Cabrito
I come in Peace
Same here. Looking forward to seeing more.
Yetti’s Pacific North West Exploration & Expeditions Picture heavy
- Thread starter Pacific Northwest yetti
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Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Howdy yall,
I got back from Peru on the on the 15th, and immediately started a new job on the 18th. I will start to get this updated with day-by-day posts, recap from the trip.
I got back from Peru on the on the 15th, and immediately started a new job on the 18th. I will start to get this updated with day-by-day posts, recap from the trip.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
We landed in Lima, (6am, Oct 29th) and knew we were going to fly out to Cusco the next morning. ( 7am) But wanted some cushion, in case of luggage issues. Or entry, and just to get a reset. My Verizon plan has international, so I had service as soon as I landed. I would like to switch to Google Fi, but am not sure yet if it will work with my…..special…phone.
I had booked a VRBO, 4 bedrooms, 4 bath, overlooking the ocean. $60/usd night, gotta love those prices. For much of the trip, $1 usd = 3.76 Pen, Sole. The plan was to take an uber to the VRBO.
Since the flight was getting in early, I booked the VRBO for a extra night ahead of schedule, so we could check in ASAP.
Airport security was not letting Ubers through, so we took a taxi. I was impressed with how much of my Spanish came back, and that I did better than I thought. At times my Spanish brain was having a conversation, before my English brain could compute. This was the most expensive taxi of the entire trip, at 60$usd. However, all the UBERS were friendly, and happy to chat with us, most even turned the radio stations on to American channels for our rides. And all the UBERS were in local currency. And the app does all the math for you, no physical money exchanges hands. No bartering, no changed rates.
Traffic in Lima, I don’t have any pictures but its nuts. And I enjoyed the looks of terror on the faces of the other two in the group.
We made a plan for a recovery nap, and to knock some stuff off the list’s early afternoon.
After naps, we wandered down. The goal was to find food, ATM’s, water. The first few ATM’s were a no go, but of course the gas stations had some that worked.
Steve was feeling pretty beat, * He turned 70 on this trip!
Andi and I needed to stretch our legs, so we wandered down to the beach, although. They were backfilling it with rocks, for I am guessing housing. We wandered and found a sports park, with speed skating, ball and tennis courts, a very nice complex.
I tend to not book in the touristy parts of town,
Above were the views from our balcony
"The population of Lima, Peru is estimated to be 10,092,000 in 2023, making it the most populated city in the country. The population of the Lima Metropolitan Area, which includes Lima and the nearby city of Callao, is estimated to be 11,804,609 in 2022" : Google Ai, answer
I had booked a VRBO, 4 bedrooms, 4 bath, overlooking the ocean. $60/usd night, gotta love those prices. For much of the trip, $1 usd = 3.76 Pen, Sole. The plan was to take an uber to the VRBO.
Since the flight was getting in early, I booked the VRBO for a extra night ahead of schedule, so we could check in ASAP.
Airport security was not letting Ubers through, so we took a taxi. I was impressed with how much of my Spanish came back, and that I did better than I thought. At times my Spanish brain was having a conversation, before my English brain could compute. This was the most expensive taxi of the entire trip, at 60$usd. However, all the UBERS were friendly, and happy to chat with us, most even turned the radio stations on to American channels for our rides. And all the UBERS were in local currency. And the app does all the math for you, no physical money exchanges hands. No bartering, no changed rates.
Traffic in Lima, I don’t have any pictures but its nuts. And I enjoyed the looks of terror on the faces of the other two in the group.
We made a plan for a recovery nap, and to knock some stuff off the list’s early afternoon.
After naps, we wandered down. The goal was to find food, ATM’s, water. The first few ATM’s were a no go, but of course the gas stations had some that worked.
Steve was feeling pretty beat, * He turned 70 on this trip!
Andi and I needed to stretch our legs, so we wandered down to the beach, although. They were backfilling it with rocks, for I am guessing housing. We wandered and found a sports park, with speed skating, ball and tennis courts, a very nice complex.
I tend to not book in the touristy parts of town,
Above were the views from our balcony
"The population of Lima, Peru is estimated to be 10,092,000 in 2023, making it the most populated city in the country. The population of the Lima Metropolitan Area, which includes Lima and the nearby city of Callao, is estimated to be 11,804,609 in 2022" : Google Ai, answer
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Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
: Also, we were all sad when told that Peru no longer stamps passports, its all-digital now. There were a lot of signs, warning people not to get the special stamps that some vendors are selling, as it may void the passport.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
It was an early morning alarm, as we had a flight from Lima to Cusco.
