#peru guided tour

[alpacaexpeditions]

Discover the Wonders of Peru: Guided Tours of Peru 

Peru, a land of ancient mysteries, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture, is a must-visit destination for any avid traveler. One of the best ways to explore this enchanting country is through guided tours of Peru. These tours offer an immersive experience, ensuring you don't miss out on any hidden gems while providing insights into the rich history and culture of the region. For those seeking a memorable adventure, we offer exceptional guided tours that cater to all kinds of travelers. 

Why Choose Guided Tours of Peru? 

Embarking on guided tours of Peru presents numerous advantages. Firstly, these tours are led by knowledgeable local guides who are well-versed in the history, culture, and geography of the areas you will visit. They provide fascinating stories and facts that you wouldn't find in guidebooks, enhancing your overall travel experience. Moreover, guided tours often include logistics such as transportation, accommodations, and meals, allowing you to focus on enjoying your trip without the hassle of planning each detail. 

Key Highlights of Guided Tours 

Peru is a country of diverse attractions, and a well-planned tour ensures you experience the best of what it has to offer. Here are some highlights you can expect when choosing guided tours of Peru with us: 

Machu Picchu 

No trip to Peru is complete without visiting the iconic Machu Picchu. This ancient Incan citadel, perched high in the Andes Mountains, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Guided tours provide in-depth information about the history and significance of Machu Picchu, and we ensure you get the best possible experience, including avoiding the crowds and visiting at optimal times. 

Sacred Valley 

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is another must-see destination. This fertile region is dotted with picturesque villages, impressive archaeological sites, and vibrant markets. Guided tours of the Sacred Valley often include visits to the towns of Pisac and Ollanta Tambo, where you can explore ancient ruins and engage with local culture. 

Cusco 

Cusco, the historic capital of the Inca Empire, is a blend of ancient and colonial architecture. The city's charming streets, lively plazas, and historic sites like the Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) and Sacsayhuaman fortress are best explored with a knowledgeable guide. Alpaca Expeditions provides comprehensive tours that cover all major attractions in Cusco, offering a deep dive into its fascinating past. 

The Alpaca Expeditions Experience 

We stand out for its commitment to providing top-notch guided tours of Peru. Their experienced guides are passionate about sharing their knowledge and ensuring every traveler has a unique and enriching experience. Whether you are hiking the Inca Trail or exploring the Amazon rainforest, we take care of all the details, from permits and tickets to high-quality camping equipment and gourmet meals. 

Moreover, we are dedicated to sustainable tourism and giving back to the local communities. They employ local porters and guides, support community projects, and adhere to eco-friendly practices, ensuring that your travel experience is both enjoyable and responsible. 

Conclusion 

For an unforgettable adventure in one of the world's most fascinating countries, consider joining guided tours of Peru. with the expertise of Alpaca Expeditions, you will discover the wonders of Peru in a way that is both informative and exciting. From the majestic ruins of Machu Picchu to the cultural richness of Cusco, every moment of your journey will be enhanced by the insights and care provided by professional guides. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore Peru's treasures with the best in the business. 

[mansipatel5]

Discovering the Marvels of Peru & Iguazu Falls: A Journey of Natural Wonders

A memorable travel experience is created by the fusion of the magnificence of nature and the cultural diversity found on a Peru & Iguazu Falls Tour, which is like entering a fantasy world. This expedition guarantees a tapestry of stunning natural scenery, lively cultural traditions, and spellbinding waterfalls.

Peru: A Land of Ancient Mysteries

The adventure starts in Peru, a nation rich in history and the location of one of the most famous archaeological wonders in the world, Machu Picchu. This ancient Incan citadel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural marvel that continues to confound researchers and tourists alike. It is located high in the Andes Mountains.

A pilgrimage for both history buffs and explorers is visiting Machu Picchu. An exciting approach to the site is provided by the Inca Trail, a well-known hiking path that winds through lush rainforests and high-altitude vistas before revealing the magnificent ruins. A truly magical experience can be had while watching the sunrise over Machu Picchu's terraces and thinking about its mysterious past.

But Machu Picchu is not everything about Peru. The Sacred Valley encourages you to learn more about Incan civilization with its lovely communities and archaeological sites. Explore the Pisac Market, a bustling display of native crafts and traditions, or visit Ollantaytambo, a living Incan town with well-preserved architecture.

Iguazu Falls: Nature's Symphony of Water

The tour brings you to Iguazu Falls, a natural wonder that defies description, after immersing you in Peru's rich cultural heritage. These breathtaking falls, which lie on the border of Argentina and Brazil, are a testament to the unbridled beauty and force of nature.

Iguazu Falls is a massive collection of waterfalls that spans about two miles and has over 275 distinct cascades. The largest of the falls, Devil's Throat, has thundering waters, and viewing it will leave you in awe of the Earth's natural forces. Wildlife is abundant in the dense rainforest that surrounds the falls, creating a calming setting for this spectacular natural phenomenon.

Iguazu Falls exploration is a journey unto itself. Take a stroll along well-kept pathways that provide panoramic fall views from all directions. Take an exciting boat trip to go up close to the falls, where you can feel the mist on your face and hear the roar of the gushing water. The opportunity to see toucans, monkeys, and vibrant butterflies makes the rainforest a haven for birdwatchers and wildlife aficionados.

