Welcome To The Jungle

Tuesday, May 25

We started off with a very early flight from Lima to Iquitos on Peruvian Airlines. Once we arrived in Iquitos, Ivy was waiting for us at the airport (Ivy is the wife of Anthony, they are the owners of Otorongo Jungle Expeditions.)

Iquitos, Peru

Ivy took us on a walking tour of Iquitos, and showed us all the elegant buildings erected during the rubber boom in the early 1900's. A bunch of the buildings had hand-painted ceramic tile for siding! Like we see oh-too-frequently in the rust-belt those days are no longer, and Iquitos is no longer the wealthy boom-town it once was.

Our first stop on our way to the jungle lodge was the Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm. They are also an accredited Peruvian Center of Custody for wild animals. While there, we got to see many animals you wouldn't normally see in the wild, and got to learn about the life-cycle of butterflies.

Fabian

Red Bald-headed Uakari Monkey

Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm, Iquitos, Peru

Rare Amazon Butterfly

Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm, Iquitos, Peru

Emily & Tony

White Capuchin Monkeys

Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm, Iquitos, Peru

Pedro Bello the Jaguar

Pilpintuwasi Butterfly Farm, Iquitos, Peru

From the butterfly farm, we began our journey down the Amazon by speed-boat. It began raining shortly thereafter, and we dropped the plastic tarp sides on the boat to stay dry, or at least that was the concept. Thankfully for two people that tend to get seasick, the rain didn't last long. We stopped at a local rum factory and sampled four different kinds of rum, and molasses.

Jen & Ivy Squeezing Sugar Cane

Don Guerra Rum Factory

Caserio Yanamono, Peru

After the rum factory, we continued down the amazon, and traded Ivy for Anthony, her husband. Ivy was going back to Iquitos to play secretary and tour guide for outgoing guests. We made it to Otorongo after the 3 hour journey, and settled in. Edison, our tour guide, took us on a walking tour of the property and bordering rainforest. He introduced us to many different plants and fruits that we would be coming in contact with throughout our stay. We had a great dinner of peanut crusted chicken, rice, fresh salad of cucumbers/carrots/cabbage/onions, and a local juice. Each meal would feature a different local fruit juice that had been freshly prepared for our enjoyment.

After dinner, we were taken on a nocturnal trek in search of tree frogs, and other wildlife. Needless to say, we were successful.

Giant Monkey Frog

Oran, Peru

Poisonous Dart Frog (New Species)

Oran, Peru

Machu Picchu

Sunday, May 23

Our day started with a wake-up call at 4AM (unless your name was Jenny, then you were showered, half dressed, and bothering Mark.) We were at the train station by 5AM and boarded a bus for Machu Picchu. For those that don´t know, the rails to Machu Picchu were washed out by mud slides in February. As temporary service, they provide a bus ride from the train station in Cuzco, to a provisional station in Piscacucho, a town 82km into the 110km trip.

Due to a bad call on our part, we were stuck in the very back of the bus for this ride. Now, a small part of this trip was in paved roads in decent condition. The rest of the trip was offset by potholes, gravel, dirt, single lanes and other various niceties. We also happened upon a parade at 7am in Ollantaytambo, with people in full costumes and masks.

Finally after two and a half hours of bouncing around, we arrived at the provisional train station in Piscacucho. We boarded the next leg of our trip, the train, and proceeded towards Aguas Calientes.

The River Next to the Train Tracks
Piscacucho, Peru

Washed out Train Tracks
Piscacucho, Peru

When we arrived in Aguas Calientes, we weaved through an open air market, crossed over the river, located the bus station, bought our tickets, and boarded a bus to Machu Picchu. Once again we were stuck in the back of the bus, but this time only for 25 minutes.

We had no trouble entering Machu Picchu. There were no horrible bag checks, bag restrictions, or camera lens restrictions that we had read about. We climbed up to the highest point near the Inca Trailhead, and started our self-guided tour of Machu Picchu at about 10:30AM.