We each had a 50-60L backpack, and then a large duffle with the moto gear for each person, so it’s a large amount of luggage to move around, so UBER XL it was. And it made it a fun exercise getting into elevators together.
Once we made it to the airport, we had to show our tickets to even get inside the front doors. Took some doing, but we got everything checked. And headed to the terminal,
We ended up being here longer than initially planned, but only a few extra hours. The plane needed some work, and they eventually gave up and bussed us out to the tarmac to a different plane.
Steve has had some recent health concerns, and struggled with some altitude sickness on pikes peak a few months prior. This is a bucket list trip for him, and his daughter Andi was a little concerned. She is a firefighter/medic, and I also have a medical background. So we came up with a plan pre trip.
That included flying into Cusco at 12k/ft, early (3 days) to adjust prior to starting the ride. With kickstands up Nov 2nd. And the general plan to take it easy, and stay hydrated. Copious amounts of water, and all of us using a fair bit of LMNT, drink mix. That particular brand was new for me, but worked well.
The VRBO I booked, was another 4-bedroom 3 bath. ( We were not sure when Logan was flying in). About 6 blocks away from the Touristy, but beautiful Plaza De Armas. It was quiet and peaceful, with the small local shops close. And when we wanted, we could wander down to the main plaza. The main Plaza is cool, but you are constantly hassled by venders.
I will apologize ahead of time if I end up posting double pictures.
Once we landed and collected our gear. Got and UBER, we were all instantly more relaxed as Cusco has a very tranquil atmosphere. Just calmer than Lima. Even when deplaning we could all feel the altitude. What a quick way to feel out of shape.
The VRBO, had two private gardens and a solarium. It was wonderful, Andi and I wanted to stretch our legs so went for a wander. At the start of an afternoon rain shower, in one of the smaller squares. We ducked into a restaurant and I covered my Empanada and Café Con leche cravings. The VRBO also had a ontap, water filter- This was a happy surprise as we each had a goal of a minimum of 4 liters of water a day, but usually got 6.
The internal 1st little garden
This laundry sink, I thought ws pretty cool. And was in the solarium
2nd little private garden area
This is the quiet little street in front of the VRBO.
We each had a 50-60L backpack, and then a large duffle with the moto gear for each person, so it’s a large amount of luggage to move around, so UBER XL it was. And it made it a fun exercise getting into elevators together.
Once we made it to the airport, we had to show our tickets to even get inside the front doors. Took some doing, but we got everything checked. And headed to the terminal,
We ended up being here longer than initially planned, but only a few extra hours. The plane needed some work, and they eventually gave up and bussed us out to the tarmac to a different plane.
Steve has had some recent health concerns, and struggled with some altitude sickness on pikes peak a few months prior. This is a bucket list trip for him, and his daughter Andi was a little concerned. She is a firefighter/medic, and I also have a medical background. So we came up with a plan pre trip.
That included flying into Cusco at 12k/ft, early (3 days) to adjust prior to starting the ride. With kickstands up Nov 2nd. And the general plan to take it easy, and stay hydrated. Copious amounts of water, and all of us using a fair bit of LMNT, drink mix. That particular brand was new for me, but worked well.
The VRBO I booked, was another 4-bedroom 3 bath. ( We were not sure when Logan was flying in). About 6 blocks away from the Touristy, but beautiful Plaza De Armas. It was quiet and peaceful, with the small local shops close. And when we wanted, we could wander down to the main plaza. The main Plaza is cool, but you are constantly hassled by venders.
I will apologize ahead of time if I end up posting double pictures.
Once we landed and collected our gear. Got and UBER, we were all instantly more relaxed as Cusco has a very tranquil atmosphere. Just calmer than Lima. Even when deplaning we could all feel the altitude. What a quick way to feel out of shape.
The VRBO, had two private gardens and a solarium. It was wonderful, Andi and I wanted to stretch our legs so went for a wander. At the start of an afternoon rain shower, in one of the smaller squares. We ducked into a restaurant and I covered my Empanada and Café Con leche cravings. The VRBO also had a ontap, water filter- This was a happy surprise as we each had a goal of a minimum of 4 liters of water a day, but usually got 6.
