO9-k2Jjvcy86vk8Cq4/s1600/Imagen+141+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631621070580227282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHwc3B2GXydf318SBlRfFiEtTl67QOQd3IA0KFxids0D2gqV96mHi9nWdsgLuQ2tG53U-ELCo_NmYijWSEDqtSIn0M87cp2cn0LVcuwY6BEJ7cl8Lxtx-6S-PFAcO9-k2Jjvcy86vk8Cq4/s320/Imagen+141+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We were told, and later discovered for ourselves, that you will most likely get sick in Bolivia. With prior knowledge of this from friends who made the journey, we made careful food decisions, but still managed to get a nice bout of food poisoning in La Paz! Hence the lack of photos :) And Licky Skittles' impression of Lydia's face at the time... (blech!)<br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631644465585117442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22TZPeFhVe6KZteEoCEbttiy8FwuC_R6cgljP4KTz1qCtIlCVVbhBuE-xgsYcixfppYljTzGUnmg_lCLQyrOLMlhldfqn_OkAI3eWKS8yf3oKws4w9lgRqb3Oz-4-46N8OD9wgB256vYv/s320/Imagen+140+1.jpg" /><div> </div><div>We still managed to find some nice wedding outfits, however, like this adorable dress for our little flower girl/God baby/neice, Elle-Belle!</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yV3GgTuuD93DMAqAfHnyGM0kk8TDBIJq3AWpEWrdSjORbo6ZrqSF-aTct4cEyFJ-EE4X_oIlKHUzgJnHoNJ1mVWJuUvjAiZ5ODcld1JYi2PdaiVfTp5Bzg9TiXoq-mT5u8VFyRo7XQft/s1600/Imagen+142+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631621063676433858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9yV3GgTuuD93DMAqAfHnyGM0kk8TDBIJq3AWpEWrdSjORbo6ZrqSF-aTct4cEyFJ-EE4X_oIlKHUzgJnHoNJ1mVWJuUvjAiZ5ODcld1JYi2PdaiVfTp5Bzg9TiXoq-mT5u8VFyRo7XQft/s320/Imagen+142+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>And these are the two little Bolivian ladies who pieced together the wedding dress that Ty and I designed ourselves... pictures to come after the wedding!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgj4ZwU5xWIeIW95hen7VNKtmJEqRa5WozxpK-IYOIyV_zcd20p8dt0ARgYFqYOtBZIO77yFX2ZV-uxHPssZrYORWrd6QsDxSEC2Vx8JIZOhyphenhyphenKy2ZkMZUMiE73BOLNU1mWp2xRnZAAYDe/s1600/IMG_0844+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631621051283576242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgj4ZwU5xWIeIW95hen7VNKtmJEqRa5WozxpK-IYOIyV_zcd20p8dt0ARgYFqYOtBZIO77yFX2ZV-uxHPssZrYORWrd6QsDxSEC2Vx8JIZOhyphenhyphenKy2ZkMZUMiE73BOLNU1mWp2xRnZAAYDe/s320/IMG_0844+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Although we found these two ladies to be quite friendly, the people of La Paz were generally quite rude towards us as foreigners. Shopkeepers don't really want to serve anyone but locals (even if you offered to pay more) and the taxi drivers really try to gyp you, too... But as long as you stay on your toes and try not to take things too personally, all is fine and dandy! Other parts of Bolivia are so amazingly beautiful (ie. the Salar de Uyuni, to come) that it makes up for the unfriendliness that is La Paz.</div></div></div></div></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-84590678345264896582011-07-20T16:20:00.000-07:002011-07-20T18:40:58.703-07:00TITICACA!<div>After about 5 weeks in and around Cusco, we realized that we had nearly spent our total allotted 90 days in Peru. Thus, we had to get out of dodge and head south into Bolivia before our visas expired. </div><div> </div><div>We took a 9 or so hour bus to Puno, Peru's bordering city with Bolivia, which also borders Lake Titicaca. After a late evening arrival, we spent the night in a cold and somewhat questionable hostel (a "sleeping bag" hostel, if you catch my drift). The next morning we awoke early for the border crossing and headed along the side of the stunningly gorgeous lake to the tiny town of Copa Cabana.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631591166711934450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEu60QWIrU0-vnOXClILo0qS1CzVAy4bz0z-f0qQvR5FyGdq-WLvFQPTrjdCQcEVaRrPHJ85ngvsLMX7_m1pP8qjM4DKf6bDhKxggisGnss4QOzOG9OSfsSXrx20R1ega-p78k2S9XU0DD/s320/IMG_5942+2.jpg" /><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxs5JVDdbQjmvWw3ufVZHpa_dDSG8vEC3-6Aw7NjvkwVjV6oHkDnwUGCLrZShiI10Oro1_6pQvyXvnvdaNBtpKdpz-EEen-_1UXUN_tIxseBbZwSwHizM-aCkk0kmIiNb4Ekme504mXcv/s1600/IMG_5952+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631591157668868770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfxs5JVDdbQjmvWw3ufVZHpa_dDSG8vEC3-6Aw7NjvkwVjV6oHkDnwUGCLrZShiI10Oro1_6pQvyXvnvdaNBtpKdpz-EEen-_1UXUN_tIxseBbZwSwHizM-aCkk0kmIiNb4Ekme504mXcv/s320/IMG_5952+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The drive was full of some of the most amazing views we had ever seen - the lake mirrored the sky, the farms were speckled with fall colours and scarecrows, and the farm animals grazed lazily in the sparkling sun.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCzX3D38ZAnViZ4B-aFEiqovL2fXeH-O7Tm_vvs2xYnYNo1gU3eR48h4Mi6EZmK0ci18oxubEeLYykfP44R_gusugdZvsiBioK3J3RtTEL8tpehKdJiX0HxjgEkjL8Dc2U9ak9C2We8Ok/s1600/IMG_5963+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631591158776192418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLCzX3D38ZAnViZ4B-aFEiqovL2fXeH-O7Tm_vvs2xYnYNo1gU3eR48h4Mi6EZmK0ci18oxubEeLYykfP44R_gusugdZvsiBioK3J3RtTEL8tpehKdJiX0HxjgEkjL8Dc2U9ak9C2We8Ok/s320/IMG_5963+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>When we arrived in Copa Cabana, we were greeted by many large resort-style hotels, all at very reasonable prices. We settled on a smaller hotel with the best private balcony over-looking the lake, which cost us a mere $15 a night!</div><div> </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvB4oSG3rxKz91m336WdYW37Ufw99BDyahIAj8V6mRbbWhogbIKpCOj8aXvydm7Sx_HBcWe4Fnbl7ojkDf3Hp6ReplcZqa4ATnauGCZoSjfdKU1iL_qg58e9yOTVOfEXPwvDCUvOr3DlKb/s1600/IMG_5971+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590972225469538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvB4oSG3rxKz91m336WdYW37Ufw99BDyahIAj8V6mRbbWhogbIKpCOj8aXvydm7Sx_HBcWe4Fnbl7ojkDf3Hp6ReplcZqa4ATnauGCZoSjfdKU1iL_qg58e9yOTVOfEXPwvDCUvOr3DlKb/s320/IMG_5971+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Above our door-way was some pretty funky Bolivian style art!<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pYsTOEcEjVytssLwTiAu2KEYtzhO5QaC95bYMzexVRjEmWDaOcv-wf95B5-HsPLxhLgCrfLoi_x8Cio672TwB31D4LNN-OdUZvqf7A2I11RVIDv9hGxYFZy1bUPJI0UjqajYOwvZkViu/s1600/IMG_5975+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590958957781442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7pYsTOEcEjVytssLwTiAu2KEYtzhO5QaC95bYMzexVRjEmWDaOcv-wf95B5-HsPLxhLgCrfLoi_x8Cio672TwB31D4LNN-OdUZvqf7A2I11RVIDv9hGxYFZy1bUPJI0UjqajYOwvZkViu/s320/IMG_5975+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>There was some sort of festival going on when we first arrived... we never really found out what it was for certain, but were told it had something to do with good luck and hopes of fortune. So, people had their cars decorated with flowers and there were little booths set up in the streets all selling the same cheap champagne, flowers, ribbons, etc.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GmwPV3Y1nVyiw8AfjyeJPW5GoG7UVTTuTDnlYXr76_O3K9VDHt2mU5X7LMM0ij_cNx-tkpvlCsnz_CvBP6Dcr45nGZtZrQxY4SgfwXjpDjfTfKqDLqWy6fYF7teVNvinLZ4MOlf1CsBo/s1600/IMG_5979+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590956847617218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7GmwPV3Y1nVyiw8AfjyeJPW5GoG7UVTTuTDnlYXr76_O3K9VDHt2mU5X7LMM0ij_cNx-tkpvlCsnz_CvBP6Dcr45nGZtZrQxY4SgfwXjpDjfTfKqDLqWy6fYF7teVNvinLZ4MOlf1CsBo/s320/IMG_5979+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Lydia and Licky enjoying the sunset from their private balcony.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2188CgTz6i78OPvvibSJ1O6x9vZt5Tj5rg9Vxl0o45IVpFDYwpHaMS5QI3JATMShtxLcRj-z3WdgISue1kvzRp2obUQmpWKd3NNu5Hh9tcWO4qAweZ6vbOS8Grh3pseS9J-Za56qMUOL6/s1600/IMG_5984+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590952701846178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2188CgTz6i78OPvvibSJ1O6x9vZt5Tj5rg9Vxl0o45IVpFDYwpHaMS5QI3JATMShtxLcRj-z3WdgISue1kvzRp2obUQmpWKd3NNu5Hh9tcWO4qAweZ6vbOS8Grh3pseS9J-Za56qMUOL6/s320/IMG_5984+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The next morning, we headed off to hike the Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun), a 12 km long island in the middle of Lake Titicaca. The Incas believed that this island is where their Sun God was born, hence the name. We took a very slow 2 hour boat ride across the giant blue lake to get to the south side of the island.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKjSGlWA7iDjT_STVn10F5QYcCRz-sUPm4hbxTODlNwmsxSwEFvIuRfjS2Q2EwV0lJGFYQ_Vxr2sxHpqP7fTEsF3RR_QRMUDyW7tFuh1QWtCc9IzEY5yVcZg5NR4KiUatzio23hQfzD2Q/s1600/IMG_5999+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590947513163202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKjSGlWA7iDjT_STVn10F5QYcCRz-sUPm4hbxTODlNwmsxSwEFvIuRfjS2Q2EwV0lJGFYQ_Vxr2sxHpqP7fTEsF3RR_QRMUDyW7tFuh1QWtCc9IzEY5yVcZg5NR4KiUatzio23hQfzD2Q/s320/IMG_5999+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We had been advised by a local to hike from the south side of the island to the north, since there are beaches on the north side. They neglected to tell us, however, that the north side of the island has terribly slim picking of hostels.... and the south side is full of beautiful hostels and hotels with gorgeous panoramic views! So, if you go, make sure to take our advice and go from north to south... We ended up walking the 12km across and 12km back just to stay on the south side, pictured below.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_HOpEU9uKpF6reQO1pjp_i2uSLMMnQ1VOAEfmzBNZb-BjEu3KzV_Y1TDt7BYjbVZJrZQfN8mokXjJKGMadsK54GUMZVw81ZZs6rfqxVYKuuAWDqTRrv79wMphzzlB9sOmkAcMbtM2w2c/s1600/IMG_6000+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590646352231234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR_HOpEU9uKpF6reQO1pjp_i2uSLMMnQ1VOAEfmzBNZb-BjEu3KzV_Y1TDt7BYjbVZJrZQfN8mokXjJKGMadsK54GUMZVw81ZZs6rfqxVYKuuAWDqTRrv79wMphzzlB9sOmkAcMbtM2w2c/s320/IMG_6000+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>It was gruelling work getting up the hill to this point, but sooo very worth it! Lake Titicaca sits at 3,800m above sea level (12,500ft), and Isla Del Sol is a few hundred metres higher! We had panoramic views of the whole lake and the Peru and Bolivian sides of it. So did these two cute little donkies :) <br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvi1sgss4znwIGTZP9EAdW9pXSfQmCHqiRNxenIcA1UGWD65QPB2ffDIUbglgxiHiVvA9O6RmMslPb3a4lAT3kI5heiYVojqCRd-aH7pgYwyvBtXdN6mFzpkndyC22SVXp4kqLTAyMn44p/s1600/IMG_6009+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590639644696562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvi1sgss4znwIGTZP9EAdW9pXSfQmCHqiRNxenIcA1UGWD65QPB2ffDIUbglgxiHiVvA9O6RmMslPb3a4lAT3kI5heiYVojqCRd-aH7pgYwyvBtXdN6mFzpkndyC22SVXp4kqLTAyMn44p/s320/IMG_6009+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>On our walk heading north, we came across this B&B with its gorgeous gardens and views... which we would later return to just as dark set in that night!<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bGRoFjrJg8FAYw1u4iR7jObcwA60lkQZyFcRwG4DMzPdEMkEBP07S1RTjNrIiH9fVk0AZ4nAfS6x0_iXz4n4kUfl1gMMvPiE8Aor25aHoWarqdnomG69L4OhlXuf2uGwX3l42S3jnl44/s1600/IMG_6017+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590631683967362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-bGRoFjrJg8FAYw1u4iR7jObcwA60lkQZyFcRwG4DMzPdEMkEBP07S1RTjNrIiH9fVk0AZ4nAfS6x0_iXz4n4kUfl1gMMvPiE8Aor25aHoWarqdnomG69L4OhlXuf2uGwX3l42S3jnl44/s320/IMG_6017+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We met a lot of farmers leading their livestock around the hills on the island, as that is one of the main industries of the Titicacan (?) people, next to fishing and tourism. We had to be quick and sly with the photos, as most locals who catch you snapping a picture will say "dame moneda!", which exactly translates to "give me money".<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM2-nnxZQkH_ElMc1xp53KjsBKPWsLw2GA65n-VBMbMNcix-NRBiYhAdOvfzO53b82fyHqGncAK_wbiEDS0ZhCozdtyOuY22fGXUDuuJpdQW8Fpif6lDO4a8Qwvif6VRteOlII4eOoJQX/s1600/IMG_6019+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590626743636674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjM2-nnxZQkH_ElMc1xp53KjsBKPWsLw2GA65n-VBMbMNcix-NRBiYhAdOvfzO53b82fyHqGncAK_wbiEDS0ZhCozdtyOuY22fGXUDuuJpdQW8Fpif6lDO4a8Qwvif6VRteOlII4eOoJQX/s320/IMG_6019+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Every corner of our walk had views even more gorgeous than the last - we can't stress enough just how beautiful and magical the lake is!!<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jGe2Cps9I0MCMa38ca34h7h-WJDjqTSQUmQM549tmLWreNo1MTTblorH5LMLfdN-G277nYQ_C9iv7Hdx113rvG5AfNjtTnRAOCseOKiDHYuN14jzY6sF99Lb-W1belQK2EjbAzIV7BXB/s1600/IMG_6026+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590622711292338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jGe2Cps9I0MCMa38ca34h7h-WJDjqTSQUmQM549tmLWreNo1MTTblorH5LMLfdN-G277nYQ_C9iv7Hdx113rvG5AfNjtTnRAOCseOKiDHYuN14jzY6sF99Lb-W1belQK2EjbAzIV7BXB/s320/IMG_6026+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We met up with an Aussie traveller who wanted a little company, as his wife opted to stay in a hotel sipping cocktails on the south side of the island!<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhX_w0bvI1_sBCTW2uTsbThjjfEiM7VrdMlwOdVi01MoYzApclGgk-MralPiDcZnqSqkddPxlPdlkMNJu5yx3WihTwgd-LlCqjCE06wFJB0rYy3HZKqIv2xMwMDb9lyDffV-cLjA7ISfR/s1600/IMG_6030+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590312090633474" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFhX_w0bvI1_sBCTW2uTsbThjjfEiM7VrdMlwOdVi01MoYzApclGgk-MralPiDcZnqSqkddPxlPdlkMNJu5yx3WihTwgd-LlCqjCE06wFJB0rYy3HZKqIv2xMwMDb9lyDffV-cLjA7ISfR/s320/IMG_6030+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Tyrone admiring the views.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ68UPcu8uaoKRayGsOcDiP4siinGlNe3P3NhSPVB3iGfp35_WuOpUiJTjAW7xFx0H1y8GNC7BscmIvQelyr4HFU8uG_EiuD-VhEK761-Yc678xlb4vOxt7fZ6NFDO982Ahw_26cOLYJ1/s1600/IMG_6034+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590306865117074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZ68UPcu8uaoKRayGsOcDiP4siinGlNe3P3NhSPVB3iGfp35_WuOpUiJTjAW7xFx0H1y8GNC7BscmIvQelyr4HFU8uG_EiuD-VhEK761-Yc678xlb4vOxt7fZ6NFDO982Ahw_26cOLYJ1/s320/IMG_6034+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>After a few hours, we made it to the north side of the island and the Chicana ruins (birthplace of the Incan Sun God). There was even an ancient picnic table set up for us ;)<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVeAi7_KAhPxh_u2V_6QWPdi4plhTV1wV0-hbZEgbF2bUppc1BnVlJ7ipj29VFaSs_V65aN82SrZiPA8jIJHrzIrp_9jtUej7EmAY9ex-7XZN9MfJw4ZV4rEgoOEMGkuD7tClGUhLQoXF/s1600/IMG_6039+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590302917446546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVeAi7_KAhPxh_u2V_6QWPdi4plhTV1wV0-hbZEgbF2bUppc1BnVlJ7ipj29VFaSs_V65aN82SrZiPA8jIJHrzIrp_9jtUej7EmAY9ex-7XZN9MfJw4ZV4rEgoOEMGkuD7tClGUhLQoXF/s320/IMG_6039+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The view from what I have deduced to be the Sun God's bedroom.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgJq8cwDw3Mz2mLYMSFXuZvvd-wFlB2k-YKyx32UuGoBJerp73AN7JHo3xMv0fnMR2aqmZ0gZKO7MzUhy6F0v8pITwzahjUrQREdUNVt1GZ2vS75J1VF9hDaHRf8CECEl-Vrnp0ujN1ya/s1600/IMG_6044+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590300226420050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVgJq8cwDw3Mz2mLYMSFXuZvvd-wFlB2k-YKyx32UuGoBJerp73AN7JHo3xMv0fnMR2aqmZ0gZKO7MzUhy6F0v8pITwzahjUrQREdUNVt1GZ2vS75J1VF9hDaHRf8CECEl-Vrnp0ujN1ya/s320/IMG_6044+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We snapped a photo of another sheep herder whilst she wasn't looking! (Don't worry, it isn't believed that cameras steal souls or anything like that in most places in South America... It's just that we didn't have any change on us!)<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN20gHbITH_YsK6w8FV4IbnmBxWkYi50eUZ24hphN0XKhKcgr3CtiBMxJCSvQSt6SNuI8UgXcJhUBSh7pW-wY6geOQ6nFoSmcLkIr6leqRuxP1gKMLwsJveau1_-x-hKcflh2VKIzhOjdt/s1600/IMG_6065+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631590297281851026" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN20gHbITH_YsK6w8FV4IbnmBxWkYi50eUZ24hphN0XKhKcgr3CtiBMxJCSvQSt6SNuI8UgXcJhUBSh7pW-wY6geOQ6nFoSmcLkIr6leqRuxP1gKMLwsJveau1_-x-hKcflh2VKIzhOjdt/s320/IMG_6065+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>We came across the friendliest little piggie on the north side of the island - the hostels may have been terrible, but Mr. or Ms. Piggle and the ruins made the extra hike worth the effort!</div><div> </div><div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyAZigzWOjskSCMxSStx3XVuhiCqkHmOKcax5-T8vTkQCG-dsMIJ-Nf4ploZwtsuaSMd04MaGkkE2gOLaVgig' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Tyrone also spotted a strange bird up in a tree.<br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZnbOLP8UscmbXqdfe0X32kaAaXvPcj7VLsv-SCw_QijfxV1GDSJu3C-M__Rq7vDhHYi6eDx795-ZCymEAJpTSWwX0btOAuH6sD86DwkGrRrvd25BBwH42L1kKOQkC2AFNujJzvOch-X2/s1600/IMG_6078+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; height: 320px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631589925835083250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAZnbOLP8UscmbXqdfe0X32kaAaXvPcj7VLsv-SCw_QijfxV1GDSJu3C-M__Rq7vDhHYi6eDx795-ZCymEAJpTSWwX0btOAuH6sD86DwkGrRrvd25BBwH42L1kKOQkC2AFNujJzvOch-X2/s320/IMG_6078+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The views got even better when the clouds cleared to reveal some very high, snow-capped mountains on the Bolivian side of the lake.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4tZic9nFSfesH0BR4mzteth5iUjUIS0JoGbPHvMV8LJl9f0VWlJ9OfHKpoodlzACYW-G7yVa63mP78fB6mD4oIH6VCkp0fGLaNOlg9GQPj6RxVOX9_MhkHgPjIrkmwoQdu0NoX1haqmL/s1600/IMG_6087+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631589922470963554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4tZic9nFSfesH0BR4mzteth5iUjUIS0JoGbPHvMV8LJl9f0VWlJ9OfHKpoodlzACYW-G7yVa63mP78fB6mD4oIH6VCkp0fGLaNOlg9GQPj6RxVOX9_MhkHgPjIrkmwoQdu0NoX1haqmL/s320/IMG_6087+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>So, after our 24km walk, we just barely beat the rain as we finally returned to the gorgeous B&B I mentioned earlier. After hot showers and gulping down a litre of water each (we ran out of water at km 14 or so), we were seated for dinner by this cuddly little spider...