For those non-world-history-buffs, Machu Picchu was a lost Incan city ¨discovered¨ by Hiram Bingham, a Yale Professor in 1911. If you want more historical info on it, that´s what wikipedia is for.

Machu Picchu
Peru

JennynMark @ Machu Picchu
Peru

Main Entrance
Machu Picchu, Peru

A Carved Hole, Perhaps a Torch Holder
Machu Picchu, Peru

The Terrace Farming Section
Machu Picchu, Peru

Find the Stone Birdie
Machu Picchu, Peru

Stone House
Machu Picchu, Peru

Temple of the Condor
Machu Picchu, Peru

The Still Working Plumbing System
Machu Picchu, Peru

Machu Picchu, Peru

Temple of the Sun
Machu Picchu, Peru

Lama at Machu Picchu
Peru

Showing off the Camera
Machu Picchu, Peru

Local at Machu Picchu
Peru

Agricultural Terraces
Machu Picchu, Peru

We finished our clockwise tour of the site about 3PM, and found a grassy area overlooking the site to sit and relax for a while. We were very happy with our decision to take a self-guided tour, as we were watching other groups being herded through the site. It´s our opinion that exercising this option gave us the ability to get out of it what we wanted, and go at our own pace, while being able to refer to the expert descriptions in our book, when desired.

We exited about 3:45PM and took a bus back to Aguas Calientes, where we did a lot of looking and a little shopping.

Aguas Calientes, Peru

At 5:00PM we boarded our train for Piscacucho. This time, instead of the standard ¨tourist¨train, we took the snobby train. It´s entirely beside the point that we were on a tight schedule, and all the other options were ¨sold out¨ at the time we booked our tickets. Apparently Peru Rail plays games, trying to force people into higher priced tickets, because they made lower cost tickets available again after we locked in. There is a new startup service, Inca Rail, which will supposedly provide them with competition, but isn´t yet because they don´t accept Credit Card reservations online.

Jenny on the Train
Aguas Calientes, Peru

Inside the Train
Aguas Calientes, Peru

Outside the Train
Aguas Calientes, Peru

After a soothing 1.5 hour trip by train, featuring wine, cheese, bread, hot towels, and other five star accomidations, we were herded into a ¨Special Service¨bus for the return trip to Cuzco. The ¨Special Service¨only was visible by a sign on the window. After ten minutes on the bus, the soothing atmosphere of the train was entirely negated. This bus had less leg room, lesser comfort options and a worse ride than the ¨Standard Service¨ bus in the morning. Couple that with a half hour delay, trying to get 30+ busses all going the same direction on a one-way gravel and dirt road. Our bus ended up close to the end of the line, and we started the 2.5 hour trek back to Cuzco. We arrived in Cuzco after a mostly uneventful trip, where our driver was obviously bothered by being near the end of the line. He tried to make up time where possible, passing nearly everyone in sight, on gravel one lane roads, blind curves, switchbacks, and other fairly impossible situations.

When we got in, we decided to order a pizza and just chill out for a while. Pepperoni in Peru isn´t the same as in the states, but it still is mighty tasty.

All in all it was a great day, and a great experience, and we would recommend going there at least once.

Tupac was an Incan

Saturday, May 22

After an uneventful flight to Cuzco (the past Incan capitol tucked in the Andes Mountains) we arrived at our hotel, Torre Dorada. At the suggestion of the hotel staff we relaxed over a cup of coca tea, freshened up, and went to explore town.

Plaza De La Armas
Cuzco, Peru

We visited the Cathedral which is said to be the grandest in the area. In all the Cathedrals we have visited in all different countries, we have never seen where they clothe their statues. Even more interesting, many statues of Jesus had him wearing a skirt.

After exploring the cathedral, we visited the Incan Temple of the Sun. This is one of the best known Inca temples. Reportedly, it has close ties to the ancient Incan Emperor, Tupac. We guess popular culture changes some things, now doesn´t it?