A Tapestry of Experiences

The journey between the two destinations is what makes the Iguazu Tour Packages so interesting. Enjoy traditional Peruvian food along the route, which combines a variety of tastes and ingredients with influences from indigenous, Spanish, and Asian cultures. Enjoy Argentine barbeque and discover the distinctive flavor combinations of local cuisine while visiting Iguazu.

This tour weaves history, culture, and nature together in a way that is both enlightening and breathtaking. Each experience serves as a reminder of the limitless beauty and wonder that our globe has to offer, whether you're standing above the Iguazu Falls or touring ancient ruins in Peru. A once-in-a-lifetime trip where each step unveils a fresh layer of the remarkable is promised by the Peru & Iguazu Falls Tour.

[sarahlovesfilm]

[brf-rumortrackinganon]

Did you see that Alessandra and Christian of Hanover had their third child on 16th February 2024? A brother or sister for Nicolás and Sofía, most likely born in Spain where they all live. It’s a cute story, she met him in 2005 as his tour guide in Peru and they started dating in 2011 before getting engaged in 2017 and then married in 2018. She was only 17 or maybe 16 when they met, having been born March 1988.

I don't follow the Hanovers, but thanks for sharing!

[tea-with-evan-and-me]

Spicy Peru request! Lemme know if you want a part 2 for days two and three ;) ~ Belgianon

Four days. Four fucking days. Four days straight of hiking on a trip that was supposed to be a nice little relaxing rest for the two of us. I wasn’t angry, per se – just… I hadn’t prepared, okay?!

Evan told me to pack light, since we’d be in a warm climate, and sure, I was hiking ready in the sense that I had boots and what not – but four damned days of climbing… ugh. I’d have done some preparation on the stairmaster back home if I’d known. Still, my protests didn’t stop Evan from packing two camping rucksacks with everything the tour guides had said we’d need for the Inca Trail. It surprised me, actually, that Evan even wanted to do something like this; he wasn’t abundantly sporty in the sense that he enjoyed the Great Outdoors, but then I was always learning things about him as he grew more comfortable with me.

Four day hikes along gorgeous backdrops with a local tour guide taking us off-piste for a special tour hadn’t been on my bingo card for the year. But then I learned that donkeys would be involved, and it all clicked into place.

“Ready to go?” Evan asked, pulling a baseball cap over his curls. He’d had them cut down a bit for the trip so he wouldn’t get too hot, but he’d left enough for me to hold onto when it mattered most.

“Sure,” I replied, picking up my rucksack. Evan slapped my ass as I walked past.

“You’re hot with that on.”

“You’d find a fucking chipmunk hot at this point.” I still stuck my ass out at him as we left the AirBnb he’d found. Evan usually took care of all the travel planning, since he had a strange knack for finding hidden gems away from the press and the absolutely insane fans.

The first day into the trip was a huge historical overload, with facts and stories told by a guide who painted the brightest, golden picture of Peru’s Incan history. I found myself lost in a world I knew nothing about as we wandered around ancient ruins that seemed to vibrate and pulse with thousands of years of energy… And when we set up camp for the night, we were so deep into the jungle-like surroundings that we got the treat of a lifetime: the glittering backdrop of billions of stars. Evan’s eyes were glued to me most of the evening, as I stared at the skies in love.

Day two… well, let’s just say, Evan being in his element asking questions and being a goof had me a little hot and heavy when we got onto the donkeys. The sway of the animal put my mind firmly on the sway of a certain someone beneath me, on top of me, behind me… I couldn’t shake it. Something about Peru’s breathtaking landscapes, and the fact that we were almost entirely alone except for this local guide… it was giving waterfalls.

“Stop thinking about it,” Evan murmured, moving his donkey beside mine while the guide went into the trees a bit to pee.

“About what?”

“About me fucking you against one of those trees over there in a bit…” Evan reached over and squeezed my bare thigh.

“I mean, if you’re offering…”

“Be good and we’ll see.” He grinned at me wolfishly and trotted on ahead, stretching up so I could see the damned work he’d been doing in the damned gym for a damned role he had coming up. Damn.

We reached a little clearing, and it was time for lunch. Lunch usually meant our guide buggered off for a bit on his own, and Evan and I were able to be alone, too. Our guide went down to a little ravine with one of the books he’d brought. We knew the part of the trail that was safe for us to be on, and so I wandered off a bit, pulling my top off to reveal a bikini underneath (literally no-one had time for anything more in that heat). I draped my top on a tree branch, fully aware that Evan was watching me.

I didn’t look back, though.

As I stepped through the lush foliage, Evan rushed behind me, pantsed me, and pinned me against a tree. He picked me up, wasting no time in freeing himself. He didn’t even give me a chance to get him going – he was already there, rock hard against my ass. He looked me in the eyes, his hand somehow rubbing me up in all the right places, spreading the slickness around my clit so much so that my head hit the tree behind me, and I had to fight to not scream Evan’s name deep into the fucking trees as he slid a finger into me.