The internal 1st little garden
This laundry sink, I thought ws pretty cool. And was in the solarium
2nd little private garden area
This is the quiet little street in front of the VRBO.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
The next few days were spent enjoying Cusco. This is the Plaza De Armas, I love all the plaza’s and town squares that are common place in Latin America, always a lot happening. Vendors, street dogs, family’s having pic nicks. This one is touristy, so has all that you would expect. Including American fast food restaurants, and a Colombia store.
Why yes, you do see Aladian above. He was doing a photo shoot, with spins and jumps. And what appeared to be a very patient girlfriend.
Why yes, you do see Aladian above. He was doing a photo shoot, with spins and jumps. And what appeared to be a very patient girlfriend.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
We, were supposed to have an extra day to ourselves, however due to some “planning, from the guide” he did not know the Moto shop would be closed the day we were supposed to check the bikes out. Soooo we lost one of our extra fun days. As the guide required our presence, and we HAD* to shop in his special market with him.
Some shots, and all 4 of us togather.
Andi,Logan and Steve are family. I am along for the ride,
One of the larger covered markets, anything you could want. Still, a specific target market in mind.
This stall would bag trail mix for you, with anything you selected.
The cheese was good, At the request of the guide we all got a wheel, and some trail mix for the ride.
Typical street,
Andi and I loved these, agreeing it reminded us of the different stages of 24hr shifts. Or how the stages of the ride may be. I still crack up seeing them.
Myself, and the famous 12 sided Inca stone. Placed long ago, you would not be able to get a piece of paper between the stones still to this day.
This is in an Alley, where you can’t walk through and not get accosted to buy things, or get an “inca massage”
With the common saying in english " Almost free friend"
Some shots, and all 4 of us togather.
Andi,Logan and Steve are family. I am along for the ride,
One of the larger covered markets, anything you could want. Still, a specific target market in mind.
This stall would bag trail mix for you, with anything you selected.
The cheese was good, At the request of the guide we all got a wheel, and some trail mix for the ride.
Typical street,
Andi and I loved these, agreeing it reminded us of the different stages of 24hr shifts. Or how the stages of the ride may be. I still crack up seeing them.
Myself, and the famous 12 sided Inca stone. Placed long ago, you would not be able to get a piece of paper between the stones still to this day.
This is in an Alley, where you can’t walk through and not get accosted to buy things, or get an “inca massage”
With the common saying in english " Almost free friend"
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
The next few posts are just on the street dogs, these were all through Peru, all happy, none had a care in the world. And the vast majority in good health,
Snuck past the security at the train, and was sleeping under a bench during a rain storm.
This little dude came into one of the restaurants. The owner would come out, shoe it back outside where it would watch for her to go back into the kitchen, and then would happily trot back inside, doing circles around our table.
Snuck past the security at the train, and was sleeping under a bench during a rain storm.
This little dude came into one of the restaurants. The owner would come out, shoe it back outside where it would watch for her to go back into the kitchen, and then would happily trot back inside, doing circles around our table.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Its no secret I generally like critters over people, the group would tease me about making friends with all the dogs. All in good fun.
Andi teasing me, with a street dog selfie.
This large lab? Was in the Studio or Pablo Nava. We will cover that in a few more posts.
Andi teasing me, with a street dog selfie.
This large lab? Was in the Studio or Pablo Nava. We will cover that in a few more posts.
the deputy
Well-known member
What is in all of the bags, in background?
Looking forward to more pictures of your adventure.
Looking forward to more pictures of your adventure.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Great question! This picture was in Agua Caliente, which is the town at the base of Machu Picchu. Behind there is a river, this being spring they are expecting some flooding. And that is the flood control plan,
Edit* Sand Bags, and I am sure some trash mixed in there.
Thanks! More to come, have been in an refresher OSHA Instructor course all week, so am a little behind. I will get a few more days posted today. ( class got out early and finished today)
The stores off the beaten path are my favorite, and just chatting with the locals.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
We were in Cusco on Halloween, in the post with the ‘Plaza de Armas” above you can see that they were starting to close of the roads, and Plaza. That morning the guide requested we meet him at “Jacks, an American restaurant as in his words “ twas the best restaurant in all of Peru” for breakfast. So the three of us took an UBER down there, and also met Logan the 4th family member of the group.
After breakfast, we followed the guide to the markets where got cheese, snacks, nuts, and souvenirs. We did get some great deals on hand spun alpaca blankets, about 60 soles/each. Which is around 20ish USD.
Once we were on our own, we wandered as a group, and then eventually split off to our own places for naps. With the three of us, taking the time to walk the 6ish blocks back to our VRBO. It was slow, but we were doing better and was a great way to see how the acclimatization was going.
