The Opuntia Cactus Tree, and Coastline, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador,
originally uploaded by Bill Wilson.
This is my blog for my trip to Taiwan. I'll be posting my journal here from November 1 to November 17, 2017 so check back and join me on the trip ! - Bill Wilson
June 10, 2006
The Opuntia Cactus Tree, and Coastline, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Opuntia Cactus Tree, and Coastline, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador,
originally uploaded by Bill Wilson.
June 5, 2006
The Galapagos Islands - Nature Wonderland
Hi All,
My last adventure on this trip - The Galapagos Islands. This is an incredible
place. Set 1000 KM off the Ecuadorian Coast, its isolation created species not
seen elswhere in the world. Of the 5000 species of animals, about half appear
nowhere else on earth. The same is true of the plant life, about 1/2 are
indigenous to the islands. When Darwin visited here in the mid 1800's, his
curiousity was arroused by the isolation of the islands and the amazing things
he noted how the different species evolved in an isolated environment.
Many of the islands are stark 'moonscape' topography, made up of geologically
new volcanic lava flows. Sticking out of this lava are amazing plantlife and
wildlife.
The animals are quite different, yet some are similiar to what we, living on the
coast, are familiar with. Sea lions are similiar, but the iguana lizards are
very unique. I believe this is the only place in the world where there exists
aquatic iguanas. Yes, they walk down the beach and stroll right into the water
and swim. They feed on plantlife (algae) in the surf. Then come back up on the
beach to warm up. They are cold blooded creatures.
And the birds are amazing. I went on an all day tour of Seymour Island, saw the
Frigate birds in mating season..the males puffing up a big red sack under their
chin, showing off trying to attract the females.
And the most impressive thing to me was, you stroll past the wildlife, just feet
away. A few feet away from mother birds and their young, and they seem calm.
There are no predators here. Humans have never been a threat to any of the
animals, so they have no fear of us. Its something that takes getting used to.
They just stay there and watch you.
Hope some of these pictures show just a few highlights of what I saw
Well Wednesday, I´m off back to Guayaquil, then home.
It's been an incredible journey, I enjoyed sharing it with you.
Yours in Travel
Bill
June 3, 2006
Guayaquil, Ecuador
Hi All,
Just a short note to say hi from Guayaquil. This is my stopping point on the way
to the Galapagos. I couldn{t book straight thru, I think that is a planned thing
to get you to stay here an spend some dollars
Yes DOLLARS. The official currency is US Dollars. The coins are different but
the same denominations.
The city is MUCH different than the large Peruvian cities. Its a business and
agricultural center here. Very European feel. All the buildings are finished (
no rebar sticking up from the tops of the roofs!!) Nice highways, well marked
roads. But still very crazy driving. wow If you had to commute an hour a day
here, you'd be a wreck by the time you got to work. Weaving in and out, lots of
horns, like the old Magic Mountain ride at Disneyland.
Very high tech here. This hotel is full Wi-Fi. Lots of cell phones, here not
that evident in Cuzco. Where Bill Gates made a campaign to push the technology
worldwide or the people PULLED it to them, not sure..in any event its all over.
This year, you can get CD's made for downloading your camera memory card
everywhere. That was non-existant 2 years ago on my other trip. Technology
catches on fast all over the world. I get the feeling we (USA) are only one
player in all this, not the big high tech country we might feel we are. This is
truly a global community.
The people are very nice here and accomodating. One interesting thing is a lot
of the business women in the city wear uniforms! I think its all the city
employees, they all have the same (neat and attractive) uniforms! Will try to
get pictures. And hotels are first class. There aren't many small restaurants
or small hostels or hotels, since this is a very business city.
In 2000, they improved the river walkway, called the Malecon. It is a long, very wide all brick river walkway. With a large, garden in the center and an IMAX movie theatre and museum. A nice place to stroll.
Time is up have to go !
Will write from the Galapagos
yours in Travel
Bill
June 1, 2006
River Tambopata, Tributary on the Amazon
Hi Again May 29, 2006
Well I spent 4 days and 3 nights in the Amazon Basin of Peru. Nearly 60% of Peru
is Rain forest in the Amazon Basin! Peru has more different climate zones than
any other country in the world.
The weather was not that bad, a bit humid, but tolerable. But the
mosquitoes...wow. Well glad I brought some Deet, only thing that works. But my
guide used a "natural" product with citronella in it..seems to work. I think
the mosquitoes like gringos no matter what you use.
