September........Peru and Ecuador

Having decided that we will not be going through the Panama Canal we took the opportunity to fly to the magnificent Inca ruins at Machu Picchu in Peru.

Breathtaking and a marvel of human achievement, no other way to describe it.

The Incas worshipped the natural elements of sun, wind, fire and Mother Earth so it was inevitable that they would built a ceremonial site as high up as possible.
It would last less than 100 years before the Empire was destroyed by
conquering Spaniards.

It is amazing how the Incas transported 300 ton blocks of stone from nearby quarries and worked them with such precision.

Plazas des Armes is the central square in the Inca capital, Cusco, where locals meet and enjoy the wonderful surrounding scenery. There are cosmopolitan restaurants and delightful shops skirting the square where replicas of
Inca gold can be seen.
Christian churches were built by the conquistadors once they had
defeated the Incas.

We saw this display of magnificent Peruvian handiwork in the famous Sunday market in Pisac.

These two little girls probably made more money on Sunday morning having their photographs taken with tourists than their parents made toiling in the fields all week. The taller girls actually has a new-born lamb in a sling under her left arm. This traditional dress is still worn by the older generation.

We then followed this with a trip to Ecuador

We had great fun doing experiments on latitude 00 00 00 and the water DOES go straight down the plug hole.

We were awarded certificates for managing to balance an egg on the head of a nail. The Coriolis effect is neutralized here.

And then we headed off to the Galapagos Islands where we enjoyed a wonderful eight days cruising around these unique islands. To be honest, it was more like an expedition because the local guides were so determined that we would see as much as time allowed, but what a fantastic experience it was.

Here we are arriving on the volcanic island of Baltra. So much work is going into preserving this as an area of scientific research.

Just waiting for a lift!


Here are just a few pictures of the fascinating wildlife seen on these incredible islands.

A blue footed booby bird and what an incredible blue those feet were. We also saw red footed and Nazca boobies.

This fledgling wave albatross was the scruffiest looking thing but he will grow into a graceful adult, the biggest breeding bird in the Galapagos,
with a wingspan of 2.35 m.

This handsome,male, land iguana was totally unphased by our presence, as were all the animals and birds.

Poor Lonesome George, aged 90+, is the last Isla Pinta saddleback tortoise in existence although it is reputed that attempts are being made to reproduce the species using DNA from tortoise shells found in various museums.

The height of the native cactus is directly related to whether tortoises or iguanas live on the island.....the tall varieties grow to protect themselves from predators. Along with Darwin finches and other examples, scientists are able to continue to explore evolution.

Post Office Bay is where ships' crew used to leave their letters to be collected by anyone going their way. We, in fact, delivered a postcard to a couple who were charterers on the island of Bequia in the Leeward islands when we visited
there in November.

Never to be forgotten was the sea lion who playfully nibbled my foot as I made a frantic escape after I felt his prickly bristles tickle my face and the white tipped shark stealthily patrolling his territory.... I fortunately managed to film all this because no-one would have believed me otherwise.

so cute!!!

"Jaws has a lot to answer for".