After we all got some rest in and did a gear check. Going over all out-moto gear, making sure it was good to go. And no surprises, although my helmet had a tough time with the travel. It did have a broken vent on the top. Applying anti fog, and rain x to our visors. And some work on Andi’s gear bag that was starting to burst at the seams. Steve, brought gorilla tape with him, solved that issue.
We were requested to meet the guide, that night at dinner again at the restaurant “jacks”. We were a little bummed as we had planned some other activities for the day and it had now been hi-jacked. No worries, though and we kept in good spirits. It could always be worse.
Halloween, (Oct 31) was also mixed with Dia De Los Muertos (Nov 2). The locals kept referring to this as red days, red week, etc. It took me a bit to learn they call them red days, because everyone marks them out red on their calendars.
It was well into dark when we all finished dinner. With it being late, dark, and the streets filled with people. Packed in like sardines, we made the choice to grab a UBEr versus trying to move fast and stay together in crowds like that.
As you can imagine, it’s a party. Thousands of people, in costumes, kids and candy, all the things and then some. Multiple roads closed, and shut down. And many officers all trying to keep the peace. I don’t have any pictures from this night but reached out to the group to see if they took any.
Our UBER got to us and picked us up. He was not as friendly as the others, but we all have bad days. One block down him, (us) and a Taxi get in a fender bender. Neither wanting to yield and both turning down the same street. They both honked, backed up and tried again. No bad words, no yelling. Just a normal day…
It should have been about a 5-10 min drive, and turned into a hour +. In fact, UBEr sent multiple notices to my phone asking if I was “ok” or “needed emergency services” as the car was not moving very fast.
The streets were filled, everything was at a standstill. And drivers were just “bumping” pedestrians with their mirrors, and bumpers. I counted at least 16 ( before I stopped)that made contact with the mirror next to me. All soft and slow, same no pedestrians or other drivers got mad. This was not a situation I loved, as I felt trapped. Its important to know your group well. But was still the better choice considering other factors. Once I was reminded to be un cranky, we started pointing out and counting costumes that were common. Our driver did not want to chat in English or Spanish.
This is from this year, and was in the Plaza De Armas, where we needed to go through/around to get home. It was from google, so Photo credit to " Salkantay Trekking company.
www.salkantaytrekking.com
After breakfast, we followed the guide to the markets where got cheese, snacks, nuts, and souvenirs. We did get some great deals on hand spun alpaca blankets, about 60 soles/each. Which is around 20ish USD.
Once we were on our own, we wandered as a group, and then eventually split off to our own places for naps. With the three of us, taking the time to walk the 6ish blocks back to our VRBO. It was slow, but we were doing better and was a great way to see how the acclimatization was going.
After we all got some rest in and did a gear check. Going over all out-moto gear, making sure it was good to go. And no surprises, although my helmet had a tough time with the travel. It did have a broken vent on the top. Applying anti fog, and rain x to our visors. And some work on Andi’s gear bag that was starting to burst at the seams. Steve, brought gorilla tape with him, solved that issue.
We were requested to meet the guide, that night at dinner again at the restaurant “jacks”. We were a little bummed as we had planned some other activities for the day and it had now been hi-jacked. No worries, though and we kept in good spirits. It could always be worse.
Halloween, (Oct 31) was also mixed with Dia De Los Muertos (Nov 2). The locals kept referring to this as red days, red week, etc. It took me a bit to learn they call them red days, because everyone marks them out red on their calendars.
It was well into dark when we all finished dinner. With it being late, dark, and the streets filled with people. Packed in like sardines, we made the choice to grab a UBEr versus trying to move fast and stay together in crowds like that.
As you can imagine, it’s a party. Thousands of people, in costumes, kids and candy, all the things and then some. Multiple roads closed, and shut down. And many officers all trying to keep the peace. I don’t have any pictures from this night but reached out to the group to see if they took any.
Our UBER got to us and picked us up. He was not as friendly as the others, but we all have bad days. One block down him, (us) and a Taxi get in a fender bender. Neither wanting to yield and both turning down the same street. They both honked, backed up and tried again. No bad words, no yelling. Just a normal day…
It should have been about a 5-10 min drive, and turned into a hour +. In fact, UBEr sent multiple notices to my phone asking if I was “ok” or “needed emergency services” as the car was not moving very fast.
