Wednesday, December 5, 2012

GRENADA TO PERU TO FLORIDA TO GRENADA: AUGUST 2 - OCTOBER 14, 2012


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GRENADA TO PERU TO FLORIDA TO GRENADA
 
AUGUST 2  - OCTOBER 14 , 2012
 
"CARNIVAL, OLYMPICS, HIKING,
MACHU PICCHU, TARANTULAS, CAIMANS, AND LOTS AND LOTS OF BOAT PROJECTS"

Ahoy, Everyone,
Hope all is well there and this email finds you all happy and healthy.

We spent another great Hurricane Season in beautiful Grenada.

Since we last updated our blog we have had great:
  •  Carnival
  • Jouvert
  • HASHES
  • We planned lots of fun cruiser events
  • Trip to Peru
  • Lots more exploring of Grenada
  • Grenada Cruisers Olympics 2012
  • Participated in Photo and Video ads to promote Grenada Tourism
  • Hauled out the boat for its' Beauty Treatment
  • Lots of boat projects: New watermaker for sailing to more remote places, New Fuel Tank for longer and extended trips to remote places with not much wind, and lots more.
We have filled this blog with lots of photos. They say a million words. : )
We hope that you enjoy this blog and we appreciate all of you support as we are chasing our sailing dreams!

Cheers,

JoAnne and Bill : )
 
AUGUST 5, 2012
HAPPY HOUR AND GREAT ROTI DINNER ABOARD MOTIVATOR
 












 
AUGUST 6, 2012
ULTRA MOVIE NIGHT "AVATAR"




 
AUGUST 7, 2012
BUCCANEER DEPARTS TODAY FOR TRINIDAD
 

HAPPY HOUR ABOARD NAHANNIE RIVER
AFTER A FEW DRINKS, WE ALL WANTED TO  SPEAK.
WE THEN PLAYED THE GAME "WHEN I HOLD THE PILLOW,THEN I GET TO SPEAK".


 
 
AUGUST 9, 2012
 
DINNER ABOARD ULTRA WITH OCEAN STAR
 

AUGUST 10, 2012
HAPPY HOUR  AT THE  NUTMEG RESTAURANT AND THEN DINNER AND A WONDERFUL POETRY AND MUSIC PERFORMANCE AT THE GRENADA MUSEUM














FISHERMAN TRADITIONAL COSTUME AND MUSIC PERFORMANCE


 
 

AUGUST 11, 2012
ANOTHER FUN HASH!

AERIAL VIEW OF ULTRA IN THE PORT LOUIS MARINA, MIDDLE LEFT SIDE JUST
BEHIND THE PALM TREE







WENDY IS NO LONGER A VIRGIN!


WHEN YOU DO SOMETHING BAD ON THE HASH OR GET A NICKNAME, YOU MUST DRINK BEER FROM EITHER THIS HOSPITAL URINE PITCHER OR THE DOTTY POTTY. DON'T WORRY, IT IS CLEAN.


PAUL

KEVIN AND LYNN


DANCING AND MORE DANCING



CONGA LINE

THE GREAT BAND
AUGUST 12, 2012
HIKE TO FORT FREDERICK
 
 
 
 
 
 
BILL IS RESTING
 
FORT BUILT IN 1787
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
LOTS OF GREAT TUNNELS
 
 
 
 
 
THE HIKE UP TO THE FORT
 
 
 
 
 
AUGUST 13, 2012
 
  1. JOUVERT HAS BEGUN AT BEFORE DAWN, EVEN THOUGH PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PARTYING ALL NIGHT.  WE ARRIVE ON THE STREET AT 5:30A.M  AND BEGIN TO GET PAINTED. THE PARADE WILL GO FOR SEVERAL MORE HOURS.  IT IS JUST LIKE MARDI GRAS.
 
2. THE STREETS ARE THEN CLEANED UP RIGHT AWAY AND THE PRETTY MAS CARNIVAL BEGINS WITH  ALL OF THE BEAUTIFUL COSTUMES.
 
3. AFTER THE PRETTY MAS, THE STREETS ARE CLEANED UP AGAIN TO PREPARE FOR THE MONDAY NIGHT MAS THAT IS FULL OF LIGHTS.
 

JOANNE

CHRIS

LINDA AND CHRIS


BILL AND JOANNE WITH JUST A FEW PASSES OF PAINT AND THEN LATER WE WILL BE COVERED
THE TRADITION IS YOU JUST HUGGED BY SOMEONE WHO IS PAINTED AND THE PAINT TRANSFERS TO YOU,  OR THEY  JUST PAINT YOU BY HAND OR POUR SOME ON YOU.  BY THE END, YOU ARE COVERED IN ALL DIFFERENT COLORS OF PAINT.  NORMALLY, EVERYONE GROUP HAS THEIR OWN COLOR.
 