“Can you f-fucking not,” I breathed. Evan laughed, attacking my bare throat and chest as he replaced his finger painfully slowly with his dick, adjusting his grip on my ass. It was thrilling, the breeze on my bare ass and breasts, the idea that at any point, anyone could come and find us… god, I nearly came before he even started moving.

“I just wanna savour this,” he murmured. “Scream my name.”

“No! No –“

“Come on,” he groaned, moving inside me. He felt fucking amazing, every sense heightened as he drove into me, his hat falling to the floor. I ran my fingers through his hair, grinning as his hips grew more and more urgent. “Scream for me, baby, come on…”

“S-some m-might he-ear,” I panted, face flushing with colour at the thought of the guide hearing me. We still had two days to spend with him.

“G-go on… d-dare you,” Evan growled, kissing my jaw. “Dare you.”

“F-fuck – Evan! EVAN!” The bastard had reached down and, with a very well-placed thumb, pressed down on my clit. I didn’t care about the noise then. The world could hear me. The ghosts of the Incas who undoubtedly surrounded us could hear me. I didn’t care.

“That’s it, baby,” Evan growled, grinning. “Fucking – c-come – come f-for me, baby –“

Entirely at his mercy, his thrusts turned sloppy, and his thumb circling my clit faltered a little as he tried to hold back, but couldn’t. Evan buried his face in my neck, trembling as he came, his breath hot against my already-hot skin. I could feel him dripping out of me, and it felt downright fucking sinful… I tried to move against him, teetering on the edge myself. He looked down at me, a gleam in his eye.

“Don’t you dare,” I whispered. “Don’t you dare leave me like this…” I was stuck.

“I kinda like it,” he murmured, stroking my damp face. “All needy and desperate…” He reached between us and stroked me slowly, stoking the fire that nearly made my body snap. “But I don’t remember hearing my name…” Motherfucker.

“Evan, Evan,” I breathed, desperate for him to speed up. Even a little bit. “Evan – Evan!”

“Come on… louder…” He pressed a little harder. He moved a little bit inside me.

“Ev-AN! EVAN!”

“Who do you belong to?”

“EVAN!” With that, he gave me the rough circle and thrust that I needed, and I came far harder than I’d expected to. I blacked out for a second, but when I came back to my senses, Evan was holding my face against his chest, chuckling.

“Good girl,” he murmured. “I think that noise scared a couple goats.”

“Shut… the fuck… up… about fucking… goats…” I panted, leaning against him. I looked to the side… and five goats were stood, watching, chewing on grass or whatever. “Oh god…”

“Come on. We should get back to the donkeys… before the goats take us to their leader…” Evan slid out of me, and the noise was unholy. I grimaced, feeling him drip a little bit down my thigh. He produced a packet of wet wipes from his back pocket. I cleaned up a bit, then put my shorts back on.

Our guide was, thankfully, sleeping by the ravine when we got back to the donkeys. Evan held my hand the entire way back, and as we lay in the sun for a bit, enjoying the sounds of nature, I couldn’t help but feel just a little more in love with him.

we’ve been blessed again 🫶🏼

[911prompts]

911 Prompt Masterlist

eddie and abuela watch telenovellas together

the 118 goes to the beach and buck decides to surf for the first time in years

buck asks about becoming a lieutenant

bobby sends linda recipes to give to eddie; its his way to take care of eddie

buck and christopher nurse a bird back to health

eddie doesn't like scrabble because he's dyslexic *

phillip & margaret were doomdayers - aka buck & maddie grew up in a bunker (blast from the past inspired au)

eddie knits

gregg's widow shows up at the 118 to thank eddie for bringing his body home

buck was a ranch hand on an alpaca farm

chimney actually cashes in on his snuggie idea

the buckley family immigrated froma soviet country when buck was little

the 118 gets a nice bonus and buck blows through it right away to get a new motorbike

buck was a tour guide to the penguin colonies in peru instead of a bartender

christopher gets his own clipboard

buck is a beekeeping enthusiast

buck traveled with the circus pre-118 and is now an insane juggler

buck's first teen romance resulted in a pregnancy

buck or eddie get a traumatic injury and have to relearn how to walk and talk

buck and his son go to the barber together

buck handling horses

eddie's breakdown but buck was on shift when christopher calls

eddie didn't answer anita mills call in august; in april, he wishes he had

angsty phillip buckley character study

abuela adopts buck from foster care *

chimney's dad is a crime lord

doug dies and buck helps maddie cover it up pre-canon

eddie and his company are haunted by the spirits of the valley of the dead

buck and his childhood friends that helped him survive hershey

abby comes back to la after seeing buck and the ladder truck accident on the news

Buck and Taylor have a one night stand as strangers in college that results in a pregnancy

the buckleys are amish; buck and maddie leave amish life at 18

eddie and abuela crocheting and gossiping

bobby and athena get together on the bachelor

buck makes up random facts to see if anyone ever realizes they aren't real

buck was one of youtube's first vloggers as he documented his travels

christopher's friend has a massive crush on him and he's completely oblivious

buck was a lifeguard in peru - ends up putting those skills to use on a call with the 118

eddie had a mustache while in the army. pictures are found.

