November 2022

Machu piccu & galapagos

Hopefully two more places off my wish list Read more

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Trip start
November 7, 2022
Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 1
Monday, November 7, 2022 at 1:00 PM
☁️ 14 °C
Altitude: 28 m
England Heathrow Terminal 1 51.471318, -0.45067251°28’17” N 0°27’2” W
The long journey begins
November 7, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
I've been looking forward to this trip for so so long, and at last it begins.
Heathrow to Bogata, change flights and onward to Lima hopefully arriving at around 09:35 (5 hours behind UK time), some 17 hours after setting off!
Slight miscalculation on getting to Heathrow means I'm sat in the bar with 3 hours until check in 😊

Well check in was easy and security was so much quicker than Manchester, nearly time to catch my plane ....and sleep 😉Read more
TravelerEeek so excited for you! Safe travels- I’m looking forward to seeing what you get up to 😁
11/7/22Reply
Steve Catterallthank you, really excited too
11/7/22Reply
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 2
Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 12:35 PM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 2,532 m
Colombia Sabana de Bogotá 4.71, -74.1683334°42’36” N 74°10’6” W
Change flight at bogata
November 8, 2022 in Colombia ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Well a pleasant flight arrived on time but took an absolute age to deplane.
Well got through security, think I will need to consider duty free liquids on way back, had a can of coffee in my hand luggage so had to drink it at the security...no liquids in hand baggage 🥺

Was hoping to see total eclipse of the moon here but it's too cloudy, still I've a window seat for next flight to lima and the eclipse lasts another couple of hours...after all it's only 4am here 😭 well that didn't work sun rose at 5:30 so missed it .

Plan is to get to hotel , go to sleep for a while then head to Miraflores to see the beach and I've booked a table at restaurant Huaca Pucllana for 8:30 pmRead more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 2
Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 2:30 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 64 m
Peru Playa Marbella -12.105, -77.0612°6’18” S 77°3’36” W
Lima, and hotel
November 8, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Arrived at the hotel, looks nice but rooms aren't ready so it's complimentary pisco sours 😊

Took a stroll along the beach and ended up walking to Miraflores where there's a trendy expensive shopping centre (second one in a week), also encountered the only reference in the town to a certain bear....no lost bears home and no references anywhere else, apart from the statue on the front.

All in all a great first day, met the rest of the group and I think we will do well, me I'm tired now and unbelievably I've done over 20 thousand steps today OMGRead more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 2
Tuesday, November 8, 2022 at 7:08 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 98 m
Peru Miraflores -12.111667, -77.03333312°6’42” S 77°1’60” W
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First night meal
November 8, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Well I had read that the Huaca Pucllana restaurant was meant to be good, not only that the dining is on a terrace overlooking one of Peru's oldest ruins a 1,500-year-old archeological complex that is floodlit for you to enjoy while you dine.

I booked a table before I left the UK as I had today free. I decided to try purely Peruvian foods / recipes and no guinea pig wasn't on the menu 😭

I think the main course left a lot to be desired, to me the beef with banana didn't spring out as a fantastic dish and the rice and black bean tacu tacu was edible but hey when in Peru I think the the food has to be tried, it wasn't guinea pig but there's more meals to come.

Waiters were brilliant all round and rather amused at my attempts at Spanish, atmosphere second to none and if you're looking for an unusual dining experience look no furtherRead more
Traveler That looks fab!
11/9/22Reply
Traveler Yum!
11/9/22Reply
TravelerLooks amazing
11/9/22Reply
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 3
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 7:25 AM
⛅ 14 °C
Altitude: 80 m
Peru Parque La Pera del Amor -12.098475, -77.05673112°5’55” S 77°3’24” W
Tour of lima
November 9, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Well after my marathon solo route march along the beach today is an organised tour of some of the cultural things.

Went to the cathedral and visited a really interesting museum.
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 3
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 81 m
Peru Playa Marbella -12.097475, -77.05602112°5’51” S 77°3’22” W
Lima cathedral
November 9, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Inside the cathedral
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 3
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 21 °C
Altitude: 171 m
Peru Catedral de Lima -12.046667, -77.0312°2’48” S 77°1’48” W
Protest time
November 9, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
Well this was interesting, our tour had been going through the old town and were heading to the cathedral and government/palace square when we came across a large crowd protesting.