<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlW4IPTuT4QvGWczUTzzeviZ5i9JeRxh2gZtmCHQhSAJenfCcXsCaRJiTSQZv-33IRCVMoPiMAF9L_2ZEZCxZC4gFA3IeyhP9u7Koo4C_216TW_53COhSeZyy4W7lxf8EzBAaFV5VCV1Bx/s1600/IMG_6091+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631589917048059346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlW4IPTuT4QvGWczUTzzeviZ5i9JeRxh2gZtmCHQhSAJenfCcXsCaRJiTSQZv-33IRCVMoPiMAF9L_2ZEZCxZC4gFA3IeyhP9u7Koo4C_216TW_53COhSeZyy4W7lxf8EzBAaFV5VCV1Bx/s320/IMG_6091+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>As soon as dinner was served, we had a nice lightning storm outside as part of the evening's entertainment! Tyrone proved me wrong when I said he couldn't catch a flash on film :)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlnoxJJjdKUs-ZtCJkZcWAJVXSmftY67iQ-xkjplTYkDd0urqCCDVXu1SYi33gBnCke0pT0v1VfhSPAE-O0d9TVchHceT3ABQTbCp1VmBNFnugXJ1JTobIvwFBRcRd8CcNuX_ly4NPr4c/s1600/IMG_6096+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631589917697195154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGlnoxJJjdKUs-ZtCJkZcWAJVXSmftY67iQ-xkjplTYkDd0urqCCDVXu1SYi33gBnCke0pT0v1VfhSPAE-O0d9TVchHceT3ABQTbCp1VmBNFnugXJ1JTobIvwFBRcRd8CcNuX_ly4NPr4c/s320/IMG_6096+2.jpg" /></a></div><div> </div><div>The next morning, we woke up bright and early to sunshine and made our way back to Copa Cabana.</div><div> </div><div><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; height: 240px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5631589913893624530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5_eFg50YpoyGAMteboO0hJZzVQ8bYMHMemGczJ6ey28LVGeD3y3f8xZIglI5WrkEXISpY57g_wcEDXQisV1v_zGDPcqghb4RPN5RZlBMIFfQQ_NsztFd5VgioZAjvOHyh0eFz8iw-Ee7F/s320/IMG_6097+2.jpg" /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-37226566811825542312011-06-18T08:15:00.000-07:002011-06-18T08:19:48.610-07:00Canucks ReviewAfter a few deep breaths, here's my six cents:<br /><br />1- Even though we came up one short, I'm still really proud of my team! The Canucks proved that they are a Stanley cup contending team, and next year, with the bitter taste of defeat in their mouths, they will bring home the hockey Grail (ala 2009 Pittsburgh penguins). Give the bruins credit this year. They were the better team in the series. In the first few games, the refs allowed them to do as they pleased (even though I really didn't agree with it), and the bruins exploited this opportunity to physically break down the Canucks. What resulted in games 6 and 7 was a decimated Canuck team with nothing left to give.<br /><br />2- the turning point in the series was the Hamhuis hit/injury. Dan is our strongest and most reliable defender. He was sorely missed out there against the huge bruins team. His absence also completely threw off our back end chemistry, which severely limited their offensive punch (one of our biggest weapons)<br /><br />3- We need a better winger on the second line with Kes. When a man-bear (i.e. Chara, Weber, etc) shuts down the twins, we need the second line to step up. More often than not, our second liners (other than kes) were absent. This is on Gillis's to do list for the offseason.<br /><br />4- what the hell happened to our special teams in round 4?<br /><br />5- Thomas outplayed luongo..... BADLY! This could get interesting given the fact that we have Schneider. One of these two has to go (maybe for that second line winger that was needed). Is Schneider ready? Would anyone want Luongo? Would we want to trade Luongo? A bit of a conundrum.<br /><br />6- the F-tards that rioted in Vancouver after the game were not true Canucks fans. They were drunk, immature idiots who just wanted an excuse to break shit downtown. Examples of true Canuck fans showed up the next day for voluntary city cleanup. I'm also a little surprised that the city allowed this to happen, given the 94 precedent. The city should have been better prepared. Regardless, handout lifetime game bans for those convicted in riot activities. <br /><br />Is October here yet?<br /><br />Go Canucks Go!Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-76617401188033654672011-05-29T18:01:00.001-07:002011-06-03T19:24:44.942-07:00Machu PicchuThe first thing that comes to anyone´s mind when someone mentions "Peru" is of course the most famous of all Inca ruins, the beautiful Machu Picchu. The site is located 2,340m above sea level (in fact lower than Cusco, and too low to likely cause altitude sickness), and is about 80km from Cusco. Nobody really knows the origins of Machu Picchu, or exactly what the site was used for, but the popular theory is that it was created for the Inca emperor Pachacuti sometime between 1438 to 1472. The Incas abandoned Machu Picchu about 100 years after settling there, during the time of the Spanish conquests. The site was "discovered" again in 1911 by the American historian Hiram Bingham, and by discovered, I of course mean that he was the first white person who came to the site who, instead of looting the place as his predecessors did, he actually decided to document it in history books. Bingham did still take a number of artifacts from the site and brought them to Yale for studying (with the intention of bringing them back to Peru after a couple of years), but those items are still at Yale today, and the Peruvians are more than a little peeved about this. Enough of the history lesson, Machu Picchu is also a badass travel destination that will always have a special place in mine and Lydia´s hearts, but more to come of that later.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310638744795330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChoCf89KFBg8Hh_x9kfLdNPufBFEzQoxGBcJptniiuV0IEcVKCVTrO0HqJuHzGrlGx2YhRVHBpyNHF17G0a675TiN4cGO6TNzNscOGJjSePDIOqC5ty36CEmitpDtRShCCcCN_9JWYjSP/s320/IMG_5729.jpg" /><br />So off we were on the Hiram Bingham train to the gateway town of Aguas Calientes. We decided not to do the Inca trail, as I had already managed to destroy Lydia with the Lost City hike, so we had no need to go through that again. The train ended up being an enjoyable hour and a half ride that weaves through gorgeous mountains, following the Inca trail and some raging rapids.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310633297403586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgganT9jwK4FhFSi7qDPyFruNB9anbc_KnGDFolyWMwn_39uEPAyQJkr6OrHeiAO0se96m4ygWtIeVkTVO71XgJzCntzSlo7fluGlJ4nAhv5BhQ5Iy6ns6kiQr4ka-XHQeP8FiW0tGp3tJ4/s320/IMG_5752.jpg" />The town of Aguas Calientes has a bad rap of being a tourist trap, necessary for those heading to Machu Picchu. We found, to the contrary, that the town was actually quite the beautiful place, full of friendly people and cute dogs practicing their MMA skills (see below video)!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmTgMS4irY9b83bNc3Gzd0r_RmZDnf0gkDsMKwHKu-tvu3OQC9DlKfhHacjZU1EMyOzf7-15yqXQB6f-0hS_GKGpW6Kbo0vV8vHhnEYVylYv0Cq3HuDje_LCVW04KTOZHXP5LcsoJqD61/s1600/IMG_5840.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyUjuKiyxFaJdDxhFl3ucTJ7doqFCpE0BUJXOOlo2L0myV7f9Jp9Ds-9KZVtg8Ea2RHm4G0TwaO8Gnmm4NuLg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310628430428066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE430Qqdc10Kp5zDR2vstSRma6P5V3lc9TOeu17eXemKpYwAmuRnJUkwyyR-rHz2CtO9C-0mOm6yrt9VjjlIfGPRSpqYEM4rj8m3WzT_z5jsfqH10ezfwEOTJRHMY-XtTlndyRkOvp-iqp/s320/IMG_5758.jpg" /><br />Picture from the Aguas Calientes hot springs.<br /><br /><br />The downside to Aguas Calientes, however, is its namesake, the hot springs. Although situated in a beautiful setting (see above), we found the Aguas Calientes hot springs to be far from desirable. People go to hot springs to relax and soak up the medicinal minerals of the thermal pools. The hot springs in Aguas Calientes, however, are so full of people (quite literally shoulder to shoulder in every pool) that it is impossible to relax. As far as the medicinal minerals in the hot springs, the only thing that Lydia and I could detect was the pungent aroma of urine wafting up through the masses. I´m no doctor, but I´m pretty sure that aside from killing foot fungus, bathing in other people´s urine can´t be too healthy :(<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54LrVR3Mezu6oO-Xm1vcKFWIZbbQ1lz0DjVdTWr9t7boh7RKJ5jQPIvrfrTUSx0XKMBXghcbTta1njV8eGOGphqZNfdqUQWTZK3LtTuNxAo7OfHQbQwyMft7tnjdlqhja12EcpZC8tu9W/s1600/IMG_0740.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310916554440546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54LrVR3Mezu6oO-Xm1vcKFWIZbbQ1lz0DjVdTWr9t7boh7RKJ5jQPIvrfrTUSx0XKMBXghcbTta1njV8eGOGphqZNfdqUQWTZK3LtTuNxAo7OfHQbQwyMft7tnjdlqhja12EcpZC8tu9W/s320/IMG_0740.jpg" /></a> The goal of this trip was not to go to Aguas Calientes, however, it was to reach Machu Picchu, and so on our second day there, we woke up freakishly early (around 3am) and started trudging through the rainstorm to make it to the bus to take us to the entrance of the ruins.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p>*Travel tip - if you are planning to go to Machu Picchu, you will have the option of either walking to the ruin´s entrance or to take the over priced bus to the entrance. TAKE THE BUS! Everyone we know that walked to the entrance said that it was nothing special, and that they were totally exhausted by the time they got to the ruins. Believe me that you will have more than enough walking to do once you get there, so spring for the extra $15 and take the bus! </p><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310630604823538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXggYbzSBMxmkHDefbD3dPoOKR4AF6WCRGze8wCZRZsC55l_UZKG39UnLLANP7zJyoJO_so7p5CvY72XBRktZ0GD9CK0flY4drhpX70MykgUeiXImAZYfZbjbB2GZPOxTUFWbe6UXoS4_/s320/IMG_5765.jpg" /><br /><br /><br />When we first arrived at Machu Picchu, it was cloudy and pouring down with rain. This gave the ruins a rather mystical look, as the fog rolled over the ancient temples. Luckily, the rain stopped after about an hour of walking around the ruins, which made for some better hiking weather.<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310624529863266" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uUjmVyoYdDs3K6MzPfpjF5Mypq3ZrruESusPzJNZw4G1RJ-6C0XPTnVYNwX5OpjrwBUGxYdj2cmsS_QzoZOJbQE8i39qQlKgcDrYmNiVuhjTjejXErARmwzGhhSMHsUY5ZnbR7IapxF2/s320/IMG_5766.jpg" /><br /><br />10 points if you can spot the llama in the above photo.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310146274214098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5qWK_r4CrkMvJCo8RY1wcGv-qbKCtFtfqfflbmU7ec9RgPCQazj4qWXOkrJx0W7bULavgQIKGA4dNXC0Vfr5L8FeoYRc_PhBctAFPbhDWK_xmuEeBI4grjr36Bb-96Th-7IByrlU61b8C/s320/IMG_5770.jpg" /><br />Most people who go to Machu Picchu know about Wanu Picchu, the high peak beside the ruins in all the photos of Machu Picchu. It is a steep 45+ minute hike straight up that only the first 400 people get to do. The hike is done in two shifts of 200 hikers, so it can get pretty busy from what we have heard. An often neglected peak, that not too many people know about, however, is the peak of Machu Picchu itself, which actually towers over Wanu Picchu (it's about twice as high). Lydia and I got to Machu Picchu early enough to get tickets to Wanu, however, we decided to take the road less travelled, and go to the top of the top by doing Machu Picchu..... also, I thought it would be good to get some privacy for the coming couple of hours...<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSunbG9eC-zpS5XdC1nuf_C_a2ufz1459d7AgTaj32q82f5bOf1hy8AJ1lBzgnsVHQgXDg6HNXQzW3QIZMIsFPhdxW4wEkgAiP9SawMMr0lWPzBgSmK8_jjIH-AIrBoaMpqet2EjT_omT/s1600/IMG_0743.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310916332294482" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtSunbG9eC-zpS5XdC1nuf_C_a2ufz1459d7AgTaj32q82f5bOf1hy8AJ1lBzgnsVHQgXDg6HNXQzW3QIZMIsFPhdxW4wEkgAiP9SawMMr0lWPzBgSmK8_jjIH-AIrBoaMpqet2EjT_omT/s320/IMG_0743.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />It takes a bit of work to get to the top of Machu Picchu (about 1 and a half hours straight up), but the amazing views, beautiful smells, and stunning flowers (see above and below) help to keep the spirits high during the slog:<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BpFJdOHdbT9Rd0kNItA0R9qKPqUK1WSzrrN0nn1cZK5OkuZi8No7I_GwZYX2pKZXhKXWus6xgteul1vzO_lHjuE0glkAzgzy9qHQXlB9lOO0VfO3tW9kLHjSXprvTMf8Qyk9m1uGY8Mb/s1600/IMG_0747.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310912245488114" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6BpFJdOHdbT9Rd0kNItA0R9qKPqUK1WSzrrN0nn1cZK5OkuZi8No7I_GwZYX2pKZXhKXWus6xgteul1vzO_lHjuE0glkAzgzy9qHQXlB9lOO0VfO3tW9kLHjSXprvTMf8Qyk9m1uGY8Mb/s320/IMG_0747.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uAIP61DbdGZPZi8qBDtK3m-jKHTmzzGAWV-710rHf-tsiTbm0F_lt1ypFdCPYwqOjJUt1meXUoBADmnaAhqxoI4oFhY93sLUgIp0wGmvewj_UaSrB1WG0muhbmRYZEhiIiyftxgHzK_M/s1600/IMG_5774.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310141492138002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9uAIP61DbdGZPZi8qBDtK3m-jKHTmzzGAWV-710rHf-tsiTbm0F_lt1ypFdCPYwqOjJUt1meXUoBADmnaAhqxoI4oFhY93sLUgIp0wGmvewj_UaSrB1WG0muhbmRYZEhiIiyftxgHzK_M/s320/IMG_5774.jpg" /></a><br />This one looks like a crying lizard!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxjzOXFoY3aHHvb7RuWeNQauj0CY1TwXuIiuDTkcs5CC04tD6w4omI8cqrqqA9yISDmUlX0D7uW9SnR2G0rALvTdtBWTtalST1RbqFxjLaGUFkGYaMYlob7WPry42GK4n3r4-fY13Ko7y/s1600/IMG_5778.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310142624220418" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxjzOXFoY3aHHvb7RuWeNQauj0CY1TwXuIiuDTkcs5CC04tD6w4omI8cqrqqA9yISDmUlX0D7uW9SnR2G0rALvTdtBWTtalST1RbqFxjLaGUFkGYaMYlob7WPry42GK4n3r4-fY13Ko7y/s320/IMG_5778.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309280496972706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicez-DVSJ7cGiScnN8bSBlcoCSyWQCUBksYOIOSZI54F41E1c7mfBihBgZz_UWKvzXZt89scxmrs90AHwIgZC149bH7fAjhZyLy1FpxgB77cOHEW9jJJ1Ls3SIXwfB2Z03XX6IiBVUawl1/s320/IMG_5835.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>After a hard 1.5 hours of steep hiking, we finally made it to the very top of Machu Picchu (the top of the top is pictured above). Much to our surprise and to my benefit, we quickly found that we were the only people there. We timed it so perfectly that we remained the only ones there for the next two hours! This gave me ample time to take care of some much overdue business.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309801105754562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJgtW5HnkhnW2dT9ClZtLBOB8LFo71JPPZORoOVOcRgUSA7by9561vR6bZWoRa3_5hczC1tloPLmFHN7zIFYAWczwqo5ak-xM21h8IkLVzIG6kOgvtPsCx05pnyE81mysBF63YSMGltuE/s320/IMG_5832.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Looking down on Machu Picchu and sitting on top of the world was how I had envisioned proposing to Lydia for the past 2 years. Ever since we planned this trip, I knew that this would be the place, so by the time we finally reached the top, the ring was burning a hole through my pocket! </div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The view from the top (pictured above) is really quite intimidating. Looking over the edge, one realizes that in this spot, they are floating above the clouds. This was a bit much for Lydia, when we first arrived, so as she sat down to get used to the height, I told her that I was going to go look around. I had previously purchased a stone case that resembled an Incan relic to house the ring, so once Lydia was ready, I called her over to the edge, exclaiming "I think I've found something!" (having previously planted the seed that Machu Picchu is so big that people are still finding relics all over the place). When she came over to me, the ring case was by my knee, and the proposal was made.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmTgMS4irY9b83bNc3Gzd0r_RmZDnf0gkDsMKwHKu-tvu3OQC9DlKfhHacjZU1EMyOzf7-15yqXQB6f-0hS_GKGpW6Kbo0vV8vHhnEYVylYv0Cq3HuDje_LCVW04KTOZHXP5LcsoJqD61/s1600/IMG_5840.jpg"><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwoGmacX8evdY29d5ZcR_visSQ4Nv8XaYdJyt8sMWOVg-gzc-D2Bk-DhecsX1TwhUZr4FabD-ZVTwyI2GatAw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>She said yes!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRGXlqKNpp21iefbUYmm4lknE1pSi6ol63f4vrQO4hFTIO8_2OukE6Ep3yw_S_PjDbZmB8DGFuvEiqfH6zc2wC3vAjDCmtMKZykCyEQXIucbIJDBbQe8DO60C_D_A9vYG93XRoDGfS1DH/s1600/IMG_5781.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310136379778210" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzRGXlqKNpp21iefbUYmm4lknE1pSi6ol63f4vrQO4hFTIO8_2OukE6Ep3yw_S_PjDbZmB8DGFuvEiqfH6zc2wC3vAjDCmtMKZykCyEQXIucbIJDBbQe8DO60C_D_A9vYG93XRoDGfS1DH/s320/IMG_5781.jpg" /></a><br />and she seemed somewhat excited at the time, so as far as I could tell, everything went well;)</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310138708285154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWVu5OUl1T0DSg-slfCD1cX9b4-_bM29ngZKHfIfDbC9-gAHD7iW2Rn4KTlbcdu4pOATJ-L8YnCz3_s-2pLK9hf-8vfiinbWLqIJQJxrei0nqARaOX_F30-HLUZJniaCC0ZKZWx1ctDynk/s320/IMG_5782.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>The first picture of Tyrone and Lydia (soon to both be) Austen!</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309808097586786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyy3LQnR0xjb0_ifi1ne9x-ongVPxEDhKESHmW7lwsu9HUGgQQo9brQtVh3N7tadUOt3CkeVXN6Mu_s7FBryWrAwz0rY5o0abso6vphOyTdO0a0iBs1kqxc_PRm0c5RcbN-NHe_rziB5_/s320/IMG_5784.jpg" /> I had a bit of a concern bringing a proper engagement ring with me on our year-long travels through South America.... call me crazy! Back in August, I had purchased Lydia's engagement ring, but I just couldn't risk taking it, so I had to store it at my parents house (unbeknownst to them) and come up with a way to improvise a bit on the ring. What you see above is a hand carved (by me of course;), Ecuadorian chocolate farm, palm nut engagement ring (how many good Canadian girls can show one of those bad boys off to their friends)! I carved it back in Puerto Quito as a makeshift engagement ring with the help of our host family. It ended up fitting perfectly if I do say so myself!