The streets were filled, everything was at a standstill. And drivers were just “bumping” pedestrians with their mirrors, and bumpers. I counted at least 16 ( before I stopped)that made contact with the mirror next to me. All soft and slow, same no pedestrians or other drivers got mad. This was not a situation I loved, as I felt trapped. Its important to know your group well. But was still the better choice considering other factors. Once I was reminded to be un cranky, we started pointing out and counting costumes that were common. Our driver did not want to chat in English or Spanish.
This is from this year, and was in the Plaza De Armas, where we needed to go through/around to get home. It was from google, so Photo credit to " Salkantay Trekking company.
Halloween and Creole Song Day in Cusco
We are all partying this October 31, in Peru. Creole Song Day is celebrated as well as Halloween. these have become two good options to enjoy a great night.
www.salkantaytrekking.com
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
The next day we switched from our VRBO to Casa Elena, right down by the square. And prepped for kick stands up on day 2. Since the moto shop was closed, we had dropped off our chargers, tank bags the night prior for the moto shop to install. As well as signing the paperwork and copies of out passports and Moto endorsements.
Nov 2nd, Was kick stands up. We all met downstairs and piled the gear next to the door. We weren’t allowed to bring the bikes to us…….( I don’t know why)…. a moto shop employee met us at Casa Elena with his tiny car, and most the gear fit inside. As we started walking in our Moto Gear the handful of blocks to the shop.
Most of us had our gear strapped to the motos in short order. We still ended up with an almost 2-hour delay in starting due to some technical difficulties.
Eventually we started our way out of town, riding in South America is not the same as in the states. So, there is that to get used to. As well as most of us had never actually ridden together so some added things to learn. The order was as follows, Guide, Logan,Steve, Andi, Myself.
After a few hours, we ended up on some gravel and less populated roads. Where we found our first required stop. The family we were supposed to meet, was not there. (It was a holiday, I believe they were at the cemetery with their ofrienda)
They raised guinea pigs. Other than a few street dogs, we waited for about an hour and then went on our way. With the next required stop the studio of Pablo. * Pablo Seminario, Urubamba Peru*
bestofperutravel.com
Nov 2nd, Was kick stands up. We all met downstairs and piled the gear next to the door. We weren’t allowed to bring the bikes to us…….( I don’t know why)…. a moto shop employee met us at Casa Elena with his tiny car, and most the gear fit inside. As we started walking in our Moto Gear the handful of blocks to the shop.
Most of us had our gear strapped to the motos in short order. We still ended up with an almost 2-hour delay in starting due to some technical difficulties.
Eventually we started our way out of town, riding in South America is not the same as in the states. So, there is that to get used to. As well as most of us had never actually ridden together so some added things to learn. The order was as follows, Guide, Logan,Steve, Andi, Myself.
After a few hours, we ended up on some gravel and less populated roads. Where we found our first required stop. The family we were supposed to meet, was not there. (It was a holiday, I believe they were at the cemetery with their ofrienda)
They raised guinea pigs. Other than a few street dogs, we waited for about an hour and then went on our way. With the next required stop the studio of Pablo. * Pablo Seminario, Urubamba Peru*
Pablo Seminario Ceramic Studio & Store | Best Things to Do in Urubamba
Pablo Seminario is an oasis of tranquility named after the grey haired ceramicist who set up a small ceramic workshop 32 years ago in Urubamba.
bestofperutravel.com
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
The studio of Pablo Seminario was cool. Many different mediums. Skill and talent I have not, nor will ever possess. And made a good spot to break for lunch in the cool grass outside.
We ended up here for an extra hour + as our guide ran to get parts for his GPS.
The large black lab in the Street dogs post, was in this Studio. And always laying under where Pablo was working. Pablo was a nice guy, let us pick his brain and easily let us interrupt his work for 30 mins +. Some cool items, not a great purchase on moto's though.
www.ceramicaseminario.com
He does not do all the work and has folks who study and work under his guidance. And his wife also is an artist.
We ended up here for an extra hour + as our guide ran to get parts for his GPS.
The large black lab in the Street dogs post, was in this Studio. And always laying under where Pablo was working. Pablo was a nice guy, let us pick his brain and easily let us interrupt his work for 30 mins +. Some cool items, not a great purchase on moto's though.
Ceramics Seminario
The Cerámicas Seminario workshop creates a new proposal based on the techniques and styles of the ancient cultures of Peru. This expression of art is the fruit of research carried out by Pablo Seminario for more than 35 years and which is now known as the Seminario Style.
www.ceramicaseminario.com
He does not do all the work and has folks who study and work under his guidance. And his wife also is an artist.