storiesbygary

“Returning to my re-curing nightmare”, PTSD Maker.

Like I stated in my first blog about this trip to Asia, it was not in the plans originally, which was just going to Thailand. I had visited Thailand four times in the 60″s, and fell in love with the people, food, culture and history. Ever since I met my wife Marsha I have wanted to take her there, and we finally decided after South America, that it was time.

The Johan Luxury Riverboat

As the plans developed we had discussions with our good friends John and Shannon, about meeting in Vietnam and taking a Luxury Riverboat Cruise down the Mekong River, from Ho Chi Minh City, to Cambodia. The Cruisline we chose, Rainforest Cruises to plan it, was the same as we used for our Amazon River Cruise last year.

We booked it !

John and me relaxing in the Renaissance Riverside’s rooftop pool with Shannon

We also planned to vacation an additional week with John and Shannon in Siem Reap, Cambodia after the cruise, but more about that in the next blog post.

View from our suite at the Renaissance Riverside.

Marsha and I made flight reservations on VietJetAir from Bali direct to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, arriving on October 18th, for three nights before boarding the cruise on the 22nd. John and Shannon would meet us at the hotel on the 21st.

Did we have n awesome relaxing vacation ? Yup ! Marsha sure enjoyed those Thai Coffee’s 🙂

The Ho Chi Minh National War Museum……Not really on my “To Do/See” list.

We decided to stay at the Renaissance Riverside Resort, which was actually where all of us on the cruise would be picked up and brought to the cruise ship. This is also one of the best Luxury Hotels in Ho Chi Minh City, directly on the Saigon River and we booked a “Deluxe Riverview Suite”.

Street Food was everywhere in Vietnam

Getting “mounted up” for our XO Food Tour.

“Chowing down” with the XO Girls at one of the 16 food vendors in Ho Chi Minh City.

Our XO Food Tour Group 🙂

The girls cooking us some Satay Chicken

Yummy Crab with red hot peppers 🙂

So this begged the question, what would we do in Ho Chi Minh City for two days before our friends showed up, and what would we do for the day and night with them before the cruise ? I say this because if you research top things to see and do in Ho Chi Minh City, were…”Visit the Landmine Museum”, “Exploring the underground tunnels” used during the war, visit the “Vietnam War Museum, and other such “adventures”.

Getting serious with chopsticks

As I had already “experienced” the above in “first person”, as well as nightmares, we decided they would not be in our itinerary. Instead we decided to concentrate on doing a “food tour” , and after some research, decided on one called “XO Tours” on our free day, the day after our arrival.

I would have to say, tis was one of my favourite tours on our trip 🙂

Now you have to understand that this “tour” was on motor scooters, driven by girls, at night, on the busy streets of Saigon, in Chinatown! On top of that, we would each be on the back of a scooter, and Marsha has never been on the back of a scooter, in such an environment. I was amazed and thrilled that she agreed.

OMG these oysters were the bomb !

We were picked up by our drivers/tour operators at our hotel, and driven to our first meeting place to start the tour. We learned that XO Tours has over eighty young ladies and their scooters, operating this tour service. I learned from my driver that she is a school teacher, teaching English in grade school.

Before we started the street food tour, they gave us a fresh market tour.

All in all we visited 16 roadside street stalls in Chinatown, experiencing awesome street foods. They had two young men also riding scooters, one who was security for the group, the other who always went to the next place to secure seating for the group of us 8 tourists. As you probably have guessed, Chinatown and nighttime beg the obvious of “security”, which we never needed, but liked having it.

Fresh Durian fruit, delicious one the inside, pretty stanky on the outside !

All the “scooter girls” were entertaining on and off the scooters, and very informative. They were also “hams for photo’s”.

The cool thing about the tour, is the girls ate right along with us.

They actually assisted in cooking and preparing our street foods, like “stataying” our beef over hot pots, and pealing jumbo shrimp.

And I have to say, they all drove carefully showing much experience, except my driver, she was a wildcat on a scooter ! 🙂

We did take a break to see some new Condo’s, and walk over a bridge, perfect place for a pic.

One this about Vietnam I do remember is rain can happen…..at any time. On this night food tour, we enjoyed a nice evening until about 3/4 into it, when the heavens opened up, and the deluge hit. We were actually sitting in an outside covered room, eating when it started to pour, and the roof started to leak. The guys ran out to move all the scooters under cover, and we just enjoyed an extra beer….or 3. My driver left for a couple minutes, and came back with a couple “XO rain poncho’s” for Marsha and myself, much appreciated.

My Tour Driver dressed me up for the weather 🙂

I would highly recommend if you are going to Ho Chi Minh City on vacation, or work, because it is the best food tour you can have. Also because of their excellent reputation, you know they are only taking you to excellent food booths, where nobody is going to get sick. We didn’t. 🙂

The following day as we had nothing planned, we decided to do the “Hop On / Hop Off Tour Bus”. We have used this service before in Europe and found them to be an excellent way to learn the “layout of the land”. You pay for a day bus ticket, and the busses have a circuit of about 15-20 stops at famous or interesting stops, like museums. What I learned was that there really isn’t much for sites, other than the “War Museum”, “Land Mine Museum”, or “shopping Malls”. I also learned that with a chance of rain, don’t sit up top in the “open air seating”, because we got soaked in 30 seconds !

Anything in a storm….right ? like my “City Guide Map Hat”?

Marsha with her “actual rain hat”, also good for working in the “rice paddy’s”.

We did venture out in the city to what they call “Walking Street” to visit the shops, bars, massages, etc. Of course, it started raining pretty hard so we needed to find a covered place for a Singha or three, and maybe lunch.

How do ya like my new outfit ?

When our friends John and Shannon arrived, we did hit downtown, and went to a popular “inside Mega Shopping mall”, where John and I lasted about 15 minutes, then decided to venture outside to find a good massage place, which we did.

My buddy John and I at “The Mall”. 🙂

Marsha and Shannon drinking and awaiting us guys getting a massage :0

So many choices for us guys, for Massage “therapists” 🙂

Actually, In Asia, generally speaking, shopping malls are a big thing, for locals as well as tourists. The reason, besides the obvious, is that they are air conditioned, and you get to cool off. Many we visited are pretty “uptown”, having stories like Tiffiny’s, Dior and even Porsche ! Yes..there was a mall that had a Porsche Store, with vehicles in it.

My buddy John in fact, found a very interesting store in one 🙂

I will say in general, as a “Tourist City”, other than Chinatown,, Ho Chi Minh City does not have much “tourist appeal”. It is just a “mega” business city, with high rise building as far as one can see, in every direction. Talking to actual local Vietnamese people, after the war, worldwide companies flocked there to buy cheap land, cheap builders, and help for their businesses. I am trying not to be “political here”, but will say, after the war, when North Vietnam came south to take over, the South Vietnamese people were not treated well, and still aren’t.

So, the four of us enjoyed a great dinner the night before our boarding of the cruise ship, at the Hotel Nikko, all very excited. We had learned that the seafood buffet was out of this world there, all you can eat. The price of $68 U.S. per person seemed a bit high, but let retell you, with about 20 for stations, well worth it, and that’s booze included :). In the morning we were met by tour directors from the ship, in our lobby for a “welcome drink” in the lounge, before we boarded a classy tour bus for the hour trip to My Tho Pier.

We boarded our transport bus in front of the hotel, and traveled comfortably to the cruise ship.

Our Luxury River Cruise Ship, The Jahan, awaited is at the dock, and I felt the same as I did when we boarded our Luxury River Cruise Ship on the amazon River last year, with the same company, very excited. We were escorted to out Superior Balcony Suite where I was actually more blown away than I was on the Amazon ship. The entire ship was like an old Humphry Bogard Film, antique fixtures, decorations, furniture, as well s was the dining rooms, decks, and bars.

ships “check in desk”.

I was “wowed”. 🙂

relaxing onboard with some Champagne.

Room door

Even supplied “Safari hats” 🙂

Our balcony

Full bathroom

The first day we spent cruising age river, headed to Phenom Peen where we would arrive in three days. The four of us relaxed poolside, barside, getting a massage, reading and taking in the sites of the Mekong River.