<br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdIq4W5yblIxhQwmyOzFAA41mwYd7nFjaKv9UuDL3Wrf8kp5yM_f4gCPdyNEHA_CTG61kWfl8t8c6Jr8srvv3THWSJ_TmZwRp0_6k8WDGMRbuNXdpd7nOQgN6ZBfoPm6MhqzrGBLr01o7/s1600/IMG_5796.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309805616040770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigdIq4W5yblIxhQwmyOzFAA41mwYd7nFjaKv9UuDL3Wrf8kp5yM_f4gCPdyNEHA_CTG61kWfl8t8c6Jr8srvv3THWSJ_TmZwRp0_6k8WDGMRbuNXdpd7nOQgN6ZBfoPm6MhqzrGBLr01o7/s320/IMG_5796.jpg" /></a> After the proposal was through, we were able take in the sights from the top of the world (with shaky legs mind you, both from the height and from the excitement of the proposal).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpS2RRH1FJWOg8DGYhKLLwLL8IYkYJEI-nIYMfXLe6WS2trj1P2y8OFf0Wo8BY8-bbzluW1d4pa2FIWVdJbAjpRBVyizexrI4OfPccbZy0N1hoFAEdVvyITTP_jAFeiEF05sPQJp5Btpx/s1600/IMG_5797.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309802968297042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHpS2RRH1FJWOg8DGYhKLLwLL8IYkYJEI-nIYMfXLe6WS2trj1P2y8OFf0Wo8BY8-bbzluW1d4pa2FIWVdJbAjpRBVyizexrI4OfPccbZy0N1hoFAEdVvyITTP_jAFeiEF05sPQJp5Btpx/s320/IMG_5797.jpg" /></a><br />An angel posing in heaven.... cue the "aweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees"!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rcYlJtS4ais8evenjSsKImQNXMHWVLiBXYytIXxwNJ4yKlTznvREgtzAbkWIhnDb5s9NeRN6YjBFtB069H-gHiMo676YRmxFfEDSYutCDV7RG1p2SL-pKko_YEgLjQw3BgLkV7xM2EMs/s1600/IMG_5824.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309803413046130" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1rcYlJtS4ais8evenjSsKImQNXMHWVLiBXYytIXxwNJ4yKlTznvREgtzAbkWIhnDb5s9NeRN6YjBFtB069H-gHiMo676YRmxFfEDSYutCDV7RG1p2SL-pKko_YEgLjQw3BgLkV7xM2EMs/s320/IMG_5824.jpg" /></a>Shown here is the peak of Wanu Picchu towering above the ruins of Machu Picchu, taken from the top of Machu Picchu. </div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmTgMS4irY9b83bNc3Gzd0r_RmZDnf0gkDsMKwHKu-tvu3OQC9DlKfhHacjZU1EMyOzf7-15yqXQB6f-0hS_GKGpW6Kbo0vV8vHhnEYVylYv0Cq3HuDje_LCVW04KTOZHXP5LcsoJqD61/s1600/IMG_5840.jpg"><br /><div><span style="color:#000000;"></span><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzc3SHJExR4ZvO35GTuU2zJNoka6LL6-9MRHA-kAykSNHB0q8sgO9U-EfHtVjkHPBC5w9ejycfvSBau7l8qcQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a></div><br /><br /><div>We picnicked and took in the sights of the top of Machu Picchu for about 2 hours, and after, with a bit of extra skip in our step, we came back down the mountain to check out the ruins.</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmTgMS4irY9b83bNc3Gzd0r_RmZDnf0gkDsMKwHKu-tvu3OQC9DlKfhHacjZU1EMyOzf7-15yqXQB6f-0hS_GKGpW6Kbo0vV8vHhnEYVylYv0Cq3HuDje_LCVW04KTOZHXP5LcsoJqD61/s1600/IMG_5840.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309282944266066" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhmTgMS4irY9b83bNc3Gzd0r_RmZDnf0gkDsMKwHKu-tvu3OQC9DlKfhHacjZU1EMyOzf7-15yqXQB6f-0hS_GKGpW6Kbo0vV8vHhnEYVylYv0Cq3HuDje_LCVW04KTOZHXP5LcsoJqD61/s320/IMG_5840.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vQhOwmddjh6144K1422X7vihZpvz1ND5XQr5QPOdHBpufxLokfMgebdkzNbrQnoBw8gYuau6HFZy2822NhYuXsYtOQ2KEASUtJLVNlg9A5GsQeDXZuMokvbSNClTSKaVh4_cT7YWKKJh/s1600/IMG_5846.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309276708567250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vQhOwmddjh6144K1422X7vihZpvz1ND5XQr5QPOdHBpufxLokfMgebdkzNbrQnoBw8gYuau6HFZy2822NhYuXsYtOQ2KEASUtJLVNlg9A5GsQeDXZuMokvbSNClTSKaVh4_cT7YWKKJh/s320/IMG_5846.jpg" /></a><br />Not surprisingly, the ruins themselves are also breathtaking.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6yyyCQYccwvLtOHmdggOtIaH1DeLXixwUSlsTJWjYYEjuoADI8oZlXLm_XrnBfu_AhEPntBZ9OUqTFLmx7BprCCvC1xDWXO9HprK2BMBzpIS2L01fNi4FCQMJgWPcJEguiNcVZKuZ_r4/s1600/IMG_5851.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309275455634578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO6yyyCQYccwvLtOHmdggOtIaH1DeLXixwUSlsTJWjYYEjuoADI8oZlXLm_XrnBfu_AhEPntBZ9OUqTFLmx7BprCCvC1xDWXO9HprK2BMBzpIS2L01fNi4FCQMJgWPcJEguiNcVZKuZ_r4/s320/IMG_5851.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lLIBhPva25N8cscQ2qsvNCBR2_F5ceg-IDdGxnfZRrfMIVrb3tzVxi9HwFGN1TasI06Y5GzJ9PZbd_FPWY5RdCU-r1V7VHqmQ0Y1hLghSFvRnKnXmSKPev7txvU5aULfwb0sYO5r38mc/s1600/IMG_5860.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612309272217332546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lLIBhPva25N8cscQ2qsvNCBR2_F5ceg-IDdGxnfZRrfMIVrb3tzVxi9HwFGN1TasI06Y5GzJ9PZbd_FPWY5RdCU-r1V7VHqmQ0Y1hLghSFvRnKnXmSKPev7txvU5aULfwb0sYO5r38mc/s320/IMG_5860.jpg" /></a><br />You have to pay close attention to the details and layout of the buildings, as often times they are aligned to represent greater objects like the man's head above. There's also crocodiles, condors, and other building/rock designs within the designs.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0khon1gvd4WDdLqbPvGMf0WxF4LHEW2cCrZ8aFou0xXCOxZX9y9W_jrE9vPM_CLAMjIRzdSpLpXJvYxB8LO5-PHa4r5Kvc4D8MtJKyVdHhMiI3Vk0dLvXkCfws45ZIulmsQPR9zYdsOuT/s1600/IMG_5866.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612308509667676898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0khon1gvd4WDdLqbPvGMf0WxF4LHEW2cCrZ8aFou0xXCOxZX9y9W_jrE9vPM_CLAMjIRzdSpLpXJvYxB8LO5-PHa4r5Kvc4D8MtJKyVdHhMiI3Vk0dLvXkCfws45ZIulmsQPR9zYdsOuT/s320/IMG_5866.jpg" /></a><br />This ruined building looks just like me!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0ysdKGZLWe0ESU0IltgCMeXQm_Bo8hws3iyL0EGa8ho-Ag7ycR7zdNPDwzMGiqsPEkOn0f8nDEFBt_BkBNoCMzN0Jb3riz7gB2JQFLIEjsI9fmFPDi2WGz2_2X-EUb8RPMHZaMnI8AwU/s1600/IMG_5868.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612308503680091570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0ysdKGZLWe0ESU0IltgCMeXQm_Bo8hws3iyL0EGa8ho-Ag7ycR7zdNPDwzMGiqsPEkOn0f8nDEFBt_BkBNoCMzN0Jb3riz7gB2JQFLIEjsI9fmFPDi2WGz2_2X-EUb8RPMHZaMnI8AwU/s320/IMG_5868.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RE9bSG_Lr2wTbg2XI379tQEGn6tgqd5b7JeKnDgcthSS3ksM2icNZbf_AtT_yB_EsdoJ8E1v0rvVxOGDrnzpDWAHH9ACOtiEoPSXeP2o_1A03zMd3H3IvE7M_Kw6EQCKVWhFqO98VVt5/s1600/IMG_5877.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612308505728327602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RE9bSG_Lr2wTbg2XI379tQEGn6tgqd5b7JeKnDgcthSS3ksM2icNZbf_AtT_yB_EsdoJ8E1v0rvVxOGDrnzpDWAHH9ACOtiEoPSXeP2o_1A03zMd3H3IvE7M_Kw6EQCKVWhFqO98VVt5/s320/IMG_5877.jpg" /></a> By the time we were finished walking up Machu Picchu and up and around the ruins (which is a feat within itself due to the steepness of the sight), both Lydia and I were completely drained. The previous night, we had stayed in an OK hostel, but what Lydia didn't know, was that while we were gone, I had hired someone to move our belongings over to a nice resort suite where we would be spending the next couple of days! This remained a surprise to Lydia right up to the point where I walked her through the door of our new hotel, as I continually kept saying to her to keep going a little further to get to our hostel, telling her that she was lost and didn't know where she was going!<br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612308501472696034" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6n-Y5RYEK0iTJmZsYsCkcqTDLqFKHSILNyWiCWfwxzplfVJyxWIyTqP2cC4kf4I7Vd5D0mC2LUhqyM6Jlbv9SPEivQG565EuaEhY4iL_6ux47KJldvP4aoy2rsnwRrHBQo-MZ8FJeBhV/s320/IMG_5881.jpg" /><br />Our upgraded room!<br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612310914672373298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYnvPEBKmHjNlOQnsx5nVQieKgSA8PyHAHCgy7z1gkovqG9f8ihfqMJm8Ity_IHjcWJ5lZdsmsZ1-rEDrHZdunDQQxsBZ69o7FJKBmwQMYsZywKZQbFZBC9e_oJrRG7iXyCviV11Mf5mMf/s320/IMG_0758.jpg" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Also included in this surprise was an AMAZING room service dinner (pictured above), and a couple of fine ladies to massage us to sleep in our beds that night. It was a really rough day after all!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612308500865103538" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1SwXtnBhuAVqH3VkHVjPuId8wX9iX5p0aOBG_Eux_OX2LJNHE7UP_-SdBa6kuYFvxfr8wG8sipu6Y7zJe5Pp1u2icKv1xweL_j9VR8o6g2z4haFam4XcwA0TWTnptecHRw63w3kr1a0SX/s320/IMG_5880.jpg" /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p>For so many reasons, our Machu Picchu experiece will forever be a lifetime hightlight! Not only was it a beautiful location drenched in history with magestic scenery, but it will forever be the place where I got to tie down my love FOREVER! That's right hun, NO ESCAPE! In all seriousness though, I couldn't be luckier, happier, or any more in love!</p>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-18150657175206951592011-05-15T13:01:00.000-07:002011-05-31T18:36:29.563-07:00Cusco - Part 1: Around the City<div>After our quick stop in Nazca, we boarded a bus the next night to head to Cusco. It was a grueling 18 or so hour ride, but the bus was rather comfortable with semi-camas and small meals served in transit.<br /><br />Upon our arrival, we quickly found a great little Spanish school in the San Blas Plaza area and signed up for a few weeks of courses. After a day of apartment searching, we thought we had a great little flat just a few flights of stairs up from our school. However, when we went to see if it was move-in ready (the owner promised to finish it within a few days to make it livable), we found that absolutely no work had been done... We then remembered that promises aren't taken very seriously in Peru and were very glad that we hadn't put any money down. So, we sadly had to move on and found a decent hostel with nice views (yet very poorly run) up the hill that gave us a discount for a month-long stay. Luckily, it came fully-furnished with pets, so we felt a bit at home!<br /><br />The San Blas area is absolutely beautiful, set atop a hill with a great panoramic view of the city and with Cusco's oldest church from the late 1500's (sorry, we were prohibited from taking photos of the elaborate work inside) and this gorgeous water fountain outside. The bad part about the area is that because it was the rainy season during our visit, this particular area of Cusco had water restrictions... Yes, water restrictions because there was too much water... We are still trying to figure that one out! So we would have tap water between 6 and 9 am, then if we were lucky, between 9 and around 11pm at night. We survived with the aid of a large bucket in our shower! Yet, this fountain continued to run all day long...<br /><br /><p><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811751919763954" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hQpdF_JWqSI-G0vRRJTlqNdSAcPQI4Syy7mr_rizE4iQxwWGNYY_faukzpCMQ7KOJXgrLIhG8AB7YRsqJYw6j_P96gLWMLmLKaU5I40LfJHe0LZistLQ4BkIxYhtlfAA2fCtEzMRkAFv/s320/IMG_5309+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />Part of the San Blas Cathedral.</p><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810172606324450" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMyx5W85Vvh_wF39ks-1yc6zwEdvvyPm1FMS3MWUU7uPvnr52vsSpiMAAMlQHoc5qGpLlVt1imCe_qPNcBjPCgXqFsT2KilN9tG4iTt5qj9py67T7tlwCVKM49gVuK-rui2vuQyRXzOgG/s320/IMG_5545+2.JPG" border="0" />When we first arrived in Cusco, we purchsed the two available bolleterias (passes) for city attractions. The Lonely Planet advised that these tickets were good for a month, as they include a large number of sites and museums, but we found they were only valid for 10 days (not the last time the Lonely Planet lies to us during our trip). Thus, our first week in Cusco was a whirl-wind of visiting as many sites as we could to get our money's worth!! This first site is Sacsayhuaman (pronounced almost like "sexy woman"). It was the first of many Incan sites we would soon visit!<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811534815327074" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Abu0gib_qXCH_R_450kyF6YywHe6kBj-KT1WnOHIuQpZhVTYNPB-cmIu1gCYSKpP9ocPvAMuUSGL7XK15LmPw5upaJoqXzB1xzPXQ0AkbJyykbKMkEyd3K_1PRfi73pP0NwhLocHYPz4/s320/IMG_5342+2.JPG" border="0" />Some pretty flowers hidden beside the stones.<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811528179885202" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_GEdnXRmCEcn3Dvx34dDwGHKuFkln417cG8dejrhx9GLLeU8cs0oBYy-LodgRMOpmDa-9UH5qXDw-446NvMUNDF52C-f62xiR0dtOESMpRdqpNxWRi_H4_t4hieut-z7F42eia5G148oI/s320/IMG_5348+2.JPG" border="0" />We met a couple of interesting characters along the way!<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811525522564162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPJXuBXgidQFzzKTKZ0uq5lS5T92BPAkjYn3A9Fg-QEV0mI2u-QaILF5todSx252YW5gofLb1ITklSQmWFYoo2zaUS7EGG32JBpfF6vwAqKqSXP5kUzaslu8VfGLtga5w6TotQUX9Kr0Dc/s320/IMG_5361+2.JPG" border="0" />It started pouring with rain when we arrived at these Incan baths of Tambomachay, so we felt as if we had been swimming like the Inca's did by the time we took this photo.<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811222351840834" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHv7jj9dWjlwUNKco1ObO_QTyrGeRsmfnu-uH87fg-KqBB8fpoDIT7JuILCD6Eb1wOESosVMWH19VnkC5UOxq2kkqK8B0GH3Lm6QNR3cmr8qPB_1DtOuD3OsSvJZsHuwTSUE_lesO5-Qj/s320/IMG_5366+2.JPG" border="0" /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811232879414802" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHKkGGWnWfBqq5uZekLxTQ8DVJMfHIMQ00U_2OaXVlj4ttpD2027LaaDeNGf7wyQpfHur9XXRpafbMk-Vh6CDvFm7wQX-le0G29EsSfRzcJLrZQ9b2eS1KVz-PDx391LA8UdaYcWWHH9PF/s320/IMG_5364+2.JPG" border="0" />A courtyard in one of Cusco's many beautiful museums (and quite frankly, the most interesting part of this particular one)!<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811537640747026" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15rFeT5b534uM3LuXAUXL8ux_MHjxzUAJ4M_AJmjEmgrQgW42Ls4NFOIACCTYYqJpvg4Q8AJRbJ6R0jt_P9zPDCJD5SBze4gDvqv6XVYBrwHSorLxW3V5BIreoW2I_ovTSavG3qxNEbyp/s320/IMG_5327+2.JPG" border="0" />A city view at dusk.<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811217152158946" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOzmI7iX7_I163CMTemSHa3xerCDI9dz7608EMLzn0ZBnWsivmj2gzPG_8X9zsMl3Pv98DdX5C2HdUetGrT0lm8Vz_bUQ2w7Zhf-OZJcDxFbfAgFdkNXhvBuoMGikYZGXQLtuVr1dnQcT6/s320/IMG_5399+2.JPG" border="0" />Cusco has many surprises and breathtaking views around each and every corner. However, due to its hilly layout, even a casual stroll is like walking on a stairmaster!<br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811210161528242" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nAc6CMzeRVcJA8q4253LJwo8-t3phX5kd5pZpk6mupEUtO9f98lCZagh2JiYI2wEctE4kveeRLaZUpvLPNc6LQR8rwI5rGNURH8_yFwyrYViqerg3MkkvSF6qDX09H3T_rXTGqCs0-Hh/s320/IMG_5418+2.JPG" border="0" />We were lucky enough to catch Cusco's version of Carnival. This consisted of a parade with floats, traditional costume and dress, beer, foam and water balloons!<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810653001981794" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhACdADpt-q93yupc-HcR4gkUuz9MHLJI_TrbWbNRHgBlCQTWtlxUnWmctUmpqMW4xyoRiUmnd59JfPToWpe36Ku9KLWby1s_qHOSBqMVGPsEGnHzcNOM1LXHj2NoXvwxnVw8IvlN2QXDj6/s320/IMG_5427+2.JPG" border="0" />A traditional Cusquenian - drinking a Cusqueña cerveza!<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810648720322130" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXdOE0bU5F2DOGIcrEG5pE-IFytZsCn7yRvirYh3SQqeLPqZdEtSymJgiEj1LSt77cwI9YmjGCM7AF4qy7M-TJ2w2SG6bFrcz7YPxVh-YwEGoLgG6s46Kq6wSpAbBUAWNUEY-5qP62f2G9/s320/IMG_5434+2.JPG" border="0" />The crowd gathered in the Plaza de Armas to watch the festivities.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810642459032226" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNxNt7-_QTnFLtZSlDsBHcv-fWCI-EapyJDhHDq68mQNpwxRkZlvns7Q73lj8U8TmC307YNse1GZUUs2aPFh83WklVu8tWpCmETXrXVfX_ymKwP04gdO2Aim3kDJqUfO1ndf7TdJnNDe4/s320/IMG_5438+2.JPG" border="0" />We ventured to two of Cusco's art museums. This one had some very interesting biblical depictions...<br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810641949174402" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpv4oZQnEG8YLzGnYjYmAHBeKqSPPVPbI8IXFtMp8I94BBymafvYuhs3blV4zZ0_egeXqptw8wbl-7OE2x8fsOySoWgg1YvHbWXKtfIJzrINymGE3uzEQPYGD6AtSIMSngvwRnmgvXno-a/s320/IMG_5447+2.JPG" border="0" />...And this one had some very interesting works as well... What an odd aspect of life to find inspiration for a, uummm, masterpiece! <img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810415641665634" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKe5PlNaRWLfRPE9WG1gKlzEZe9UFX4MY6oysLsRvuZwIZbUtomjft4kBloaG0JVThQGi_V-LG3tgblF1cimfq75WIIEiDNE7bmA08LBTNyv5O1OT4sXYnjDjl5QWxiIWphz9JpsR42KX/s320/IMG_5464+2.JPG" border="0" />The Plaza de Armas is a beautiful place to sit and people watch. It isn't overly relaxing for tourists, as you get bombarded with people selling mass-produced paintings, trays of candies, shoe shines, and really annoying nut cases that they click in your face like false teeth. Yet, as you can see, the locals can relax and even find enough peace for a quick nap. <img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810409998387474" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZxnHmsaqV2YTTjCGff_E1GXeeO9LRZ6not1oJ-eY74cynY3NRp6nTohLO_nnHReKcXE-KuGDWOnjZr258N5qdL5NQMvY-nkyo2Ap9DEjKPEe-A2w-8IOb4Tdwen3PtmKK5PsElYOhR9cu/s320/IMG_5483+2.JPG" border="0" />Fountain in the Plaza de Armas.<br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810403957789154" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIgeNB3NzvDa9mkz402ejol-Nn3kJbzmHCWBJzMqpsFYjVmSfUdPPBoQzTvflrPswkkny6R-E_fKqTuRLEaf6hbZt-AMeoifrv_nBH6yf2ZqlpbsUZ8qi5mhT-UBGBqHChQVuovr-u7Y8w/s320/IMG_5484+2.JPG" border="0" />This is a giant monument on the outskirts of town that can be climbed for a nice view.