Wednesday 6th March 2024
Early start with a 6.15am flight to Amsterdam. Couple of glasses of wine in Schiphol airport (the sun is over the yard arm somewhere!) before our 12-hour flight to Lima, Peru. Arrived in Lima at 6.15pm local time. Lima is a massive city with 11 million inhabitants, so traffic is horrendous, took well over an hour to reach our hotel. The Ibis Reducto Miraflores is a standard hotel with small, but very functional rooms. We were dying for a shower to freshen up and certainly felt much better afterwards. We then went to the hotel bar for a night cap of Peruvian beer and some locals suggested we try the National drink of Pisco Sours, which was a cocktail of local spirits mixed with lemon and lime, bitters, and egg white. Think it might be an acquired taste!
7/3/24
Lima
After breakfast in the hotel, we went a stroll around Miraflores. JF Kennedy park is a sanctuary for stray cats where they are all fed and watered. A lovely oasis in the middle of the city. We had a great lunch at Cafe Lima across the road from our hotel. We were picked up at 2pm for a tour of the city. After driving to the cultural centre, we had a walking tour taking in all the main sights with our guide Jean Carlo. We also toured the Dominican Monastery. A short drive to the Larco Museum followed. The Larco Museum is set in a very pretty garden, full of flowers. It houses a collection of ceramic artefacts and other Inca and pre-Inca treasures. A long day, we got back to the hotel at 7.45pm.
8/3/24
Transfer to Cuzco
Early start, 7.30am pick up for our flight to Cuzco. Coach transfer to the Sacred valley. Enroute, we stopped at the Sulco Museum. Highlight was feeding the Alpacas and Llamas. Staying the night at the Villa Urubamba. Villa Urubamba is a beautiful oasis, filled with flowers. After a few beers with our fellow travellers, we had dinner in the hotel. Nik had Alpaca tenderloin! Early night as we must be up early for our Machu Picchu visit. Both feeling a little lightheaded because of the altitude.
9/3/24
Machu Picchu
5.50am pickup for a minibus transfer to Ollantaytambo to catch the 360 degrees train to Aguas Calientes to then catch a bus to Machu Picchu. The train journey was very scenic, and we were escorted onto the train by dancing girls and then entertained by the waiting staff in traditional dress. We were lucky that the weather was amazing at Machu Picchu, it certainly lived up to its name as one of the wonders of the world. After 2.5 hours wandering around the site with our very informative guide Wagner we went back to the village. Lunch at a little place by the river recommended by our guide. Great food and beer, fabulous company and entertained by musicians. A long day finished with dinner and drinks at our hotel with our fellow travellers.
10/3/24
Sacred Valley
A tour of the Sacred Valley today. First stop was Chinchero in the highlands. Traditional weaving demonstration followed by a tour of the town to fully appreciate its Inca heritage. Bought a beautifully soft pashmina from a street vendor and a beanie for Nik. In the valley below the town, they are constructing the new Cuzco international airport which will bring jobs to the area, but at a cost. Next stop Moray. Moray is an architectural site showing circular Inca terracing for growing different crops in different circles due to microclimates at each level. Final stop before lunch back to Ollantaytambo where we caught the train yesterday, but this time to see an Inca fortress, the temple of the sun. Raining cats and dogs, so I left Nik to explore the Temple of the Sun, whilst I enjoyed some mint tea in a cafe. Buffet lunch at La Feria on the way to Cuzco. Arrived at Polo Suites at 5.45pm. First impressions big room with a jacuzzi bath, so impressed. Dinner in the roof top restaurant at the hotel with panoramic views of the city.
11/3/24
Cuzco
After a jacuzzi bath and breakfast in the hotel we strolled into the city. Had a baileys coffee on a balcony overlooking the square. After some shopping in the local market, we strolled back to the hotel. In the afternoon we were picked up for a walking tour of Cuzco. First stop was Qorikancha, the temple of the sun which is now the site of a Dominican convent. We then strolled through the lovely quaint cobbled streets of the San Blas area, which is very bohemian. Final stop was the main square that we visited this morning to visit the cathedral. Our tour guide today was the same one we had yesterday, Ludwig who was very informative and passionate about Cuzco. After a couple of vibrant blue Polo Piscos in the hotel bar we went to Tunupa Museo restaurant for dinner and a show. The entertainment was excellent traditional Peruvian music and dancing. Highlight was Nik being dragged up to join in with the dancing, he loved it!
12/3/24
Cuzco
Last day in Cuzco, so after packing and breakfast we strolled into the city centre. A stroll as the altitude is still catching us out and leaving us breathless. First stop was the Inca Museum to see the mummies, who were as gruesome as I expected. After a stroll around San Blas, we went to Hanz in the main square for lunch. Amazing food and fabulous service. Feeling stuffed we headed back downtown for our pickup for our flight back to Lima. Just overnighting in Lima, back at the Ibis, as we fly to Buenos Aires tomorrow.
13/3/24
Transit day
We left the hotel at 5.30am to catch a flight to Santiago, Chile. Geoff and Monica, our travel companions from Texas, invited us to join them in the airport lounge, so we had a relaxed breakfast and chill out. As the flight was slightly delayed, we missed our connection. However, we did have a lovely lunch with Geoff and Monica. Next flight to Buenos Aires was also slightly delayed meaning it was 10pm before we reached our hotel, The Kenton Palace. Our room was huge, and the hotel very centrally located.