Even a sitting room in the suite.

On these ships, breakfast and lunch is served buffet style, but still 1st class, while dinner is formal, with choices and served to you table side. Let me say, the dinners were outstanding, many with a local flare. The International Chef on board did an awesome jog with menu, and visited us at the table for a review. All meals in fact were just delicious, and may I say, the capuchin’s both hot and cold, flowed heavily.

Shore excursion

Marsha interacting with the locals on the excursion

“OK….let me give this food a sniff” 🙂

Touring village life

The next morning Marsha, John and Shannon wend on the shore excursion, to Chi Be and Say Dec on Binh Thanh Island for village tours. I did not go because I was concerned how I would feel in the small villages as I remembered them, and didn’t want to trigger any “flashbacks”. As it would happen, on return I heard that the “villages” were not “huts with underground tunnels”, but rather modern homes, streets and shops :). Lesson learned, and I agreed to go on “shore excursion” with them the following day.

Taxi ride in village

John and I hanging with a Monk.

We found this “Gong” in the temple hallway…..I “gonged it” 🙂

The next morning after breakfast, we boarded the launch which took us to Tan Chao, a small town on the river , for a temple tour. The temple was very interesting, and it was a small temple for ages, and during the Covid “lockdown” they added onto it, in a good way, it was beautiful

This was as uncomfortable as it looks !

John and I not only met a Monk, but also checked out the “Temple Gong” 🙂

After the temple visit we boarded the boat and headed for a tour of a “Fish Farm” near the Cambodian border. Although some of the people on the tour were impressed, I personally could have skipped this part. Actually, I lasted about fifteen minutes then headed back to the boat. I think it was the smell that got to me.

Buddy kept showing up in the strangest places.

From there we headed back to the Jahan, to prepare for dinner and departure the next morning in Phenon Pen, Cambodia.

John and self, hanging with this dude at the temple 🙂

The next morning we arrived at the dock in Phenom Pen, where the crew took care of all immigration and customs there. This was a pleasant surprise, as the collected all of our passports, took them to on-site (dock) Immigration Office, and returned them to us so we could enter Cambodia.

We were greeted on shore by our private car and driver who drove us to our resort in Siem Riep, some four hours away.

Sneak Peak at what awaits us in next blog, our private pool outside our luxury suite in Cambodia.

But that begins another story in the next blog.

See you in Siem Riep, Cambodia.

Happy Trails,

Gary. (The Pirate).

With last Novembers month in South America behind us, the decision on our next adventure took us into debates on the “bucket list”, and where was next. Marsha has always wanted to go to the Scandinavian Countries, I yearn to return to Europe, Dublin, Munich, Paris and Southern Italy.

However, there is one destination that I have been trying to take Marsha to for 30 years,

Thailand.

We tried going there 30 years ago, but our trip was canceled by a typhoon which devastated our primary destination. Thus we pivoted and traveled to Europe this first time for a month.

So, where to go this year ? Let’s try Thailand again, but lets add a few countries to the trip as its such a long distance to travel for just one country, right ? So we added Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia.

I decided to write this blog to give my readers some “insight” into the complicated pleasures of traveling to Asia, compared to Europe or South America. Four countries, four different languages, four different currencies, and then there are all the reservations for hotels, flights, ferries, TukTuk’s, etc.

When we started and made our decision, somehow the subject of taking a “Luxury Riverboat Tour” like we did in Peru Amazon came up. That “segwayed” to a cruise on the Mekong River in Vietnam, somewhere I said I would never return to, for reasons many of you are aware of. Almost immediately Marsha asked “are you okay with that”? I responded, “I guess we will find out”.

That’s me above, on the left, in a borrowed dress uniform ready to leave for my first visit to Thailand, (4 total), Year…1968. Taken in DaNang, Vietnam with my buddy Dale who was stationed at the Field Hospital there. I had been in the jungle 6 months then…they made me get a haircut, shave and take a bath 🙂

The good thing is we will be on board the cruise for only four days, with shore village and temple stops, which I can choose not to go on. There is also the two days prior to boarding the vessel, that we will be spending in Ho Chi Minh City. Oh boy, I’m so excited ? The really good news was when our good friends John and Shannon decided to join us on the cruise, and trust me, they will keep me level, well sort of.

So then we must “back track” a bit from the cruise. We will be flying from Los Angeles, CA directly to Singapore, like an 18 hour flight. Singapore Airlines has two classes of seats, Business or Coach. Basically the Business Class is First Class, with extremely large “pods” that totally recline into private beds, and a large TV. Coach is larger seats with a little better legroom.

Guess which seats we chose 🙂

We decided to fly to Singapore a few day early, and then fly to Bali for a few days before flying to Ho Che Minh City. Singapore is one of the most popular destinations in the world, and very expensive, and of course, the hotel I wanted to stay in if we stayed in Singapore, was $1200 U.S. a night ! Our Bali Beachfront Resort is costing us that for three nights ! Thus the Bali adventure. We will be staying at the Hilton Bali Resort for 3 nights.

We will fly from Bali directly to Ho Chi Minh City and spend 3 nights before boarding the cruise ship, at the Renaissance Riverside Hotel, Saigon. John and Shannon arrive the day before we board. The cruise line we will be on is the same we used for our Amazon Cruise, Rainforest Cruises. Everything on board is first class, from our balcony suites to the meals and cocktails, all provided. The Luxury Cruise Shi is the Jahan Cruise Line, Saigon to Phnom Penh, on the Meh King River.

Renaissance Riverside

After we vacate the cruise ship we will be driven by private car to out next destination in Cambodia, a 5 Star Resort, the Zannier Hotels, Phum Baltang Resort.where the four of us will all spend four awesome days eating, drinking and touring.

Phum Baltang Resort

From there we part with John and Shannon, at least at this point, and fly to Bangkok, Thailand for five days, staying on the river at the Anantara Riverside Resort in downtown Bangkok, Thailand. . Between temple and statue tours, food tours, Floating Markets, and Night Bar Hopping, after six days we will be ready for some relaxing.

Anantara Riverside Resort, Bangkok.

We fly to Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai next, for some relaxation after spending a busy week in the new “metropolis” that is now Bangkok. We are booked at the Chala 6 Luxury Hotel in the “Old City”, inside the “City Wall”. I chose this place because it is central to most everything, including the temples and religious sites, and of course some great cooking schools. While there we plan to take a day trip up north to Chiang Mai, a much smaller town, where the “White Temple” is located. There are also some ethical elephant sanctuaries there, which we plan to visit.

Chala 6, Chiang, Mai.

At this point all of our adventures have been pretty much inland, so its time for a big change, we are headed to the Southern part of Thailand, Phuket, somewhere I have never been before.

When Marsha and I talked about our trip, and experiencing Phuket and later Krabi, I wasn’t quite sure this was something I wanted to do. Everything I have watched and read tells of magnificent sandy beaches, island, snorkeling crystal clear water, evening on the beach, etc. Sounds awesome doesn’t it?

That description is the same as where I live, Maya Beach, Belize 🙂

Then I thought of how much we enjoyed the the years we spent traveling the Hawaiian Islands, on business and pleasure. The sandy beaches, the awesome sunsets, snorkeling, diving, it was all so excellent, but in ways so different than here in Belize where we finally landed to live.

So Yes….Let’s do this :)We fly directly to Phuket and are staying five days at the PaTong Beach, Four Points Sheraton Beach Resort.

Then we travel by “Speed Boat” and hour to Krabi and stay for four days at AO Nang Villa Resort, Ao Nang, Krabi,

Because we have heard so much about it, we will travel by “Longboat” down the coast to AO Nang and stay at the Tubkaak Krabi Boutique Resort on the beach for two nights.

Crown Plaza, Singapore Airport

Then we fly from Krabi International Airport to Singapore Changi International Airport, and check into the Crown Plaza Airport Hotel there, for two days in Singapore.

Singapore International Airport…tallest indoor waterfall in the world.

We then check into out Singapore Airlines Flight, Business Class Luxury Seats for an exciting 20 hour flight back to LAX Airport, California 🙂

Business Class Luxury Seats, Singapore Airlines.