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810166293992498" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-qQrDZks1NeQrmsWLY-RnyFPSFuuHcPUMuDjlc6Ew5ekQuY81N9Trqmc6oiGL9XVZVwGS_ezZBXlGi24JRVrwvM_3M9dVCYx6kDZ83kKMMkAwM9m-WzTHihs7gU9-o5WDgwDPsxE9RF3/s320/IMG_5621+2.JPG" border="0" />This is a nice view from the monument of a Peruvian coat of arms carved into the hillside.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810168812931058" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcAnSbOUAjQZcFNZBQr51QR7tIFLPnOQM2xmdyRJ0Pz1cN-LAoYgI0D0hTdAlgG8AJ_R4-sGEcMTjnwtb3SybjghuizEFX7o5ttpp9uICe3PKkRA-Pyz-N9FuJ0YgkgF1T9W0C7r7-QHT/s320/IMG_5619+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />Plaza de Armas at dusk.<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809916246736386" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ48bjsVLKWSFMhSXNVKVUdBCtdkULdGrlmrTGmEJCv0oAlYFydhnL-uoHuGYYpXVb9W7FfM1WMedOXAdVi9n9RUYCWzqOrbb0dFzINB3wps3LzOHXlDk8K3AuxKPdf3nnPYWrychrOYYk/s320/IMG_5897+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />The main Cathedral haunts the square at night.<br /> <img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811760882608162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9pj0eCvKUZc9pxU1vlwRyoS4anc5CcdoY9v9Uw_B8zsZgrPXFQ0T5WrFnoztAdZp1R5yx2G1jH2rgM3LFHPkrUGH6fkNSQPi3UDTinocbqZL6NjGCVG9gah24rlaF3rjOV8-sMmvHNpv4/s320/IMG_5297+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />We were very lucky to catch a song and dance performance at the Cusco Native Arts Centre. The band was fantastic, and the dancers\singers were captivating!<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810397039851842" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQnBZbP9-poMVHlmhNGP9vfE3QCNdtaLpuDAsLxKCyAwVjoGxsmoQmLOzxgURb3679mcaz0XIOlGBBgeW2UPzO_Ujeez-6Ay-XavB8bEmht47xUUCiqZUONdrN_ee_gbLSASX-WcIRq_G/s320/IMG_5489+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />This is part of one of the 3 types of traditional Peruvian Marinera dances (the most romantic one - maybe we should break it out at the wedding! Wait, haven't gotten that far yet...).<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810173353379922" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDHZvmumnJk5VLv5IFrea5laNMySmtA1RLdp0kio2Ci9y7fT_bMWL6MAgCWhRg_35r34n0lyu62rhuIsboGg6q5eaoFU59dL8MZIGoMIqWN_dKXk_F14eP5Aiwp2aoxHBj866_L9WBUrV/s320/IMG_5537+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />This was a folksy native dance, which consisted of lifts and yodel-like noises by the ladies!<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810174019155154" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDu7suI9JsLwDNs8jaidxSIS6HNphmvzMYl446MUYxKgQRQD9tgkZHsMPNcLihbTQzS_tYo8LiDOvI7OD2QcT-m605ebP33nOokJaUHobW9_v49UvauuoW0D-4mTSi-l10s-lnzJp2SFr/s320/IMG_5510+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />Tyrone felt inspired by the performances, so he decided to change up his look with a 'stash and sport his panama hat...<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811214717101970" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTkBRMD2QcDRBDw4no-EOXT79e23dwvnnG3k0a1aHfYl4-ENrEiPLkv521PpgB0lLMZgg3z7fjPOdv1NxRG4OQxdXHiL9FE_IkCg1vlxNrgH-ON6CW82dotAk_9bkzYJuTVnVyExH7VQpt/s320/IMG_5411+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />So I fed him some crack nuts, which brought him back to reality...<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810656900297170" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5O_hwWVyKThMnU-Sy6jbM8P6GPVfwlE2MpK5ZH5JvtAdqIc9m0sOsl1YceNHbMxIQwN_bFIQqa-vmZmWbMSv31tksNzFFv0tstkZtYnaWOeNBCqHTG2QTepJJpd2fzmayhgZ4BFdr9Q7e/s320/IMG_5426+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />Unfortunately, one of the resident dogs also got into the crack nuts and decided to steal a box of our Kraft Dinner and roll around with it in general happy-doggy manner.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607810417943562514" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgieQrv4axW-48wpT28ZfnFc4OcZ-HZgi1aihCK03F-xTRmMhNOb9bJGOX0ISW2LXaXPbST4RBTVlgfHKdfx8diFE3QgqshiLCqqL-tSfaTsIansw7_J2jznVhqoL7Eal3FTShNBA6Fi0Uz/s320/IMG_5450+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />Another of our adopted pets, Licky Skittles from Huanchacko, spent most of his time sitting on the balcony and admiring the view.<img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809920530373602" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0-p8PEP99thT9zGa9Lx7lMqwMmEPcLUJ4XZ2uM9xSWxJ1GderRNHUJUBuniPDm5ksEdSCgnvVgFf4n9QL7Q0JvL0ELpSQRjUHG-hr48GNtLIOSc_GFo3NLS98H_SbRSPFIjCKiorH9bM/s320/IMG_5894+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />Licky wanted to send a special shout-out to a friend and give you guys a look around Cusco:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5cdzYJi17xmBrRcrWkuY6H5hwAinEIbhsjIIXMqPvyqmxdQsbLQ32x5hfHkp_aaNq3np_gBJf8so4qfC3-huhWlx2dPSVjpzlTswrhxsRNqtFTe6Vx-VdWlXfrT653uuQMGfcthEaNpT/s1600/Imagen+017+2.JPG"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzGiQhDTbzKl1NUm62fUAkRW9tWx6PKt0pB7hmmZ25-dbiT_UBb7OpSQ7J3hs1VUZNtLfqdt6rP_Mxt3A53' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></a><br /><br />Another pet, Rambo, liked to laze about on the porch as well during the afternoon sun.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809927848559938" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvvKVP1OwawZoJMapRrSRwJ3g2x7iagGmUB_WPxZ5yQIgpmkuSZFtXcChQ6FIIYtdzSWZCGrLiOODhwNWuZpf72lDToG9KRaBhGG8Q8vcQC1q0HjjqnxKIWoolsegfRTEgdzUrak9XLEt/s320/IMG_5884+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />Our adopted kitties, Rambo and Rosie.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 240px; display: block; height: 320px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809604447674450" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw25M32t-1N9rKFMdumolBa3PG6qQcZy9O8-3yKasuW0pDIDXhjvB2VOCZYBOf0ulLCgQw-Oq5vtbzc1BqNM63bywTtZvr-1Cf9SfxydpZoApOlQm94hEOOviNK5VQ8P5wmsLPxNIv1FY-/s320/IMG_0762+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />We made it to a soccer game in Cusco - the local college team, the Ciencias, played another Peruvian team, from where we cannot remember.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809911838534162" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkoUCu04G7ZZH0UGPI20DS54kkZadOrWuPSrX-RM87cUmGqwlu6luT70mnYEBr_XwWbVG9cB3gEKGQPwoo8uUuZLQTl6FI9YUhg8_Oz6XWbV7bn_uq6ngpSHYvmg6g9H2HPtsFSfALGo5l/s320/IMG_5913+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />The Ciencias mascott (or biggest fan, not sure which) dressed up in traditional gear and threw candy and cheers into the crowd.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809618497708594" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1UaNV1DTm3QeWC75zTWhzttw1dIUDUNASSYoITPmRIMHh2jLRbjDLXWx-QzW8-XAMfOEaS_a3qqpWWwQLDKwwSfmWDJRakHo2-5MoSCNfD7n5ypVI-o-6gpcqnsm89J-lu-a5ByQv1VYg/s320/IMG_5923+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />A very supportive fan.<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809912291262194" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPNQy8FJxvb9ldiHzsnOxprsIIs6td8_Be_q4XwB6_NoPcaQLoT2QZ5CmUBp0H-_bVaDzhaKdA1pPk0nfHAeGjnIoNDsvUqaqGQmFScsy4ULX5XTCBYBEAtcA6Yk5Av9BkgUXbpKz6_H0R/s320/IMG_5900+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />Tyrone captured the shot that got the Ciencias their first GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAALLLL!!!!<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809620956386306" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0GJMJC10pv_Q3xVn-wr8SzoBHj4WSA5SfdPJ_xRAvaLVTPTOKXVxqjvuzSYEJNAMc4taOpwIjBzWNZhaB3SDBCBcWnPCp1pt4IQO3yRbFPGwKL1mqL4M7j11GjiXbfLEElhtpTTf9CbM_/s320/IMG_5919+2.JPG" border="0" /><br />When we left in October, many people told us to "enjoy the spam and water back-packers diet"; however, we have eaten no such things!!! (Well, water, of course...) Anywho, we had some of the best food we have ever eaten in Cusco and were informed that the best Peruvian chefs go here to cook, most likely due to the tourism.<br /><br />This particular meal, a take on an English breakfast, filled even Tyrone up to the brim of his wellies!<br /><br /><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607811756793872594" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4M5V1uPa4HQevDnzFS8D5bKeIcNrCYWbJXE0NH4JYsFmmiiQ0HtbwUkwJg8Qdkiy1mwn_10v0Z9aPj85Lbo2AXQfdDLIOt6t29kwzhlo9NZcv2YiglmyuoHbzICjkUWFnNr0ET8uFsvi_/s320/IMG_5302+2.JPG" border="0" /><p>Real gourmet Peruvian dish: alpaca meatballs with honey-balsamic glaze.<br /></p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5cdzYJi17xmBrRcrWkuY6H5hwAinEIbhsjIIXMqPvyqmxdQsbLQ32x5hfHkp_aaNq3np_gBJf8so4qfC3-huhWlx2dPSVjpzlTswrhxsRNqtFTe6Vx-VdWlXfrT653uuQMGfcthEaNpT/s1600/Imagen+017+2.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809605977182770" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF5cdzYJi17xmBrRcrWkuY6H5hwAinEIbhsjIIXMqPvyqmxdQsbLQ32x5hfHkp_aaNq3np_gBJf8so4qfC3-huhWlx2dPSVjpzlTswrhxsRNqtFTe6Vx-VdWlXfrT653uuQMGfcthEaNpT/s320/Imagen+017+2.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p>My favourite: Asian chicken with yoghurt dressing on a bed of yam chips... drooooooool!!!</p><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYF3QjP73_OFQRwyBO0vCJd5GNHPEsHYvGpNElTcYrytZ64baFEQwUqqknEt67KPUmk0LNZ8VtSjzZCBr1DhyWyJH6ATRs-p3wVZiqoYiVe6ujGqmNAWGwzw_xOqvyvhKD1hrk1eW-vmY/s1600/Imagen+018+2.JPG"><img style="text-align: center; margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 320px; display: block; height: 240px;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5607809609346653106" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYF3QjP73_OFQRwyBO0vCJd5GNHPEsHYvGpNElTcYrytZ64baFEQwUqqknEt67KPUmk0LNZ8VtSjzZCBr1DhyWyJH6ATRs-p3wVZiqoYiVe6ujGqmNAWGwzw_xOqvyvhKD1hrk1eW-vmY/s320/Imagen+018+2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></p><br /></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-67634483156175430112011-04-29T17:46:00.000-07:002011-04-29T18:27:06.147-07:00NazcaIt was hard to leave the pretty oasis town of Huacachina, but due to the less than stellar hotel staff, we were off to Nazca where we could spot a few of the famous Nazca Lines.<br /><br />We decided not to take a plane tour of all the lines, seeing as we were informed that the planes frequently crash and numerous people have already died this year. This is due to poor plane maintenance and questionable piloting; however, we have been informed that harsher restrictions are now being enforced, including the requirement of two pilots. Still, it was not a risk we were willing to take to see a few large drawings.<br /><br />Luckily, there are a couple of view points that you can get to via taxi, so we got to see two of the giant ancient pictures.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGXb-jKpW1fajgJL-31PQKAbFh0iL3DmMYrBHf4gQjVseAY-Z2iuixX7l9CN1IYJNZVfgm5tjp7KDXhsWiRNMCIQgeUeqhx01iYC38KU7SwT85P-wkw_c1XmTkTSoc-OoqUQQMJ7bMPwc/s1600/IMG_5256+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381592052075410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYGXb-jKpW1fajgJL-31PQKAbFh0iL3DmMYrBHf4gQjVseAY-Z2iuixX7l9CN1IYJNZVfgm5tjp7KDXhsWiRNMCIQgeUeqhx01iYC38KU7SwT85P-wkw_c1XmTkTSoc-OoqUQQMJ7bMPwc/s320/IMG_5256+2.jpg" /></a><br />Nazca has actually quite a few historic site attractions, including this ancient water system, consisting of miles of these connected spiral water pits.<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApqpW-PFpXaTRK24R2tbmb51jkKFzXnrOZAEjFeebn8Lz8HZvyAsMhigNvXuedoWNgk6mifVewiMLB_PTh634gAfnaeSMPnM__-TmM7tmAInSkH6sE1rm2xX96IWb6-6C0B1sNRnDU2Cr/s1600/IMG_5265+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381594197631154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApqpW-PFpXaTRK24R2tbmb51jkKFzXnrOZAEjFeebn8Lz8HZvyAsMhigNvXuedoWNgk6mifVewiMLB_PTh634gAfnaeSMPnM__-TmM7tmAInSkH6sE1rm2xX96IWb6-6C0B1sNRnDU2Cr/s320/IMG_5265+2.jpg" /></a><br />Our guide was insisting that we try the water, but our stomachs had other ideas!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv5bpQ5hcfcI5CtGAQny8RE9KJVFySytzykt6CVX8c6VpiFpGRo5uK0RrDKJO17QB-8j5XIhClvFMM-cFmpazyepv9yydKyBYP5wnEW5i1xRgifdhbMx2RwN_7_rhVuet4HTqRgHtIi-L/s1600/IMG_5267+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381583207659986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNv5bpQ5hcfcI5CtGAQny8RE9KJVFySytzykt6CVX8c6VpiFpGRo5uK0RrDKJO17QB-8j5XIhClvFMM-cFmpazyepv9yydKyBYP5wnEW5i1xRgifdhbMx2RwN_7_rhVuet4HTqRgHtIi-L/s320/IMG_5267+2.jpg" /></a><br />One of the large spiral pits.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t3ALyDc0Bay8qlY26L61kRLnSzt1SzM45C7y8kawpTzRk6UPsBt0UT9WQ-ufPM49FkYbwAZVK3Vu_s0l0MOzN2DMDkDXlCrNQl4YJkHUHwM5hV92_pVfRVINPOXkp6KGlcJmLmCY5qjB/s1600/IMG_5270+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381584810486002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-t3ALyDc0Bay8qlY26L61kRLnSzt1SzM45C7y8kawpTzRk6UPsBt0UT9WQ-ufPM49FkYbwAZVK3Vu_s0l0MOzN2DMDkDXlCrNQl4YJkHUHwM5hV92_pVfRVINPOXkp6KGlcJmLmCY5qjB/s320/IMG_5270+2.jpg" /></a><br />Nazca is known to have the largest sand dune in the world - which is the absolute monster of a dune seen in the background behind the mountains. It is called Cerro Blanco, and is over 2000m above sea level. If you are crazy enough, you can take an expensive tour where you walk up one of the sides for over 3 hours to get to the summit!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOf9OjGSu9hCgEJYLnaJE9gYE-X7oxEaGrfUeW57yRPSmwS2RpzJ38mFWpMRbzhXPjI2auiW3NtujMB_ncvI2VHvoeJcPgJW2RrBuaOaWiP67qbFkqKT0WZw1EbSH9bYNH9zMdNTRMizJt/s1600/IMG_5271+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381293748446498" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOf9OjGSu9hCgEJYLnaJE9gYE-X7oxEaGrfUeW57yRPSmwS2RpzJ38mFWpMRbzhXPjI2auiW3NtujMB_ncvI2VHvoeJcPgJW2RrBuaOaWiP67qbFkqKT0WZw1EbSH9bYNH9zMdNTRMizJt/s320/IMG_5271+2.jpg" /></a><br />There were many cactus fields surrounding Nazca... which stopped us from frolicking in the meadows.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE43VIpvOHVqPJiOszSlTmjEHaDqRSo6ww1Azlt11U80Lv2AbMLecY8AoydfxmR6Oq17pcpKWAJ2ToPMxY8FpWLzCpWs4qa3nX-qjc-klievbtLoz39Woo3bznrIGhgIlAMEoK5gHAGBu/s1600/IMG_5273+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381287731547986" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNE43VIpvOHVqPJiOszSlTmjEHaDqRSo6ww1Azlt11U80Lv2AbMLecY8AoydfxmR6Oq17pcpKWAJ2ToPMxY8FpWLzCpWs4qa3nX-qjc-klievbtLoz39Woo3bznrIGhgIlAMEoK5gHAGBu/s320/IMG_5273+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1znxexxACk2s4NcMXSxhje3iEQoI7LAQlUqBpbWR6R_NfLbrm_97qsRKe3tkuzQJt3Wynt10UlJVjlg9kbklPcFEVLwJi8ttW1GP5LQ_WWubt1opcuOLTHTMU7wlZbheo-ymrqHEe9xWG/s1600/IMG_5277+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381281806937218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1znxexxACk2s4NcMXSxhje3iEQoI7LAQlUqBpbWR6R_NfLbrm_97qsRKe3tkuzQJt3Wynt10UlJVjlg9kbklPcFEVLwJi8ttW1GP5LQ_WWubt1opcuOLTHTMU7wlZbheo-ymrqHEe9xWG/s320/IMG_5277+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>We climbed some ruins in the desert heat, the significance of which was not explained to us, but I assume they are also Nazcan and old.</div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oG1EuPXd01yUEaydExtv6DpnhI4cBGZGF5IBbDlRvQOxoMMZQNy6sI4nakdmBKBiDN65RCgbW1w6La5R6GiNq9SSQR8S4bcN5iLHUfx-eebIdGqAHWVuW7yk-yLz5kowXNRZ_Je8CjFh/s1600/IMG_5280+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381284145349794" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oG1EuPXd01yUEaydExtv6DpnhI4cBGZGF5IBbDlRvQOxoMMZQNy6sI4nakdmBKBiDN65RCgbW1w6La5R6GiNq9SSQR8S4bcN5iLHUfx-eebIdGqAHWVuW7yk-yLz5kowXNRZ_Je8CjFh/s320/IMG_5280+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>This is why they are called "ruins".</div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6gppWxpV0VTiFF8dK01dG57VJNXyjCGOu75pHFzejoNsYn1vFuXDWMCsMlbXkjmFl2De2sOB5b2kNWhEIJ_65uxssVlQbYz-HzHXjHr1WC_bqkL8GZBtY6ES7ir7m1F_bO44NTnV-G7i/s1600/IMG_5283+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381277833593650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6gppWxpV0VTiFF8dK01dG57VJNXyjCGOu75pHFzejoNsYn1vFuXDWMCsMlbXkjmFl2De2sOB5b2kNWhEIJ_65uxssVlQbYz-HzHXjHr1WC_bqkL8GZBtY6ES7ir7m1F_bO44NTnV-G7i/s320/IMG_5283+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>We only spent one day in Nazca, and that was enough for us. The town itself was a bit of a dust pit, full of over-priced restaurants and tour companies. We were just happy our hostal had a swimming pool, which is greatly needed after walking around in the desert heat all day!</div></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-52565360423509384492011-04-08T21:21:00.000-07:002011-04-24T18:56:48.889-07:00Islas BolestrasWhen we missed our stop in Pisco, we were upset that we may have missed our chance to visit the Islas Bolestras. However, when we arrived in Huacachina, we found out that they do the exact same tours for an extremely reasonable price! The Islas Bolestras have been lovingly referred to as "The Poor Man's Galapagos of Peru."<br /><br /><br /><br />On the way to the Islas Bolestras is this candelabra (although some believe it to be a kind of cactus instead) that was apparently carved around 150 years ago.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssIdWdZml4YpcqTqPpPgc7EgfBaZVN3HkkcL-gI1XIbqxVVQhbxHYkpHKrQyIFbVV4ptQsCRirGDDMDaxw7IrbTuqLRIAIvLqDOOVFxH5DpY08lgIOQp74a_QPGzGUIU5YU3xADpETH0h/s1600/IMG_5176+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378552686950258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjssIdWdZml4YpcqTqPpPgc7EgfBaZVN3HkkcL-gI1XIbqxVVQhbxHYkpHKrQyIFbVV4ptQsCRirGDDMDaxw7IrbTuqLRIAIvLqDOOVFxH5DpY08lgIOQp74a_QPGzGUIU5YU3xADpETH0h/s320/IMG_5176+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />Our boat was followed by a series of birds on our way to the islas.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S-iJA7WTZZFnnXnc_xtHIZmprMddOSI7iMnbYs4xG4fyI_06Z2HJB0qavg3yQw-x9o2DXvEK43zO76-GZmWHZBWi2H78e4nL4qTu9thEEr-12VZl6_cgeSsX-TJ6E55ayEkJLc00uttD/s1600/IMG_5183+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378550947781250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2S-iJA7WTZZFnnXnc_xtHIZmprMddOSI7iMnbYs4xG4fyI_06Z2HJB0qavg3yQw-x9o2DXvEK43zO76-GZmWHZBWi2H78e4nL4qTu9thEEr-12VZl6_cgeSsX-TJ6E55ayEkJLc00uttD/s320/IMG_5183+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Our first sneek-peek of the beautiful, rocky islands.