14/3/24
Buenos Aires City Tour
We visited the glamorous neighbourhoods of Recoleta and Palermo. Then on to Plaza de Mayo and Casa Rosada and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Finally, we visited the La Boca neighbourhood and Caminito, where we had an empanada and a glass of red wine for 7 dollars. Our final stop was in Puerto Madero for lunch at La Porolaccia, excellent Italian food, with an Aperol Spritz to start, a bottle of Argentine Malbec and Limoncello to finish. Our impression of Buenos Aires was that it seemed very much like a European capital city. Much of the architecture was of a French style, much of the colonial Spanish architecture had long gone. We then needed a siesta before our Argentine tango show later! Aljibe Tango and dinner show was amazing. We managed to bag front row seats. Old, atmospheric building, great food and fabulous company with Geoff and Monica. The dancing and music were spectacular, big tick on my bucket list to see the Argentine tango in Buenos Aires.
15/3/24
Tigre River Delta
Today started with a scenic 2-hour cruise on the River Plate to the Tigre River delta onboard a catamaran. In Tigre, which is a weekend retreat for city dwellers, we had lunch by the river before exploring Puerto de Frutos and the market. A drive back to the city passing the famous River Plate stadium. Just time for a brief siesta before going out for our last evening in Buenos Aires. Dinner was at Puerto Cristal, which was nice, but not as good as yesterday’s lunch restaurant, La Porolaccia.
16/3/24
Last day in Buenos Aires
After breakfast we took an Uber to Ricoleta cemetery. The mausoleums are very impressive, huge marble structures with the caskets visible inside. The whole cemetery is a massive city of the dead, with the most visited tomb being Eva Peron. After a pit stop for coffee, we strolled the 2 miles back to the hotel, taking in the sights of Colon theatre and the obelisk and Plazo de Mayo. Transfer to the airport for our flight to Iguazu falls. Couple of Patagonian beers to pass the time. We arrived in Iguazu around 6.30pm, our hotel was charming, and we bagged yet another massive room - the Suite Presidencial!!! Ironic with Nik being President of the Golf club. Dinner was at our hotel El Pueblito Iguazu, which was really good, they have a very impressive wine cellar.
17/3/24
Iguazu Falls
Early start to visit the Argentinian side of the falls this morning. We rode on a little train to the start of the trails, it was absolutely chucking it down, but we were dressed for the occasion in our plastic ponchos. The falls were spectacular and accessed by raised walkways. After lunch we set off in 4x4 trucks through the jungle and then boarded a rib. The rib took us up the river and right through the mist of the waterfalls to soak us to the skin. It was very exhilarating. After a very long day we returned to the hotel for a refreshing beer. We then visited Iguazu Ice bar. A bizarre concept in the rain forest! We made the most of it and managed to pack in 4 drinks into our 30-minute slot in our ice glasses. We had to dance around to keep warm as although they provided coats and gloves, it was cold in flip flops and shorts! Another great dinner at the hotel after.
18/3/24
Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls
Beautiful, sunny day today. Bit of a pain as we had to exit Argentina and enter Brazil showing our passports each time. The Iguazu Falls Park is much smaller in Brazil, but the panoramic views were spectacular. Journey back once again involved 2 lots of passport control. Back to the hotel for a beer and chill out by the pool as very hot and humid today. We found out that our hotel had a little zoo and gardens attached, so spent some time wandering amongst the orchids and butterflies. Dinner and wine in the hotel for our last night in Iguazu.
19/3/24
Flight to Rio
Started the day in style in the lounge at Iguazu Foz airport drinking champagne with Monica, whilst the boys had beer. We caught a connecting flight in São Paulo and were in Rio for 5pm. We were staying at the Windsor Copa which as the name suggests is just off Copacabana Beach. Great location, but very small basic rooms. We started the night off at a beach bar, overlooking the beach volleyball, drinking Caipirinhas. Across the street we found a great Italian restaurant and then finished the night off in a ‘dog’ bar by our hotel.
20/3/24
Rio city tour
First stop was the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, which is on top of a hill in the National Park. It was certainly impressive and gives a great view of the city. We then visited the Macarana football stadium, where Nik had his photo taken with a bad Pele lookalike! The Cathedral was a surprise as it was a brutalist, concrete pyramid. Final stop was the Selarón Steps, which are beautifully tiled in hand painted designs, mostly red. As it was 32 degrees, and we were hot and bothered we headed for a beach bar for beer and nachos. Dinner and cocktails at Maxim’s overlooking the beach. Couple more cocktails in a beach bar with live music before a relatively early night.
21/3/24
Sugar Loaf Mountain
Our last full day in Rio. Trip up Sugar Loaf Mountain in two cable cars to admire the view across the city. It was spectacular. Returned to the hotel and headed to a beach bar with Monica, Geoff, and Veronica to cool down, just 42 degrees today! A pit stop for a shower and siesta before meeting for dinner at 7pm. Dinner was at a Churrascaria, which is basically an all you can eat BBQ. But plenty of salad, cheese, and garlic bread for me. We finished the night with rum shots! Perfect! We then went into the 5-star Copacabana Palace hotel to see how the other half live. Next time we come to Rio I want to stay there!
22/3/24
Last day!
Woke up to torrential rain, I think Rio is crying because we are leaving!!!! After a noon checkout we headed to the shopping mall in an Uber. A bit of window shopping and then lunch in Mamma Jamma of pizza and beer. We were picked up from the hotel at 4.45pm, usually the journey takes about 1 hour 20 minutes, but due to many people avoiding travel and working from home due to weather conditions it only took 40 minutes. We met Monica and Geoff in the lounge for Bon voyage drinks before our long journey home. South America we will be back, it has been a blast!
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