buck teaches some kids skateboard tricks while on a call

taylor kelly's dad took the fall for her killing her mom

buck goes to maddie after her suicide attempt and he brings her to a clinic in LA

eddie was a secret agent *

Phillip Buckley tells hospital Buck’s past history of suicide attempt after the warehouse fire - medical history that neither Margaret, Maddie or the 118 knew

buck was in the quiz bowl league growing up

eddie does goofy dances to make christopher smile

bucks runs into abby on a layover on his way to oklahoma for taylor

photojournalist captures a picture of buck and christopher in the tsunami *

buck comes into custody of the children of his childhood friends

anita mills comes to eddie for help with her ptsd

different buckley family secret; buck is the product of an extramarital affair

maddie writes dear daniel letters

buck married in peru and didn't the divorce didn't go through

buck is older then maddie

margaret buckley died young; buck & maddie struggle growing up with a grieving absent father

buck worked as a sales pitchman on tv before the 118

buck is connected to a murder in Peru that happened on a night he has little to no memory of 

terrorists put eddie and his army company publicly on a hit list

buck adopts a homeless teenager

buck has donated sperm in the past and has dozens of kids (delivery man inspired)

the 118 gets called to a suicide in progress - patient is anita mills

buck is paralyzed by the ladder truck bombing

bodycam footage is leaked of Eddie’s shooting and inside the ladder truck 

buck was on scholarship and was scouted for the nfl, before dropping out

daniel died in an accident as a teenager instead

shannon comes back after tsunami - eddie/shannon redemption arc

buckley parents are love guru radio personalities - chimney starts using their advice for maddie and buck wants it all to end 

buck was a teacher before deciding to change careers to be a firefighter; he runs into some old students on a call

buck and phillip have only ever teamed up to take care of the girls; buck just never thought his dad would push it to the extent he does

mental illness runs in the buckley family; daniel committed suicide as a teenager

buck has a pre-teen from a past relationship who he's only allowed to see sparingly (aftersun inspired)

buck was treasure hunting in peru until things got too real. he leaves the mystery behind until it comes knocking back into his life years later (outerbanks inspired)

buck and maddie grew up poor 

buck got his high school girlfriend pregnant. they panic and hide the pregnancy - giving the kid up for adoption. it goes well until the child shows up as a teenager wanting buck to sign emancipation papers (life unexpected inspired)

in college buck helped make an app to help people out of unsafe situations with strangers; it ends up being used when eddie is trying to flirt with someone. buck finds it hilarious

daniel buckley was kidnapped as a child - it turned into a cold case until new information came to light 20+ years later

buck is peter pan au

eddie is unwell and starts hallucinating shannon

buck is a secret airbender

the buckley family immigrated from belarus - to the surprise of the 118, buck speaks russian on a scene to help locate a family in distress

buck and his dad are involved in the disappearance of doug; maddie is none-the-wiser

buck makes a career change after lightning strike

chief is harsher on buck because he has big plans for buck's LAFD future

updated 4/2/24

prompts with * means there has been a fic posted inspired by this prompt (confirmed by author).

prompts typed in red are the most recently added prompts.

You can find all prompt fills in the masterlist here. You are welcome to use a prompt that already has a fill.

Please let me know if you post any cause I would love to read and link.

[chaletnz]

Lima: Central City Walking Tour

On my walk to PukuPuku cafe I passed through Parque Kennedy and saw all the cat residents snoozing on pieces of cardboard laid on the grass for them. I heard crying above me, there was a tiny kitten up the tree but I couldn't do anything to try and get it down. My coffee was just as good as the one in their Arequipa branch, I sat outside to enjoy it as some businessmen came in for espressos on their way to the office - it reminded me a bit of Italy as they drank them standing there for a few minutes then left. I then went for a pancake breakfast at Piñeiros thinking I had plenty of time but then it took more than 30 minutes to get my food so I had to shovel it down quickly and run around the corner to meet up with the walking tour guide Jorge. Once everyone had joined (around 15 people) Jorge helped us all take the bus network to the central city, we'd all brought exact change as requested. The bus network was actually fantastic. Jorge scared us by saying there's a lot of crime and petty theft on the public transit so watch our belongings closely as we are targets. A large group of tourists though, we drew attention to ourselves and probably even the most hardened criminals didn't want to chance it. The bus had its own central lane in the middle of the highway, with concrete blockades on either side so it wasn't going out into traffic and traffic couldn't enter the bus lane. Because of this layout it was incredibly efficient and faster than all the traffic on the road even with all the stops along the way. I would love to see something like this implemented from Denver to Frisco and Copper Mountain as it would make public transit flow freely despite the frequent highway standstills. Jorge showed us how to use the ticket machine to buy a ticket back and then led us over to La Merced Church in central Lima which would be our starting point. We met up with some more tourists there and began our tour at this Baroque church that was constructed under the Spanish empire, followed by Casa O'Higgins which memorialises Bernardo O'Higgins who played a key role in the independence of Chile from the Spanish empire. We then visited Fotografia Central an old photo studio, and then an old mansion which had unfortunately succumb to humidity and had not been looked after by immigrants who took it over. We stopped in a shady spot where Jorge told us there are 43 districts in Lima home to over 10 million people, the 4th largest city in South America after Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Rio de Janeiro. He also explained that the main sport in Peru after football is eating and we should not ignore "chifa" which is the Peruvian Chinese food and is very unique cuisine. We then visited the municipal theatre, and St Dominic Church where Jorge explained a few historical terms criollo (meaning born in Latin America) and peninsulares (born in Spain). The criollos were second class citizens during Spanish rule. The origin of the city name Lima came from the Quechua indigenous people calling it "rimac" meaning "noisy river" in their native language but the Spanish hearing "Lima" instead. The last part of the tour was Plaza de Armas, and Jorge pointed out the house of the president because of course he lives in the main square! We took a group photo and gave our tips to Jorge before splitting up. I'd been chatting with a British guy Tom, and British girl Ellie who both happened to be from the same area there was also a guy I can only describe as "Berliner" because he had such an unwashed Berlin resident vibe although I think he was actually Dutch or Danish or something... Ellie was into it so Tom and I took a couple photos of each other in the main square and then I gave him 10 soles for his bus ticket back as he hadn't brought enough money with him. I stayed to explore more on my own though, I love breaking away from the group!