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWaP1S_F6v0sMX-rndKW5eSRtF5Twoeu5_X-t3AhvlhiUdlMb4x7Kkh3qokSWykyFPKYLn3c4zYurSGvdnFYIkqX1sovPnCyj6O1wIG8-W9-MVTeTYGFyzDDhdt7Nnu3dzXYHi53ks9-m/s1600/IMG_5186+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378549417587650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWaP1S_F6v0sMX-rndKW5eSRtF5Twoeu5_X-t3AhvlhiUdlMb4x7Kkh3qokSWykyFPKYLn3c4zYurSGvdnFYIkqX1sovPnCyj6O1wIG8-W9-MVTeTYGFyzDDhdt7Nnu3dzXYHi53ks9-m/s320/IMG_5186+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Our captain first drove us up to this little cove full of barking sea lions.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR7LcaQ-BcyUv1eDymcrkqIsL6FeaOFybdcv_Vqn-6XXtePadhXVh-JSPJyMEtQFKRjqgE5gzspWjEKtjXhyphenhyphenkkwehMzYtlgNlZ2cxfwPE80GvdhXMXVwzT-fVsiWzHCRMLNyn8mkkDNvu/s1600/IMG_5192+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378542436142930" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR7LcaQ-BcyUv1eDymcrkqIsL6FeaOFybdcv_Vqn-6XXtePadhXVh-JSPJyMEtQFKRjqgE5gzspWjEKtjXhyphenhyphenkkwehMzYtlgNlZ2cxfwPE80GvdhXMXVwzT-fVsiWzHCRMLNyn8mkkDNvu/s320/IMG_5192+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />And then we proceeded around the corner to see the many different types of birds living in harmony with one-another.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ5mhs8Lxz1Hry1qCUw3nViJHlvTEj5Dg_lHhVzhajk7DIM-ZvvjUKGxRac4Uy_dImXNwdToZ1uGaxEg-WXwKP9hNbMAe9DrscqeBxt-Ri49SbR0QC56zbEBpEz3ueokIW3avEpnh8KfE/s1600/IMG_5195+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378543234018626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbZ5mhs8Lxz1Hry1qCUw3nViJHlvTEj5Dg_lHhVzhajk7DIM-ZvvjUKGxRac4Uy_dImXNwdToZ1uGaxEg-WXwKP9hNbMAe9DrscqeBxt-Ri49SbR0QC56zbEBpEz3ueokIW3avEpnh8KfE/s320/IMG_5195+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />The islands were completely unique, as they were basically completely flora-baren rocks ranging from small to big.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfpGI_0CvvhO-fLzsjvul_2vgCq7MgYfG__af-JwD6gC0KysO6GIMlpSaTalNS3MFIJvJwW1zpt0uktPObG5_wu1frfMK2SRyR3Fck8SpRnclHxt53WRTJOHj3M1KrUAfPEUMmiBgx9xV/s1600/IMG_5196+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378176977580098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDfpGI_0CvvhO-fLzsjvul_2vgCq7MgYfG__af-JwD6gC0KysO6GIMlpSaTalNS3MFIJvJwW1zpt0uktPObG5_wu1frfMK2SRyR3Fck8SpRnclHxt53WRTJOHj3M1KrUAfPEUMmiBgx9xV/s320/IMG_5196+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We were both super happy, as we got to see many more penguins! This little guy was doing a little dance down the rocks for us.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbHdcPG0TMwAG9gaCeUfIFe_xSUdI2Kgz9k3lp0877EFdRo3qkXITGZqjbHRx58nBeicn3Ttu3i2tatX0N0j1pCTtn7gXZpxst24gSbgU3hbdJRdoP9doQde7iPGz6ETbIVw8Co5UQ-UK/s1600/IMG_5199+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378173031865170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqbHdcPG0TMwAG9gaCeUfIFe_xSUdI2Kgz9k3lp0877EFdRo3qkXITGZqjbHRx58nBeicn3Ttu3i2tatX0N0j1pCTtn7gXZpxst24gSbgU3hbdJRdoP9doQde7iPGz6ETbIVw8Co5UQ-UK/s320/IMG_5199+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Here is a rock cave full of sea lions (we could hear them through the dark) and covered in millions of nesting birds.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguunvF5JPBSwOZwcpQJOihYRYI9UXl3OC2Y7YD93Fc9QdZYw34LdfuOjPdVWxNdhMul7EeGDdccI1d21vYFfobCs31_ScLO8IdfpDQTuR-dfuNrgoZzmv1CavTw4QhMhe9hoSi4TXn4avT/s1600/IMG_5204+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378169170074962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguunvF5JPBSwOZwcpQJOihYRYI9UXl3OC2Y7YD93Fc9QdZYw34LdfuOjPdVWxNdhMul7EeGDdccI1d21vYFfobCs31_ScLO8IdfpDQTuR-dfuNrgoZzmv1CavTw4QhMhe9hoSi4TXn4avT/s320/IMG_5204+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br />More birds and caves!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-3TfPbFz2l6oFqeW-lon0xVTmGB1doIV_AVNd_WLh3shTXhswL1MKICI20Kkh6R6wg1tAgZiYbKLZeTLP2SG1s_8KkS-HOM_vgP-dAFEh2XVq1CqCXu3WdvGmsCUCS3uRBqUNJV6rWDy/s1600/IMG_5206+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378169788021666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-3TfPbFz2l6oFqeW-lon0xVTmGB1doIV_AVNd_WLh3shTXhswL1MKICI20Kkh6R6wg1tAgZiYbKLZeTLP2SG1s_8KkS-HOM_vgP-dAFEh2XVq1CqCXu3WdvGmsCUCS3uRBqUNJV6rWDy/s320/IMG_5206+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>There is also a research station out on the desolate rock islands where people will spend months on end studying the surrounding creatures. This seems like a pretty cool job, but please note that all the birds and sea lions create quite a stench, which was almost intolerable!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNxmNCFbJ3a1ORRszMWiClmwoh7YoQGSddf1iJRkxVRjKKFcNU17Gg_4j7hqCW26kmhPzli0NKzC3SjMHF7zyy2INj5q_TvX_Lyt8C2ZwnZmlHED_zzURxyD94gxE9SHO2RdJeQJJIXdP/s1600/IMG_5215+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593378167053289938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUNxmNCFbJ3a1ORRszMWiClmwoh7YoQGSddf1iJRkxVRjKKFcNU17Gg_4j7hqCW26kmhPzli0NKzC3SjMHF7zyy2INj5q_TvX_Lyt8C2ZwnZmlHED_zzURxyD94gxE9SHO2RdJeQJJIXdP/s320/IMG_5215+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO908a1lUvqnUNGN8qP5jeNm00APoGMgqUrGyYxLQ1v5VNh-uPq_4hjxYHuM8P3lRdgv51scpobnozTdFcQauCOMp9GCpH5RQajc-ITwUXcLc_pxqkKMaZ6yWA6agnIdnon8XlA-5rsQMk/s1600/IMG_5218+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593377745311869218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO908a1lUvqnUNGN8qP5jeNm00APoGMgqUrGyYxLQ1v5VNh-uPq_4hjxYHuM8P3lRdgv51scpobnozTdFcQauCOMp9GCpH5RQajc-ITwUXcLc_pxqkKMaZ6yWA6agnIdnon8XlA-5rsQMk/s320/IMG_5218+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>A group of pelicans, with a few penguins and peruvian boobies mixed in!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFE-ZMrWS84E7tXbjA_yY9ErPZ-3QojfY7doA9QhvYk476i4Iu4ptAYTyLgv4EKKugUWOV3HYwlcV6pwEjL5NgEsNIDUoCJnb50D5rT6dSKj8_1e89KhRa-FVxXooMjR03tImSLPQo-eO6/s1600/IMG_5237+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593377743501005778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFE-ZMrWS84E7tXbjA_yY9ErPZ-3QojfY7doA9QhvYk476i4Iu4ptAYTyLgv4EKKugUWOV3HYwlcV6pwEjL5NgEsNIDUoCJnb50D5rT6dSKj8_1e89KhRa-FVxXooMjR03tImSLPQo-eO6/s320/IMG_5237+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>A big bull sea lion came over to say hello to our group. The male sea lions look quite a bit different in Peru than in the Galapagos, as they are much fatter with squished faces.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90OK3uiGxN0JS1GJDovCcfOQsmDUV6whjBlvMPCxHVkF62gHNCtXVaqoe2C_SWTaW6gBc66Mfx5ooFGAHpxHydQJxfhe3Z3dnwRPhpmCVfqC99pTfNWBTcr426X6Rfs3AXvCNxdCRqgVr/s1600/IMG_5242+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593377742420882050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90OK3uiGxN0JS1GJDovCcfOQsmDUV6whjBlvMPCxHVkF62gHNCtXVaqoe2C_SWTaW6gBc66Mfx5ooFGAHpxHydQJxfhe3Z3dnwRPhpmCVfqC99pTfNWBTcr426X6Rfs3AXvCNxdCRqgVr/s320/IMG_5242+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>You can see the dozens of babies scrambling towards their respective mothers, below.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9fgtupB9nMKtTUPCufIarJk66AEPNPuErKaHRQ6_OiPg3d5p6vP3qiBjSYBOsNQWr2MrLIzCMixEKofTHAXM_6AEaFSsT7__c3VIsa1vTeKV0pPYqALhIXB_y7o7E3GzG5OGMYq8p50F/s1600/IMG_5244+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593377741321582354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU9fgtupB9nMKtTUPCufIarJk66AEPNPuErKaHRQ6_OiPg3d5p6vP3qiBjSYBOsNQWr2MrLIzCMixEKofTHAXM_6AEaFSsT7__c3VIsa1vTeKV0pPYqALhIXB_y7o7E3GzG5OGMYq8p50F/s320/IMG_5244+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /><div>We were both really glad we didn't miss out on the Islas Bolestras, as they were quite unique compared to the Galapagos - the landscape was entirely different and so were a lot of the bird and sea lion species. The only thing we missed out on were the dolphins that sometimes follow the boat!</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpA_C2dn4-bahAavem-hQKVD43x2bxie71xx0KUtBihQTnvo8m_vk6U8xx030IXrOkm26F-v7todeNzbFNt3Nhl54DeK4XixB3NIVbKkNai0BZm0hH4uPrjioe0PvcUrkTrSX28iMt1RUl/s1600/IMG_5251+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593377736943807442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpA_C2dn4-bahAavem-hQKVD43x2bxie71xx0KUtBihQTnvo8m_vk6U8xx030IXrOkm26F-v7todeNzbFNt3Nhl54DeK4XixB3NIVbKkNai0BZm0hH4uPrjioe0PvcUrkTrSX28iMt1RUl/s320/IMG_5251+2.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div></div></div></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-88230119510266046342011-04-08T17:46:00.000-07:002011-04-24T18:57:55.240-07:00HuacachinaSo we left Lunahuana in search of the city of Pisco. It seemed like a straight-forward ride: we catch a bus going to Pisco and we arrive in Pisco. However, the bus ride seemed to take longer than expected (which is usual for South America) and when we asked the driver if we were getting close to Pisco, he would say that we were almost there... When we finally arrived in Pisco, we actually were dropped off in Ica, an hour and a half past our desired destination! We had no clue what we were going to do in Ica, as it was next on our list and we hadn't planned any kind of itinerary or place to stay! So we quickly pulled out the iPhone Lonely Planet and picked a hostel in a neighbourhood just outside of Ica, called Huacachina.<br /><br />Our cab driver took us toward some giant sand dunes and drove around the corner to reveal the beautiful little oasis town of Huacachina!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380218250772610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjESnRNectkD0PpsrsBLQ53dkPpbhbwvS74IiAplzqRr4BASwhXsJHAHm8S_j6K_tq-d1-5mpq7uKaDDMPH2pRb5mzIewn9D0osTAvrFIJXbTuX4udPGPyG646k8Io0JNrWjgPhHTvpXu2y/s320/IMG_5111.jpg" /><br />And here is the pretty, yet very noisy hostel that we stayed at our first night.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionhG7LG8I0DeRaI8oWCXUhnlhlaUz1D8no_cw0MpecbDZPG5SKwA6klp_XoK_Y5L__TPR36UqBMxdjy8lG5ENL-2jMaXmYyMuADtYNySlmvwFYexLTEaeRstECjdOzu4YlN4d5fkyTd45/s1600/IMG_5022.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381411129360946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEionhG7LG8I0DeRaI8oWCXUhnlhlaUz1D8no_cw0MpecbDZPG5SKwA6klp_XoK_Y5L__TPR36UqBMxdjy8lG5ENL-2jMaXmYyMuADtYNySlmvwFYexLTEaeRstECjdOzu4YlN4d5fkyTd45/s320/IMG_5022.jpg" /></a> Huacachina is one of the most unique places we had ever been to in all of our travels. AMAZING sand dunes surrounded this oasis town. The scorching heat can be beat by dipping into one of the many pools in the city, or even with a dip in the lagoon in the middle of the town (although this was typically a local activity).<br /></p><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CxvPE9ikdBdzci1ihX9VodpRoL3W-jPhI3B1b_8PxLifex4fErEOZCRtHq2PZ6Ch-asBcHznCTrNlREnBZ1GgG8XShp6rOAC0MfOHMQhB-aha__1N0esXgS8cwOF07iYnbYwVACjEAP7/s1600/IMG_5024.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381408806872178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CxvPE9ikdBdzci1ihX9VodpRoL3W-jPhI3B1b_8PxLifex4fErEOZCRtHq2PZ6Ch-asBcHznCTrNlREnBZ1GgG8XShp6rOAC0MfOHMQhB-aha__1N0esXgS8cwOF07iYnbYwVACjEAP7/s320/IMG_5024.jpg" /></a> The big draw to Huacachina are the dunes. I´ve been to the Sahara desert, and I can tell you that the sand in the Sahara doesn´t even hold a candle to the Huacachina! These are some of the largest dunes in the world, and what better way to enjoy them than to strap a board to your feet and slide (or fall) down them. Above you can see Lydia posing with one of Huacachina´s sand buggies that are used to take the tourists out to the dunes for sand boarding fun.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymDSC85MnfIt1XLrM2tS09xEXTlDnKqzEJFMgyc7vG-DqBbO8WujaeQX_oyAgs2YAD2OSbA85Bn2q3Zqx9Uw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><br />What we didn´t realize, however, was that the dune buggy ride out to the dunes was actually going to be the most exciting activity of the tour (and that is not to take anything away from sand boarding). This ride was absolutely RIDICULOUS! My heart has never pounded so hard (coming from the person who jumped of a 100m bridge in Ecuador)! First off, the buggies were all equipped with harness seat belts and complete roll cages, so safety wasn´t an issue, but safety caveat aside, our driver was absolutely insane! He was taking us up and down and side to side on these monster sand dunes with angles at about 80 degrees! We would fire up to the top of a dune, without seeing what´s on the other side, then all but fall down to the bottom, only to peel around to the next. Words can´t describe just how crazy this was (nor can the above video), but just know that it was INTENSE and FUUUUUUUN!!!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUtZQCSXc0cUQ-bJGSUq8jS_j_tDie4lMRSEYjqixIXoa_ayMgI77eBoziu0IDtiAwt8IJAUztYUd_rt8q-ChfRuMH8_LFeLJwzv6CVl4HSjsQnA0ooU5BQy8kkMR-OiIpYsuWDXNWUU2/s1600/IMG_5029.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381248335692274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUtZQCSXc0cUQ-bJGSUq8jS_j_tDie4lMRSEYjqixIXoa_ayMgI77eBoziu0IDtiAwt8IJAUztYUd_rt8q-ChfRuMH8_LFeLJwzv6CVl4HSjsQnA0ooU5BQy8kkMR-OiIpYsuWDXNWUU2/s320/IMG_5029.jpg" /></a> By this time, our adrenaline was a pumping!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb3QhBoPbMzQsjS-Naq3hv0g9LFwoPPsNzbFVtXlWyxUx2onAOmV-e7Srx5y72NILDR9F7RxtlEfNVzzxGUmpOfKxEJQaTKjXDJnFuP9RaRdqSU0lsH1dsqjoHS4O19pqpEKXU2KhLHe6/s1600/IMG_5030.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381246203975090" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzb3QhBoPbMzQsjS-Naq3hv0g9LFwoPPsNzbFVtXlWyxUx2onAOmV-e7Srx5y72NILDR9F7RxtlEfNVzzxGUmpOfKxEJQaTKjXDJnFuP9RaRdqSU0lsH1dsqjoHS4O19pqpEKXU2KhLHe6/s320/IMG_5030.jpg" /></a> And again, Tyrone + either booze or adrenaline = picking up Lydia;)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uIvbi8cLdRg9RXX3G9F5CRZvjLA0jnL-Z3KeDRMZPgqsh1Eb6xdOlabF2qk3alLYXZnhRPhpvi_-Ra3I_rPbh-W2qDluqaGJ7f5IsPCKXkZF4R5UgYF54X-XLD4MGKVYdDIDmOqfPDFg/s1600/IMG_5034.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381240705719154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uIvbi8cLdRg9RXX3G9F5CRZvjLA0jnL-Z3KeDRMZPgqsh1Eb6xdOlabF2qk3alLYXZnhRPhpvi_-Ra3I_rPbh-W2qDluqaGJ7f5IsPCKXkZF4R5UgYF54X-XLD4MGKVYdDIDmOqfPDFg/s320/IMG_5034.jpg" /></a> Our bodies were so pumped full of adrenaline that we gained the ability of flight (granted only for about 2 seconds before we fell to the ground).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdzg5Vodk9InH2xckmbktx6mEku5I8NcPFHFlnpKWLvFyL98cOr6_3w8PTkgrVw9hnP-M5Z6t9hV4sqiih9n8KxZ8sqKDRZ2ZeSMkxBs3Ajhg7drsJrpWf5eYFCcLLCH597XWm9lbtwhw/s1600/IMG_5038.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381239731502434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQdzg5Vodk9InH2xckmbktx6mEku5I8NcPFHFlnpKWLvFyL98cOr6_3w8PTkgrVw9hnP-M5Z6t9hV4sqiih9n8KxZ8sqKDRZ2ZeSMkxBs3Ajhg7drsJrpWf5eYFCcLLCH597XWm9lbtwhw/s320/IMG_5038.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tFVNkdVtpScJ8Bm1DNxEa_ixm0FppprlE_VSkPilzcwpDgLOSUH-dI_QQPCRBhgIRV2cxAgliavK7ngRoMgYtlQgKo85cetz5aEeFMCbke6TyhbWTCYYB8PMDSVIgAUEa1Usq_6CIydr/s1600/IMG_5041.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593381238314830434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tFVNkdVtpScJ8Bm1DNxEa_ixm0FppprlE_VSkPilzcwpDgLOSUH-dI_QQPCRBhgIRV2cxAgliavK7ngRoMgYtlQgKo85cetz5aEeFMCbke6TyhbWTCYYB8PMDSVIgAUEa1Usq_6CIydr/s320/IMG_5041.jpg" /></a> Our crazy-ass driver, posing with his tool of insanity.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l_BwaMy0uF95PxQQOjjXaC_CcZM7ZQyWWQjdfgjxDefvBtnDRwuNJh8wkeFIBn4uSI9SWtLNFEpk6VNAvPPFWwqqtt-EdL6RvczkZK-poG6belHPQJfStYwbOMt1OkZyyBvVN5thwe6X/s1600/IMG_5044.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380950741725842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l_BwaMy0uF95PxQQOjjXaC_CcZM7ZQyWWQjdfgjxDefvBtnDRwuNJh8wkeFIBn4uSI9SWtLNFEpk6VNAvPPFWwqqtt-EdL6RvczkZK-poG6belHPQJfStYwbOMt1OkZyyBvVN5thwe6X/s320/IMG_5044.jpg" /></a> The rolling sand dunes were simply stunning. Our driver took us out to the proverbial middle of nowhere for our sand boarding fun.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380938699972786" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnrsNvfgvNFIyZF_zNUxAMH9JZumWopPtbm5N7linuFpiqEM4lJRJM2zAlJu6LhV59XUcVQEyQgJJsvOV_UinFP8vyt2pkeh44O0gns7_3CcpS_h2BUSPZa0us_ILM_bx_vELB9SS7y8i/s320/IMG_5063.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380937063890242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLcpHE8diK2bpueYpfMS8mHnjcLEkxSCpqvRnxa9fGVFc8AiSuxty3mTCOI4W3ErEgv_-oKK2EThWHmIH8JVfyFuomvRD79mwhVEH9Ek_hAMpGSWT1RRVhVSNsElBQb-XR0nkDmypSaHP0/s320/IMG_5069.jpg" /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGPYclGV_4fDpg4v4sQZdTtbzto0v2Sz1djakDcyYf5rdKny6QcScL39XQ8twpo6_LZKJwDzlpenyVAYj1QdqCl0hY0ZULWaT9mS8D8HFMxOPcG5D_mQTKRKZYyy9YxJayBf5l-P6wmga/s1600/IMG_5058.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380944898601906" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGPYclGV_4fDpg4v4sQZdTtbzto0v2Sz1djakDcyYf5rdKny6QcScL39XQ8twpo6_LZKJwDzlpenyVAYj1QdqCl0hY0ZULWaT9mS8D8HFMxOPcG5D_mQTKRKZYyy9YxJayBf5l-P6wmga/s320/IMG_5058.jpg" /></a> For the first couple of dunes, we were given the option of going down the dunes snowboarding style (standing on the board) or toboggan style (lying down on the board). Later in the day, however, the dunes got bigger.... much bigger, so we were told that toboggan style was the only safely doable option.<br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcHXe5BlPjj_TOVhG3l2adlm8GJcNia10L2JmhsvRsF7YGmqJ-CiTxnXvS0_we8czTiYRMqYkTZ-krYcLnBSY7TStA5etepHDWPd6A15nqQyypyXveAMoy5P_eRM2vLVlxtu2YuR2xHAq/s1600/IMG_5073.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380935870240242" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWcHXe5BlPjj_TOVhG3l2adlm8GJcNia10L2JmhsvRsF7YGmqJ-CiTxnXvS0_we8czTiYRMqYkTZ-krYcLnBSY7TStA5etepHDWPd6A15nqQyypyXveAMoy5P_eRM2vLVlxtu2YuR2xHAq/s320/IMG_5073.jpg" /></a> Lydia getting ready to eat some sand.