DO NOT WORRY, IT IS JUS RED PAINT.   : )











WOW!


BILL AND HIS LADY PAINTED IN BLUE!



PRETTY MAS PARADE BEGINS
JOANNE IN COSTUME AS THE PRETTY MAS BEGINS


 

















 


 
 
MONDAY NIGHT MAS  BEGINS






THE STREETS ARE FILLED WITH LIGHTS FOR MILES




AUGUST 14, 2012
TODAY IS THE PRETTY MAS PARADE AGAIN AND THEN GOES INTO THE NIGHT PARADE FOR A WONDERFUL STREET PARTY
JOANNE IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER
 

 
 
















THE IDEA IS TO SHAKE YOUR BOOTY ALOT IN THESE PARADES!








DRINKS AT NUTMEG RESTAURANT AFTER A FUN DAY OF WALKING AND DANCING THROUGH THE STREETS OF GRENADA




JEFF AND IZZY


OUR FRIENDS WE MET AT NUTMEG TRYING ON OUR HEADDRESSES

PROMOTING IWW


 
 
AUGUST 16, 2012
ULTRA TEX MEX PARTY
 




 
AUGUST 17, 2012
 
GRENADA CRUISERS FUN OLYMPICS
 
BILL WON A GOLD MEDAL FOR ROWING A DINK THE FASTEST AND THEN SHOOTING THE SHOT OF RUM THE FASTEST! YEA, BILL!

LYNN

SUSIE



MAKING THE PASS AROUND THE BUOY


ALMOST TO THE DOCK


GUS AND BILL IT WAS GUS' DINK THAT BILL USED

SACK RACE

LIME IN A SPOON


 


YEA! 




WHEELBARROW RACE



BILL AND JOANNE ALMOST TO THE FINISH LINE FOR THE GOLD MEDAL



BILL SHOT PUTTING THE COCONUT

BALLOON BETWEEN THE KNEES RACE







CLOSEST THE HOLE TENNIS BALL GOLF







3 LEGGED RACE


EGG TOSS

EGG TOSS - BILL AND JOANNE WIN A GOLD MEDAL FOR EGG TOSS

GO ALICE AND SUSIE







THE HOME STRETCH DOWN THE HILL









BILL IN HURDLE  RACE WITH A SHOTGUN BEER


A POOL TABLE FULL OF PRIZES


IWW T-SHIRT FOR THE DINK WIN

TERRY, BILL AND LYNN



AUGUST 18, 2012
SPECTACULAR WATERFALL HASH

OUR FAVORITE, HIKING IT UP AND DOWN A RIVER















RUINS OF A SUGAR PLANTATION ESTATE





BEER BEING SQUIRTED ALL OVER THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE NEVER HASHED
THYE ARE CALLED VIRGINS




 


 
AUGUST 19, 2012
DINNER ABOARD NAHANNIE RIVER
 
AUGUST 20, 2012
ULTRA SEXY DRINK CONTEST
ALL OF THE BOATS DREW A NAME OUT OF A HAT LAST WEEK.  THAT IS THE DRINK THAT THEY MADE FOR TONIGHT'S PARTY
M/V MOTIVATOR



NAHANNIE RIVER

IZZY R


CARDEA





ULTRA DREW THE DRINK "THE G SPOT"

SERVING IT UP
AUGUST 21, 2012
DINNER ABOARD OCEAN STAR
AUGUST 25, 2012
BARRACUDA PERFORMS AT SECRET HARBOUR MARINA



JOANNE HELPING TO LEAD THE CONGA LINE

 

SALSA ANYONE



AUGUST 27, 2012
HOMEMADE BUSH RUM  TASTE TEST
YOU TAKE FRUITS, NUTS, OR SPICES AND ADD IT TO A BOTTLE OF RUM , LET IT SIT FOR A WEEK, AND INSTANT "BUSH" RUM!  DELICIOUS.