[hanni1011]

Reunion!!

03.-09.04.2023

Der nächste Montag war wieder voll mit Uni-Vorlesungen und dann habe ich mich so auf den Dienstag (04.04.) gefreut – wisst ihr wer da in Santiago gelandet ist!? Paige und Paul! Ich habe Paige vor ziemlich genau drei Jahren in Australien kennengelernt. Letztes Jahr habe ich sie und Paul in England besucht und jetzt haben wir uns in Chile wiedergesehen. Die beiden reisen schon seit 3 Monaten in Südamerika umher und jetzt war Chile und Santiago an der Reihe. Nachdem die beiden mit deren Kumpel Jack gelandet sind, bin ich abends zu deren AirBnb gefahren und wir haben Essen bestellt. Es war so schön die beiden wiederzusehen! Mittwoch hatte ich dann lange Uni und wir haben uns abends in einer Roof-Top-Bar getroffen. Das war mit Abstand das teuerste, aber auch das leckerste Essen, was ich bis jetzt in Santiago gegessen habe (Pad Thai mit Garnelen und dazu den chilenischen Cocktail Pisco Sour). Mit dem Uber ging es wieder nach Hause und dann auch direkt ins Bett.

Donnerstag habe ich eine Klausur geschrieben (sehr einfach!) und bin danach direkt zu Paige und Paul ins Shopping-Center gefahren. Nach dem Shoppen ging es mit Jack zum Art Museum und dann zum Sonnenuntergang mit der Funicular auf den Cerro San Cristobal. Erneut war der Sonnenuntergang wunderschön und danach haben wir in Paiges AirBnb Pitas mit verschiedener Füllung selbst gemacht und ganz lange gequatscht und Wein getrunken.

Freitag ging es nach dem Ausschlafen zu dem japanischen und botanischen Garten, und über den Berg erneut an San Cristobal vorbei nach Bellavista für ein verdientes Mittagessen nach dem ganzen Laufen. Nach der nötigen Dusche aufgrund von gefühlten 50 Grad, ging es abends nach Barrio Italia und wir haben bei einem Bier den ganzen Straßenmusikern zugehört und es wurden sogar unsere Musikwünsche gespielt – ein so schöner Abend!

Samstag ging es um 9 Uhr mit dem Bus nach Valparaíso. Nach der zweistündigen Fahrt haben wir am Meer direkt Robben gesehen – so cool! Danach habe ich ein wenig den Tour-Guide gespielt und habe die beiden durch die Stadt zu den Sehenswürdigkeiten geführt. Vorbei an buten Straßen, vieler Street Art und unzähligen Treppen, haben wir uns durch die Stadt treiben lassen. Trotz dieser schönen Kunst innerhalb der Stadt, wird einem dort doch echt bewusst, dass wir in Südamerika sind - Die Armut ist quasi spürbar, die Straßenhunde schlafen überall, es stinkt nach Urin und jeder fragt nach Geld. Mit diesem Bewusstsein haben wir den Tag trotzdem sehr genossen, haben mit lokalen Künstlern gesprochen und ich habe einen selbstgemachten Pulli von der einen Künstlerin gekauft, bei dem Valparaíso auf den Rücken gedruckt wurde. Umzingelt von Einheimischen haben wir uns schöne Livemusik angehört, haben zwischendurch Kuchen gegessen und Kaffee getrunken und uns über die ganze Street Art gefreut. Abends ging es dann wieder zurück nach Santiago und ich habe mich von Paige und Paul verabschiedet, aber nicht für lange, wir sehen uns in 2,5 Wochen in Peru wieder :-)

Sonntag war Ostern und ich war mit Alina richtig lecker Kuchen essen – es gab Snickers- und Orangen-Torte. Da hätte ich mich reinlegen können! Nachdem wir dann noch durch Barrio Italia und die Märkte dort gebummelt sind, ging es für mich an den Schreibtisch, um für meine bevorstehenden Klausuren zu lernen.

Hasta luego!!

[dynamischreisen]

Max, Costa Rica, Tag 7

Supderduper Eco Techno

Wie geplant früh ging es heute los. Direkt vor dem Hostel wurden wir abgeholt - rein ins Shuttle, auf die Fähre, in das Taxi. Immerhin also war alles eine mehr oder weniger private Tour, was meinen Rant von gestern emotional etwas abschwächt, wenn auch nicht politisch.