But this is an amazing place. I took a two hour boat ride down the Tambopata
river, a feeder tributary to the Amazon. The lodge I stayed in was very new,
and well laid out. The emphasis is eco- tourism and fitting in the forest in a
natural way. No windows, your main wall is open to the forest. Several hammocks
swing from the second floor of the huge high ceiling Palapa design
structure.And of course, a mosquitoe net for the bed.
Great place, no hot showers, but a cold shower is refreshing here. Also NO
lighting, everything lit by oil lanterns and candles. Took a bit to get used
to, but after you do, its wonderful. Electricity provided a few hours at night
by generator, but no lighting. And the doors to the rooms are pull curtains,
bamboo walls, and first class, modern bathroom fixtures and toilet. Quite a
contrast.
I took several walks thru the forest with my guide, bird watching, monkey
hunting and one evening we went out looking for Caimans, (Amazon crockadiles)
We spotted 6 of them. You put a bright spotlight out on the water at night and
catch their Red eye (white eyes are birds)..then you close in on them until
they slide off into the water. Reminds me of shark hunting back home.
Well had to leave today, after 4 great days in the Amazon, and 40 Mosquito bite
welts, I'm back here in Cuzco.
Off to Guayaquil, Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands. I'll report back from there
in a few days.
Yours in Travel
Bill
The Inca Trail and finally the Amazing Machu Picchu
Hi all, 1 June 2006
Sorry for the long time since my last blog. There was just not enough time in
between getting back from the 4 day Inca Trail trip and moving on to the Amazon
to get on the Net and write.
What a amazing week, I don't know where to start.
On May 25th, I started the 4 day Inca Trail Trek, ending in a sunrise approach
to the incredible Inca Sanctuary of Machu Picchu. The trail was about 60km,
done in 4 days. Just a light day pack, because the porters do everything. They
are amazing, they each carry over 52 pounds, with sandles made from tires, and
hustle ahead of you. The camp is set when you get there. We had a small group
of 4 of us and a terrific guide. I did pretty well, the toughest day was
coming down 3000 feet of stone steps! and they don't use switchbacks here, its
all steep.
The "Inca Trail" that is walked today, is only a very small part of a huge
network of trails the Incas created back in 1400. There was over 40,000 Km of
trails from Columbia in the north all the way down to Bolivia in the South.
But then the morning sunrise in Machu Picchu on the last day. It was spiritual.
Amazing place. The stone structures, with edges fitting so tight, you can't
put your fingernail in the gap between huge stones..and no morter. And
accoustics that astound you. Echo accoustics that allow one to hear someone
else whisper 100 m away. And large stones carved with astronomical
significance. It was all mind boggling and a wonderful experience.
Many more stories to tell. On Monday the 29th I left for the Amazon. I'll
report that next.
Yours in Travel
Bill
May 24, 2006
Cuzco - The city of the Incas
Hi All,
Wow its been a busy few days. After the city of Puno and tours around Lake
Titicaca in southern Peru, I took a bus from Puno to Cuzco, the capital of
Peru. The bus went across the Andes Mountains and included a tour stopping at
five locations along the way, all day from 7:30AM to 6:00PM. It was a great
tour, a couple sites included museums with artifacts from the ancient peoples
in the area along the Andes Mountains.
One site was the city of Rouchi, including an amazing ancient Inca city
including large circular rock corn storage buildings, residential homes and a
large temple, all built around 1400AD.
My place in Cuzco is in San Blas, the older part of Cuzco. Up on the hill above
the city. Its age is shown by the narrow streets, barely enough room for one
car to travel down the cobblestone surface and high walls. Its fun to see the
big tour buses navigating the road. I got a taxi from the bus depot after the
tour..all he could say about my location was : "Arriba..Arriba!!" (up there
up there). My hotel, a B&B is run by a French mountain guide. Great guy, great
stories about life in Cuzco. He indicates the same problems with permits and
officials as we have in California in trying to remodel an old home into a B&B.
Everything is on "Peru time"..sounds like "Baja time" back home.
This city is remarkable. Its Plaza de Armas, or main square is very large and
bordered by two huge cathedrals. Today there was a parade for all the local
school children, all in cute costumes, parading in the main square. This was
their big day.
The Bus tour I took yesterday was in the sacred valley east of Cuzco and
included several small cities. I got to see the morning market in Pisco, and
and amazing sun temple in the city of Ollantantambo.
Tomorrow I'm off to trek the Inca trail for 4 days, so won´t be back here till
the 28th...I´ll share some pictures from the trail then if time permits.
