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The Jungle is Neutral – or is it?
We leave the ‘high life’ for the Amazon rainforest and the last leg of this journey…but not before a final ‘good coffee’ in Cusco. Continue reading The Jungle is Neutral – or is it?
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Cusco – cobblestones, coffee & civilisation, Inca-style
A lovely day in Cusco – much walking, much history and good coffee. Continue reading Cusco – cobblestones, coffee & civilisation, Inca-style
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Peruvian Hospitality – Quechua Style
Today, we go up to the Pampallacta region to visit a lovely Quechua family and have lunch at their home. This turned out to be the best Peruvian meal so far 🙂 Continue reading Peruvian Hospitality – Quechua Style
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Streets & ‘Scapes – with a dash of Salt
A good day, with a couple of unscheduled stops. More encounters with Inca ingenuity at Maras and Moray, and stunning vistas. Continue reading Streets & ‘Scapes – with a dash of Salt
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Machu Picchu!
Bucket list day today! May the weather remain as brilliant as yesterday’s, and may all effects of altitude be kept at non-dizzying heights… Continue reading Machu Picchu!
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The High Life in Sacred Valley
Our first day in the Sacred Valley, and an introduction to the altitude and the Inca ruins in Pisac, before we get to Aguas Calientes tonight. Continue reading The High Life in Sacred Valley
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Blue Skies & Nazca Lines
Leaving grey Lima today for bluer skies. Praying for good weather as our flight over the Nazca Lines tomorrow depends on it! Continue reading Blue Skies & Nazca Lines
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It’s a Long Way to Lima
Another bucket list trip – this time to Peru, to start making a dent in never-before-visited South America. First stop – Lima! Continue reading It’s a Long Way to Lima
Varanasi – Where Chaos & Calm Collide
Varanasi – aka Benares aka Kashi – did not disappoint. It was utter chaos, dust & dirt, and other-worldly calm & serenity all at once. Despite the teeming crowds, everyone seemed to find, or create, their own space – this was particularly so by the Ganges. Loved it! Continue reading Varanasi – Where Chaos & Calm Collide
Ranthambore Royalty – The Bandit Queens & Other Animals
Seeing tigers in the wild has been on my bucket list for quite a while. Those of you who know me would also know that my bucket list is a long one – it’s practically a well. Where better for tigers than the Ranthambore National Park in Rajasthan…just the way ‘Royal Bengal tigers of Ranthambore in Rajasthan’ rolled off the tongue sold it for me. Continue reading Ranthambore Royalty – The Bandit Queens & Other Animals
Georgia (I) – A Piece of Paradise (Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Kazbegi)
After our wonderful few days in Armenia, we were raring to go for Part 2 of our Caucasus adventure. There were various random thoughts swirling around in my head as we crossed the border into Georgia – was it going to be very different from Armenia, would our guide be as good as the lovely Katar, would the portions sizes be as humongous… Continue reading Georgia (I) – A Piece of Paradise (Tbilisi – Mtskheta – Kazbegi)
Georgia (II) – The Church in the Clouds (Kazbegi)
The highlight for the next two days in Kazbegi was the view from our room…would we see that picture-perfect sunrise…or not… Continue reading Georgia (II) – The Church in the Clouds (Kazbegi)
Georgia (III) – Clear Skies, Caves & Communism (Kazbegi – Ananuri – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi)
We leave Kazbegi today for Tbilisi, with many stops on the way, including Stalin’s birthplace and a cave town. Continue reading Georgia (III) – Clear Skies, Caves & Communism (Kazbegi – Ananuri – Gori – Uplistsikhe – Tbilisi)
Georgia (IV) – Tbilisi on Red Friday
A day of walking today, around Tbilisi. Absolutely no driving, so Gogita gets to spend Red Friday with his family, while Nino unfortunately has to spend it with us… Continue reading Georgia (IV) – Tbilisi on Red Friday
Georgia (V) – A Georgian Desert (Tbilisi – David Gareja – Tbilisi)
To the desert today, and the story of David (Gareja) continues. Continue reading Georgia (V) – A Georgian Desert (Tbilisi – David Gareja – Tbilisi)
Georgia (VI) – Home Again, Home Again
Our last day in Georgia… Continue reading Georgia (VI) – Home Again, Home Again
Armenia (I) – History in 3D (Yerevan)
Armenia wasn’t on my bucket list. However, it turned out to be well worthy of being high on anyone’s to-go list.
It was a history lesson in 3D…the first Christian country in the world (since 301AD), a victim of one of the largest pogroms in history, its borders redrawn countless times, its people and culture a peaceful east-west blend. Continue reading Armenia (I) – History in 3D (Yerevan)
Armenia (II) – History in 3D (Khor Virap – Geghard – Garni)
Day 2 in Armenia – today we’ll be out of the city, travelling in an anticlockwise loop from Yerevan to Khor Virap, Geghard, Garni and back. Continue reading Armenia (II) – History in 3D (Khor Virap – Geghard – Garni)
Armenia (III) – History in 3D (Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots)
Easter Sunday in Armenia – a journey back in time…throwback Sunday? Continue reading Armenia (III) – History in 3D (Etchmiadzin – Zvartnots)
Armenia (IV) – History in 3D (Lake Sevan – Haghpat – Sanahin – Dzoraget – Bagratashen)
We leave Yerevan today – north bound, then to the Georgian border tomorrow. Continue reading Armenia (IV) – History in 3D (Lake Sevan – Haghpat – Sanahin – Dzoraget – Bagratashen)