Unser Hostel, das irgendwie sowas wie Terre superduper Eco experience nature pura vida lodge heißt, liegt zwar 20 Mimuten Fahrt von La Fortuna entfernt, bietet dafür aber einen absolut atemberaubenden Blick auf den Volcan Arenal. Wieder trafen wir im Garten bunte Kolibris (die werdet ihr hier noch öfter sehen) und Schmetterlinge - alles blüht. Es ist richtig schön.

Zu Fuß begannen wir dann unsere übliche Erkundungstour mit einem Zwischenstopp in einem Restaurant mit unfassbar gutem Essen. Das bestand nämlich zu 90% aus Käse - mehr muss ich wohl nicht erklären. Beim gewöhnlichen Spazier-Wandern dann haben wir wieder mega coole Tiere gesehen. Und das ganz ohne Guide. Unsere Highlights sind der Cherrie‘s tanager (oder wie Nico ihn liebevoll getauft hat: Der krank rote Ficker), den es nur ziemlich genau hier gibt, und der Swainson-Tukan. Mensch, was war es für eine Erleichterung, letzteren zu sehen. Damals in Peru nämlich ist mir nur einer über den Kopf hinweg geflogen, ohne dass ich ihn beobachten oder gar fotografieren konnte. Mein Gefühl sagt mir, dass da aber sicher noch mehr kommt.

La Fortuna selbst war auch schön. Leider etwas zu spät kamen wir an, um das Städtchen bei Tageslicht zu erkunden, das sicher super aussieht, wenn der Arenal über allem thront. So ging es dann eben recht früh in Richtung Ende des Abends, den wir bei zwei Bierchen in einer Hostel-Bar haben ausklingen lassen. Die Party stand dann auf dem Rückweg an, als unser Uber-Fahrer Musik von DJ Koze hörte, wir auf simple, aber tatsächlich konstante Weise auf Spanisch über Techno und Subkultur sprachen. Ich zeigte ihm DJ Heartstring, Funk Tribu etc. und wir verstanden uns prächtig. Auch wenn das nicht so ganz meine Musik ist, ist es doch cool, zumindest ein bisschen zu wissen, was abgeht. Also danke dafür, Leute!

Leider dauerte das alles etwas länger, die Küche zum selber Kochen war schon zu, weshalb unser Abendbrot aus Ritz-Crackern bestand. Die gibt es morgen auch zum Frühstück, denn die Tiere warten nicht, bis wir einkaufen waren.

[jsbsam]

When is a Llama not a Llama?

For you regular followers of my twaddle you will remember that MM has had good reason to give me grief over my mistakes regarding national monuments in the past. Who could forget my inability to distinguish between a Temple and a Palace in Bangkok or, even worse, a priceless Japanese Bridge and roadworks in Hoi An in Vietnam. On this occasion I'm happy to report that the cock up is not mine for a change. But more of that later.

Today we visited the old town of Lima with our guide, Mabel - a good Inca name I thought! It turned out that we had her all to ourselves. She said it was because it's early in the season and we were her only bookings. I think that maybe the other 10 had heard that MM was in town. Bad news travels fast over here and, although they apparently have tuk tuks in some areas, we haven't seen hide nor hair of any. Her exploits in India in 2015 have gone down in tuk tuk folklore and have clearly travelled across the globe in the intervening years.

I digress. Mabel arrived bang on 9am and off we went to the old town where we were dropped off next to The Bolivar hotel, a beautiful but decaying building. Everyone who was anyone has stayed here from Kennedy to Mick Jagger. The hotel sits looking over the square that contains a statue in recognition of the Argentinian general (Jose de Saint Martin) who secured Peru independence in 1821. Interestingly, at that time only 10% of Peruvians wanted independence, 90% wanted to stay under Spanish rule! (So Jose was the equivalent to Nicola Sturgeon!). However, the rest of South America wanted Spain out so they united to fight the Spanish and Peruvian armies. Another couple of interesting facts that transpired from looking at the statue. On any statue of a man (or woman) on a horse if the horse has the 2 front legs in the air, then the rider died in battle. If only one leg is lifted (as in this case) the rider did not die in battle. However, if all 4 legs are grounded the the rider was never in a battle. Also, for statues of the virgin Mary, if she has her hands together, then it's before she was a mother, if her arms are open, then she's given birth to Jesus. Fascinating! When you see the photo's you will see a picture of the angel of liberty on the front of the statue of our friend Jose with a tiny Llama on her head. You may wonder why this is. Fortunately for you, I am here to explain as it is quite unusual. Although this is a Peruvian statue, it was commissioned in Spain. In Spanish “Llamas" has several meanings. It can mean Llama the animal, flame or name. So the sculptor was asked to provide a "statue of the angel of liberty with a llamas (name) above". So, when is a llamas not a llamas? Crazy.

It really was an interesting tour and Mabel really knew her history. I would strongly recommend it if you visit Lima.

We also saw the sun for the first time today. Apparently, the Peruvians nickname for Lima is "the donkeys belly" because it's always grey here. However, it hardly ever rains either. They occasionally get drizzle but maybe only 2mm of rain a year.