Eighteen Hours later we will arrive in LAX, Loa Angeles, California, and connect with our First Class seats on a flight back home to Belize City, and then to Placencia, and home to Maya Beach.

As always, it will be good to be home again, with many more memories together.

So, l will be updating this blog, Storiesbygary, while we are in Asia for 5 weeks, and upon returning, I will be following up with…..

“The Good, Bad and Ugly of our, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia `and Thailand Trip”.

Until then….. Travel while you can, don’t wait until you can’t.

Gary…The Pirate

Known for it’s beautiful beaches, handful of small resorts and restaurants, and the feel of a quiet safe community, Maya Beach has morphed into a key destination in Belize for not only tourists but Expats as well.

Over the past six years, we have witnessed an expansion of new home construction, purchase and remodeling of houses, new restaurants, and resorts building cabanas and “time share” units, especially on the beaches.

Ceiba Beach Residences and Restaurant

What makes Maya Beach unique, is you can walk or bike to all six restaurants located right on the main road, most beachfront. The beachfront “Cabana Resorts” all enjoy awesome restaurant / bar and pool options, plus the added bonus of white sandy beaches, and super snorkeling. None of them charge “usage fee’s”, and you can enjoy their pools and beaches for free, they just ask that you use their bar/restaurants.

In the past two years we have had multiple stores open here, including Healthy Addictions with all health products and more, a deli, bakery, and “The Farm Store”, offering fresh fruit and vegetables, meats, wines, prepared foods and much more.

Add to that a car rental and golf cart rental businesses, Hardware store and main Grocery Store ( Sue’s Store), and Maya Beach becomes totally self sufficient for visitors and Expats.

The “Morphing” of Maya Beach into a “full-service” community not only benefits its residents and visitors, it also benefits those living and vacationing in North County Caribbean way and Plantation. No longer do they have to travel into Placencia Village for services or restaurants, which cuts quite a bit of travel time and “gas money” from their budget.

In fact, with the opening last year of the UNO Gas Station right in Seign Bight next to the Publics Store, we no longer have to drive to the village for that.

Most “For Sale” signs have been replaced with “Sold” signs in Maya Beach and North

All these things, along with the changes of North America as well as other countries, has affected the Real Estate market here as well, which is reflected in the extensive growth in Maya Beach and North County. Where the complaints of “all those for sale signs” have disappeared as “under contract” and “sold” signs have replaced the majority of them. Almost every trip up the peninsula you will discover another lot cleared and filled and home construction starting. In fact, at this time there are over forty new homes in construction in the north peninsula, and more starting soon.

So “why the growth” you might ask ? The fact is only a couple years ago most homes were being built by expats to spend a few weeks a year vacationing, and rent the rest of the year. However, that trend has also changed, as more buyers are building to move full time, selling their homes in the states, Canada or elsewhere. Also, there are many more families with small children moving here as well.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the reasons many more tourists and expats have put Maya Beach in their targets.

http://www.mayabeachbistro.com

Starting with the Maya Beach Bistro, a long standing and pretty famous ( Trip Advisor #1 Restaurant for many years) located at the Northern tip of Maya Beach. Located on the beach with a dock and beachfront Cabanas. An awesome place for breakfast, lunch or dinner, well known for cinnamon buns and their “Happy Hour”.

“Rum Bum” is one of our newer small restaurants, offering some of the best “broasted chicken” this side of heaven, as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner.

http://www.ceibabeachresort.com

Ceiba Beach Vacation Rentals and Homes, offers it’s newest and exciting restaurant, “Mickey’s Fish Shop, Market and Grill. This is our newest and long anticipated beachfront restaurant opening in the Maya Beach Center, with sunken restaurant dining at the pool bar, as well as in water seating in their beachfront pool for cocktails and food. Seating and service on their well groomed beach offers guests and visitors extensive dining venue. Best part, you don’t have to be staying there to use the pool, just order a drink and or pool and relax with “No Worries”.

Green Parrot is known for having “scallywag Pirates” frequent for Rum !

http://www.greenparrot-belize.com

Next we have the Green Parrot Cabana Resort and Pelican Pub, a local favorite. This resort was totally remodeled and upgraded to “luxury cabana’s with A/C”, and all beachfront. There’s a pool and dock with bar service as well. The Pelican Pub offers an array of dining options, from designer burgers to fresh seafood and pizza. You can also use the facilities for free with a drink or food purchase.

A favorite “Gathering Place” here in Maya Beach is Jaguar Lanes Bowling Alley, featuring indoor air conditioned bowling as well as restaurant services. Outside seating is quite extensive and also offers a pool table and foosball. This is not your average bowling alley, and the bar service is legendary, and the food very fast and high quality. Looking for some of the best wings ?, pizza, burgers, fajitas or salads, this is the place. It’s also a great place for Mom and Dad to bring the youngsters for some inside fun in a cool environment.

http://www.singingsands.com

Lastly but not the least is Singing Sands Cabana Resort with their excellent beachfront restaurant, Azul Del mar. This restaurant just has that “Belizean / Caribbean” feel to it, and is perfect for that “Romantic Experience” in dining. Their menu is Asian Fusion, Korean, Seafood, offering apps like dumplings with are just to die for. The guys at the bar will take good care of you, and the sea and sound of gently waves will do the rest. You don’t have to be a guest to use the pool and beach facilities, just order a Belkin or Rum Punch, and enjoy a beach chair or dip in the pool.

So as you can see, Maya Beach has become a destination in itself where people only thought of Placencia Village as the only destination on our peninsula. Of course, the village has its charm, the “Sidewalk”, the Pier, some great restaurants, just keep in mind, it’s only 20 minutes away from Maya Beach. You are only a 30 minute drive from waterfalls, zip lines and off road adventures from here. Also, fishing and snorkeling guide/boats will pick you up from a dock here in Maya Beach.

With all these other communities getting their “NAME” on their beaches and communities, I think it is time to see a “MAYA BEACH” concrete decorated sign on Maya Beach sand, don’t you ?

When you’re looking for a Vacation Destination in Belize, not in the “hub bub” of “touristy destinations”, like San Pedro, but close enough to visit them if and when you want, you might consider Maya Beach. After all, it’s called “Maya Beach” for a reason, just like “Miami Beach” 🙂

Hope you enjoyed the article, until next time,

Arrrrrrrr…

Gary…..The Pirate of Maya Beach.

Our next journey will take us to Asia, October 2023.

“When one door closes, another door opens”, that’s the way of life and also the way of people who love traveling the world.

Our adventures in South America last October were barely over, and we were already discussing where our next adventures would take us. For me it was a “no brainer”….Thailand. We had completed planning a journey in Thailand some twenty years ago, but regretfully a “tidal wave” that hit Cambodia destroying massive acreage and resorts, also destroyed that trip. Because of this, we managed to put together an awesome month traveling Europe for the first time.

Now enter 2023 and the idea of visiting Asia for a month or so, starting in October of this year. Our plans have developed with some very interesting and wonderful changes. Initially we were flying to Singapore, taking the Luxury “Orient Express Train” to Bangkok, Thailand, spending two weeks, then fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for a Luxury River Cruise to Cambodia.

“The Jahan” Luxury River Cruise “all suite” Mekong River Tour.

However, “the change” occurred 🙂 Our good friends John and Shannon from Belize who are celebrating a special Anniversary this year were planning to celebrate in Bali. They learned we were also planning to visit Asia the same time, and “Four Heads Together” produced a different itinerary for us.

This one includes visiting a country that I have said for fifty years I would never return to, Viet Nam. Many of you that know me will understand, those that don’t, I spend two horrible years in the jungles of Nam with the U.S.M.C.

Fast forward fifty years, and I am now planning to return.

Out journey will take us directly to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam for a few days, meeting up with John and Shannon and boarding the Luxury River Cruise Ship, the “Johan” cruising for four days from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penn, Cambodia. We will then travel north to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to a resort therefor five days. From there we will fly to Bali, Indonesia for a week to the resort of John and Shannons choice :), and celebrate their Anniversary.

The Coast of Bali

At the end of our Bali adventure, Marsha and I will fly into Bangkok, Thailand, spend a few days there, then head north via “sleeper train” to Chang Mai and Chang Rai, visiting temples, waterfalls, and of course elephants.