They had also been protesting last Saturday demanding the resignation of President Pedro Castillo. Apparently he had already survived two attempts to impeach him and he has six corruption cases outstanding against him, but while in office he can't be touched. During the Saturday demo police went in with both feet (and tear gassed the protesters).

There should have been a changing of the gaurd parade at 12 today which our guide was keen for us to see, but due to the gathering crowds it was cancelled.

On our was away from the square we went past the pensioners also protesting outside the government offices, all in all quite an interesting tour....until our guide started on a pro president rant to us all on the tour bus. Some of those on our tour then asked if the president was related to either Liz truss or Donald trump....which clearly upset her ha haRead more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 4
Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 10:00 AM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 2,891 m
Peru Urubamba -13.305601, -72.11067813°18’20” S 72°6’38” W
On to cusco
November 10, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Today we fly to Cusco and then transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas. One of the group has been telling everyone that the airport is in the top ten of most dangerous airports which hasn't helped a few of us.
Hopefully today we plan to visit Ccaccaccollo, to see the ancient art of fabric weaving assuming all goes well.Read more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 4
Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 1:44 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 3,386 m
Peru Cusco -13.521667, -71.97666713°31’18” S 71°58’36” W
Travel to hotel in sacred vally
November 10, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
We were picked up by mini bus and driven to the workers wool cooperative and then after that into the sacred valley where our hotel is for 2 days.
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 4
Thursday, November 10, 2022 at 2:33 PM
⛅ 16 °C
Altitude: 3,751 m
Peru Laguna Paclacocha -13.435, -72.05833313°26’6” S 72°3’30” W
The sacred valley hotel
November 10, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Hotel Augusto Urubamba,
Calle Pacaycalle
See translation
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 5
Friday, November 11, 2022 at 9:13 AM
☁️ 7 °C
Altitude: 2,859 m
Peru Ollantaytambo -13.256667, -72.26513°15’24” S 72°15’54” W
Tour through the sacred valley
November 11, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
Visited Ollantaytambo ruins, which used to be a massive Inca fortress with large stone terraces on a hillside. There's a Sun Temple and the Princess Baths fountain.

After this we moved on to a potato museum really high up in the mountains, shown loads of different varieties (nearly a thousand) then tried some of them including a dried potato which can be stored indefinitely. It was absolutely rank !!Read more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 6
Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 10:13 AM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: 2,125 m
Peru Machu Picchu -13.156667, -72.52513°9’24” S 72°31’30” W
Todays the day
November 12, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
God, I'm so excited today...early ish start, catching a train to our next hotel in Aguas Calientes, which is about 3 hours away. Then it's drop the bags and off to Machu Piccu for the day, then back to hotel but next day I'm on an ultra early start to CLIMB it's mountain to watch the sun rise 😊
Well I'm on the train, much cleaner than ours.Read more
TravelerWow train interior is lovely- love the roof windows! and beautiful scenery! Can’t wait to see all the pics- have the most amazing time!! 😁
11/12/22Reply
Steve Catterallit's a fantastic journey up through the mountains, the train runs alongside a river then all of a sudden you come in to a tropical region , loads of orchids along the track. the train gives a guide when we pass Inca ruins or other things of interest. really looking forward to next bit, then hotel and wander round think I'm going to try guinea pig tonight and tomorrow back to Machu Piccu to climb the mountain and watch the sun rise but as we can't get in till 6am I've a feeling the sun may well have risen lol
11/12/22Reply
TravelerIm very jealous! It seems you’ve already been having a great time and lots to see- on to the best part now! Interesting to know what the Guinea pig tastes like but I won’t be trying it 😂 and hey at least you’ve got sun- it’s cloudy and dark all day here 🌧️ 🌑 stay safe!! Xx
11/12/22Reply
Looks amazing! X [Lisa]
11/12/22Reply
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 6
Saturday, November 12, 2022 at 11:13 AM
⛅ 23 °C
Altitude: 2,081 m
Peru Machu Picchu -13.1559, -72.52461913°9’21” S 72°31’29” W
Machu piccu - part 1
November 12, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C
Well just having a quick beer then up to Machu Piccu.
What a fantastic day, a fantastic train journey and some truly memorable sights.

