Day 8, 1/30; Australia

G'day Mates. Spent a nice day here in Port Douglas. No early rise although we both were up quite early as our body's are confused. Very nice breakfast with wonderful fruit etc. we went to a wildlife habitat and had a tour of both bird and animal habitats. The colors on the birds are breathtaking. We were able to get right up close to many of them. Our guide was a lovely young lady who obviously loves what she's doing. Sue got to have a parot perch on her hand and then he peed on her and then bit here! Later she got to feed a wallabe. They are very similar to a kangaroo but smaller in stature. We saw many wallabe and kangaroo bouncing around us. And of course we saw crocks of various species and sizes. Nothing pretty about them. We were introduced to a fish that all of the species are born male and then later all become female.
 We returned to the hotel, had lunch and they decided to pass on an afternoon excursion knowing thet the next several days will be action packed, long and we won't want to miss anything. We did laundry   (Well Sue did), rearranged our bags, snoozed and did some email. Dinner in town tonight. We had our choice of restaurants which is very nice. We're getting to know most of our companions and enjoy the company of several couples. In the small world category, one couple spent a number of years in Wilton CT and lived next door to Sue's Senior prom date! Off to Cambodia in the morning.

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Day 7. Weds. 1/29; Samoa

Up at a decent time (6:15). Breakfast and then off to visit Robert Louis Stevens' home. Once there we are treated to a Kava ceremony, a ceremony to honor chiefs and visitors.  We drank a local brew made of bark from something....tastes just like dirt.  But in large quantities can be either an aphrodisiac or an hallucinogenic.  Samoans' have been able to hang onto their ethnic roots and traditions better than most Pacific Islanders. The family and community are the central part of their society. While they are westernized they haven't replaced their values and it just jumps out at you. They are largely a Christian nation which is also very evident and a sense of pride. They are very happy. There is little poverty and there are just a few who could be considered wealthy. It is extremely clean. No litter what so ever. Villages compete to win awards for cleanliness. All the homes look to be in good shape and well cared for.

After the ceremony we tour the home. Stevenson first came to Samoa 4 1/2 years before he died yet he had a big and positive influence. He move their for his health which was all ready declining. He died at 44. The home is lovely, surrounded by botanical gardens and beautiful vistas.we had no idea what a prolific warier he was and how diverse his topics were. That's evidenced by the contrast between Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide and Treasure Island.  Then it's back to the hotel and of course we eat again. Then off to the plane and off to Australia. Another 4 hr time change. Two more great lectures during the flight and of course, a meal.
 We land in Cairns and then bus to Port Douglas. On the bus we get the first disappointment of the trip. A cyclone is passing the coast and going to the Great Barrier Reef has had to be cancelled. We get other nice options to explore but it's a disappointment. We check in, make new plans for tomorrow, freshen up and by now you know what comes next! Off to bed!

 

Day 6. 1/27-28; Heading to Samoa

Early flight. Fortunately the head winds are in our favor and we won't have to make a tech stop in Tahiti. 8 1/2 hrs to Samoa. 19 hrs ahead of us. The lectures one the trip with us are top experts in their fields and we are learning and enjoying each time the do a presentation. Today we have two talks. One a fascinating discussion of someone I was just slightly aware of, Alexander Von Humbolt. The other was more great practical tips from our expedition photographer. Towards the end of the flight we cross the International Date Line and lose a day. We land in Samoa where there's a little rain at the time but nice and warm and tropical. Very lush and a great contrast to Easter Island. We check in and of curse eat. I think we are averaging 5 meals every 24 hours. At least it seams like it.we decide to pass on excursions this afternoon and just relax and let our bodies catch up to the changes in altitude, time, food etc. We relax and take a swim in the pool and Sue takes a nice dip in the South Pacific while I snooze. Then of course we go to dinner. We are treated to Polynesian signing and dancing plus a fire dance. They have held onto their heritage and the show is quite authentic. Off to bed at a decent time!

Day 5, Sunday, 1/26---Easter Island/Rapa Nui

You guessed it, another early rise. After breakfast it's off to see the Moai. There are some 300 standing on the island of Rapa Nui. Many more are in pieces around the island.the first stop we see some well preserved Moai. We learn that there are 3 parts to them. The altar base, the body and the hair knot atop the head. Back when they were constructed most all had eyes but they have either been plundered or fallen and destroyed. There is one here with a poor replica of the eyes. The Moai all face inland along the shore line. The inhabitants of the island landed around 1000 A.D. This is the eastern most advancement of the Polynesians. We next go to the volcano where the statues were mined out of the rock. This is a great distance from the shore where they are to end up. There are many theories on how they were moved once they were ready to be moved. However they did it, they moved 50 ton statues without the aid of wheels or crains. The mountain side contains many finished, partially completed and broken Moai. Those that we see that toppled and broke represent years and years of work that was ruined in an instant. The Rapa Nui, like te Incas were very patient people
 From here we go to Tongariki where there are 15 magnificent Mori lined up. We were so fortunate that our guide, Carlos is the number one expert on the Rapa Nui people and the lead archeologist on Moia excavation, restoration and their history. All others gather round to here his presentations. In 1960 there was a tsunami that knocked all that we see down and scattered the pieces. Carlos got the job of leading the reconstruction project. Even though they had a crain and many workers, it took 5 years to restore. They fortunately had some pictures from earlier in the century to guide them. Their struggle makes the original placement mind boggling.
 We head to a cookout lunch by the beach. After lunch Sue and I get our feet wet in the Soutth Pacific and then back to the hotel for a rest. We have a reception followed by a couple of informative lectures, the most impressive by Carlos who is also the head professor of archeology at the University of Chile. Polynesian dances and musicians entertain us next and then dinner. Much fun and laughter at dinner and then off to bed for another army adventure.