</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFCuOvOqu0bMlDWVMZuEYph3rkiPA0Ij7vxl2UnUO7P8UL9bCF1MIzLwL4K0VwgEQXYpBoZi4POe48110Tej3FyDYKIdrfPQhS1nLn_o6A-MrX80kHcCHWSuN6TD7O-0mINv6CxgV3qh4/s1600/IMG_5075.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380542751285362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlFCuOvOqu0bMlDWVMZuEYph3rkiPA0Ij7vxl2UnUO7P8UL9bCF1MIzLwL4K0VwgEQXYpBoZi4POe48110Tej3FyDYKIdrfPQhS1nLn_o6A-MrX80kHcCHWSuN6TD7O-0mINv6CxgV3qh4/s320/IMG_5075.jpg" /></a> The dunes towards the end of the day were so incredibly big that a picture doesn´t give you the best perspective of the drop that we were taking. I would guess that the dunes we were dropping down were over 100m high, meaning we would reach speeds of about 100km on our sand boards (luckily it was nothing but fluffy sand to catch us if we fell).<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxEEkPaSllQCctx3JEqzmpf7odEKTQNXe_BDHfDSyJXRl9Y_249BhKYNsuP6a9LCOpahWG5qPRQABRoDDmHLA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>Lydia ripping down a sand dune (toboggan style).</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVA1njyhTE0vdBgikaK5f1QCYvsg4PH1XUqsq-UQ-crBUFeexv8ijKIHO6jjFOtO9y2emiiop_HESrd1MIfJmJDiqxHha3wYAJm3w2mdIlYxk6xG0zN5SXK-anvRIb85m_cVZV3xOqZzxg/s1600/IMG_5077.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380538292745378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVA1njyhTE0vdBgikaK5f1QCYvsg4PH1XUqsq-UQ-crBUFeexv8ijKIHO6jjFOtO9y2emiiop_HESrd1MIfJmJDiqxHha3wYAJm3w2mdIlYxk6xG0zN5SXK-anvRIb85m_cVZV3xOqZzxg/s320/IMG_5077.jpg" /></a> After the craziness of the sand boarding, our driver took us to the top of a dune to enjoy the tranquility of a desert sunset.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9R6jONbzTmD_ctAHy91XPAwYcVQgv1QfgyZnOBKcB2qGVhUBVZwV4zAYLhaR1EfHj1JnJotb-J8ZElZPO8t9snBbCg7SSnIvUQvv9h8ahvx1rZDd4lG-D-uddrz1ZQpUOb0YHOhuf40f/s1600/IMG_5083.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380531683868322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9R6jONbzTmD_ctAHy91XPAwYcVQgv1QfgyZnOBKcB2qGVhUBVZwV4zAYLhaR1EfHj1JnJotb-J8ZElZPO8t9snBbCg7SSnIvUQvv9h8ahvx1rZDd4lG-D-uddrz1ZQpUOb0YHOhuf40f/s320/IMG_5083.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvUGHG2HJcWkmvbWWa1ijsiHSmGwHxH0F_BIbZqkdfP4DtvZ8OwQlr2QI1939ynNGO9Z_Bg6ZSf1AitTPjrxolUWOmfgbsxqglmN2won92g6JpOtWLV1UW8_6irfqbAJVMF6oy3MYngEK/s1600/IMG_5089.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380533142065122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjvUGHG2HJcWkmvbWWa1ijsiHSmGwHxH0F_BIbZqkdfP4DtvZ8OwQlr2QI1939ynNGO9Z_Bg6ZSf1AitTPjrxolUWOmfgbsxqglmN2won92g6JpOtWLV1UW8_6irfqbAJVMF6oy3MYngEK/s320/IMG_5089.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVRrM1E_ArZr3yweYLnrtG7jI2TU1PuHVXV2sbQKY1N-Vw08O723egvJHSUJIoYkR6-9T5jitTJIHjbDBtRkp6boSrF_IdEER1whf_FHY0vniNpLbzBGJDIfFy8WCZe3ArgCRqu1P-zrZ/s1600/IMG_5097.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380526653900082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidVRrM1E_ArZr3yweYLnrtG7jI2TU1PuHVXV2sbQKY1N-Vw08O723egvJHSUJIoYkR6-9T5jitTJIHjbDBtRkp6boSrF_IdEER1whf_FHY0vniNpLbzBGJDIfFy8WCZe3ArgCRqu1P-zrZ/s320/IMG_5097.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM7_wKqaGig4z4TjGz6BxH8-pYx4qA10J8k5Aq9gLZN7g70-snNr1f9vxUV0o21039g-HqDJI6FjwiXTgknCkQSbBuXdzswC6ZrFXLuwql974Q_cY6HxmwbXBfgdAhoTCnhH5ON1UCtF0/s1600/IMG_5103.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380226075559970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM7_wKqaGig4z4TjGz6BxH8-pYx4qA10J8k5Aq9gLZN7g70-snNr1f9vxUV0o21039g-HqDJI6FjwiXTgknCkQSbBuXdzswC6ZrFXLuwql974Q_cY6HxmwbXBfgdAhoTCnhH5ON1UCtF0/s320/IMG_5103.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MZ0lTlEKMLj-DQTGyRyTyn1AYxS3tC800t9XmaQ1Ecrh9jkVXN13Ov6EQ9ddFH7lSBKE411XNItXAGRgEJyto2acwYketo9AOAzMzoqKm89AkmIXtIaUSdiT4zRrzRMU-tuhFcTHG6Jt/s1600/IMG_5106.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380222823404850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MZ0lTlEKMLj-DQTGyRyTyn1AYxS3tC800t9XmaQ1Ecrh9jkVXN13Ov6EQ9ddFH7lSBKE411XNItXAGRgEJyto2acwYketo9AOAzMzoqKm89AkmIXtIaUSdiT4zRrzRMU-tuhFcTHG6Jt/s320/IMG_5106.jpg" /></a> We have seen some fine looking sunsets on our trip, but it´s hard to beat the colours of a desert sunset!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbKIcPbNXu6yJtlvoQt_AYGYJMuiO2vE4qycpMmN93dhP6JKityypjzkLh1mYuvmvUFriT4oWOXJLb4hWsQF4UjKDI7dUMYdUSqAfWKsg9L97FDDNm7w-qd2uOKbW3KWfmiun2Xfuqrhm/s1600/IMG_5121.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593379827104522178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFbKIcPbNXu6yJtlvoQt_AYGYJMuiO2vE4qycpMmN93dhP6JKityypjzkLh1mYuvmvUFriT4oWOXJLb4hWsQF4UjKDI7dUMYdUSqAfWKsg9L97FDDNm7w-qd2uOKbW3KWfmiun2Xfuqrhm/s320/IMG_5121.jpg" /></a> The Ica/Huacachina area of Peru is also known for some of the country´s best wines. This of course meant that Lydia and I had to take another wine tour. For the wine tour, Lydia and I hired a local taxi driver to take us to the various vineyards of the region. The top Peruvian vineyard, Tacama, just so happened to be in the area, so we made that our first destination.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdFDyB5nH9uSm_lz6848ku-o07zAPhcusc3MIj6Ock4qD8zvLrp0LkrC0hxoaEBwq4zAKWIXzUOLcc6BTJVUDqAk4AVAqorDrjZM1sIrbcdAKUr_ggGMHCLlw4chAmutDqpHc88uaIV0f/s1600/IMG_5122.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593379821669631410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPdFDyB5nH9uSm_lz6848ku-o07zAPhcusc3MIj6Ock4qD8zvLrp0LkrC0hxoaEBwq4zAKWIXzUOLcc6BTJVUDqAk4AVAqorDrjZM1sIrbcdAKUr_ggGMHCLlw4chAmutDqpHc88uaIV0f/s320/IMG_5122.jpg" /></a> The Tacama vineyard in Ica, Peru.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupcr9JprFQ3j5dGMKwcDWnYqS3VlXscV0lKS9o5OjzAX4dd9H2QXORpdJrSHzMJJPokhFP4oeB6GTH-2K_MK0ticzVWVg6BYkv87mofmpvnA7SB3zBCd02i3fHTKlbVvv4FqMHLD7ZDpt/s1600/IMG_5123.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593379817394244690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiupcr9JprFQ3j5dGMKwcDWnYqS3VlXscV0lKS9o5OjzAX4dd9H2QXORpdJrSHzMJJPokhFP4oeB6GTH-2K_MK0ticzVWVg6BYkv87mofmpvnA7SB3zBCd02i3fHTKlbVvv4FqMHLD7ZDpt/s320/IMG_5123.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5csT6rJbkv_hm8E1S_UCUona6rt9hfhxKdYJpvuZdO-Zvmk_wsFgx3alpizQwoW2chswhqsJONHt7J4pXdyDjVY04WrnIBlpSkGBkpjx4U126zmbpg47MYoNanMfaPt8_hotDnyeQnv5u/s1600/IMG_5124.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593379821002606946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5csT6rJbkv_hm8E1S_UCUona6rt9hfhxKdYJpvuZdO-Zvmk_wsFgx3alpizQwoW2chswhqsJONHt7J4pXdyDjVY04WrnIBlpSkGBkpjx4U126zmbpg47MYoNanMfaPt8_hotDnyeQnv5u/s320/IMG_5124.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtj-YwzKdaiNcJc4VERz5xGVCsQL2Udf1oCdxsqyICGea5mEzlkdB1XA7XCCu9pHtXoGLdRwzNK0LY8Bx8PCERuflNVOi6z_AmGw0_bq3jp8pG5b9S96FFaRarni1xjAzjAFKOkqCXvGD/s1600/IMG_5131.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593379395346088626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtj-YwzKdaiNcJc4VERz5xGVCsQL2Udf1oCdxsqyICGea5mEzlkdB1XA7XCCu9pHtXoGLdRwzNK0LY8Bx8PCERuflNVOi6z_AmGw0_bq3jp8pG5b9S96FFaRarni1xjAzjAFKOkqCXvGD/s320/IMG_5131.jpg" /></a>As an added bonus, we were able to take in several other beautiful sights on route between the vineyards.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzg3qgBozFiBxWaiEgqJ_Qb-wPepXboTI_rBntd0rrfrkHeB8XbOWsg_Ch_ITFfVa0Bzmz4zM8SCuqgwfVrWdGgnJHznSnJq_3-eWAF21fKBo8Yy8AORbTquOUQ1fsI64C3VFAu4lbOgb/s1600/IMG_5135.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593379390054927938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXzg3qgBozFiBxWaiEgqJ_Qb-wPepXboTI_rBntd0rrfrkHeB8XbOWsg_Ch_ITFfVa0Bzmz4zM8SCuqgwfVrWdGgnJHznSnJq_3-eWAF21fKBo8Yy8AORbTquOUQ1fsI64C3VFAu4lbOgb/s320/IMG_5135.jpg" /></a> The many vineyards of the region can be broken down into two basic categories, industrial producers (i.e. Tacama), who create large amounts of wine and pisco for national/international sale and artisanal bodegas, who use more traditional methods to create wines sold at the local level. Above you can see an old fashioned wine press used by one of the artisanal bodegas that we toured.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXDu3AQqQ7QhHHJ0h78cQPeSoX-GdQ7ttjCbScbqT1nIj928p0ehc3_iax9YtYqRMWCCSngl6sBWqet_rxniQydaSrL-TaRefn5kcJBLOEvdosec-69E-y2sQYLcM7tLyH_2q84O3yuPv/s1600/IMG_5137.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593379387380697842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXDu3AQqQ7QhHHJ0h78cQPeSoX-GdQ7ttjCbScbqT1nIj928p0ehc3_iax9YtYqRMWCCSngl6sBWqet_rxniQydaSrL-TaRefn5kcJBLOEvdosec-69E-y2sQYLcM7tLyH_2q84O3yuPv/s320/IMG_5137.jpg" /></a> Lydia at the sampling table.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDhjfyUjR_Z42HLnWOvQ0ZHeNu2kZTXQCyH-NBRjogdWloEsznpQdHh7MWMWVh9Lw-8qkdIHac1ZTJrJPGMDJDQ8UIk-9z6WfuK6TJVKVj12oREAqlfEXJJ-s4TfcSBOxk0177lOrQP3n/s1600/IMG_5138.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593379385870398802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtDhjfyUjR_Z42HLnWOvQ0ZHeNu2kZTXQCyH-NBRjogdWloEsznpQdHh7MWMWVh9Lw-8qkdIHac1ZTJrJPGMDJDQ8UIk-9z6WfuK6TJVKVj12oREAqlfEXJJ-s4TfcSBOxk0177lOrQP3n/s320/IMG_5138.jpg" /></a> The two of us at one of the artisanal bodegas.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLYwMqbmc8VGfEJemEWGhwe_SwsxLxpsxktXGE2z8W3rpOXP3j5wrZeVTkI6yJJPr4oMGAm7nS9rLmMrpLvr_kl6h6lfth9Am8bc_6W86FHIpvRx0clbqxr5FVRVQHj9B2Cz-mr3oDqvI/s1600/IMG_5139.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593379382511402770" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLYwMqbmc8VGfEJemEWGhwe_SwsxLxpsxktXGE2z8W3rpOXP3j5wrZeVTkI6yJJPr4oMGAm7nS9rLmMrpLvr_kl6h6lfth9Am8bc_6W86FHIpvRx0clbqxr5FVRVQHj9B2Cz-mr3oDqvI/s320/IMG_5139.jpg" /></a> Definitely the funkiest artisanal bodega that we went to on the tour was the one pictured above. It was a museum/personal collection of funky Peruvian artifacts, animals, shrunken heads, and many barrels of home brew wine. Making this place even more ´funky´was the fact that our one-toothed tour guide for this vineyard ¨got high off his own supply¨ (the guy was fall-over drunk). This worked out well for us though, as he was more than willing to share his supply of wine with us! Even more funny was that fact that after we had finished drinking with him, he liked Lydia so much that he got a picture with her for his cell phone.<br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWO_nzxCcFm6TJTNpF9UXnKhbtP0qH2nyTeWjgvXX_JR7g8aPpRLxg69gHCOyORylYcTlgK0b2GGaO_im-RTyqwIsi7_ZPKi6ZU1Glj0FTn4gJqe8UYOTkZh6_KterHK_1cCWT-n6epbx/s1600/IMG_5118.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380214608693938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWO_nzxCcFm6TJTNpF9UXnKhbtP0qH2nyTeWjgvXX_JR7g8aPpRLxg69gHCOyORylYcTlgK0b2GGaO_im-RTyqwIsi7_ZPKi6ZU1Glj0FTn4gJqe8UYOTkZh6_KterHK_1cCWT-n6epbx/s320/IMG_5118.jpg" /></a> The first hostel we stayed at in Huacachina ended up being a bit of a party place, so we moved to the above hostel on our second night. It was a beautiful hostel; however, the staff turned out to be idiots. The brilliant hotel management took a reservation for our room, while we were staying in it, meaning they kicked us out of the hostel, because they had to accommodate the new guests! I have never heard of anything like this before!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_LsvD9uokOjbfgn2JnPfhWx40g-GtIQqygZ8mMGsVay-xhybYjLh8Pdx05JqUqMgqXNSR1pIgVywkIh468puf7R9dngTJ2x1kpP0PVN5-4gqhUzRjS1IHdVqozceNzadOB9hI3h7zm-F/s1600/IMG_5120.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593380212130007554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr_LsvD9uokOjbfgn2JnPfhWx40g-GtIQqygZ8mMGsVay-xhybYjLh8Pdx05JqUqMgqXNSR1pIgVywkIh468puf7R9dngTJ2x1kpP0PVN5-4gqhUzRjS1IHdVqozceNzadOB9hI3h7zm-F/s320/IMG_5120.jpg" /></a> Beautiful room, terrible staff! As the hotel took our room from under us, we had to keep on keeping on. Next on the agenda was Nazca.</div><br /><br /><br /><div>To end our Huacachina story on a pleasant note though... after we were miffed about getting prematurely evicted from our hotel room, we ended up catching a taxi to the bus station with the same driver we used for the wine tour. The guy was an absolute sweetheart! After taking us to the station, he told us that he really appreciated our company and gave us a bottle of wine as a parting gift. This is coming from a guy who works his ass of for his family (who we met on the tour), making about $10 a day, working 16 hours a day and 7 days a week! An amazing gesture that put a big smile on our face as we left for another adventure. </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-56289763830776713912011-04-08T17:15:00.000-07:002011-04-16T07:29:32.829-07:00Happy Easter!<div><span style="color:#cc33cc;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><strong>HAPPY EASTER</strong>!!!</span></span><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;"><strong></strong></span></div><br /><div><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc33cc;">We would like to take this time to wish a very happy easter to one and all... but especially our dear Elle Bell! Elle is so special, that our friend from the animal kingdom decided to sing a special song for our special girl!</span></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwk8vU4ywiMJ2k9Jhi53mtOo7ovW70djy25uyWfKuh2sAu5G7PmMYU0qSioGWJBjK5-hdmNZzDh4OXG0l7ddQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-5936584966431473782011-04-08T15:43:00.000-07:002011-04-08T17:21:10.347-07:00LunahuanaAfter getting our kicks in the big city of Lima, Lydia and I were ready to go a little off the grid and head south to the town of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_0" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span>. Why does one go to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_1" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana,</span> you ask? There are three answers to this question: 1 - <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_2" class="blsp-spelling-error">pisco</span> (South America´s 40 proof wine); 2 - wine (although we later found out that this <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_3" class="blsp-spelling-error">wasn</span>´t a reason to stay in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_4" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span>); and the 3rd answer is ADVENTURE! <br /><div></div><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593349467970114002" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_orxI_pBmRwoOxwRYN4nI0yKIbPOjBu4pol51QB1-gHCiNm1pdmazYjtP66ZoPOZYMdJ9DVwfeyzP-bydIpRvvh6rK1mWDH5Aytmql0qVad_Sz5QDRfpvQ4bwKmaoZUR95LFdwtdEmgiQ/s320/IMG_5014.jpg" /> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_5" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span> is about 3 hours south of Lima. It´s nestled in between deserted mountains, with a great river barreling down through its core. It somewhat reminded us of a post-apocalyptic version of Gold River (Lydia´s home town). <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3gMu0wI2d202UaDSYyCcPKRsjaTbRemEmN6AgSTFZqxcOp740JjX-6VHRMB6TTLgusoi_oXsBRYvygHecgK46rWLJhGlmJWGLgwnNdL7ITZ-8TElHHGjRk22ygKmOFh_F4ZP6CbMy-RT/s1600/IMG_4999.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593349709949607234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3gMu0wI2d202UaDSYyCcPKRsjaTbRemEmN6AgSTFZqxcOp740JjX-6VHRMB6TTLgusoi_oXsBRYvygHecgK46rWLJhGlmJWGLgwnNdL7ITZ-8TElHHGjRk22ygKmOFh_F4ZP6CbMy-RT/s320/IMG_4999.jpg" /></a> Further to our post-apocalyptic Gold River metaphor, our hostel in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_6" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span> had a bird shed, just like in Lydia´s parents yard! <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJuOREBerz_X_uIfJiUWidppIREwIceMwSNaMh4ksyWSi74oOFD9hSsQTLDv_7pFiCwVd-u8alWTrUoq9S6QYBMGGGtzrJiBEMPYI4I1pNpSVWhKSGEZgCtvFHwbXySLQljli_X4qK0U8/s1600/IMG_5001.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593349708187911634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrJuOREBerz_X_uIfJiUWidppIREwIceMwSNaMh4ksyWSi74oOFD9hSsQTLDv_7pFiCwVd-u8alWTrUoq9S6QYBMGGGtzrJiBEMPYI4I1pNpSVWhKSGEZgCtvFHwbXySLQljli_X4qK0U8/s320/IMG_5001.jpg" /></a> Let's not kid ourselves, however.... Lydia and I were not in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_7" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span> for bird watching.... we were there for <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_8" class="blsp-spelling-error">PISCO</span>! What better way to try this potent grape hooch than to go on a tasting tour. For a ripe old price of about $10, Lydia and I spent the day getting driven around in a hired car, going from bodega (Spanish for small vineyard) to bodega, taking shot after shot of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_9" class="blsp-spelling-error">pisco</span> and wine. As an added bonus of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_10" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span>, they are also known for chocolate coated pecans. The bodegas were nice enough to not only dish out shot after shot of free booze (don´t worry, we also bought a couple of bottles to make up for their expenses), but there always seemed to be lovely ladies shelling out chocolate pecans as well (pun intended)! </div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40iruBzAgA1ZNvAspuhQFGG3oezTgc2H0uP9ul-56xtPf3le4dr6YvYZOSiMNa6TZKm74a5UnPJt_-iDWFjRhavuqLbt6r0muNk1jbcE1aNPXG-i6ut1pF3bAGIn2GpYAIaWeMPpFEXr8/s1600/IMG_5007.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593349482231288354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj40iruBzAgA1ZNvAspuhQFGG3oezTgc2H0uP9ul-56xtPf3le4dr6YvYZOSiMNa6TZKm74a5UnPJt_-iDWFjRhavuqLbt6r0muNk1jbcE1aNPXG-i6ut1pF3bAGIn2GpYAIaWeMPpFEXr8/s320/IMG_5007.jpg" /></a> Honey is another commodity of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_11" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span>. At one of the bodegas we visited, we were shown a hive where the honey is produced. This picture is really cool in that it shows the royal guard of the hive protecting the all-mighty queen. The hive was 100 times what is depicted here, with only 1 queen, so you can appreciate just how cool this is!