The people here are wonderful. Restaurants are great. Local food consists of
soups with potatoe and carrots, Alpaca meat broth. Alpaca meat, chicken and
vegetables.
Will see you after the Inca Trail. Will try to upload some more pictures
Take care,
Bill
May 21, 2006
Lake Titicaca - Visit the Local Peoples
I'm in Puno, gateway to exploring Lake Titicaca. This was a birth of cultures in
the area covering Boliva, Peru. Ancient peoples were here before the Incas came
in 1400. Its an interesting city on the lake.
But left Arequipa Saturday morning, amazing flight to the city of Juliaca, an
hour or so north of Puno. I had arranged a private tour of an ancient Inca
burial ground on the way down to Puno. It was great, greeted at the airport
with a sign BILL WILSON. Young man, Giespe, with full uniform on. I was wisked
off in private car, with private guide and driver. Sylvia my guide, cute
Pervian and native of Puno, and Driver. Sylvia took me over dirt road about 15
minutes to the site called Sillustani. It is an ancient burial site for the
Incas and Kolla peoples who predated the Incas. Incredible Inca carved stone
structures, that housed mummified bodies. The leaders selected the best of
their wives and friends for a sacrificial death..then mummified and buried as a
gift to the gods. Sillustani means running your finger nail thru a crack in the
stone, thats how good the masons were. It was amazing but only the begining of
my look at Inca carved rocks. After the tour I was dropped off at my B&B style
hotel.
The second phase of the tour was all day today. Private guide again, boat trip
out to see the Uros people who live on floating reed Island. yes they float.
About 2 meters thick of reeds layed out. There are about 24 island, 1000 people
and each island has large families. They live off tourist trade, except for 5
islands that are still private.
Took a ride on floating reed boat.
Then an hour boat ride out to Taquille island. A steep long hike about 500 m up,
aand at 12,000 feet altitude its a trip!! Took me about a day to get
acclimitized..light head ache.. but locals told me to drink Mate de coca..thats
right coca leaf tea. It does the trick
I was with 3 other tourist, from Alanta Georgia. We visited a private village,
only us 4, it was wonderful. Saw how they lived, ground quinoa grain, and had
lunch with them The Taquille people wear the native dress all the time.
Then boat ride back and tour of city and stop by market. Tomorrow I take all day
bus along the Andes to Cuzco. Will be there a few days before going on 4 day
Inca Trail trek. Talk to you again from Cuzco. I'll try to attach some pictures
again
Bill
May 18, 2006
Arequipa - The White City
Hi all,
Well I'm in Arequipa, southern Peru. Flight from Lima was excellent. LANPeru a
very good airline, service, and all. Like our old USA lines were a few years
ago.
Beautiful new airport in Lima where I left, only 2 years old. I went out and
talked to a group of taxi drivers in spanglish... the airport was built by the
Germans in partnership with the Peruvians. The Peruvians dont like this but
knew they needed it. They are now trying to make these major infrastructure
improvements themselves.
Arequipa is a beautiful city. They call it the white city, because it was built
from a whiteish block called sillar which comes from the volcanoes in the area.
Its impressive block work and gives the city a grey-white look.
The city was added to the UNESCO world heritage sites in 2000. The center of the
world heritage cultural awarding was the convent of Santa Cantalina. This large
walled (in sillar block) convent was hidden away from the world for 400 years
and was just opened up to the public in 1970 (couldn't find out why..think it
was for revenues). It was beautiful inside, individual cubicles with sleeping
quarters, cooking facilities, and reverent prayer and devotional sites. Gardens
and courtyards were scattered throughout.
It was amazing to read about the 'mystic' path or process a new nun had to go
through to become a devout, experienced nun. It was a beautiful place with
amazing architecture.
The picture attached (if it works) is of the plaza de armas (the center town
square) in Arequipa. I also will try to attach a picture from inside the
Convent.
Just finished a fantastic Peruvian dinner, complete with native music (Andes
flute, guitar, and drums). The musicians walked the restaurant and played. And
of course, hit me up for a CD on the way out the door...couldn't resist, I got
it..only $7
The meals in the highland area consist of sliced meats (Alpaca), camarones
(crayfish), potatoes, corn. If you pick the right restaurant, you get a good
example of 'typical' food. Its delicious. I already like the Peruvian food.
Tomorrow a city tour, around 4 hours circling the outskirts of the city. Hope to
see more of the area.
