South America

Today we set off early to take a boat trip out to the Ballestas Islands, a protected area that is home to Humboldt Penguins, Peruvian Pelicans, Peruvian Booby, Neotropic Cormorants, Inca Terns & Sea Lions.

Today was my last day in Brazil & I left Rio de Janeiro to fly back to Madrid Spain.

Today was my third day in Rio de Janeiro & I went on a guided tour to see Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Mountain.

Today, we travelled from Arequipa through the Colca Canyon to Chivay. We passed through many small villages in the rugged volcanic landscape, where farming was still the major source of work & way of bringing money into the local economy.

Today was my first full day staying at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Today was my fourth day staying at Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Today, I joined a few others on another short tour of Cuzco to a few buildings we couldn't see previously because they were closed due to the bank holiday.

After yesterday's long day, I was glad to have a lie in this morning. After breakfast, at around 8:30 am, I sat in the lobby, just watching people coming & going. One of Peru's biggest football teams stayed in the same hotel as us & I talked to a few of the players in the lobby.

This morning, I ate at the breakfast buffet, & drank one or two cups of Coca tea that I had gotten used to on this trip. 

Today I woke up as we entered the port of Recife, Brazil. I went on a short coach tour to see Recife & Olinda & had my first taste of Brazil.

Today, I flew from Heathrow in London to Lima in Peru via Madrid in Spain with Iberia Airlines. Getting to the airport was easy. Tony, a friend of mine, took me to Heathrow & because of a clear run, we were there an hour before we needed to be.

Today I woke up in the port at Ilheus, Brazil & went on an escorted coach tour to see Ilheus, & the Tijuipe waterfalls. Unlike yesterday's tour in Salvador, this was a brilliant day.

After breakfast & the obligatory coca tea, we set off this morning for Cusco, it will be a long day in the coach. Our tour guide, Rosario, overslept this morning and was met by a rousing cheer when she climbed on the bus ten minutes late.

After a long flight & long day yesterday, today felt like a lie-in when getting up at 7 am. After breakfast, I went for a short walk around Miraflores before leaving the hotel around 1 pm to begin our journey to Chincha.

My flight from Madrid to Lima was uneventful, but as normal, I could not sleep on the plane. After twelve & a half hours in flight, the plane landed in Lima & I was glad to get off & to have arrived in Peru.

I woke up today very excited; this was why I came on this trip. Today, I would be going to the place my dad always wanted to go but couldn't because of his health. It was the day I would visit Machu Picchu.

Today, we set off early for a long drive down to Arequipa. We passed back through the sun-baked, arid desert plateau we crossed yesterday. 

After a good breakfast buffet this morning at our hotel in Cusco, we set off for a tour of the Sacred Valley of The Incas.

Today was our second day at Copacabana Beach, and Gail and I visited the Botanical Gardens in Rio de Janeiro.

Today we arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil & left the Costa Favolosa to make our way to Copacabana Beach for our stay there.