</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTufrneS4oo26Xg5WwR7dwjmw3G_TarfkchHDsGd7u_KgXluaiCdEplN2V21xGJaWgpRcP3sJ95oaqmSMbrzLuPbPyC6v8MKPkkaOHqXw2jNvZsMtPDoDlz_wVrx5v3N2PiWEKTSb-6x_O/s1600/IMG_5009.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593349479741220898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTufrneS4oo26Xg5WwR7dwjmw3G_TarfkchHDsGd7u_KgXluaiCdEplN2V21xGJaWgpRcP3sJ95oaqmSMbrzLuPbPyC6v8MKPkkaOHqXw2jNvZsMtPDoDlz_wVrx5v3N2PiWEKTSb-6x_O/s320/IMG_5009.jpg" /></a> After a couple of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_12" class="blsp-spelling-error">piscos</span>, I tend to pick-up Lydia a lot. Don´t ask me why.</div><br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4cVZewx5Unl7ht95VkMmzl5HN6AG0rDWl6cVN4GEvOGBkGqTSM9INL1Uq7S1WZmaMNV5Xi3N6gVElCT8hIRxeu3yvAu-IehsKJY-Kh5KwFwt7lBeGlMAcNDxtEHj8kMVXoDESl1nL4zc/s1600/IMG_5012.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593349470955828322" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4cVZewx5Unl7ht95VkMmzl5HN6AG0rDWl6cVN4GEvOGBkGqTSM9INL1Uq7S1WZmaMNV5Xi3N6gVElCT8hIRxeu3yvAu-IehsKJY-Kh5KwFwt7lBeGlMAcNDxtEHj8kMVXoDESl1nL4zc/s320/IMG_5012.jpg" /></a> One of the <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_13" class="blsp-spelling-error">granjeros</span> teaching us about his <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_14" class="blsp-spelling-error">pisco</span> <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_15" class="blsp-spelling-error">puro</span>. <br /><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhI-1MBTaPQ2g0UQEPl8Ayp4MqPT2-YEB1X3n0D-FDY_Cr6_JJ-zHpXSrXCb17pSXDEnkLF2mQpNRwTFCr2JFauNDcBSLqi7K7cmxMHXzs3F6WZMaRMzu3zK5guMkcHnZsH82rbdknPtm/s1600/IMG_5018.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593349467030587954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhI-1MBTaPQ2g0UQEPl8Ayp4MqPT2-YEB1X3n0D-FDY_Cr6_JJ-zHpXSrXCb17pSXDEnkLF2mQpNRwTFCr2JFauNDcBSLqi7K7cmxMHXzs3F6WZMaRMzu3zK5guMkcHnZsH82rbdknPtm/s320/IMG_5018.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>Unfortunately, going hand in hand with venturing off the beaten track in a developing nation is food poisoning. After a night of sampling <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_16" class="blsp-spelling-error">pisco</span> and food, and making friends with a 70 year old ex-Italian Mafioso (who had a 20 year old fiance and admitted to carrying a gun in his Hummer, and who kept buying us drinks and inviting us to swim in his hotel pool the next day), I found myself to be a wee bit incapacitated for about 3 days. Luckily, our hotel had about 6 different HBO channels, so we were able to easily pass this time watching TV with <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_17" class="blsp-spelling-error">Licky</span>. We also didn't particularly want to venture outside, since we didn't want to run into the Mafioso again and be forced to drink 10 more pisco sours!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>In our last day of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_18" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span>, we made use of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_19" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span>´s final commodity: adventure. Tour companies in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_20" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span> offer all sorts of rafting, horseback riding, and <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_21" class="blsp-spelling-error">atv</span> adventures. We decided to take them up on a white water rafting trip, and had an absolute blast doing so. Unfortunately, the person who was supposed to email us the pictures of our rafting adventure never came through, so you are just going to have to imagine just how great it was!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Leaving <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_22" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span> was a bit of an adventure, as we intended to head towards the town of <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_23" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pisco</span> (the namesake of the deadly beverage); however, our bus driver had other ideas, and forgot to let us off in <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_24" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pisco</span>, and instead took us an extra hour south to <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_25" class="blsp-spelling-error">Ica</span>. As it turned out, this worked out for us as we were able to spend more time in the bordering town <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_26" class="blsp-spelling-error">Huacachina</span> (probably the most fun and unique town I have ever been to). Also, from what we heard, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_27" class="blsp-spelling-error">Pisco</span> has had a lot of trouble since it went through a devastating earthquake in 2007, which practically destroyed the entire city, so it may have been for the best that we gave it a miss.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Although our <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_28" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span> experience took a bit of a hit with food poisoning and shitty wine, <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_29" class="blsp-spelling-error">Lunahuana</span> made up for it with good, cheap <span id="SPELLING_ERROR_30" class="blsp-spelling-error">pisco</span>, and wicked-fun rafting! Would we go back.... probably not, but the small town definitely had its moments! </div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-47677561263816640952011-04-08T15:29:00.000-07:002011-04-08T16:59:03.532-07:00LimaWe left Huaraz in a bit of a rush, as a new friend, who is an aspiring photographer, offered us a last-minute free ride. Tyrone and I were pretty excited about heading to the coast and being warm again, but were a little leery of the "big city", as Lima has anywhere between 10 and 15 million inhabitants, according to locals. Luckily, we were greeted by an amazing sunset just outside of the city's borders upon our arrival! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZdhmpO8SCtUjP672VYaMt3L-SVb0Hh_xHKcIM15bBJNSoZ8SlX0yGLtOS2_bpsUqTj7FXNdc_BNqoIsqHnbFMlMk6xWj9W41ZYntueUSonuey0b7x0zFtPehUJ_D28jtZNmn1vUWW7lX/s1600/IMG_4912+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351802452864354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZdhmpO8SCtUjP672VYaMt3L-SVb0Hh_xHKcIM15bBJNSoZ8SlX0yGLtOS2_bpsUqTj7FXNdc_BNqoIsqHnbFMlMk6xWj9W41ZYntueUSonuey0b7x0zFtPehUJ_D28jtZNmn1vUWW7lX/s320/IMG_4912+2.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrIpmlwh85MiJqmFLB_vfoGGO2qdJ-1Kn4_SgQdvVyqAjolp39SPOCfnw4TLDk5KwoGS8jkgCqmY1PbameS7VbK8Y7uxqji4E_VZfKJi2u-nfvD6p_IoWa2Yb3yFktWfxbZx-vtDFrE7m/s1600/IMG_4913+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351802149539378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihrIpmlwh85MiJqmFLB_vfoGGO2qdJ-1Kn4_SgQdvVyqAjolp39SPOCfnw4TLDk5KwoGS8jkgCqmY1PbameS7VbK8Y7uxqji4E_VZfKJi2u-nfvD6p_IoWa2Yb3yFktWfxbZx-vtDFrE7m/s320/IMG_4913+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>Lima is full of beautiful old buildings, churches, and parks. We were pleasantly surprised by how clean the city was and how many people took advantage of the many green spaces dotted around Mira Flores (one of the nicest areas of the city).</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANvfx64glmRS_8qcFT61KF6kQqbKqyYoodhCGvyayPP-o2kTw2xLK3mwEq-jyo1GUQUm_KSJC_7G2ABug-oG06Td8W5ygihVvYGBC0FBqULGjnLBzyd0V1WTVijNhP2M2z9TtmGkLmRUC/s1600/IMG_4921+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351799914208962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjANvfx64glmRS_8qcFT61KF6kQqbKqyYoodhCGvyayPP-o2kTw2xLK3mwEq-jyo1GUQUm_KSJC_7G2ABug-oG06Td8W5ygihVvYGBC0FBqULGjnLBzyd0V1WTVijNhP2M2z9TtmGkLmRUC/s320/IMG_4921+2.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div>Our second day in Lima, we found a nice grocery store (the first that carried the same foods as back home!) and bought ourself a gourmet picnic. We were told that the ocean wasn't too far away and ventured west with our lunch. Again, we were very pleasantly surprised at how beautiful Lima is, as there are miles upon miles of paths along the bluffs over-looking the ocean and long stretches of beach below. We ate our lunch on one of many park benches, whilst joggers and dog-walkers strolled by us, watching the many surfers in the waves along the shore.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJgHvx82WENtosQmGFou6D3ngIFh96jkubKDzdpIaVDNBAuvPXYJ3vqpRtADk49l_iA-iBGuyvAZaEpEaJhKOi27jg-VLtyt-W1jPsAYxTFeDoWFgxVTwliCVBYYVVxQxD-TCbALC3hno/s1600/IMG_4923+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351800029295714" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxJgHvx82WENtosQmGFou6D3ngIFh96jkubKDzdpIaVDNBAuvPXYJ3vqpRtADk49l_iA-iBGuyvAZaEpEaJhKOi27jg-VLtyt-W1jPsAYxTFeDoWFgxVTwliCVBYYVVxQxD-TCbALC3hno/s320/IMG_4923+2.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngfQ8_NddI-8GWGAaSk1mDNZZ_ixfA2IMgBqEXeu8_AoYpujn0y2izmkQmV2vlXpvGvVHW7YOSarmgxgSL9Mq38VGLKJzkW2JocSdzhVRTWU_3CfxDOEbMNiKdL9dcc9XrGkurm57BR7k/s1600/IMG_4926+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351533019270018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgngfQ8_NddI-8GWGAaSk1mDNZZ_ixfA2IMgBqEXeu8_AoYpujn0y2izmkQmV2vlXpvGvVHW7YOSarmgxgSL9Mq38VGLKJzkW2JocSdzhVRTWU_3CfxDOEbMNiKdL9dcc9XrGkurm57BR7k/s320/IMG_4926+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>After our lunch, we took a walk along the paths towards a new mall that was raved about by all the locals. Along the way, we found many parks and monuments.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeJkMh9OkOkOPGpZSmVnCandibQr1pqfemErMikWW9vEiHulaO6fdnsBQVVbXyiTHwCmq4hZ2JqVTXJ2ZGF8AJtnCSvNQ3v1tloBgmpFEYQZLmbfVyGRBF1hDRQZgpRjRFg1YCA51Ylly/s1600/IMG_4929+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351527834482530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZeJkMh9OkOkOPGpZSmVnCandibQr1pqfemErMikWW9vEiHulaO6fdnsBQVVbXyiTHwCmq4hZ2JqVTXJ2ZGF8AJtnCSvNQ3v1tloBgmpFEYQZLmbfVyGRBF1hDRQZgpRjRFg1YCA51Ylly/s320/IMG_4929+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>We even came across the "Parque de Amour", which was even more evident after encountering this giant statue!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJET6TbuLw2yGkCzXOEgJPgxjrJinURy4HBH0VFIr-0vg_dAUHkAMNs2WGfQeXyk3xzxpE7y2eqn_y9P2ZCbBs-1r0L0EgIt3vhnC3DYZCQTgs2or2KoXqB37nNOT76e5uihjhy5JkJe-Z/s1600/IMG_4932+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351526116759426" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJET6TbuLw2yGkCzXOEgJPgxjrJinURy4HBH0VFIr-0vg_dAUHkAMNs2WGfQeXyk3xzxpE7y2eqn_y9P2ZCbBs-1r0L0EgIt3vhnC3DYZCQTgs2or2KoXqB37nNOT76e5uihjhy5JkJe-Z/s320/IMG_4932+2.jpg" /></a> <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK93_yWmynnSUbc5ANw8qapy9PS-7yvFPG0BEBWGVu_-ib9jS39a8VsFC2B8UnazXAWtkvFOlkhkazU_d1PwRfpIZW85ZfSklNYzSioDOBcFnNn9WHcXiycz2c6tdSzJAaHezxL_rVGhe/s1600/IMG_4935+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351524044441698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmK93_yWmynnSUbc5ANw8qapy9PS-7yvFPG0BEBWGVu_-ib9jS39a8VsFC2B8UnazXAWtkvFOlkhkazU_d1PwRfpIZW85ZfSklNYzSioDOBcFnNn9WHcXiycz2c6tdSzJAaHezxL_rVGhe/s320/IMG_4935+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>Finally, we arrived at the Larco Mar mall, which is an amazing building 3 stories high, and built right into the cliff-face, over-looking the beach below! All of the restaurants were built on the outside of the mall, with patios that have the most amazing ocean views! We didn't do much shopping, as the stores were pretty expensive relative to other Peruvian shops, but the mall was pretty amazing due to its views and amazing structure. We ordered ocean-side chocolate frappes, below.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AFzP-Ywr4dSfLixv-81RLpeYxaYyi-mBnD1UhNtqfBuNRrQM8IqFPoTS65yriZhnB_KukAb-uJrZPJFFiOQ9q5BazCPaYTyDlDRWhl2gc0uW21ghQJDlBFd_B4Vs8XxxfbrmaaEJnJKn/s1600/IMG_4939+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351522795718994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AFzP-Ywr4dSfLixv-81RLpeYxaYyi-mBnD1UhNtqfBuNRrQM8IqFPoTS65yriZhnB_KukAb-uJrZPJFFiOQ9q5BazCPaYTyDlDRWhl2gc0uW21ghQJDlBFd_B4Vs8XxxfbrmaaEJnJKn/s320/IMG_4939+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>I believe this is the Presidential Palace in the Plaza de Armas.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD15Kchldc2CtfvJZJCWu9lxex-kYmovzZJYuUvGFxukhd6HTDwMF0RhYdbevfmq5qMypAAZXtzRjI1IkCtkpB39pi-OfCgSilAyK5tCx0Imv7ZQuFhwA2yNGDH98ch__RJs29zTI5bdiX/s1600/IMG_4944+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351075400632402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD15Kchldc2CtfvJZJCWu9lxex-kYmovzZJYuUvGFxukhd6HTDwMF0RhYdbevfmq5qMypAAZXtzRjI1IkCtkpB39pi-OfCgSilAyK5tCx0Imv7ZQuFhwA2yNGDH98ch__RJs29zTI5bdiX/s320/IMG_4944+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>We later ventured to our 100th or so museum and found Tyrone's identical twin in bronze!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmHRwrNQsq0ayYvGjRtKsXuQt_lB1HTqjWTFdnTOwCXFO91rtb89YvriYBOgi9GLi7un2sb4TXXTeUN5o33npJPtfOEr4-cFsrLDTkloAkJ8RqnFpNOlaTnGQGNl5PqpsyUEZtKqJx7gZ/s1600/IMG_4946+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351071432646274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmHRwrNQsq0ayYvGjRtKsXuQt_lB1HTqjWTFdnTOwCXFO91rtb89YvriYBOgi9GLi7un2sb4TXXTeUN5o33npJPtfOEr4-cFsrLDTkloAkJ8RqnFpNOlaTnGQGNl5PqpsyUEZtKqJx7gZ/s320/IMG_4946+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>...and a painting of a siamese jaguar prostate exam.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbWkigJ5wJUd_yb-oCwsdZ1u6t4tcLTuAlhRPt4QlLXMziRWSjUrFopMoxABU7qVW_id0qcdMh8Vs3wCwL11syW7v_OH2v5anubaXjnOuJRf7S-ZiHzmGxMXDFiE8-ylewAq3ORCUGqTW/s1600/IMG_4952+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351071472548530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcbWkigJ5wJUd_yb-oCwsdZ1u6t4tcLTuAlhRPt4QlLXMziRWSjUrFopMoxABU7qVW_id0qcdMh8Vs3wCwL11syW7v_OH2v5anubaXjnOuJRf7S-ZiHzmGxMXDFiE8-ylewAq3ORCUGqTW/s320/IMG_4952+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>Since we were in a humorous mood, we decided to find a restaurant that serves "cuy", a kind of guinea pig that is a delicacy to some in these parts. It is common to be presented with entire body parts (as opposed to a fillet or drumstick) when eating cuy, and Tyrone encountered a rather un-tasty little arm, complete with claws, sticking out of his deep-friend mound of pet. Luckily, neither of us enjoyed the taste of cuy, as it reminded us of fish with the texture of sticky, fatty chicken, so we will now do our part to save the local guinea pigs by being anti-cuy-atarians! </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqDxKTmtUhlkYWe_893PmseIQXAe0kTGK5Bv93l-pkCMCmprON6v6Nu5UW_j3zSj3thGhXF8ZBF3De-5CW9x5UYdaCT6UHKCQf_lfiJd48GKoyW1rUyLJWmytUOMa3Rh7CQGXl4z3Ixl1/s1600/IMG_4959+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351068130585202" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinqDxKTmtUhlkYWe_893PmseIQXAe0kTGK5Bv93l-pkCMCmprON6v6Nu5UW_j3zSj3thGhXF8ZBF3De-5CW9x5UYdaCT6UHKCQf_lfiJd48GKoyW1rUyLJWmytUOMa3Rh7CQGXl4z3Ixl1/s320/IMG_4959+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>The locals also told us about a large water-park in town that we had to visit before we ventured further south. Peruvians know how to design their fountains, as every one we have encountered is designed beautifully with different light displays. This park was full of maybe 20 different amazing fountains of various shapes, colours, and sizes! I am sampling some techni-colour tea, below :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxgA5eUAME3bjlSZ1i373JCvAli8gtLL09Xd8tabP-XCB7zTK-rBdHPBYhDoiTgKcpiG4sZHUDgqZfBm_QI5oeasHODyMMCCZAuAgoIV6b1Lat10a3NF5F7fiuzTL8LS_y_WfueGxezbD/s1600/IMG_4965+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593351064868626434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxgA5eUAME3bjlSZ1i373JCvAli8gtLL09Xd8tabP-XCB7zTK-rBdHPBYhDoiTgKcpiG4sZHUDgqZfBm_QI5oeasHODyMMCCZAuAgoIV6b1Lat10a3NF5F7fiuzTL8LS_y_WfueGxezbD/s320/IMG_4965+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>...and posing again...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGg59hl993k6QoYU5u8HNOljw5Yq6WZMUlmKiUYDlAYkRrWZi_E9u_iXac_BDb8iWkDVjbwYYowIcXnBzdByc6inJugqdObktDFMZMDzMly7v-ByPnF9PfpRAvYkgS41CbuRsdsTxBg4p/s1600/IMG_4977+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593350649807919186" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGg59hl993k6QoYU5u8HNOljw5Yq6WZMUlmKiUYDlAYkRrWZi_E9u_iXac_BDb8iWkDVjbwYYowIcXnBzdByc6inJugqdObktDFMZMDzMly7v-ByPnF9PfpRAvYkgS41CbuRsdsTxBg4p/s320/IMG_4977+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>Can you spot Tyrone in the water maze?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8MuMA0FksZxRNzKs24uOZPg1RXFKbF4Td2I-ENj5wYwpAhY_Lsx08Ac36DC2vY2CtyLz2JY1WMqlzOJ9MQr13FlXzx9-JIpq5ILBZ08oQ4kOKNSSjRUPCQ8CqGYm8Z9qIZVzeGdwjkX0/s1600/IMG_4984+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593350647249196514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD8MuMA0FksZxRNzKs24uOZPg1RXFKbF4Td2I-ENj5wYwpAhY_Lsx08Ac36DC2vY2CtyLz2JY1WMqlzOJ9MQr13FlXzx9-JIpq5ILBZ08oQ4kOKNSSjRUPCQ8CqGYm8Z9qIZVzeGdwjkX0/s320/IMG_4984+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>We stood in line for 15 minutes just to walk through this 100-foot long water tunnel... which was actually kind-of worth it.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixZ15-JFHqXXt4jraDe3JAdnyLv7KhCmdST2c5lPqwGr6_M1qsc1NkjMp2mYjIRzZAd9LClQRhVGGMoSPRwfs6dGsLAM4fdLUjBEQcfj-l_WjdfV2BRZTJ70LrJ84qUmbvhPNmwhamiPf/s1600/IMG_4987+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593350645578656546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgixZ15-JFHqXXt4jraDe3JAdnyLv7KhCmdST2c5lPqwGr6_M1qsc1NkjMp2mYjIRzZAd9LClQRhVGGMoSPRwfs6dGsLAM4fdLUjBEQcfj-l_WjdfV2BRZTJ70LrJ84qUmbvhPNmwhamiPf/s320/IMG_4987+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>...and then I posed some more!