Didn't think I'd manage to get up but hey I did it 😊 there were times when I had to stop because you really do notice the lack of oxygen , my hotel is selling oxygen canister for £30 🥺 however not needed it.

Been out for a meal and was tempted to have guinea pig but they also had alpaca on the menu so I had that instead, it was very tasty which surprised me so it looks like guinea pig tomorrow 😘Read more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 7
Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 12:09 PM
☁️ 17 °C
Altitude: 2,057 m
Peru Machu Picchu -13.156667, -72.52513°9’24” S 72°31’30” W
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Aguas calientes and train to cuzco
November 13, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Rounding off Machu Piccu with a tour round aguas calientes before catching a train this afternoon to my final stop in Peru - cuzco.

What a strange place aquas calientes is,, on one side is a river running down through the town and then there's people mixing with trains running along the street. My hotel is on the street with the train track about five foot from the main entrance.

Found a real ale House for lunch, mapacho sour beer (6.1%) followed by strawberry sour ...and guinea pig pizza 😊Read more
Traveler can. you book them artist for Sunday at the ex service think they will down a storm
11/13/22Reply
Steve Catterall ha ha
11/13/22Reply
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 7
Sunday, November 13, 2022 at 9:15 PM
⛅ 22 °C
Altitude: 3,415 m
Peru Municipalidad de el Cuzco -13.516667, -71.9813°31’0” S 71°58’48” W
Train to cuzco
November 13, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C
After a dream trip to Machu Piccu and tour round Aguas Calientes it's now time to take the train to cuzco.

Well set off at 15:20 ,it's now 18:36 sun setting and about an hour to go.

Arrived at hotel, looks really nice although too dark to really explore it so that's it

Well wandering around the squares at 9.00pm and the place is so lovely. Found what looks to be a nice restaurant, let's see what it brings lol

Potato chips and two spicy sauces ,free, better than the bread I suppose , the sauces are really spicy.Read more
TravelerWow, went you said the train is right out side the door you meant it lol 😳 Mountain View’s amazing! Food looks yummy too 😋
11/14/22Reply
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 8
Monday, November 14, 2022 at 10:21 AM
⛅ 10 °C
Altitude: 3,399 m
Peru Qurikancha -13.52, -71.97513°31’12” S 71°58’30” W
Exploring cusco region
November 14, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Really nice hotel, excellent breakfast, really peaceful and tranquil, complete with harpist !

Then we set off to see the ruins at qurikancha which was interesting as a church has been built around it. Outside I had to have the obligatory photo with a baby alpaca.Read more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 8
Monday, November 14, 2022 at 10:46 AM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 3,418 m
Peru Plaza de Armas Cusco -13.516667, -71.97833313°31’0” S 71°58’42” W
Cuzco cathedral,tambomachy & lima farm
November 14, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
The next part was to cuzco cathedral, although you're not allowed to take pictures inside it was interesting to see the Peruvian take on the last supper, with guinea pig clearly on the dinner table, hope they enjoyed their last supper of cuy.

Then it was off to tambomachy

Followed by a visit to a Lama and alpaca farm which was really good. There were all the rare breeds of Lama and alpacas as well as a baby female condor. You could get up close and feed the lamas and alpacas with several just roaming around .Read more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 8
Monday, November 14, 2022 at 1:26 PM
⛅ 20 °C
Altitude: 3,609 m
Peru Cusco -13.508333, -71.9713°30’30” S 71°58’12” W
Saqsaywaman and w'engo
November 14, 2022 in Peru ⋅ ⛅ 20 °C
The last 2 sites to be visited were saqsaywaman and q'engo.
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 9
Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 5:54 PM
⛅ 17 °C
Altitude: 2,703 m
Ecuador Itchimbía -0.226667, -78.4950°13’36” S 78°29’42” W
On to ecuador
November 15, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C
Well it's going to be quite a day today, first a flight to lima, then change to a flight to Guayaquil in Ecuador before a final flight to Quito for two nights.