AREN'T I SO BEAUTIFUL!!   :  )


THIS ONE IS FEMALE VIAGRA MADE IN THE FRENCH ISLANDS

MIKE AND LYNN BROUGHT VODKA INFUSED WATERMELON

BILL AND JOANNE CHECKING TO BE SURE IT REALLY AS GOOD AS THEY SAY!
IT IS EVEN BETTER!  : )

IT IS JAMAR'S BIRTHDAY TOMORROW!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR FRIEND!  : )

AUGUST 28, 2012
WELCOME TO GRENADA PARTY  FOR WENDY ABOARD IZZY R
SWEET AND HANDSOME BEN








 
AUGUST 29, 2012
GREAT DINNER AT PATRICK'S CAFE BY PORT LOUIS MARINA
 


BILL LIT THE AFTER DINNER DRINK.  WOWIE!  PURE BURNING ALCOHOL. 
TASTED LIKE IT WAS 1000 PROOF!
AUGUST 31, 2012
GRENADA DINGHY  RAFT UP CONCERT
 

EDITH AND JACK

WENDY




IWW RULES!   THE CALENDAR PHOTO!








WENDY GETTING DOWN IN THE DINK




KAY AND HER BEAUTIFUL VOICE!





HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMAR!








FULL MOON PARTY





 
WE ALL GET TO HAVE A PRIVATE PARTY AND RIDE THE BARGE BACK TO THE DOCK



PIZZA AT LE PHARE BLEU
 
SEPTEMBER 1, 2012
ANOTHER GREAT HASH


YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT SEE AROUND THE CORNER ON A HASH




 
SEPTEMBER 2, 2012
OUR GOOD FRIENDS DESMOND AND MINDY
OUR GIANT COCONUT WE HAVE BEEN SAVING BEGINS TO SPROUT ON THE COUNTER OUTSIDE
 

 
SEPTEMBER 6, 2012
ULTRA LOBSTER PARTY
WE ORGANIZED A LOBSTER PARTY FOR ALMOST 100 PEOPLE
THE BEER AND TENTS SHOW UP

OUR GOOD FRIENDS FROM GRENADA BREWERY


WOW!  WE EVEN GET A GREAT PERFORMANCE FROM A LOCAL SUPERSTAR SINGER!

JACK SIPPING HIS BEER FROM A STRAW.




THE LINE UP FOR THE LOBSTERS.  IT WAS PICK YOUR OWN LOBSTER OUT OF THE BOAT!  HOW FUN IS THAT!  THANK YOU CURT!

PAM AND DIANNA


SEPTEMBER 13, 2012
WE BEGIN OUR ADVENTURE TO PERU! GRENADA TO MIAMI TO LIMA.
 
 
AERIAL VIEWS OF GRENADA AS WE FLY OUT.
 







AMERICAN AIRLINES BUMPED US UP TO BUSINESS CLASS FOR FREE!


MIAMI AIRPORT ART

 
SEPTEMBER 14, 2012
LIMA TO CUSCO
EARLY FLIGHT TO CUSCO AND THEN WE PLAN A TOUR ASAP TO SEE THE SITES

OUR HOTEL ROOM AT SOL PLAZA INN IN CUSCO. WHAT A GREAT SURPRISE.  RED, RED WINE!  : )



LUNCH AT THE LOCAL SNACK SHACK.  EGG SANDWICHES, YUMMY!  THE BEST PART IS THEY ARE $1.50 USD EACH!

PLAZA DE ARMAS, CUSCO


SPECTACULAR CATHEDRAL




THESE ARE ALL EGGS, STACKS AND STACKS OF FARM EGGS

THE COURTYARD OF OUR HOTEL




THE SKULL AND CROSSBONES SYMBOLIZES WHERE THE CATACOMBS ARE LOCATED

AMAZING DOORS TO  THIS MOST AMAZING CATHEDRAL FULL OF GOLD, SILVER AND JEWELS
ROOMS AND ROOMS AND ROOMS OF ALTERS DRIPPING WITH IT


INCA WALL RUINS RUN ALL THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF CUSCO







LOOK HOW TIGHTLY THESE STONES FIT TOGETHER AND LOOK HOW LARGE THEY ARE.  MOST OF THEM ARE JUST AS THICK AS THEY ARE WIDE.  HEAVY!




