Caraz

Caraz is a small town north of the tourist hub of Huaraz. Both are gateways to the Huascaran National Park, which is in the central Peruvian Andes. Plenty of mountaineers come here, and others do multi day treks. There are several ‘official’ day hike options, but getting to/from the trailheads is a bit challenging. We have taken taxis to be assured of getting back to the guesthouse.

Laguna Paron

We took a bus (8 hrs) to Huaraz from Trujillo, and couldn’t see anything because their windows are covered with some UV protective plastic. We both felt the altitude going over the almost 14 000’ pass (4225m), but could relax in our luxurious VIP seats - wide lounge chairs which reclined. Worth the extra few $ (total still < $20 pp).
There were the inevitable delays, and we arrived after dark. A friendly gentleman offered help finding the guesthouse. We declined, went on our way, but had to check the directions briefly a few blocks away. The gentleman was there again. Fortunately I had read about this scam - they offer to walk with you, but all does not end well.

Link to Caraz pictures

Trujillo

Pelicans and fishing nets at Chan Chan

We survived our most chaotic flight ever. Against all my predictions, Craig got his backpack a day late, and intact.
My earlier fears were quickly realized - communicating here is pretty much impossible for us. Am trying to get at least 10 min in daily of Spanish lessons - hopefully I’ll manage better in a month.

Have taken more taxis in 3 days, than we have in the past 30 years I think. Spent today walking. Figuring out how to get to some places by bus was too convoluted, and other areas are not safe for walking - for tourists.
There are electric fences, bars on all windows, impressive locks on the doors.. Craig said our apartment is like Fort Knox.

Link to Trujillo pictures

The Adventure Continues

On our way to Vermont

An earlier trip to leave ‘stuff’ with friends near Boston.

On our round-the-world trip, we managed 36 flights without mishaps. No lost bags, no cancelled or even seriously delayed flights, no gate-checked carry-ons, no bad food (ha ha, just kidding about the last one!). Well, the averages have caught up to us. On the first leg of our flights to Peru, we were told to gate check our carry-on backpacks at Logan. A-M managed to get hers aboard (and stowed) regardless. Then we were told we had to disembark while mechanics worked on a hydraulic leak. Later we were called to the podium and told we were being rerouted through Miami. The airline cancelled the flight, though they weren't admitting it. Now we are just hoping our bags don't get lost and that the gods of travel aren't still looking to get even.

Schooner at home in Round Pond, ME

It’s been a very nice month of visiting with friends! The weather has mostly cooperated; we have made use of all the many (food) bags, the 2 bikes, the one boat....that we brought along from Ashford. Our stuff is now strewn around metro Boston, and we cannot thank our many friends enough for allowing us to leave everything until we return. When? - still to be determined.

We should land in Trujillo, Peru tomorrow morning, and we’ll see if I can manage a few polite phrases in Spanish. We realized in rural Ecuador this past spring, that my rusty, basic Italian was insufficient, and that no one spoke English outside of the guest houses. I have spent hours using duolingo over the past 18 days - which I have enjoyed. Can only hope people will see I am trying.

Ecuador

Ecuador late April & early May 2019.

Written at the end of the trip mostly, and added to the blog a few months later.

2 nights in Quito before a week long tour of the Galapagos; then 3 nights again in Quito to acclimatize before a week on our own south of Quito by local buses with the goal of seeing villages and doing the 3-day Quilotoa Trek (sleeping and eating in guest houses).

link to Ecuador pic’s