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2J-0MnmSq8GG7JtfUJ9tfGldpIp7v22L2xmOUPrfOFVfBG2DfMLxZdFUdtVYyvEOl0mMHv3maLF-AGKKSo7OlR1tccR7lUKfmHnx7NaGBC2_st5WDSCye3TeBksk_Mr7gzmSE1w0Tqg6/s1600/IMG_4998+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593350637891586306" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO2J-0MnmSq8GG7JtfUJ9tfGldpIp7v22L2xmOUPrfOFVfBG2DfMLxZdFUdtVYyvEOl0mMHv3maLF-AGKKSo7OlR1tccR7lUKfmHnx7NaGBC2_st5WDSCye3TeBksk_Mr7gzmSE1w0Tqg6/s320/IMG_4998+2.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><div>One funny thing about Peru is that we have encountered a friendly resident kitty pretty much wherever we have gone! This one lived in our hotel and was named "Gatto en Bottas" or "Puss in Boots"... which was odd, since he wasn't even orange... but he took a liking to Tyrone and requested snuggles whenever we came home or sat in the lobby to use WiFi!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO9wm2nIOAwd-t3RYRORMtmO6u7UgaGM4uX63V3M6fDG9S0TlaKYc9EQYJkMO202v58Iy_f6kvL31JsoDQRzKXJ_VyjZTC12lRIIZACy3-XIfnZsRwE2R2jg3xD-Qd67h7rNdmWjUFOD1/s1600/Imagen+069+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593350640916456082" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIO9wm2nIOAwd-t3RYRORMtmO6u7UgaGM4uX63V3M6fDG9S0TlaKYc9EQYJkMO202v58Iy_f6kvL31JsoDQRzKXJ_VyjZTC12lRIIZACy3-XIfnZsRwE2R2jg3xD-Qd67h7rNdmWjUFOD1/s320/Imagen+069+2.jpg" /></a> <br /><div>We both really enjoyed all of the sights and activities that Lima has to offer, and probably would have stayed a bit longer if it was in our budget (the hostals and food were a bit pricier than other places we had visited, but were still quite reasonable). Also, the people were amazingly friendly, with random people offering to walk us to hostals, bus stations, and taxis, just to make sure we got there safe and were set off in the right direction! There were a lot of people around, but it had a smaller-town feel, which we both enjoyed. In conclusion, Lima is a great place to visit!</div></div></div></div>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-66854104798685138432011-03-24T18:42:00.000-07:002011-03-24T17:00:06.130-07:00Happy Birthday Elle Bell!<span style="font-family:lucida grande;font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;"><strong>We would like to wish the most special birthday wishes to a most special girl.... our god baby Elle Rutherford! We wish we could be there to celebrate your big FIRST birthday, but this will have to do!</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;">We love you Elle and miss you so much!</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;"></span></strong><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;color:#ff99ff;">Tyrone & Lydia</span></strong><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzi4-Do1KVwcHbyGwom3EM9hezpwh3_KBXDBaVYfxwe7FB4M3ds-l54LtLg4R-nuyIhJGATgsy1EJFxmYd-ZQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602151879316287014.post-34489359284477574842011-03-24T14:42:00.001-07:002011-03-24T16:52:04.118-07:00HuarazAfter three weeks on the noisy beach in Huanchako, we decided to head a bit farther south and inland to the picturesque town of Huaraz for some peace and quiet. We made our way from sea-level to 3,700 meters elevation in a matter of 13 hours on a night-bus, and after a bumpy and windy cab ride up the side of a mountain, we landed at around 8 am at our freezing cold, glacier-surrounded hostel. Luckily, the owners were away on vacation and the place was pretty much empty when we arrived, so we were able to strike a pretty good deal with the volunteer staff on one of the best rooms in the place!<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpxGkcK3J8ehE4EOImZ18D80LYVVhdwiaaHHGILbprW9mWpfkT2uTzmjU89sUdxs41OsaFIT3WMiAO1D_K2XYF-5Rrlm-I3H4Ihsk6niP-kjXanAXhhue8224kaIqaqoMrOS4j_EjDd_m/s1600/IMG_4736+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770630068475586" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqpxGkcK3J8ehE4EOImZ18D80LYVVhdwiaaHHGILbprW9mWpfkT2uTzmjU89sUdxs41OsaFIT3WMiAO1D_K2XYF-5Rrlm-I3H4Ihsk6niP-kjXanAXhhue8224kaIqaqoMrOS4j_EjDd_m/s320/IMG_4736+2.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br />We spent our first day sleeping off the horribly long bus ride and adjusting to the altitude, but on our second morning, we were able to venture on one of the many trails mapped out around the hostel. We followed a trail along an open aqueduct up and over towards a glacier-fed river. Below you can see the aqueduct to the right and the glacier poking up between the two mountains off in the distance.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UHXTx9TyH6F9X3I7ETioYcNZQGWasFFEG21kWo9gZsBfbZhi-c2XchZ0_l06e2tIR5Agvtacrlm4MVoUHNbKwbxRLGN2mJRIeKMv4jvIBVHbf2aeZA30YGxzaxv3BGQy36K1DfuizDaM/s1600/IMG_4758+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770625952801666" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-UHXTx9TyH6F9X3I7ETioYcNZQGWasFFEG21kWo9gZsBfbZhi-c2XchZ0_l06e2tIR5Agvtacrlm4MVoUHNbKwbxRLGN2mJRIeKMv4jvIBVHbf2aeZA30YGxzaxv3BGQy36K1DfuizDaM/s320/IMG_4758+2.JPG" /></a><br />We were absolutely surrounded by the most breath-taking sights wherever we walked!<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB5sihiVZ8N4CDYPIbt7bncVooYRHwuJsxi-VEnzvv9bmVLRXTXgl94kqaI8jUJS7AXqUPJpAMK_NP-LoKEG2VS_McIdZNx1gXF2Os1xcBZ3n_94ImeDQ5mn1kviUjffVTXJBLEQ5465b/s1600/IMG_4775+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770623006532530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLB5sihiVZ8N4CDYPIbt7bncVooYRHwuJsxi-VEnzvv9bmVLRXTXgl94kqaI8jUJS7AXqUPJpAMK_NP-LoKEG2VS_McIdZNx1gXF2Os1xcBZ3n_94ImeDQ5mn1kviUjffVTXJBLEQ5465b/s320/IMG_4775+2.JPG" /></a><br />And then on the second evening, we had a beautiful sunset.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ6CDOZBu9usJws82kinWzyjs137oOSC8cKByQY5JrzlhzVwXH5ubynblhzo7avPzFXclhhgQELKWg7x-3yclt3YltIJTIuGNcVgsw6wi7l3SHNpk7aXD7hYjM0BQg3LQwGrPeSVIbEjX/s1600/IMG_4779+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770618911915330" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPQ6CDOZBu9usJws82kinWzyjs137oOSC8cKByQY5JrzlhzVwXH5ubynblhzo7avPzFXclhhgQELKWg7x-3yclt3YltIJTIuGNcVgsw6wi7l3SHNpk7aXD7hYjM0BQg3LQwGrPeSVIbEjX/s320/IMG_4779+2.JPG" /></a><br />So beautiful, this was taken with our simple little point and shoot camera by Tyrone!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Za3_UqhQFEPgm3BrJN8snM0-OWa4YN9YADWC7LCymOL7UX72Zdx3vSGszgkOntjiLNfFnjoAdfQA9sD-ePJ3BveIbwTYaCqQFrAA3JerPrcoM5b7EbLc9DX6xxBb0tsEuVzFGKEnBHHf/s1600/IMG_4795+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770612317754578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Za3_UqhQFEPgm3BrJN8snM0-OWa4YN9YADWC7LCymOL7UX72Zdx3vSGszgkOntjiLNfFnjoAdfQA9sD-ePJ3BveIbwTYaCqQFrAA3JerPrcoM5b7EbLc9DX6xxBb0tsEuVzFGKEnBHHf/s320/IMG_4795+2.JPG" /></a><br />This is the side of our hostel on the same night. It is surrounded by a moat-like pond that harbours trout, which are then caught and fed to hungry travellers in the restaurant. We tried it once and it was actually pretty tasty! The volunteer staff was expected to cook for guests, but according to them they ¨didn't want people to pay for rubbish¨, so they hired a local chef in to cook gourmet meals every lunch and dinner! We had some of the best soups we had ever tasted.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmr2W_5LkdVpHPzvxUzedgTNbn5p2Esi4E4674j7TXNIvftyCMv9CkDAfE9WcQowGygWI_l_8mEH3Hp4nNiq-keivVUJVEmA9cLR5YJ61eBF7bfPC3ru-hpjn3b4SapLAhDL7eiZcuG-h/s1600/IMG_4802+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770224997109954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkmr2W_5LkdVpHPzvxUzedgTNbn5p2Esi4E4674j7TXNIvftyCMv9CkDAfE9WcQowGygWI_l_8mEH3Hp4nNiq-keivVUJVEmA9cLR5YJ61eBF7bfPC3ru-hpjn3b4SapLAhDL7eiZcuG-h/s320/IMG_4802+2.JPG" /></a><br />On our third or fourth day in Huaraz, it was pretty cold and rainy, so it was found out by the volunteer staff that I am pretty good with a mixing bowl and oven. Entonces, I ended up making not one, but TWO batches of cookies because they were so good! I spent about 4 hours baking over 100 chocolate oatmeal raisin cookies for everyone at the hostel to share.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VWLg8UEkuSiLlN_bN2MKiVMzlV3WCHZqpNZYI50DzHAuf366-p4_d93sv0qSnu77XSGEXlD3QrsX8HGPf_pM6jzSg4ymgzm1x-VV5yIEeBEJWHW-EdH2jBuCWgYpYJ1eYrxl2bW0s68L/s1600/IMG_4817+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770224800640402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VWLg8UEkuSiLlN_bN2MKiVMzlV3WCHZqpNZYI50DzHAuf366-p4_d93sv0qSnu77XSGEXlD3QrsX8HGPf_pM6jzSg4ymgzm1x-VV5yIEeBEJWHW-EdH2jBuCWgYpYJ1eYrxl2bW0s68L/s320/IMG_4817+2.JPG" /></a><br />We finally got out that afternoon for a walk before I was asked to make a third batch of cookies! It must have been stick-bug mating season up in the Peruvian mountains, because we litterally stumbled upon hundreds of them. This group of bugs were just trying to keep each other warm... I swear...<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLp9IS7BBmrphucT2RkVYEmAkMCR441qSYnOaAfiAbsOaQOioMZSXsWf4izzarJFsIk-irWVWnu8-BExkBtfIU6fB97fRm6TXlv4YwVPpO0tabMtz5LYUh7TrYOCeYg93GITgyKB0o-UO/s1600/IMG_4828+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770220250564050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVLp9IS7BBmrphucT2RkVYEmAkMCR441qSYnOaAfiAbsOaQOioMZSXsWf4izzarJFsIk-irWVWnu8-BExkBtfIU6fB97fRm6TXlv4YwVPpO0tabMtz5LYUh7TrYOCeYg93GITgyKB0o-UO/s320/IMG_4828+2.JPG" /></a><br />There were two different kinds of stick bugs - the little one below looking most like a stick.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbknnmayj6xvSy40yoMWGpU_s1vRdB_9R-n4VDw8FwXY-TJXnyRxDrsnpuQXBRbu4LX0hAx5GGMLZ35xohLvmzF4mK6w9-CrihAK22TXSJKweiAiTAxiP3Oz2ElDtS7-gMBi1Dq2r5bb7/s1600/IMG_4830+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770217496753858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVbknnmayj6xvSy40yoMWGpU_s1vRdB_9R-n4VDw8FwXY-TJXnyRxDrsnpuQXBRbu4LX0hAx5GGMLZ35xohLvmzF4mK6w9-CrihAK22TXSJKweiAiTAxiP3Oz2ElDtS7-gMBi1Dq2r5bb7/s320/IMG_4830+2.JPG" /></a><br />There were quite a few traditional thatch-roof homes in the area... I hope there is a chimney on the other side, as it gets quite cold at night in the mountains!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VS_2U9GZTI94ciUQ7F9X3sva4AOwUA7Sjr3nTfwtf-KDdHkZD6JwDeGY3_gVb7jZ3KFccCdTH45z1A2ORZVW7JS7lsGSaFX2gZV1ComVihQhL7D94bthDGV0RcMCaOe0Rfa31dx8fuFo/s1600/IMG_4831+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587770214282844978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5VS_2U9GZTI94ciUQ7F9X3sva4AOwUA7Sjr3nTfwtf-KDdHkZD6JwDeGY3_gVb7jZ3KFccCdTH45z1A2ORZVW7JS7lsGSaFX2gZV1ComVihQhL7D94bthDGV0RcMCaOe0Rfa31dx8fuFo/s320/IMG_4831+2.JPG" /></a><br />Tyrone couldn't resist climbing pretty much everything... but luckily, this made a great shot!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNLvKtVwi0wLIN0LuwOr9E8uprRY7dBU9psFR3XJVfzWUwcolJeBaKI18LW6mhmTopo_Ve8-nk0M-lQsnapvEu76uiA2rXdb8GQPahh78RE49y1DB6edTIM8E-2MPmkzp-p9_OimTeXlr/s1600/IMG_4836+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769777468839682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrNLvKtVwi0wLIN0LuwOr9E8uprRY7dBU9psFR3XJVfzWUwcolJeBaKI18LW6mhmTopo_Ve8-nk0M-lQsnapvEu76uiA2rXdb8GQPahh78RE49y1DB6edTIM8E-2MPmkzp-p9_OimTeXlr/s320/IMG_4836+2.JPG" /></a><br />On our second to last day in Huaraz, we decided to take the long trail up and around one of the mountains to a little glacier lake. It was a beautiful and warm day, and along the way we ran into many locals, including these two cattle herders, below.</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5054boV5nzdaj7vDIArxXn4njXd1ctCfWLPPcfXVxWbj_SY6osdYTWFwGieSBuy4XQp6TRnj7WeIRTl5i-_qBZKy6UHBRH4kqgfj8roqTBwI3vVExokm9LxrrpTf-y68Dsjx8qSol9OgV/s1600/IMG_4856+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769768490495826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5054boV5nzdaj7vDIArxXn4njXd1ctCfWLPPcfXVxWbj_SY6osdYTWFwGieSBuy4XQp6TRnj7WeIRTl5i-_qBZKy6UHBRH4kqgfj8roqTBwI3vVExokm9LxrrpTf-y68Dsjx8qSol9OgV/s320/IMG_4856+2.JPG" /></a><br />These two little boys and their puppy were in charge of herding the baby cattle!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgSNpEhxxgXm_9RjInB0OG_HH6cSP5d6Sw3_mfya_wekVCW6jdUvnreyN5KaKVPk0K4VxGmRs_V2oQt387IvIaPPikgEINBGzQUXapiEVlLzEFBpaeFmSmlDmtJXlq2jwV93OfVMn75RV/s1600/IMG_4857+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769761672654354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqgSNpEhxxgXm_9RjInB0OG_HH6cSP5d6Sw3_mfya_wekVCW6jdUvnreyN5KaKVPk0K4VxGmRs_V2oQt387IvIaPPikgEINBGzQUXapiEVlLzEFBpaeFmSmlDmtJXlq2jwV93OfVMn75RV/s320/IMG_4857+2.JPG" /></a><br />Including this sweet little calf who reminded us of Norman from ¨City Slickers¨!</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTo0G6EhfrVldmchJkAUe5YQthpwl-cVDL4m2LSB1lUNQqaYzyhEMYu8lmPCHcSo8AF2Y8ep8ucF6Wa8eFePtWjSuPJRj1mKM0H-s38IC868JHzAivF3LEZlF6payPwFI4WZmKgPjv4lh/s1600/IMG_4860+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769756369205282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTo0G6EhfrVldmchJkAUe5YQthpwl-cVDL4m2LSB1lUNQqaYzyhEMYu8lmPCHcSo8AF2Y8ep8ucF6Wa8eFePtWjSuPJRj1mKM0H-s38IC868JHzAivF3LEZlF6payPwFI4WZmKgPjv4lh/s320/IMG_4860+2.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>We just barely awoke this sleepy husky as we passed by his farm. Tyrone and I are hoping to get a husky one day... and Tyrone wants to name him ¨White Fang¨...</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CsbdiSAvW4G-7fX-aoEScfb4p3yTmn4gh-6w00DDN8jKkh6MiSCrm78zAMcrm-nQHI0BBgL35hnpByWZ4M8NLBGiKGDsADoeEqtx05knyRYxQ_ar_LLMZ6a_MnUzdcBF7Bfm40PQOYzR/s1600/IMG_4862+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769754113522962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5CsbdiSAvW4G-7fX-aoEScfb4p3yTmn4gh-6w00DDN8jKkh6MiSCrm78zAMcrm-nQHI0BBgL35hnpByWZ4M8NLBGiKGDsADoeEqtx05knyRYxQ_ar_LLMZ6a_MnUzdcBF7Bfm40PQOYzR/s320/IMG_4862+2.JPG" /></a><br />We took another path that was somewhat simpler, but much longer, to the other side of the snow-capped mountain, below.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjabJ6WI_9aedm566LZ1_U_kjcS3kgltgd3e-50HJ6WMpF04jo3QkqgKptYgnZ3U31zS7nS1xQYG8cYw0teIPDUQEYAqKq66rjN917wpHGwztrfGVVcyQmHt2o4Rey5CVelBBpYrK2pDz/s1600/IMG_4866+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769261739873682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgjabJ6WI_9aedm566LZ1_U_kjcS3kgltgd3e-50HJ6WMpF04jo3QkqgKptYgnZ3U31zS7nS1xQYG8cYw0teIPDUQEYAqKq66rjN917wpHGwztrfGVVcyQmHt2o4Rey5CVelBBpYrK2pDz/s320/IMG_4866+2.JPG" /></a><br />About 2/3 the way up to the lake, we stopped and had a snack in front of the waterfall.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV6G_v0hImBfwqaIopw4zQ46W11eKB6B1WWwGKkyaH07JRweO9geCP-SQQibqjKG0g6M6EIjQv5KxO5APC1FEohz5xG8dSivLyCNoqePEgc94ZhSq36iI9C-Lg_wcso61P8Gel7c014qo/s1600/IMG_4870+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769251331584946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRV6G_v0hImBfwqaIopw4zQ46W11eKB6B1WWwGKkyaH07JRweO9geCP-SQQibqjKG0g6M6EIjQv5KxO5APC1FEohz5xG8dSivLyCNoqePEgc94ZhSq36iI9C-Lg_wcso61P8Gel7c014qo/s320/IMG_4870+2.JPG" /></a><br />After about 4 hours of climbing (including a very steep section requiring us to pull ourselves up with ropes) and 800 m added to our altitude, we finally made it to the glacier lake on the other side of the mountain!!!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMFHRms7R4swoPj5BcTEYai1lXMvB2-6APzRqOBmdwnjIdzLM32DdYtfFVNBShl6JlsgJZWo-4b6VKSSdFPGbfJmx6X-QWc3g7brHwVtWbkHK-lQv5fBGVGsp_boLErAFnmmt6qCiam8S/s1600/IMG_4872+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769246581451506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMFHRms7R4swoPj5BcTEYai1lXMvB2-6APzRqOBmdwnjIdzLM32DdYtfFVNBShl6JlsgJZWo-4b6VKSSdFPGbfJmx6X-QWc3g7brHwVtWbkHK-lQv5fBGVGsp_boLErAFnmmt6qCiam8S/s320/IMG_4872+2.JPG" /></a><br />We had packed a picnic lunch and ate it whilst admiring the ice-blue lake below and glaciers above.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS9hvRKFWZd9LR-58vFavlsdQ-e3T_69Bk-jv83wLF9cWzmqQdymxuutPAeGrTIJlat6FbxwD2HEGqpVV_wINL1aTB5Df2OLgHwese60N9cLQaP-Yk4jz7Yz9AWLejQv9DQcA8viswSiy/s1600/IMG_4893+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769244814026578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkS9hvRKFWZd9LR-58vFavlsdQ-e3T_69Bk-jv83wLF9cWzmqQdymxuutPAeGrTIJlat6FbxwD2HEGqpVV_wINL1aTB5Df2OLgHwese60N9cLQaP-Yk4jz7Yz9AWLejQv9DQcA8viswSiy/s320/IMG_4893+2.JPG" /></a><br />A sign proving just how high we climbed!! It is pretty hard to breathe when hiking nearly 4500 m above sea level - the air is pretty thin up there!<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMPCnRTFERbLLTRnqJQ18IB_j-kkD_PFbe4ctXJVe9iJKhNX_eebjiBhnoiCDd556LFiYRBqK18mKwyCp71rHKN2a2-TgWW4wpr_mFAL6EAfMnEh71_lPeb2I6fH121QKLw3vqKaXgzqZ/s1600/IMG_4894+2.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587769242674595250" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYMPCnRTFERbLLTRnqJQ18IB_j-kkD_PFbe4ctXJVe9iJKhNX_eebjiBhnoiCDd556LFiYRBqK18mKwyCp71rHKN2a2-TgWW4wpr_mFAL6EAfMnEh71_lPeb2I6fH121QKLw3vqKaXgzqZ/s320/IMG_4894+2.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div>Last, but not least, here is a video taken once we settled down at the top of the lake:</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><p><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyl3pP2oibKsH3uXWRaPH9cxs5IRuk8mI2gzg8l28QfCAPBsgugS3rCOpqstjwHMNziEYW5hF6FdYL4vemEgQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p><br /><p></p><br /><p>Huaraz is one of the most beautiful places we have both ever been! Also, one of the mountains in the area is apparently the ¨Paramount Pictures¨ mountain that you see during the opening credits of their movies!! It was hard to leave, but we had a new friend offer us a free ride with him to Lima, so we left paradise and headed off to the largest city in Peru!</p>Tyrone Austenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03548437822680747143noreply@blogger.com1