For the last adventure in Thailand, we will again take a “sleeper train: South to Phuket, Krabi, the Phi Phi Islands, and of course, the famous “James Bond Island”.

“James Bond Island”

After thirty plus days, we will return to our “Little Piece of Heaven”, Maya Beach, Belize, where we will of course start planning our next adventure to ??? 🙂

I look forward to blogging about this next adventure, keeping you all updated on “The Good, Bad and Ugly” ( Sound Familiar) ?, of this adventure.

If you have not “Liked” and “Followed” my blog please do, so you won’t mess any of the exciting info passed on by our adventures.

In the immortal words of the famous Italian writer,

Chow… 🙂

Gary……The Pirate

We saved the “Best for Last”.

On Saturday the 22nd of October we checked out of Mendoza Wine Country, and headed by air to Buenos Aires for the final leg of our South America Journey. We will be in Buenos Aires for four nights, and plan to experience some awesome Argentina Steaks, Wines and Culture.

The “Townhome” turned Luxury Hotel

We were excited to check into an awesome hotel in Palermo Soho Area of Buenos Aires, The BE Jardin Escondido By Coppola. As we have enjoyed both Francis Ford Coppola’s resorts in our home town of Placencia, Belize, as well as his Jungle Resort in Cayo, we expected the best, and got the best.

This hotel was actually where Francis and his family lived while filming a movie in Buenos Aires, and after filming was completed, he enjoyed it so much, he bought it and made it a hotel. It’s actually a two story “townhouse” like building, turned “First Class Bed and Breakfast”.

Help yourself 🙂

Our room “Sophia”, named after his daughter was very comfortable and well appointed. On multiple occasions, we were served our Capachino in our room, which was quite a treat. The excellent staff taught us how to use the fancy Capacchino Machine downstairs as well as introducing us to the extensive selection of booze, available to us “no charge” 🙂

I loved “bottomless” Cappuccino

Breakfast in main dining room was spectacular, and the fresh homemade pastries, heavenly. If you are planning a trip too Buenos Aires, I highly recommend staying here.

Delfina telling Marsha…”Let’s Shop”

Our first two days in Buenos Aires I had booked a private Tour Guide, Delfina with “Tours By Locals”, to show us around different parts of the city, as well as introduce us to the best “Argentina Restaurants”and of course wines. As Argentina as a country does not wake up until noon, she picked us up at 5 PM each day to start our adventure.

The 2nd evening with Delfina we asked her to take us to a “Tango Show’, and she took us to a popular “tourist area” that she was not used to bringing customers to. It’s quite popular, with many vendors and colorful buildings, but she warned us of “pickpockets” and other “shady people” who frequent the area because of tourists.

There were multiple ” stages” set up to watch dancers, and sip wine, or beer.

Note: I wasn’t concerned about “pickpockets or shady dudes” as traveling anywhere, I am always prepared for “encounters with evil” !

Actually, we had a excellent seat in an outside “Cabrera style” show, with excellent Tango Dancers, and cold beers. It was quite the experience, and I must admit, I thought of my days in “Mrs Wagners School of Dance” that I attended in younger years, and almost jumped on stage with one of the ladies for a twirl 🙂

One morning we did set off on our own for a few hours on the “hop on / hop off: bus of the city. These are always a great choice of adventure in a strange city, as you get to know its different areas. If someplace looks interesting, ya jump off, and catch another bus later.

We also took a boat tour of the Tigre River.

My honey hiding from the camera 🙂

Pizza is a big deal in Argentina…Who Knew ?

The third day was quite exciting, as we were booked to go to an actual “Gaucho Ranch”, Camino Pampa, in Estancia & the Town of Gauchos for an afternoon of Gaucho Life, and “lunch”.

The tour company picked us up at the hotel at 8:30 AM and off we went out of the city, to the country. On our way to the ranch, we first stopped at the small old town of San Antonio de Areco for a walking tour. We received quite an education into “times gone by”, with many artisans still creating leather Gaucho leathers and equipment as they have for centuries. The silversmithing was beyond imagination.

Just one more helping of steak sir ????

Onward to the ranch, we arrived at noon for a tour, with Gaucho’s everywhere. And then the “big question” happened ! Did I want to take a “Buggy Tour” of the ranch, or jump up on a Gaucho Horse, on a “Gaucho Saddle” and tour with the Gaucho’s ?

Marsha choose the buggy ride.

As I owned and operated a “horse / cattle ranch in Oregon for 20 years, the answer was “of course”.

After our ride I met up with my girl Marsha ( who took the buggy ride), and we proceeded to the tables set up outside for lunch.

I did sneak into the “Barbecue Room” to check out the steaks and sausages on the grills, yum.

Let me tell you, these Argentinians know how to eat, and this was only lunch ! They started serving large trays of “internal organ meat”, (hearts, kidneys, and assorted whatever’s), followed by lesser cuts of steak and chorizo, followed buy trays of prime steaks. All very filling because there was also salads, breads potatoes, and veggies.

Of course, then the band members started playing for us, and some of us were pulled up to dance 🙂

And then here they come with a second serving of the meat plates.

And of course, there were bottles of wine emptied at our table of six 🙂

Even I got tired of wine, and luckily found “my girl Stella” 🙂

The ride home was an endeavor of trying to keep my eyelids open, and thinking about dinner ???

View of Iguazu Falls from lobby of Gran Melia Iguazu.

The next day were were flying to Iguazu Falls, North of Buenos Aires, and directly on the border with Brazil. As we had other stops, we had booked one night at Coppola’s for our return, and we packed a light bag for the three days at the falls, and left the rest in our room.

“oh my god ! the view from our balcony of the falls

I had researched and found that Iguazu Falls was one of the Wonders of the World, and a National Park, I wanted us to really experience this as our final stop of the trip. I anticipated that it would be spectacular, and a real good end to our adventure.

What we experienced was beyond my expectations, and one of the best experiences of my lifetime, anywhere in the world.

Quote from Eleanor Roosevelt….”It makes Niagara Falls look like a kitchen faucet” !

I had booked in advance a private tour both days of the falls, one day on Argentina side, one day on Brazil side. As I wanted to be able to explore the falls on our own in addition, the only way to do this is by staying in the park, at the only resort / hotel there, The Gran Melia Iguazu, which I did.

When they say, “go big or go home” they are talking about this resort, a “5 Star”. I had decided to “splurge” on our three day stay here, and made advanced reservations, (after passing out), as the standard room rate is $1000 per nite ! I did manage to get a tiny discount.

The Gran Melia Resort from the Brazil Side.

When our tour driver picked us up at the airport and we arrived at the hotel I just knew we were in for a treat. Walking in the front doors of the hotel our breath was taken away, because looking thru the lobby to a wall of glass, there was the falls !

This is the building with elevator for the elderly and handicapped.

Breakfast with a serious view 🙂

This fantastic hotel features all rooms that are suites, with a balcony enjoying a spectacular view of the falls. In fact, the bathroom / shower room, has a glass wall, so you even view the falls while brushing your teeth 🙂

Marsha’s little friend….monkeys everywhere. They can unlock doors, and rob the “mini-bar”

Breakfasts were buffet style, but not your normal buffet, theirs was a perfect 10 ! Dinners were unbelievable, steaks, fish, etc., and wine list perfect.

Now for the falls, starting with the Argentina side. They say, and it’s true, the Brazil side has the “Views”, and the Argentina side has the Thunder. We started the first day being transported over border to Brazil to view the falls from that side. The border crossing was a piece of cake, and in minutes we were on our way.

Keep in mind, there are over 280 falls in Iguazu Falls Itinerary ! And each one is different. You are mostly looking across a massive expanse at the many falls from the Brazil side, and as you walk the many trails, it seems like they go on forever. On that point, I will say Brazil side was really not set up well for handicapped people, as opposed to the Argentina side. More on that later.

The next day our guide met us at the hotel for our Argentina Side Iguazu Falls Tour. This would be a long day of not only hiking trails but also a Jet Boat Ride “Under multiple Falls” !