Day 4, Sat. 1/25. Head to Easter Island

Early rise again. Fly to Lima and get back on our jet and then take off fo Easter Island. 5+ hours? Lunch on the plane and a very informative lecture on the island, how it became inhabited and the history. Once there the pilot took us completely around the island, twice. Once for the left side and once for the right side. Never knew a 757 could fly so low for so long. I don't think we were more than 1500 ft up. He pointed out all the key site sand the Mori status dotting the coast. Upon landing we cleaned up, had a reception and dinner. Because they keep the island on Eastern Time it was light until almost

10.

Friday, Jan 24---Machu Picchu

We were getting up early anyway but when fireworks started going off at 3:30 am that was a bit much. Some local celebration. Ye Ha. Early excursion to see Ollantaytambo Fortress. Excellent example of Inca architecture and construction talent. Lots of climbing. Then headed of to Machu Picchu by bus, train and bus again. The ride on the Hiram Bingham train was fun. Nice lunch. After the train arrives we board buses to take us to the summit. There was a landslide just two weeks before so about a third of the way up we have to get out, climb some very temporary stairs to the next level and then bus the rest of the way. Once at the top, you go through the entrance and within one undred feet you see the amazing sight you see in all the pics of MP. The city is layer out in front of you. To the left are the terraced growing areas. Straight ahead is the main part of the city and the cone shaped mountain. We traversed up and down getting an understanding of the purpose of the different buildings, how they were constructed and their use. Some are temples, others are houses.there is an ingenious water system that flows today.this was a very sacred place but also one of the cities on the Inca road to the Amazon. We are blessed with perfect weather. The vistas are breath taking. You can understand why the Inca chose this spot. It is a remarkable confluence of nature and man at his best.
 We retrace our route to get back to Cusco. We had dinner on the train and singing and dancing in the bar car. In bed by midnight. Getting up at 5:45.

Day Two,Cusco

Arrived Cusco in the morning. Altitude definitely a bit of a challenge. Visited Inca temple and got an education on their society, architecture, governing and gods. Saw a great serpent shaped platform/ wall that is hard to discern on the ground but is easily recognizable from above. The stones are all huge and are carves to interlock. Some weigh many tons and they are several rows high. These "stones" we're quarried many miles away and ingeniously broght to this site. It could take up to 7 years to precisely place one stone. Thus all the Inca ruins we'll see we're built over several generations. After lunch we visited an old nunnery that was built using walls left by the Incas where we get more of an education on the construction process. These were masterfull builders!
 Next we visited the Cathedral which is a combination of Inca, Spanish and Moorish design. Catholicism in Peru is a blend of indigenous beliefs and Catholicism. Some pretty striking differences. The Cathedral was spectacular. Before dinner we had a weaving demonstration. Wonderful dinner. Bed by 11.

Day One, 1/22/14

What a start. We boarded our jet early this am. Six hrs went in a flash. The seats and accommodations are very comfortable. We had two lectures that were fascinating, a great lunch and before we could nap, voila, we were in Lima. We went directly to a wonderful museum of pre Inca art and artifacts. Great guide. After our tour we had a true Peruvian feast on the grounds of the museum. Got to the lovely hotel at 8 pm. Just a wee bit tired. Need a good nights sleep as we leave for Cusco before dawn. Couple of pics of artifacts.

The Journey begins

After a wonderful stay at Jim and Linda's we are at the hotel in Orlando. We had a great visit with Ken & Lynda Cook and a fabulous Bon voyage dinner thanks to the worlds best travel agent, Carmen Figueroa. Jim & Linda got us here in plenty of time to visit the hospitality room and get all our final documents etc. Tonight we have a dinner and will meet our fellow traveling companions. Early rise tomorrow to head to Lima. A little over 6 hr flight. We'll have a couple of presentations and lunch on the plane. We have a Lima tour in the afternoon. Off we go...

Countdown continues! 5 days to go

Five days to go. Clothes are sprayed against insects for Cambodia & Tanzania. Lasts for 6 washes. Packing and advanced bill paying now.

The itinerary

7 Days to go to first leg to Orlando.

Flat Stanley starting to pack

Stanley is getting ready to go!

10 days to take off

The packing has begun!