Original Wall Section

Temple of the Sun

Cuzco, Peru

We visited some local street markets, and were surprised at the lack of persistence from the street vendors. When you tell them ¨no, thank you¨ they actually go away, unlike in China or Egypt.

Jenny in Cuzco

Cuzco, Peru

We had dinner on the second floor of a restaurant overlooking the Plaza De La Arms and were treated to some traditional dance as we strolled through the square, afterwards.

Plaza De La Arms

Cuzco, Peru

Traditional Dancing

Cuzco, Peru

Nuns That Love Salami

Friday, May 21

Our first layover was San Salvador, El Salvador. We went shopping for the Diamonds. (Which is not to be confused with Diamond shopping.) Let's just say we were pleased with how it went.

Costa Rica was beautiful, and uneventful. Jen was going to leave a message in the bathroom for you, Becky, but figured that would be setting a bad example for our niece.

We arrived in Lima without problems, and made it through customs without a second look. (Even at the salami.) We were welcomed by an extremely excited Monica, with Dunkin Doughnuts in one hand, and her camera in the other.

The drive from the airport to the convent was an experience for Jen all on its own. She was trying to drive from the back seat, and unfortuantely Mark was in the seat in front of her getting all the effects from it. We arrived at the convent and became human again with a shower. After relaxing for a little bit Katherine arrived home and we feasted on a dinner of salami sandwiches on homemade bread. We tried some new fruits as well. The easiest way to explain one of them is a "fuzzy melon" which tastes somewhere inbetween the taste of a melon and a cotton ball.

An Excited Katherine Posing with the Salami

Lima, Peru

Monica Showing off her Pig Cutting Board

Lima, Peru

After Dinner we headed to the next parrish over for a going away celebration for Father Tom's niece. She has been working among the locals establishing 34 pre-schools in 19 school districts. On the way to the celebration, we ran across a parade commerating the 50th anniversary of Santa Maria Elementary School.

Parade for Santa Maria Elementary School

Lima, Peru

Parade for Santa Maria Elementary School

Lima, Peru

A Going Away Celebration

Lima, Peru

It was very appreciated for the Sisters to include us in their day to day activities. It's always a treat to see how locals live when traveling.

Take Us Out To The Ballgame

Thursday, May 20

Our adventure started at the Rochester airport with the TSA bag check official muttering under his breath ¨is that a sausage?¨ Naturally, Jenny chimed in, ¨no, actually it´s a salami!¨

JFK Air Train

New York

We found our way from JFK into the city, had lunch at a place named Jackson Hole (would you expect any less?) , checked out the construction at Ground Zero, and met up with one of Mark´s college roommates that calls Manhattan home. Yankees vs. Rays was the entertainment for the evening. For all you Ohio sports fans, the easiest way to explain the feel of the new Yankee Stadium is a cross between The Jake and The ´Shoe, with a sprinkling of Comiskey Park for good measure. The Yankees ended up losing 8-6, though it was a slugfest.

Jenny & Mark at the New Yankee Stadium

Bronx, New York

New Yankee Stadium

Bronx, New York

New Yankee Stadium

Bronx, New York

After the game we went for a late dinner, and tried a restaurant that was new to all three of us. (Who knew many restaurants in New York City close before 11PM?) As Mark was placing our order, the server inquired on what we wanted to drink. When Mark said that we´ll discuss it, the server leaned in closer and flamboyantly said ¨ok, I´m ready, let´s talk¨ with one hand on his hip, etc... Needless to say, Jenny found this quite amusing.

We crashed Little Italy for dessert after walking around NYC after midnight and had some really good Tiramisu. After that, Mark´s roommate drove us to JFK, where we yet again had to explain about our salami. We caught an early morning flight to Lima by way of El Salvador and Costa Rica on Taca airlines.

A New York Night

Manhattan, New York