So we’re back in Rio, after a most efficient (in and out, quick and dirty) six-day trip turistica to one of the New Seven Wonders of the World: Machupicchu in Peru. It was a great trip and we had about as many “experiences” in those six days as there are minutes in an hour. Our overall impression is as follows: Peru – and especially Lima – is a really clean and safe place where tourism is a definite importance to many peoples’ lives – the locals will bend over backwards to make your stay as enjoyable as you have paid for.The sights are impressive (I’ll let the pictures do the talking – although as you can imagine the 800-year-old ruins are much more impressive in person) and other tourists are plentiful – we met some newlyweds and partied British-Punk-Rock style. The altitude in Cusco at over 3,400m really put a hurting on us (more so Robert than Joana, but who worries about the details) and hangovers are an extra special treat to write a blog about. Em fin, we had an awesome time – now look at the pictures already!
This place is called "Sexy Woman" - not really, but the name sounds sort of like that. It was right outside of Cusco, the capital city of the Inka world.
This picture was taken at the foot of the mountain where we visited the "Water Monument" - the highest point we reached was right at 4,000m - you end up breathing at twice the rate you normally do up there - sort of freaked us out!
Here I'm trying one of Inka's traditional meals: Guinea Pig. Not so delicious. Sort of like North Carolina hillbilly squirls.
On our way to Agua Calientes, at the foot of the Machupicchu mountain to visit the Hidden City.
And here we are: Machupicchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World! It really was breathtaking - literally!
We had great luck with the weather. It rained in the morning as we left our hotel and while riding the train to Agua Calientes. But as soon as we got there the clouds cleared miraculously and we had the most beautiful view imaginable.
Just before leaving the ruins to head back down to Agua Calientes a nearby shower - or God - produced this rainbow. We felt "special"!
And when we arrived at the foot of Machupicchu Mountain ...
It started to pour!
On the trainride back to Cusco we befriended a couple of newlyweds from England/New York ...
... and several Pisco Sours and Cusquenas later, we were practically best "mates".
Back in Lima, we visited the rocky beaches of the Pacific Ocean on our last day!
We had a great time.
Drinking the local brew made from black corn - different, but greatly refreshing!
After seven weeks at the rig, in Houston, and away from home, it is an incredible feeling to be back at home and with minha Joaninha. In Rio it's starting to heat up as spring time is in its fullest and after winning the bid for Host City of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games, the entire state of Rio de Janeiro is in celebration. And so are Joana and I - today is our "legal" wedding day anniversary. That is to say, today three years ago, we got legally married. We're not really officially celebrating anything, but to think that it's been three years since we have committed each other to one another is amazing to think how fast time flies. It seems like only yesterday! In addition to being excited about all of the above, Joana and I are also looking forward to our upcoming vacation in November: Peru, Chicago, Washington (for Thanksgiving - we can't pass up the opportunity to party with old time friends), New York, and a few days on the waters of the coast of Rio in early December. Ahhhh, life is hard ;-)
This past week - Wednesday to be exact - Mr. Dustin Greenwell and his lovely wife Larisse stopped by in Rio on their way to Brasilia (Dustin is finally meeting the in-laws). We hadn't seen Dustin in over two years - since our wedding in 2007 - and although that is an awfully long time not to see one another, our friendship is still as strong as it was back then. I guess working at Mr. Gatti's Pizza together builds an unbreakable bond. We had a great couple of days together, which - as always - passed way too fast! I'll let the pictures tell the rest:
Joana and I recently had the privilege of meeting back up with my great friends from VanderbiltUniversity: Sr. Hugo Valle and wife Isabel.We went out a couple of nights while of wasn’t offshore and had a great time catching up on life, jobs, politics, moonshine, and whatever else the Captain brought to the table. Great times – thanks a million, guys!
This place is called "Sexy Woman" - not really, but the name sounds sort of like that. It was right outside of Cusco, the capital city of the Inka world.
This picture was taken at the foot of the mountain where we visited the "Water Monument" - the highest point we reached was right at 4,000m - you end up breathing at twice the rate you normally do up there - sort of freaked us out!
On our way to Agua Calientes, at the foot of the Machupicchu mountain to visit the Hidden City.
And here we are: Machupicchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World! It really was breathtaking - literally!
We had great luck with the weather. It rained in the morning as we left our hotel and while riding the train to Agua Calientes. But as soon as we got there the clouds cleared miraculously and we had the most beautiful view imaginable.
Just before leaving the ruins to head back down to Agua Calientes a nearby shower - or God - produced this rainbow. We felt "special"!
On the trainride back to Cusco we befriended a couple of newlyweds from England/New York ...
... and several Pisco Sours and Cusquenas later, we were practically best "mates".
Back in Lima, we visited the rocky beaches of the Pacific Ocean on our last day!
We had a great time.
