God of Beer

Not really but just one of many great pieces of Pre-Columbian art. Jeannie And Marcia you have got to come here! Art and textiles are truly great.

Maybe a longer truck would be good?

Truck in front of The Museum of Pre-Columbian art. Truly amazing how the Spaniards destroyed so much of a great civilization.

The narrow and steep streets of Cusco

Amazing how people and cars navigate these streets.

Pisca

Pisca is located in the Sacred Valley and has a famous artisan market. I went for the Inca ruins that marvel Machu Picchu. The hike from the village to the ruins was very arduous. This is the mountain I had to climb! But I felt good and this give me confidence that the 5 day trek to MP will go . This photo was taken from the bus, of which I was the only Gringo! Cost $1 for a one hour trip over the mountains.

Cusco from my hotel room

Cusco, Peru

Cusco has turned out to be great town which is very walkable and has heat food. My $33 per night hotel room is in the Barrio de San Blas. The hotel has great charm and is close the Plaza de Armas , which is the heart of the city.

Salkantay Peru Trek

Jeannie and I parted ways today. Jeannie doing the markets and museums today in Quito and then heading to Nevada late tonight.

I on the other hand left at 5:00am from Quito and now sit in Lima waiting for a 3 hour delayed flight!

Below is a link to a map that shows my route from Cuzco to Machu Picchu.

http://www.e-travelorganizer.com/en/travel-peru-tours/expeditions-tours/salkantay-peru-trek.aspx

Jeff Reaves
Sent from my iPhone

The women of the Galapagos

Jeannie and her "girl friends" who were aboard the Eclipse. Representing the countries of Canada, Scotland, England, France and USA.

Finch Bay Eco Hotel

This has been our home for the last three days in Puerto Ayora. The town us wonderful with lots of great shops, bars and restaurants. Day trips to natural wonders are all available in town. Miyagi, Japan earthquake created a Tsunami on 3/11,2011 that brought a 10 ft high wave into the twin, but pretty much back to normal.

Fish market in Puerto Ayora

Seal and Pelicans are many! Sitting atop the "catch of the day". After this sight, Jeannie is less keen about fish!

Waved Albatross

This was the last big adventure of the cruise. We were immediately beset with a mosquito hoard and we really began to wonder if it had been the right choice to go on the hike. Seeing this bird made it all worthwhile.....huge with a seven foot wingspan and this is the only place they nest on the islands. (maybe on the earth) Best of all we got to see one pair clicking beaks in their mating dance. All the others were hanging out waiting for their mates to fly in from their annual migration at sea.

Chistmas Iguana

This spectacular creature is only found on Espinoza Island

Ho hum another wonder of Galapagos

Giant Tortoises

Spent the day with truly amazing animals in the highlands of Santa Cruz.

Heh buddy this my beach

I got the message when he showed his teeth!

Second day in Puerto Ayora

Today Jeannie had some R&R by the pool, while I headed off at 5:30 am to Scuba off of Seymour island. Good dive with sharks, rays, turtles, sea lions and fish. (pictures to follow)
Othe divers were three other twosomes who where all doing 1-2 year treks around the world. I think I need to up my game! Napped the afternoon away.

Blue footed Booby

Amazing fishing skills. High diving into the ocean surf - wow!

Marine Iguanas in mass

Very attractive creatures hanging out on Fernandina Island. Not attractive smell!

Bartolome Island View - Day two.

A hike in the afternoon on a very volcanic island. This scene was in the movie Master and Commander with Russell Crow - I guess we'll need to rent that one now!

Galapapos Flycatcher

Flycatchers are tame and curious. (still looking for 13 species of Ground Finches)

Sally Lightfoot Crab

Sally Lightfoot Crab - they are everywhere!

A Week in Galapagos

Hola from Jeff and Jeannie!

We just disembarked from our boat today and are still reeling in the entire experience.

The bad news when we got on board was that there was no Internet - this was also the good news. No blogging - oh well......

Every day held a new adventure - as Liz put it, this is truly a zoo without walls. It was amazing the diversity of wildlife we saw and also how little they cared about us.

The cruise fortunately had a great mix of two legged mammals on board - many Brits, Canadians and a whole group of Swiss/Germans. As Americans we were in the minority - only one family from Seattle other than us. Being as it was a school holiday time there were quite a few teenagers and young adults that added a lot of fun and energy.

I am not sure I can pinpoint one highlight although yesterday's sighting of the waved albatrosses doing their mating dance had to be in the top five.

We'll start posting selective pictures from the trip now that we are in semi-civilization. We are currently hanging in the lobby/lounge of a hotel in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island. the southern cross is out (!!!!!) and we can see the Big Dipper very low in the sky to the north.

50 tons of Gold leaf in the La Compania de Jesus

Galalapos Gargoyles at Basilica

Catwalk ot Basilica

Day two

Day Two - Arrival in Ecuador!

We had an easy flying day via Atlanta, arriving at 9 pm last evening.  Better yet, our 3 bags arrived in Quito and Javier was waiting with a "sign" ready to whisk us off to our hotel, the Plaza Grande.
So lucky to be staying here....we got a smokin' deal and it is right in the heart of the historic section of Quito.
We are at 9300 feet - we started our day hiking up a steep narrow street to the Basilica.  That was no problem for Jeano......no it was the little gangplank walkway halfway up the bell towers across the gothic vaulted ceilings that I couldn't do.  Jeff got some good pictures.

The coolest thing about this cathedral was the gargoyles - they depict animals from the Galapagos Islands - even the penguins! (sorry, no finches, Phil)
After this we saw lots of churches including supposedly the most spectacular church of all of America - totally gilded and sculpted - definitely had the wow factor.  

After all the indoctrination into church art, we went to the historic museum with artifacts and displays about pre-Inca Ecuador and of course - the Spanish Conquest.

Quito is a great safe city - it's been fun to explore and we even ventured into a local restaurant for lunch with traditional ceviche and it was great.
Tomorrow we depart early for our Galapagos adventure.  (Jeff is reading Origin of Species.)

Our ship for the Cruise - the Eclipse

Our ship for the Cruise - the Eclipse

Packing for the big trip

This a test

Day one of getting ready for the trip

Today was suppose to be the wrap-up of loose ends, but has turned out to be the day new beginnings. Itinerary was to drive Boxster to Nevada via Death Valley. Well government shut down - not Dead Valley and Boxster engine overhaul - no drive to Nevada. Plan B is now in full force. Jeff drives 1985 Subaru Brat (Jessica's car) to Nevada and Jeannie arrives via plane on Monday. What???!!!!**** - don't ask - it's complicated and two bottles of wine are required to tell the story.