I think I will spend more time in airport lounges than in the air today 😭

Arrived at lima, checked in to get to Guayaquil where I hope I will reconnect with my bags . Then I have to exit at Guayaquil and re check in for the flight to Quito, I hope I have a ticket waiting at the desk for me because I haven't got it ha ha !

Just bought a double espresso in airport coffee shop ...26 sols....£5.67 !!!

Well cock up with ticket to Quito, ended up with 3 different ones! In queue now to board with beer in hand ( not as much time as thought on transfer)Read more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 10
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 7:21 AM
⛅ 9 °C
Altitude: 2,807 m
Ecuador Guápulo -0.205, -78.4850°12’18” S 78°29’6” W
More of the hotel
November 16, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C
Massive hotel, pool, gym, bank, shops
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 10
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 10:44 AM
☁️ 8 °C
Altitude: 2,704 m
Ecuador González Suárez 0.175, -78.2050°10’30” N 78°12’18” W
Exploring quisco
November 16, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Visit to the Quitzalo Solar Clock, ‘Middle of the World’ and Otavalo market then on to Cotacachi and Peguche.

Up in the clouds
TravelerThat apple looks .. insteresting. . Lol. You got the photo on the line! 😁😁😁 looks brill, xx
11/18/22Reply
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 10
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 2:11 PM
☁️ 12 °C
Altitude: 2,990 m
Ecuador La Cruz 0.153333, -78.1883330°9’12” N 78°11’18” W
Pijal farm
November 16, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
Went to see an indigenous family work who have set up a rose farm. They made lunch and then took us on a tour around their farm.

The meal was as they have and the whole thing was really interesting. The sad thing is that Ecuador is the major exporter of roses but this guy has no link to the exporters so he sells his roses in the market for $5 for 3 bunches !Read more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 10
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 9:43 PM
☁️ 11 °C
Altitude: 2,804 m
Ecuador Guápulo -0.204817, -78.485950°12’17” S 78°29’9” W
Galapagos here i come
November 16, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C
Well this is the last of my big expectations, I'm really looking forward to the wildlife, and of course seafood 😘

More confusing is the fact that there's another time difference, instead of being 5 hours behind UK it will now be 6 hours behind, I'm getting younger by the day 🤣

What a fantastic day tortoises everywhere, in the short time I've been here I've seen sea lions, birds, tortoises, sharks, rays, lizards... So much more than I thought, real craft ale and lobster ...who could ask for more .... tomorrow it's snorkeling with the fishes 😘Read more
TravelerThe size of those crabs and lizards! Wow! Food looks good too, I’ve never had summer rolls- hotel looks nice too. Keep taking all the pics!! 😁
11/18/22Reply
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 12
Friday, November 18, 2022 at 5:51 PM
⛅ 19 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Ecuador Puerto Ayora -0.743333, -90.3116670°44’36” S 90°18’42” W
Exploring the island
November 18, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Not sure what today will bring, there's a couple of boat trips planned so we will see 😉

Well 2 short boat trips and a couple of hikes to see some of the local creatures and fauna (cactus), blue footed booby's, sea lions , pelicans , massive herons. Really nice relaxing time, not much sun but still hot.

Our guide says it's fiesta time tonite with streets closed and music and entertainment in the streets.we will see 😘Read more
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Machu piccu & galapagos Steve Catterall
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Day 13
Saturday, November 19, 2022 at 8:15 AM
☁️ 21 °C
Altitude: 6 m
Ecuador Puerto Ayora -0.746951, -90.3165190°44’49” S 90°18’59” W
Darwins research centre
November 19, 2022 in Ecuador ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C
This morning it's a trip around the research centre to see the breeding programme for the various breeds of tortoises along with other information regarding the Galapagos.

This afternoon a two hour speedboat journey to our next island ...oh the fun of it (not), sea sickness tablets taken in anticipation 🥺Read more
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