FUSCIA FLOWERS JUST AS THEY HAVE IN BEAUTIFUL NORTHERN CALIFORNIA


CARVED STONE TO FIT INTO A SPECIAL PART OF A WALL

VIVA EL PERU CARVED INTO THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN




MASSIVE STONES/BOULDERS MANAGED BY HAND FROM A QUARRY MILES AWAY.
BILL SAYS ALIENS HELPED.   : )

 SEPTEMBER 15, 2012
TOUR OF THE SACRED VALLEY
MUMMIES, GOLDEN IDOLS, AND TOMBS THAT LOOK  LIKE HOLES IN THE SIDE OF THE MOUNTAINS.
MUMMIES WERE PLACED IN A FETAL POSITION BECAUSE THEY INCAS BELIEVED THEY WOULD BE REBORN AGAIN. ALSO, IN THE TOMB THEY WOULD INCLUDE FOOD AND A DOG MUMMIE AS A COMPANION.


GOLDON IDOLS


THE TOP LEFT IS A CEREMONIAL KNIFE USED BY THE INCAS FOR SACRIFICES
THEY DID SACRIFICE HUMANS, BUT MOSTLY JUST LLAMAS.

MUMMIES SEWN INTO THEIR CASES












CONDORS




BABY ALPACA




ALPACA BLANKET




THESE GUINEA PIGS ARE ON THE MENU

GUINEA PIGS IN A BLANKET, OMG


500 YEAR OLD INCA TERRACES CARVED IN THE MOUNTAINSIDE
FOR FARMING AND MANY ARE STILL FARMED TODAY
 

PAN FLUTE

ADORABLE PERUVIAN CHILDREN

MOTOTAXI




HIKING HIKING AND MORE HIKING
ALTITUDES THOUSANDS OF FEET IN ELEVATION

ALL OF THE HOLES YOU SEE ARE TOMBS, THEY WERE ROBBED SO THEY ARE NOW EMPTY



INCA HOME


THE RED FLAGS MEAN THAT THE HOUSE MAKES HOMEMADE CORN BEER







INCA STORAGE HOUSE FOR GRAINS, ETC. THOUSANDS OF FEET IN ELEVATION 





 
 SEPTEMBER 16, 2012
WE TAKE THE TRAIN TO AQUAS CALIENTES AND THEN THE BUS TO MACHU PICCHU









BILL'S FAVORITE, BREAKFAST!  NOTICE THE QUINOA ON THE PLATE.  THIS IS WHERE QUINOA IS GROWN.  IT IS A STAPLE OF ALMOST EVERY PERU MEAL. EVEN SOUPS.







GLACIER


HIKING IT FROM THE TRAIN STATION TO OUR HOTEL: LAS TERRAZAS DEL INCA B AND B

LOWER ELEVATION SO  WARM AND TROPICAL
CHECK OUT THE BUNCH OF BANANAS

AGUAS CALIENTES RIVER
THEY HAVE HOT SPRINGS TO SWIM HERE ALSO THAT ARE JUST  A SHORT WALK UP THE ROAD
YOU CAN EVEN RENT A SWIMSUIT AND A TOWEL TO TAKE A DIP


WE HAVE ARRIVED TO THIS MOST SACRED OF PLACES
MACHU PICCHU





FIRST HIKE OF THE DAY











AMAZING VISTAS












BILL SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD!

 




YOU MUST SHOW YOUR PASSPORT AND SIGN IN AND OUT OF THIS HIKE






THIS IS A COMPASS PLACED ON THE STONE TO DEMONSTRATE THAT THE INCAS WERE INTERESTED IN DIRECTION, ESPECIALLY THE SUN.  THEY WORSHIPPED IT!



THIS IS A VORTEX OF THE UNIVERSE AND IF YOU TOUCH IT YOU ARE TO GET
GREAT ENERGY FROM IT.
SO WE DEFINITELY TOUCHED IT!
WE WANT TO KEEP THE GOOD ENERGY GOING!



WE HIKED ALL THE WAY UP THERE!











THE CONDOR, THE PUMA AND THE SNAKE WERE ALL SACRED TO THE INCAS
THE CONDOR REPRESENTS GOD, THE PUMA IS WISDOM, AND THE SNAKE IS MOTHER EARTH.




AQUADUCTS RUN THROUGHOUT THE EMPIRE

ALL OF THESE WALLS ARE STILL STANDING AFTER 500 YEARS OF EARTHQUAKES, ETC.