There are just so many advantage points on the Argentina Side for different falls that after a while you just become mesmerized by them. Along the trails up and down, we came across multiple tourists in wheelchairs, which I was pleased to see. In fact, later in the day, when I was standing with my back to a wall of waterfalls, we took an elevator back to the top.

I cannot say enough about the Iguazu Falls Experience, other than you need to experience them. If I could post all of the 300 Photos and Video’s we took, I would, but I do hope the ones I post amaze you as much as they did me.

These transported us to bottom where we boarded Jet boats

Our South America monthlong adventure was coming to an end, and we proceeded back to out hotel in Buenos aires, the Coppola Jardin Escondido for the night, leaving for Lima Peru the following morning. It was a warm feeling when we arrived to check back into the hotel, when we were greeted with a smile, and were told, “your bags are waiting for you in your suite, Sophia” 🙂 That evening we enjoyed a great steak nearby with an awesome bottle of Malbec, our last in Argentina, this time 🙂

Marsha loved the Infinity pool with falls view.

We caught our flight to Lima, Peru, then on to our American Airlines flight to Miami, Florida for a overnight before heading back home to Belize.

Still my favorite photo from the entire month in South America……one happy wife 🙂

Wouldn’t you just know that as we flew back to Belize, Hurricane watch was in effect for our home. Lucky for us, it didn’t really turn out to be any big deal.

And again, there is no-place like home !, Dorothy was correct.

So that ends out Month + in South America, and another adventure into our unknown. Please like and follow this blog, as the adventure is not over yet.

We are already in the planning stage for our next adventure, which will bring us to Asia.

Bali, for a celebration and some “beach time” at James Bond Island,

Vietnam for a cruise down the Mekong River to Cambodia for a week,

and then two weeks in Thailand, visiting Bangkok, Phuket, Chang mai, Chang Rei and more.

Until then, be happy, Be safe, and Travel, there’s a whole big world of joy out there.

Gary…..The Pirate

A week in Mendoza, Argentina Wine Country

Our flights ( yes flights) from Lima, Peru to Mendoza, Argentina was probably the worst and only hard travel day. Originally, I had planned to fly us to Mendoza via Chili, which could have been done in a few hours, not two days. I had to “Sh*tcan” that idea becasue Chili was still observing “Covid Restrictions”. So, instead, we had to fly from Cusco to Lima, Lima to Buenos Aires and Buenos Aires to Mendoza, which took a day and a half.

Villa Manza, Lujan de Cuio, Argentina

Our room, the “Pinot Noir”

I went for a upper level suite with balcony, instead of one of these “Wine Barrel” rooms.

Arriving in Mendoza Airport, which is quite nice, I soon realized the “rental car” I had reserved was from a “Rental Company” that nobody there had heard of ? As luck would have it, it proved to be a blessing, as I don’t recommend driving there. Instead we caught a cab for the half hour drive in the Lujan de Cuio, Wine Region. I chose this region as it is famous as the best Malbec Wine Region in the world, which proved to be true.

Nice pool, but a little to chilly.

We checked into our Wine Resort, Villa Mansa, recommended by the Wine Tour Guide from Tours By Locals that I had hired for 3 days. Checking in and viewing our suite, I knew we had made a great choice.

The “sink” was a little to low 🙂

As far as wine regions go, we have experienced all major Wine Regions in the U.S., and many of the best in Europe, but was not sure of what I would find here in greater Mendoza. As the best Malbec producing location in the world, it is no “Napa / Sonoma” I can tell you. I had envisioned dirt roads with hundreds of acres of grape vines on both sides. In fact, you will rarely experience that here. More on that when I get to wineries.

My first real steak in Argentina. Unlike Belize, I cut with fork, not a Machete 🙂

You are looking at one happy man, great steak, great Malbec and awesome woman to share the experience.

Our restaurant at Villa Mansa was great, and the wine selection fantastic as you would expect. Our first evening at dinner I chose a steak, as we were now in the land of “red meat”, Argentina. As expected, it was tender, tasty and fork cut-able. The bottle of local Malbec we had was ecstasy in a bottle.

After a good night of sleep, after our 1.5 days of travel and bottle of wine, we got ready for our first day in wine country, on our own. To my suprise and pleasure, the restaurant featured two things, the first was a breakfast buffet of breads, pastry, fruits, etc. and available made to order eggs. The second was an excellent coffee machine, not just any machine, but one that you put your cup on a tray, and pushed a button, and out came any kind of coffee you could imagine ! I’m serious, regular, Capachino, expresso, Latè, and twenty other types with steamed creme.

Saven my life every morning 🙂

We “slept in” and spent the day at the resort relaxing and enjoying a “Spa Day” which was definitely needed.

Later in the afternoon we took a taxi into town to explore before dinner, as we had made reservations at one of the popular steak restaurants. We were dropped off at a large Mall, where we again shopped for sneakers for me. As I didn’t have a “spare $500 U.S.” I passed. Yes, U.S. sneakers and shows are that expensive in Argentina ! We decided to experience a brewery at the mall before heading to dinner.

It was so awesome to taste really good “craft beer” again. 🙂

Later that evening we headed to the steakhouse. If you didn’t already know, Argentina is well known for its red meat, steak to be exact. I ordered a Ribeye and Marsha ordered a Filet Mignon, and let me say, not only were the “melt in your mouth” delicious, but they were giant cuts! Also just know that Argentinians eat their red meat “well done”, so you must specify medium rare, as it should be in my palate.

Our Winery Tour Guide by the name of Anita with Toursbylocals.com picked us up on time and off we went visiting three wineries that day, including lunch at one of them.

The first winery we drove into was a complete surprise to me, Chandon ! As someone that operated a wine business in the U.S., have visited wineries worldwide, and even sipped Champagne at Dom Perignon in Epernay, France, I had no idea they were here also. In fact, Dom Perignon shares a winery tasting room at Dom in Champagne, France. I learned they also have wineries in California, Brazil, Australia, China and India, making them the largest producers of Sparkling Wine in the world.

Marsha and our guide, Anita

We enjoyed quite a line of wines at Chandon, of course, for me, the Rosè was “interesting, the “Sparkling” was excellent. Surly you know that only sparkling produced from grapes in Champagne, can label their bottles “Champagne”.

Anita enjoying some “bubbly”. Our first day touring she was able to enjoy with us, as she had a driver 🙂

One of the many cellars storing wines.

The second winery we toured and tasted was Piattelli Vineyards, and I can tell you, the wines were amazing.

I was certainly impressed with the wines, but also that they were distributers for the “Big Green / Red Egg” 🙂

The next winery we toured and tasted, was Budeguer Vineyards, a very interesting and excellent winery. Their Malbec was heavenly.

Marsha with “The Wine Goddess” and our Budeguer Winery Guide.

The third and final winery for our first day was Bienvenidos Vineyards, where we toured, sipped many excellent wines, and also had a stunning lunch accompanied by their wines.

One of the absolute best Malbec’s I have ever tasted.

A multi course lunch, with what seemed like gallons of wines to taste. There was NO SPITTING involved.

My lovely wife Marsha’s expression says it all. I believe she said,

“And this is only day one of the weeks wine tasting here in Mendoza, Argentina”?

I do hope you enjoyed this post on our time in Mendoza, and some of the wineries we visited. I have only covered day one and three wineries, and could have gone on to the next two days, and six wineries. If anyone is interested in the wineries we visited, please let me know, and I can give you their info.

Stunning view of the snow capped Andes Mountains. Fact ! The true story / movie of the plane that crashed in the mountains, and only a few survived by “dining” on each other, happened here. If the survivors had hiked this way they would have reached Mendoza in less than 2 days. Regretfully, they went the wrong way.

Alta Vista Winery has this
tasting room” for the winery “tasting team”. The wall is the exact “terroir” of soil from the vineyard and the tasters can determine different flavors / minerals, knowing exactly where the roots of the vines reach.

The owners “Private Collection”. I tried but couldn’t get in.

Marsha is actually starting to get into those “sparkling wines” 🙂

Very interesting winery, the Alta Vista, and very famous. This is where we tasted the wines, in this special private room. It is set up for the winery Sommelier’s, for when they taste each vintage and produce their flavor profiles, and rate each wine. As I too have gone thru Sommelier training, and assisted in this process myself, I have never had an actual “sink” with running water to spit in ! 🙂

This was about as “uptown and elegant” a tasting room I have ever experienced, in the world.