I'm glad we've spent a couple of days here. It was more interesting than I thought it would be and we've learnt quite a lot.

Tomorrow we fly up to Cuzco and find out how badly we'll suffer from altitude sickness!

[gemwolfz]

the thing i miss most from my trip to japan has got to be the convenience store food/snack selection. onigiri is so easy to eat (not just in terms of convenience, but as in its rice and i love rice) and there was always such a variety of pastries. and there was that cantaloupe flavored frozen dessert (shaped like soft serve ice cream but definitely wasnt ice cream but idk what it was exactly) that i got on a walk that was sooo so stinkin good

i love being middle class enough to go on big trips ive loved every country ive ever been to. peru was so good it was my senior trip so we had a whole local guide and all our meals were paid for and were very high end (and i was forced to try new things because there were only like 2 options per meal) and although it was a very tiring "we are doing so much every day" trip it too was great fun 10/10 everyone i encountered there was lovely (the only negative interaction being with people from one of the other schools in our tour group, which im still fuming about to this day but i digress) and i would love to go again and especially to spend more time in lima.

just to finish flexing all the countries ive been to my first time out of the country was a trip to england and france. both were pretty. my brother got injured and had to get a cast so we got disability priority for a lot of things which i feel scummy for appreciating so much but also god the lines for things were horrible im so glad we got to skip so many. anyway london was quite lovely, paris as well but i think the main reason i would ever return is because we never got to go to the louvre

anyway enough sleepy rambling i need to actually sleep goodbye

[alpacaexpeditions]

Alpaca Expeditions: Authentic Peru Guided Tours

Embark on a memorable journey through Peru with Alpaca Expeditions' guided tours. Explore ancient ruins, lush landscapes, and vibrant cultures with experienced local guides. Our tours offer personalized experiences, highlighting iconic destinations such as Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Enjoy comfortable accommodations and seamless logistics for an enriching adventure. Book your Peru guided tour with Alpaca Expeditions today and discover the magic of this beautiful country!

[pulledpurplecurtains]

adventures in rome part 4

so in the morning of the second day we first took a guided tour by bus around the ancient monuments of the city (mostly)

we saw castel sant’ angelo (on the left) from afar, that has gardens around it shaped like a star and there’s a secret passage connecting it to the vatican through which various popes have escaped peril. its name is taken as “castle of the angels” but more correctly it’s “castle of st. angel”. close by is rome’s palace of justice, the seat of the supreme court of cassation

then we reached villa borghese (its entrance on the left), a giant public park with the building being an art museum. in the past all parks were villas bc they actually were; the most powerful families held villas with huge gardens, some of which still survive to this day. the city of rome managed to buy this park and maintain its nature in contrast to some of the other villas where their gardens were uprooted and built.

we drove through part of the park and eventually reached piazza della repubblica, where stands the fountain of the naiads (greek nymphs presiding over bodies of fresh water) and in the back santa maria degli angeli e dei martiri (st mary of the angels and the martyrs) a basilica built inside the ruined baths of diocletian following an original design by michelangelo

after that we also saw santa maria maggiore (st mary major), one of the first churches built to celebrate virgin mary after, in 431 ad, she was proclaimed mary mother of god by the council of ephesus. the church was built in that immediate aftermath. its ceiling internally is gilded with the first gold brought from peru, which queen isabella donated to the then pope. this was the biggest church before the construction of st peter’s basilica in the vatican

[2wards-travelling]

Well into our Peru roadtrip. Currently getting ready for an overnight bus journey to Arequipa. we started with a whistle stop tour of Lima City centre, before heading to the coastal town of Paracas. Yesterday we visited an oasis in the desert called Huacachin. Not exactly picture postcard like the brochure. Surrounded by massive sandunes,but we didnt have time for sandboarding or dune buggies, but I have now made a mental note never to try climbing dunes in 32 degree heat. Next stop Nazca lines observation deck, really, it was just a steel tower on the pan american highway. I think I maybe losing my fear of heights. Unfortunately the guide assured me the lines weren't created by aliens, so a nbit disappointing in that respect. The ones we saw were relatively small, about 100m by 50m but an experience all the same. Ann however took a flight over the vast majority of the lines. ( videos to follow ) I declined because I think I would have seen my breakfast again as the single engine prop plane dived and banked over the lines. I remained at the airport, watching a promotional video on loop, it was the first thing I had watched in Englush for 21 days, however I had to endure it 3 times before Ann landed. At least I am well versed in Nazca history. We have also seen a Nazca cemetery with 2000 year old mummies. Quite interesting but once you've seen one mummy you have seem them all. There is a pool at this hotel and air conditioning, so things are looking up. I did have to buy a new pair of swim shorts from a street stall. I was offered laughable fake Nike and adidas but eventually settled for a non branded XL pair with an inner mesh XS for keeping my privates in check and producing a soprano voice. Off now to buy some provisions for the overnight bus ride.As usual photos to follow, but firtunately not of me in my new swim shorts.