ADORABLE  BABY TAKING A LITTLE NAP

THE MAIN ENTRANCE INTO THE EMPIRE




LLAMAS, LLAMAS AND MORE LLAMAS













OUR ROOM AT TERRAZAS DEL INCA B AND B
THE MANAGER, CARLOS, AND THE RECEPTIONIST, SOLEDAD, SURPRISE US WITH A
BEAUTIFUL ROOM, COMPLETE WITH CHAMPAGNE, PERU CHOCOLATES AND FLOWERS.

SOLEDAD AND CARLOS
 
SEPTEMBER 17, 2012
SECOND DAY AT MACHU PICCHU

OUR ROOM ON THE SECOND FLOOR BEHIND THE TREE BRANCH 


OUR HOTEL.
THE RAINBOW FLAG IS THE INCA FLAG

OUR ROOM IN THE UPPER RIGHT  HAND CORNER





VIVA EL PERU!







THESE ARE COCA PLANTS. THEYARE SMALL DUE TO THE ALTITUDE, BUT THIS IS WHAT COCAINE IS MADE FROM.  ALSO COCA TEA AND COCA-COLA



 
OUR WONDERFUL GUIDE, COSMO

HE HAS WRITTEN BOOKS ABOUT MACHU PICCHU
HE SPEAKS 4 LANGUAGES
 
BILL GETTING ENERGY FROM THE STONE

OMG, PLEASE DO NOT SPIT ON ME.

CHECK OUT THE ITEMS ON THE MENU

BILL ABOUT TO ENJOY AN ALPACA STEAK


 
SEPTEMBER 18, 2012
MORE TOURING OF AGUAS CALIENTES AND THEN TRAIN BACK TO CUSCO
SOLEDAD



















TRAIN BACK TO CUSCO
YEA, OUR LUGGAGE FINALLY ARRIVES IN CUSCO FROM LIMA.  WE HAVE BEEN WEARING THE SAME CLOTHES FOR DAYS AND HAVE ONLY OUR BACKPACKS THAT HAD EXTRA UNDERCLOTHES, A SWIMSUIT AND TOOTHBRUSH AND TOOTHPASTE IN THEM!

SEPTEMBER 19, 2012 
FLIGHT TO PUERTO MALDONADO TO THE LAKE SANDOVAL LODGE:  THE AMAZON RIVER BASIN 
 
FIRST A PLANE, THEN A BUS, THEN A BOAT, THEN A HIKE, THEN  ANOTHER BOAT, AND THEN ANOTHER HIKE. WE WERE DEFINITELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JUNGLE.







OUR FIRST LAUNCH




THIS IS THE BRIDGE TO BRAZIL



WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE!


THESE ARE DELICIOUS, TASTE LIKE LITTLE COCONUTS

















OUR ROOM
 







THE SPICE THAT COLORS FOOD ORANGE RED IS ANCHIOTE
SEEN HERE


TERMITE NEST FROM WHICH WE TASTED TERMITES.  A LITTLE SPICY.

THIS IS A BRAZIL NUT POD









THE BLURS ARE GIANT  RIVER OTTERS.HUGE!



 

WILD TURKEYS




SUNSET IN THE JUNGLE WITH THE SOUNDS OF FLOCKS OF PARROTS FLYING OVER HEAD


HUNTING FOR CAIMANS

OUR WONDERFUL  GUIDE SHOWS US A BABY ONE THAT IS JUST ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD
 UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL


WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE TREK AT NIGHT!  OMG. OMG. OMG.
YOU CAN HEAR THE SOUNDS OF THE JUNGLE, MONKEYS, WILDCATS OF ALL KINDS, WILD PIGS, CHIRPING CICADAS, LOTS OF BIRDS, AND OTHER CREATURES OF THE NIGHT.

AFTER THE BOAT RIDE, WE GO FOR A TREK THROUGH THE AMAZON JUNGLE.  WHAT ARE WE THINKING!  TARANTULAS, CAIMANS, LOTS MORE SPIDERS, SNAKES, CREEPY CRAWLIES, MONKEYS, JAGUARS, ETC.

HUGE TARANTULA!  VERY HAIRY AND SCARY



 
SEPTEMBER 21, 2012
WE HAVE EARLY MORNING COFFEE WITH A GREAT VIEW 
THEN BACK TO SOL PLAZA INN, OUR HOTEL IN CUSCO
 

ANOTHER BRAZIL NUT POD.