On our final evening in Lujan de Cuio, we invited Anita and her husband out to dinner, their pick of restaurants. They picked us up, and we arrived at this very old mansion, converted into a premier restaurant, quite elegant. We were seated and I asked for the wine list, and was promptly escorted into a locked room with bars on it, and told I could choose from the wine-cellar. I checked out some old and I am sure fantastic bottles of Malbec, and finally choose one, noticing there were no prices. I asked, they told……$5,000 U.S.

After I was revived by the Para Medics, I asked Anita to inquire at the bar if there was another option ? Yes, there was, and at quite a reduced rate. We had dinner, and a private tour of the mansion, and everything was good, once I fully recovered.

The scene of the crime….restaurant 🙂

So, for those of you that know me from my previous life in the states, I was “The Wine Guy”, with my own business, “A Wine To Die For”. These days in Belize, Central America, I am pretty well known as “The Pirate…. and Rum Guy” 🙂

Until our next “meet-up”, for Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls, Argentina / Brazil, ….Arrrrrrr.

Gary….The Pirate

“I thought Guinea Pigs were just pets”?

Putting the exciting Machu Picchu adventure behind us, we boarded the Expedition Peru Rail Train from Machu Picchu to Poroy ( Cusco Peru).Again we totally enjoyed this trip in the upgraded train, with a different view this time, as well as a couple cold Cusqueña Beers. The trip takes about three hours and in my opinion, much more relaxing than hiking the 5 day trail back down.

In Cusco we checked back into our earlier hotel, the Antigua Casona San Blas, one of the best hotels I have stayed in world wide. The hotel staff greeted up with all smiles, informing us they had already transferred out luggage left there while at Machu Picchu, into our suite. I was already looking forward to diner in their luxurious restaurant, with a good steak and bottle of wine.

My wife suggested, and I agreed that after tweaking and bashing our bones and muscles for a couple days, that we should book a spa day in the hotel spa, which we did. I will tell you, that this was a suggestion that we both decided was one of the best spa experiences ever, with the exception maybe of my experiences years ago in Bangkok ? Their Spa Rooms included steam rooms and large jacuzzi tubs which you enjoyed for an hour before your massage. This treatment sent me to another level of bliss.

The Square in center of Cusco.

The next day we had hired Chris again to show us around the city of Cusco, which he had told us there was much to see. As we really only had one day to see the city before leaving for Mendoza, I figured it best to again use a guide. I will say in hindsight, that 2-3 days in Cusco would have been better, but oh well, maybe another time.

Jesus

We started our morning visiting the “White Christ”, a 26 foot tall statue of Jesus Christ on a mountaintop, overlooking the city of Cusco. This to South America is the equivalent to the Rio statue. It was quite spectacular, and can be seen from many places in the city below. I will say that is was a bit disappointing to find a barbed wire fence surrounding it, but as Chris said, being white, inevitably if would have been defaced.

Chris had repeatedly smiled and told us he really wanted to show us the “Sexy Woman”, and this day he did just that. The “Sexy Woman” is actually named “Savsayhuamàn”, however the foreign visitors have difficulty with that, so the guides refer to them as Sexy Woman Ruins. These Inca Ruins consist of some of the largest stones I have ever seen, and they remail since the 15th century, exactly in place. It’s very difficult to imagine how they built these temple walls, with each stone fitting perfectly with surrounding stones. It’s also another mystery how the Inca actuall moved and placed these massive stones where they are. In fact one of the stones is estimated to be over 300 tons.

In 1536 there was a massive and extremely bloody battle between invading Spaniards and the native Cusqueños on this site that left thousands of dead. After the battle the Spaniards used many of the stones for building in the city of Cusco, however the main walls still include original stones.

We then visited the indoor “San Pedro market which proved to be quite the experience. Upon entering we were immediately greeted by freshly butchered animals for sale, open air booths, with pig head’s, hoofs, and everything in between. There were rows and rows of everything from grains, breads, clothes, electronic’s, chocolate, etc. but I think the food was the “show stopper”. There were rows of open booths where you could sit and eat chicken soup, rice dishes and other delicacies. I was surprised not to see any “Guinea Pig on a stick” ?

Next Chris took us to the famous ( in Cusco”, San Pedro Indoor market, which was quite interesting as you will see. This place was full of everything imaginable, boots with grains, livestock “parts”, rows of food booths, like a whole row of places selling chicken soup ! They had major bread stores, chocolate, then fabrics, housewares and much more.

That pretty much was it for a day sightseeing Cusco, and we decided to head back to the hotel for a rest, and then meander into the main square to visit the Cusco Main Square to shop and maybe enjoy dinner. We discussed the walk to the square with hotel staff, and decided to walk the tiny streets to the square, which was pretty much downhill. Along the way we checked out some shops, and it took about half an hour before we arrived.

Fact ! Did you know that the Inca’s discovered how to make “jerky”

The Awesome Restaurant, specializing in Guinea Pig….Yum Yum

We took a Cab back to the hotel, and decided to ask the Front Desk Staff where a good restaurant was within walking distance. As luck would have it, there was a famous one a few doors up the street from the hotel which was a barbecue specialty restaurant. They said it was early, so reservations would not be needed.

We headed up the narrow street and found the restaurant, and immediately got excited ! It was decorated in Peru fashions, lots of wood, but most intriguing was the massive wood fired oven in the center. As it was cooling off a bit, I was happy they seated us at a table right in front of the oven, where the action was happening. You see, people make reservations weeks in advance here, for their famous barbecued guinea pig !

They asked if we had reserved our guinea pigs, and we said no, we would order other barbecue choices from the menu. They sat us at a prime table, directly in front of the oven ( great because it had really cooled off), and we got to watch as racks of the little pigs came our.

Our dinner was fantastic, as I had pork roast and Marsha a steak from this grill. Of course we also enjoyed a super bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon.

If we return to Cusco, I will definitely satay at the same hotel, and will dine on Guinea Pig here.

Then it was back to pack and get a good night rest before our busy flying day tomorrow.

And so, my next blog will certainly thrill you with our 12 hours of flying time, multiple flights, our Winery Resort outside Mendoza and our wine experience in the most famous Malbec Wine Region in the world.

Till Then,

Gary…. The Pirate

Chris our guide….and The Jewel of Peru…Machu Picchu

The Sacred Valley turned out to be one of the best discoveries for us in our journey throughout Peru. The history of the Inca People, the temples, homes and fortresses they built so long ago, still standing today was “Wonder of the World” itself. Our Guide Chris set up our week with him, first visiting the Sacred Valley for a few days, mainly to get used to the high altitude. Cusco, Peru Altitude is over 10,000 feet, so taking it easy there, resting a lot and drinking mega water was the key.

Peru Rail Train to Aquas Caliente and Machu Picchu

And now we are off to Aquas Caliente, the small town at the foothills of Machu Picchu. We boarded out train, Peru Rail’s “Expedition Train”, in the small town of Ollantaytambo. The train enjoyed large glass windows on the side and the roof for observation. The trip lasted about three hours, and views of the river, mountains and glaciers were spectacular. I will say that we in fact wished we had the opportunity to stay that night in Ollantaytambo, which was beautiful, and train station close-by, instead of driving over an hour to it.

We arrived at the train station in Aquas Caliente and headed the 15 minute walk uphill to our awaiting hotel, the Jaya Machu Picchu. When I made the reservations, I had found good reviews on this hotel, but ya just never know, as they also called this little town a “tourist trap”. It is mainly used by tourists that come up by train, take bus up to Machu Picchu, and return to Cusco the same day by train.

I chose to stay two nights at the hotel, which gave me the opportunity to visit Machu Picchu twice if weather was bad the first morning, however, it wasn’t and we spent the next day exploring the town.

Machu Picchu Brewery……Lunch by the river

So after exploring the first afternoon in town, having a great lunch at the local “Beer Tavern”, and later dinner we enjoyed a good night sleep. We were up early the next morning to meet Chris our guide at the Bus at 6 AM for our journey up the mountain. We instantly realized why this time of year and time we boarded were so important, and advised by Chris. There was no line at the bus!