The people are beautiful, they are very polite and accomodating. Even the
'touts' or street vendors are polite. They press you hard..then if you don't
buy they all say 'Maybe later!...
Thats all for now. I'll be flying out Saturday morning on to the city of Puno
and stay at the famous lake Titicaca. See you there soon!
Bill
Well I'm in Arequipa, southern Peru. Flight from Lima was excellent. LANPeru a
very good airline, service, and all. Like our old USA lines were a few years
ago.
Beautiful new airport in Lima where I left, only 2 years old. I went out and
talked to a group of taxi drivers in spanglish... the airport was built by the
Germans in partnership with the Peruvians. The Peruvians dont like this but
knew they needed it. They are now trying to make these major infrastructure
improvements themselves.
Arequipa is a beautiful city. They call it the white city, because it was built
from a whiteish block called sillar which comes from the volcanoes in the area.
Its impressive block work and gives the city a grey-white look.
The city was added to the UNESCO world heritage sites in 2000. The center of the
world heritage cultural awarding was the convent of Santa Cantalina. This large
walled (in sillar block) convent was hidden away from the world for 400 years
and was just opened up to the public in 1970 (couldn't find out why..think it
was for revenues). It was beautiful inside, individual cubicles with sleeping
quarters, cooking facilities, and reverent prayer and devotional sites. Gardens
and courtyards were scattered throughout.
It was amazing to read about the 'mystic' path or process a new nun had to go
through to become a devout, experienced nun. It was a beautiful place with
amazing architecture.
The picture attached (if it works) is of the plaza de armas (the center town
square) in Arequipa. I also will try to attach a picture from inside the
Convent.
Just finished a fantastic Peruvian dinner, complete with native music (Andes
flute, guitar, and drums). The musicians walked the restaurant and played. And
of course, hit me up for a CD on the way out the door...couldn't resist, I got
it..only $7
The meals in the highland area consist of sliced meats (Alpaca), camarones
(crayfish), potatoes, corn. If you pick the right restaurant, you get a good
example of 'typical' food. Its delicious. I already like the Peruvian food.
Tomorrow a city tour, around 4 hours circling the outskirts of the city. Hope to
see more of the area.
The people are beautiful, they are very polite and accomodating. Even the
'touts' or street vendors are polite. They press you hard..then if you don't
buy they all say 'Maybe later!...
Thats all for now. I'll be flying out Saturday morning on to the city of Puno
and stay at the famous lake Titicaca. See you there soon!
Bill
May 17, 2006
Hi all,
Made it at last, lucky I am not in Miami still!!
The flight went great, it took over 24 hours. Two 5 hour legs, one 3 hour leg
and 7 hour layover in NYC. At JFK took the subway and Air tram into the city
for breakfast...was fun! Reminded me of the scenes on The Apprentice.
Bad weather over Miami, planes circled for an hour. I made my connection by
about 15 minutes, otherwise I'd still be in Miami. Wow
Got into Lima about 10pm, long wait for luggage, then just enough time to go to
bed, and then off to airport in morning to arrive at Arequipa.
But now the adventure begins, arrived in the city of Arequipa mid day, beautiful
city
wow, now this is really Peru! Big volcanoe mountain behind the city, I found a
hotel right on the main plaza (Plaza de Armas) Incredible dinner tonight an
watched the sun go down over Peru. Plan to stay here for 3 days.
More details on here sometime tomorrow, just wanted to let you know I got
here ok. Everything great.
May 15, 2006
Peru and Ecuador 2006 - Finding the Incas
Hi Family and Friends!
You found my blog spot.
Well I'm off again to see some of the world while I still can. This year its
Peru and Ecuador. I hope to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, stay in the
Amazon basin and visit the Galapagos Islands. Come along with me, I'll enjoy
having you along. Trains, Planes, boats and buses will be my mode of travel
for a few weeks.
I'll try to post some pictures this year while on the trip. All the
postings will be found in the "archives" here on the blog. Last year's trip
postings are still here, wow, has it been a year already?
Talk to you on the road!! Yours in Travel,
Bill
You found my blog spot.
Well I'm off again to see some of the world while I still can. This year its
Peru and Ecuador. I hope to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, stay in the
Amazon basin and visit the Galapagos Islands. Come along with me, I'll enjoy
having you along. Trains, Planes, boats and buses will be my mode of travel
for a few weeks.
I'll try to post some pictures this year while on the trip. All the
postings will be found in the "archives" here on the blog. Last year's trip
postings are still here, wow, has it been a year already?
Talk to you on the road!! Yours in Travel,
Bill