BIRD'S NEST


THIS IS A HUGE GENERATOR FOR THE HOTEL.  ITS CAME THE SAME WAY WE DID. BY BUS, BY BOAT, TREK THROUGH THE JUNGLE, IN A BOAT,  AND THEN TREK  THROUGH THE JUNGLE.  WOW! ALL BY HAND, NO MACHINES.




HUGE CAIMAN

OUR GREAT GUIDE


FIRST CAIMENS, NOW A BABY ANACONDA.
YIKES, AND WE WERE WALKING IN THE JUNGLE WITH WATER ALL AROUND LAST NIGHT IN THE PITCH DARK WITH TINY HOME DEPOT FLASHLIGHT THAT BILL BROUGHT!



DEPARTING LAKE SANDOVAL LODGE AFTER THE 4 MILE TREK TO THE RIVER




WE ARE BACK IN CUSCO ONCE AGAIN


THE AMAZING MARKET!








CORAZON DE VACA, YES, GRILLED COW HEARTS ARE ON THE MENU

OUR HOTEL: SOL PLAZA INN



 
ANOTHER FUN STREET PARTY IN CUSCO



SEPTEMBER 21, 2012
WE DEPART FOR BUS TOUR TO PUNO
LOADED UP IN THE BUS










THIS IS WHERE IT IS BELIEVED THAT WAS A MAIN HEADQUARTERS OF THE INCA









YES, BILL SAID WE HAD TO BUY THIS BEAUTIFUL HAT AND SCARF. 
ONLY $30 USD MADE OF BABY ALPACA

OUTDOOR LUNCH WHILE ON OUR TOUR





A TYPICAL BOAT OF THE FLOATING ISLAND OF UROS, MADE OF REED



YES, THIS IS A REAL MUMMIE AND LOTS OF WONDERFUL ARTIFACTS

LOTS OF STONE IDOLS



THIS IS A CERTIFIED SISTINE CHAPEL IN THIS BEAUTIFUL TEENY TINY TOWN



WE ARE ALMOST TO PUNO,JULIACA IS JUST OUTSIDE OF IT
 

LAKE TITICACA

OUR HOTEL: CONDE DE LEMOS
 

OUR ROOM

THE VIEW OUTSIDE OF OUR HOTEL: ANOTHER STREET PARTY

OUR BATH AND SHOWER
SINKAND VANITY
VIEW FROM OUR ROOM
OUR BED DECORATED BY CARLOS AND CHILLED CHAMPAGNE AND A VASE OF ROSES

THE VIEW OF THE CATHEDRAL IN  PLAZA DE ARMAS FROM OUR ROOM


STREET PARTY


 
 
SEPTEMBER 22, 2012
BOAT TRIP TO THE FLOATING ISLANDS OF UROS AND TAQUILE ISLAND ON LAKE TITICACA
 LAUNCH ON LAKE TITICACA: FIRST STOP WILL BE THE FLOATING ISLANDS OF UROS
THERE ARE TOTAL OF 50 OF THEM AND THEY ARE ALL MAN MADE.




YES, THIS IS A FLOATING ISLAND MADE BY THE LOCALS

LOCAL BOAT MADE OF REEDS




THIS MAN IS SHOWING HOW THE FLOATING ISLANDS ARE MADE.
THEY TAKE A LARGE PIECE OF REED ROOT BALL AND DRIVE STAKES INTO IT

THEY THEN SECURE STACKS AND STACKS OF REED TO THE STAKES

AFTER MAKING IT SEVERAL FEET THICK, THEY NOW MAKE AN ENTIRE ISLAND TO LIVE ON PERMANANTLY

LOTS OF LOCAL CRAFTS

HANDMADE REED BOATS FOR MOBILES



WE GOT A TOUR OF A LOCAL HOME
THE MOBILES HANGING UP ARE BEAUTIFUL FERTILITY MOBILES.
NO WE DID NOT BUY ONE OF THOSE.  : )
ALSO, THE COUPLE THAT MAKES THESE HAS BEEN MARRIED FOR 4 YEARS,
AND DO NOT HAVE ANY CHILDREN. HMMM....

THE MAN IS SITTING ON THEIR BED AND WE ARE SITTING ON STACKS OF ROLLED REED.