Bus and trail up the mountains.

The bus up to the parking lot at Machu Picchu Entrance was quite an experience, winding switchbacks, cliffs, and meeting busses coming down on the very narrow road. I will say that I am so happy we are not walking up the existing trails, a treat to us “older and experienced folk” 🙂

Bus debarkation area, ticket booth and beginning of climb.

We finally reached the parking lot at base of entrance, and after presenting our tickets (purchased ahead by Chris our guide), begin the hike up about 300 stone steps placed by ancient Inca builders.I will say that the climb up these steps was well planned, and fairly easy to climb, as compared to other “ruins” we have climbed in the world. Wife Marsha had little or no issues climbing with her”climbing pole” with I suggest for anyone doing this, young and old.

Areas are setup for wheelchair access, and easy trails.

When we reached the top of the trail, Chris had us stop for what he said was “the money shot”, and was he ever right ! From this point and continuing with the entire climb and exploration of Machu Picchu, it was obvious to me that Machu Picchu is not just a beautiful example of the Inca Empire temples, buildings, walls, etc., although to some that is what they see. To me it became an extraordinary “Mystical Experience”. Every photo I took, with Inca buildings, walls, monuments, what I saw and captured was the “layers” of mountain ranges behind the photo, wispy fog, sunlight peeking through clouds and mountains. It was an eerie feeling of walking in footsteps of others long gone, and wondering if they looked at their surrounding as I did, mystified.

Getting on top of the mountain as early as we did, meant no crowds for the first hour or two (we were there about four hours), but that changed as we looked back along the trails and lines of visitors followed behind.

It’s Just frickin “Un-Belizable” 🙂

At this point I would like to say one thing to those reading this and planning to visit Machu Picchu. The very best thing we did, and you should do, is hire a professional guide here in Peru. First off, they help plan you trip so you don’t end up ill with “altitude sickness”. They “pre-purchase” tickets for major attractions for you, like Machu Picchu, which in our case, were “sold out” when we were there. At all the sights we visited with Chris, we would never have known what we were looking at, or what things were built for, or history of them, had we not hired him. We would have missed out on so much, that was of so much importance to us to know. and he spoke perfect English!

You need to take many breaks, however you also need to stand up on those “rubber legs”.

As my wife Marsha had not to long before our trip, broken her ankle, which was pretty much now healed, I was concerned about the climbing ancient stone steps, un-even and along cliffs ! It doesn’t really matter young or old, anybody can trip, fall, and get very hurt. Walking sticks can help, but there’s nothing quite like a Guide that looks out for your safety.

I am so very proud of wife Marsha, for tackling this challenge, and all the others on this adventure.

Because you are on a mountain top, above the world, every photo is a new experience, and the Inca planned this community exactly for this reason. The various views over, around and through the structures they build express this.

Yup ! They served lunch 🙂 Kidding….but there were Llama’s up there “free-ranging”

I actually climbed a specific peak alone, where then ancient Inca “Sundial” was constructed, obstructed by nothing. I could actually feel the presence early priests “checking the time of day”, or was that a “Shaman” or “Witch Doctor” ?

I climbed that tower to see the sundial at top, the builders did have to keep an eye on the time 🙂

It was amazing the history and designs of the community by the Inca, as explained by Chris. The fortress built where it is, was totally backed by un-climbable walls for security of the people living there, with only one way up from below.

You always have to watch your step.

Specific areas were constructed for “The Royals”, the workers, the “Agriculture Specialists”, the guards and others. Much of the food supplies were brought up the mountain, as at this altitude, growing crops was difficult.

The Tree

It’s simply amazing to see all the structures, intact just as they were when build so long ago. The Inca builders and Architects knew exactly how to place every stone so it would not move, ever! They fit like a glove or like Marsha says, “Like they were laser cut” ? Possibly by “Aliens from another planet”?

Nice to see ancient builder kept to “code” with 7 inch rise to those steps.

Although there were areas with grass growing I only remember this one tree, that comes up inside a small “courtyard” on a hillside.

Of course, if you do any research on Machu Picchu, you will find that almost the entire hilltop of Machu Picchu was covered up by the jungle after the Inca people abandoned it. The reason they abandoned it was of the invasion of the Spaniard’s in the 16th century, who destroyed many Inca temples and building in Peru during their conquest.

They remained under cover until 1911, when American Archeologist discovered them quite by accident. Bingham was actually looking for a nearby site when he mistakenly climbed the peak and discovered a few Inca buildings. He later returned clearing what is now “The Sacred City”, which after time has allowed millions of tourists to visit one of the worlds most famous “man made” wonders.

Yup…Paid Advertisement….Remember…TopPeruTrips.com 😉

If you would like to know the statistics of exploring Machu Picchu, the entire mountaintop stretches over five miles of trails, with an impressive 3,000 stone steps within it. Believe me when you experience this, at the end of the day, you will know why the Peruvians love their “Pisco Sours”. 🙂

If you plan to visit Machu Picchu I highly suggest doing as we did, spend two nights in Aquas Caliente, so you can take the first bus to the top, for both the cool temperature, small crowds and more importantly the spectacular sunrise.

There are two choices for visiting Machu Picchu, the way we did it, luxury train to Aquas caliente, and short bus to the site, or a 3-5 -day guided hike on Camino del Inca, or The Inca Trail.

They never tell you…No Banā on Machu Picchu…(bathroom).

Perhaps some 20 years ago when Marsha and I were adventurous (and fit), we would have done the Inca Trail experience. back then we actually descended the Grand Canyon and climbed back up in one day, something the signs there advised against.

Today and a bit older, the way we experienced Machu Picchu was exercise enough for us. In fact anyone of the older generations, or handicapped can and still should plan on visiting this wonderful destination. There is actually wheelchair access and ramps to viewing sites in Machu Picchu. Spouse and or family members can explore while you hang in the shade, watching them climb around, while still experiencing the wonders.

Drink lots of water and take frequent breaks because of high altitude.

All in all, Machu Picchu has exceeded my expectations on our month in South America, and is at this point, at the top for experiences throughout the world.

Well…for now…Chau ! (Goodbye).

However, that being said, we are not quite done here in Peru, as we head by the Expedition Train back down to Cusco for a few days exploring Cusco, before heading to Argentina and Brazil.

If you have not “Liked / Followed” my blog, please do so you won’t miss the next few blog posts about this trip, or next years October 2023 month-long experience in Southeast Asia.

Until then, I say… It’s time for a Pisco Sour with that Thanksgiving Turkey 🙂

Gary ….The Pirate

A country of “un-expected pleasures”.

Map of Sacred Valley and towns leading to Machu Picchu

We checked out of the Doubletree in Iquitos on Thursday the 6 of October, headed to the local airport for our flights to Cusco, Peru. As there are no direct flights, we first flew to Lima, then connected with a flight to Cusco for one night. This was at the suggestion of the Peru Guide, Chris Condori Huanca, http://www.topperutrips.com. I had hired him for a week of guiding, both Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley, and for altitude adjustment, he suggested first Sacred Valley, then Machu Picchu.

I had made reservations at the Antiqua Casona San Blas Hotel in Cusco, for one night as Chris would pick up up the next morning and transport us to a hotel in Urabamba, Sacred Vally for four days of exploring. I had also made reservations at the Antiqua Casona San Blas for Four days when we returned from Machu Picchu. When we checked in, I knew I had made the right choice, the hotel was beautiful, had an excellent spa and restaurant. It was located in the City Center near all the great spots we could walk to.

The “road” to our hotel in Cusco, and yes, it’s a “2 way street” 🙂

After a long day of air travel, we enjoyed a spectacular dinner and hit the sack, knowing we had an early morning for breakfast, and would meet out guide Chris in the morning at the hotel.

Beef Osso Buco and Malbec, two things I have missed dearly in Belize.

The next morning after a delicious breakfast and two cups of Capachino from their “:Coffee Bar”, we met Chris in the lobby. I knew almost immediately I liked this guy, who had a super smile and spoke excellent english ! Chris loaded our bags in his vehicle and away we wend to the Sacred Valley.