[laceyflanaganyarmouth]

Abandoned Tourist Destinations

Abandoned Tourist Destinations https://ift.tt/uCJoBdH There are countless abandoned places worldwide, from massive cities to peaceful islands. We think it’s important to share the stories of these ruins, as nature often reclaims them. Some of these have creepy legends, but others were left behind as the world moved on. While visiting abandoned places is fun, it can also be dangerous to go inside these structures. Always ask for permission before entering these areas to avoid getting in trouble. Here are some of the most fascinating abandoned destinations. Kennecott, Alaska The town of Kennecott was once the center of a massive copper mining operation. After the ore ran out, the town was abandoned in 1938. Today, the vast buildings can be found in the Wrangell St. Elias National Park. Guided tours and stories about the town’s past are available throughout the summer and autumn. Craco, Italy Despite its beautiful location, the residents of Craco abandoned the town due to various factors. One of these is its location, which is on top of a hill. Earthquakes, landslides, and calamities have hit the area. Despite its negative history, the town has become a popular tourist destination. Bodie, California During the 1870s and 1880s, the town of Bodie was full of people as gold was discovered in the area. It was eventually declared a state historic park. Some parts of the town are still in a state of decay, referred to as “arrested decay.” Spreepark, Germany In Berlin, Germany, there is a “Speepark.” It was once full of attractions, but it started to lose popularity after the owners relocated some of its most popular attractions to Peru. The Berlin government purchased the land where the park was located in 2014. It then continued to offer tours until the end of 2014. Canfranc Train Station, Spain The train station located on the Spanish and French border was called the Casablanca of the Pyrenees during the Second World War. Following a freight train derailing in 1970, the facility was closed. Today, some parts of the station are still operational. Kilchurn Castle, Scotland The word “dreamy” comes to mind when talking about Kilchurn Castle, located in Scotland. It was once the home of some of the country’s aristocrats. The castle is a popular tourist destination for people looking for a self-drive getaway. The post Abandoned Tourist Destinations first appeared on Lacey Flanagan | Travel. via Lacey Flanagan | Travel https://ift.tt/jN89ClZ March 05, 2023 at 10:55AM

[chaletnz]

Paracas: National Reserve

The original plan for this morning was another relatively early meeting at 7:45am for the boat tour around the Ballestas Islands (also termed the “poor man’s Galapagos”). I’d been looking forward to this tour immensely, especially since a lot of travellers I’d met going towards Cusco had come from Lima and Paracas and commented how much they enjoyed the boat tour. It was a bit of a mad rush to turn in my laundry, pack up my bag to check out, and get to the meeting point down the road. Unfortunately, we were all stuck waiting for updates as the conditions at sea were too rough for the 8am boat tour. I was engulfed in clouds of vape smoke from the dumb British teenagers waiting alongside me. The next boat was at 10am so I had a bit of time to walk out of town up to Mirador San Martin to check out the view, and enjoy a breakfast at Fruzion of some coco Almendras pancakes and a latte. Despite the name and rather disappointingly, the latte was not a latte and just an instant coffee sachet with milk. However the pancakes far exceeded any expectation I had! When I arrived back at the meeting point, the decision had been made that all boat tours were cancelled for the day so unfortunately I was out of luck for seeing the Ballestas Islands. Two buses pulled up and everyone was loaded on in chaos to visit the National Reserve. I ended up sitting next to a guy from Grand Junction, CO who had worked as a ski instructor and patroller within Summit County – small world! It was short-lived though as we played musical buses and he was moved to the other one. Ricardo was our guide and educated us while we drove through the 3,200km2 national reserve. It used to be a forest but is now a desert, actually an extension of the driest desert in Chile, and is home to 120 bird species, foxes, dolphins, and whales. The name Paracas comes from two Quechua words paras and nacos meaning sun and wind storm, presumably based on the weather conditions in this area of Peru! Our first stop was “the cathedral”, a large jagged rock that rose out of the sea separate from the viewing cliff we stood on, followed by the Supay grey sand beach. Supay means demon in Quechua and people would historically commit suicide here as an offering to the gods. It is also a prime earthquake spot, of which they are overdue… Unfortunately the Peru government doesn’t have to restore losses when an earthquake is less than magnitude 8. An 8.2 struck and the president at the time declared it was a 7.9 so they didn’t have to do anything. We reached another photo spot at Yumaque beach, where a dead bird lay amongst the swarm of tourists all crowded on the edge of the cliff for photos. Next was the Istmo peninsula which was like a Mars landscape separating the red beach from the rest of the sandy reserve. There were many large signs saying “don’t pass” and yet almost everyone in the tour group walked all the way out on to the cliff to take photos. I’m glad I followed the signs because staying back meant I could see the guides being berated by some park officials. The officials were taking photos of the guides, and the bus license plates and presumably making threats to kick our whole group out of the reserve for disobeying the signs. At the red beach itself, Ricardo made sure to tell everyone not to pass the signs and barriers before they would let us off the bus. There were some more dead birds lying around here and some dead seals getting picked apart by seagulls. Maybe it was for the best that we didn’t do the boat tour as apparently there were a lot more dead animals out there… On the drive back into town, we were told about the Paracas skulls and a museum we could visit to see them. I didn’t go to the museum but it was interesting how the parents would banadage large rocks to the sides of their children’s heads in order to make their skulls grow upwards to a unique cone shape. On the way out of the reserve we saw a large colony of flamingos and before we knew it we were back in Paracas in time for lunch.