Downing Cappuccino before breakfast

Special Note- As we had packed for a month, there was quite a bit of clothes and supplies that we had needed for the Amazon, and would need in Argentina, but not for the next week. Therefore we checked one large bag with the hotel, for when we returned in a week.

A little “Guinea Pig Condo”, that I learned was not for “pets”, but for food ???:)

We me these Alpaca’s and Llama’s, and later learned that “they do not taste like chicken” 🙂

The plan today was to take it easy on way to the Tierra Viva Valley Sagrado Hotel / Resort in Urubamba in the Sacred Valley, Peru. On the beautiful drive there we would make a couple stops at an Rojchi Lookout, with stunning views of the Valley, and also the village of Chincher, a local village known as a “weavers town”.

Marsha learning how to “spin Alpaca”

Weaving Alpaca after it is died many colors.

The views go on forever

Snow capped mountains and glaciers are seen all over Peru

Finally arriving at our resort, again we were pleasantly thrilled with its location outside the town. The mountain views were spectacular, the room was well appointed, restaurant excellent, and we were located next to the “Spa”, which we both appreciated.

A very popular game found in Peru, and major competition, the Sapo Coin Toss Frog Game.

In the Village of Chincer after viewing Alpaca and Llama weaving, Chris introduced me to the Peru Game of Sapo, or “toss the coins into the frogs mouth from to far away”. This is a great “bar game” enjoyed there, one which I will attempt to introduce here in Belize. Chhris has already challenged me to a “re-match” when I return to Peru.

The next morning, Saturday Chris and his driver picked us up at our hotel, and off we went on a full day, exploring the Colonial Town of Maras, the Urubamba Mountain Range, and the Moray Salt Mines. I will tell you that I had no idea what the “salt mines” were, or any idea what we would find when we got there. Maybe a pit with salt in it and guys shoveling it up ?

As we ventured on winding roads over the mountains, we pulled over to the side of the road and got out to what Chris called “a good photo op”.

The winding dirt road to Salt Flats below. Nice “guard rails” ?;)

Looking down we could see what looked like a field of white patchwork in the valley below. I was more concentrating on the small winding road down, with cars and busses trying to pass each other, and little or no “guard rails”.

As we proceeded closer to the bottom and a “parking lot”, with many vehicles and lots of tourists, I figured this was more that a pit of white salt. My first closeup of these salt mines took my breath away. They were actually salt “ponds”, about 12 feet square, filled at various stages, from salt water to solid bleached white salt. There are more than 5,000 salt evaporation ponds, most owned and maintained by local families.

This is the small “Salt Spring” that supplies the salt water to over 6,000 ponds below.

Since “Pre-Inca Times” these salt ponds have been producing salt which starts from a small stream of salt water coming out above the ponds. The keepers of the family ponds regulate how much water enters each pond as the water evaporates, until it is pure bleached salt. Within days the flow is cut off, and salt is scraped and bagged and carried up the hill to awaiting trucks.

There are three qualities of salt produced, the first pink/white, sold as table salt and highest quality, the second is bulk salt and third brown used in industry.

You could take horses from town below to the salt pond, we did not, more about riding horses later.

The owners of the salt ponds must be members of the local community, as this is the major industry and “lifeblood” of the community and has been for centuries.

When salt is dry it is bagged in 50 lb sacks, carried up to top and awaiting trucks.

My wife Marsha and I returned to resort after a full day in the sun, along with much “climbing exercising”, which like Machu Picchu, included hundreds of steps down, and up again. The suggestions of visiting “The Spa” for a long needed massage and soak was definitely in order.

The next morning Chris and his driver picked us up at the hotel, for our 2nd day of Sacred Valley Expeditions, visiting the Pisaq Ruins and Ollantaytambo Town ( down your Pisco Sour, and say that three times fast ! 🙂

The walk to ruins from parking lot

We first traveled to the Pisac Ruins in Sacred Valley, which as most places in Peru was extremely interesting. As are with most ruins, there were steps to climb, but if you take your time and stop to observe the beauty of this place, its not a bad climb. The nice thing about these ruins is that the are only about 9,000 feet above sea level, instead of the 11-12,000 feet like in Cusco, so climbing wasn’t as bad.

These Inca Ruins are believed to be one of the best preserved in all Peru, and you can find ancient residences, baths terraces and my favorite part, the largest Inca Cemetery in all of Peru.

The Inca Cemetery, known as Tankanamarka is hard to locate unless you have a experienced and knowledgable Guide like Chris. As we stood in ruins pretty high up, I was looking at the side of the next steep hillside, thinking, ” I wonder if those are Mining entrances in the side of it”? Chris pointed out the hundreds or thousands of little holes, that most people would think were bird nest holes. In actuality, they are graves dug in the side of the mountain, with the bigger ones being royalty.

If you look closely you can see the holes where Inca’s were buried.

There are so many areas of ruins to explore, from the Towers overlooking the town below, to walls of stone that fit together so well that they look “laser cut”. In fact, thats something we noticed in many Inca Ruins throughout Peru on out trip, “How did they get such precise angles on such mega stones, to fit so perfectly”?

Prospective of relationship of high mountain temples and living, above city below.

My answer…Aliens of course ! 🙂

Our Guide Chris, attempting to “levitate”, as was accomplished by his past Inca relatives. :0

Next we journeyed on to the town of Ollantaytambo Town, which is the last stop for the journey to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu. In fact, we will be coming back here tomorrow morning to catch our train to Aguas calientes and MP. I am so happy that we visited this town and didn’t just come here to catch the train.

The town has much to offer, surrounded by ancient terraces, snow capped mountain peaks, with small narrow stones streets dating back to the Inca days. The stone walls, many intact have been replenished on top to keep them intact, but you can see the difference from original on the bottom.

Most importantly in this town is the water supply from mountain streams above the town, still supplying drinkable water to the residences today as they did in the Inca times. The patchwork of homes on these streets all have stone canals in front of doorways, with fresh water rushing at all times for household use. Must be nice…no water bills.

Channels from mountain tops to the town with fresh drinkable water, to each house.

Ollantaytambo was built for the Inca “elite”, for both astronomical and worship in the temples rising up above the town below. There are massive rows of terraces carved in the hillside for agriculture to feed the masses. You just can’t comprehend the magnitude of this citadel, and how long it took to build it.

Today was our last in the Sacred Valley, and I felt it was well spent, exploring the ancient Inca ruins, preparing us for our journey to Machu Picchu, the “ultimate of all Inca ruins”. We have learned so much about the history of the Inca’s visiting and learning from Chris our guide. The past 3 day, by Chris’s design, have been spent here in the highest altitudes, conditioning us to the high altitudes, so Machu Picchu would not be a problem. We did learn however, that Machu Picchu isn’t as high as here in Sacred Valley, or Cusco, which is about 12,000 Feet in elevation.

Marsha at ancient Inca “drinking fountain”

Window into the soul.

Celebration of the Guinea Pig. This was in a town that produced the pig for Peru.

“Ok, lets see if this does taste like chicken” 🙂

So you know, other than taking some “over the counter” altitude pills for a few days, drinking lots of water, and not getting wasted on Pisco Sours every day, we had very little effects from altitude. Well, Marsha did have some nausea, which might have been from high altitude. We actually did suffer a bit on our return from Machu Picchu to Cusco, where we were for 4 days. More about that later.

After a “hard day”, there we are, ready for that “Pisco Sour” or 5 🙂

Now its back to the resort to rest up for our journey tomorrow by train to Aguas Calientes, have dinner and possibly another massage !

See you next on the “Luxury Peru Rail Expedition Train” to Machu Picchu, Peru.

The third leg of this Blog Post will be our three hour trip on the train to Aquas Caliente, Peru, at the base of Machu Picchu. We will be staying at the Jaya Machu Picchu Hotel for two nites. I planned this in case on the first day there was rain and or fog on the mountain. This would give us a “back up” day.

Until then….please remember…we were excited to visit South America for many reasons, one being the food, especially “meat”.

So far we have had Llama, Alpaca and of course, the Guinea Pig. 🙂

Gary…..The Pirate