THIS IS THEIR CLAY OVEN AND STOVE
THIS IS ALWAYS OUTSIDE TO KEEP THE HOUSE FROM CATCHING ON FIRE

THIS IS THE BACK OF THEIR HOME

LOCAL BOAT
NOTICE HOW THEY LOOK EGYPTIAN AND INSTEAD OF SPINXS ON
THE FRONT THEY HAVE PUMA HEADS



BILL GUESSES THE DEPTH OF THE WATER AND WINS A NECKLACE WITH A REPLICA LOCAL BOAT.  YEA, BILL!









ANOTHER ONE OF THE FLOATING ISLANDS
THERE ARE TOTAL OF 50 FLOATING ISLANDS
ALL MAN MADE







THIS GUY HAS A STORE ON HIS BOAT AND GOES FROM ISLAND TO ISLAND

 
NEXT STOP:
TAQUILE ISLAND 


AFTER A LONG HIKE STRAIGHT AT THIS VERY HIGH ALTITUDE, WE MAKE IT TO THE PLAZA. 










 
SEPTEMBER 23, 2012
TOURED PUNO AND THEN WE FLEW TO  AREQUIPA AND OUR HOTEL WAS AN OLD MONASTERY
 
WE SAW ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL PARADE AND UNFORTUNATELY ALSO A FUNERAL IN PLAZA DE ARMAS, PUNO.
 






COOL SUN PHOTO






 
FLIGHT TO AREQUIPA
 



WE HAVE ARRIVED IN AREQUIPA, LABELED  THE "WHITE CITY" SINCE ALMOST ALL OF THE BUILDINGS ARE MADE OF WHITE STONE.


OUR HOTEL: IT IS AN  OLD MONESTARY
HOTELES SAN AGUSTIN
THE ENTRANCE TO THE HOTEL


THE STREETS IN FRONT OF OUR HOTEL

THE ONE OF THE COURTYARDS OF OUR HOTEL

THE DINING ROOM





 
 



SEPTEMBER 24, 2012
TODAY WE TOURED AREQUIPA AND THEN TOOK A BUS TOUR TO COLCA CANYON
HOT SPRINGS, COLCA CANYON, AND EARLY SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY
GREAT BREAKFAST AT OUR HOTEL
THE BREAKFASTS AT ALL OF OUR HOTELS WE HAVE STAYED AT ARE ALL INCLUSIVE IN THE PRICE



THE TOUR BEGINS: WE ARE CLIMBING HIGHER AND HIGHER IN ALTITUDE.  BRING OUT THE COCA TEA.  IT HELPS WITH THE ALTITUDE SICKNESS THAT BILL INCURRED.









IT IS FREEZING AND WE ARE ABOUT 12,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL.
 COLD AND  LITTLE LIGHT HEADED





THE TOWN OF CHIVAY



THE BACK OF OUR HOTEL: IT OVERLOOKS THE INCA TERRACES
HOTEL NAME: ECO INN - COLCA CANYON
COST: $45 USD PER NIGHT

OUR ROOM AT ECO INN COLCA CANYON

OUR BATHROOM

OUR ROOM AND IT HAS AN UPSTAIRS LOFT WITH ANOTHER BED AND OVERLOOKS THE CANYON

THE VIEW FROM OUR ROOM

THE VIEW OF 500 YEAR OLD INCA TERRACES

WE TOURED THE HOT SPRINGS OF COLCA
HOT SPRINGS POOLS



YEA, WARM WATER! IN THE BACKGROUND, THERE IS A ZIP LINE THAT GOES THROUGH THE CANYON.


 
DINNER BACK AT THE HOTEL AND THEN A SURPRISE BIRTHDAY PARTY AND DANCE PERFORMANCE
THANK YOU BILL AND MONICA, THE RECEPTIONIST!

MONICA BRINGS A  SLICE OF CAKE TO CELEBRATE.  BILL CUTS IT UP 20 WAYS, SO EVERYONE GETS SOME!  GO BILL!

ADORABLE GIRLS AND ONE BOY, UPPER LEFT HAND CORNER IN TRADITIONAL DRESS. THEY ARE FROM THE LOCAL VILLAGE.


 
 

 
SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
JOANNE'S BIRTHDAY TODAY!
 
WE HIKE COLCA CANYON TODAY AND THE CRUZ DE CONDOR AND SEE OUR FRIENDS FROM MONTREAL THAT ARE IN PORT LOUIS MARINA.  WHAT ARE THE CHANCES!



THE FRONT OF OUR ROOM

THE BAY WINDOW OF OUR ROOM THAT OVERLOOKS THE CANYON


THE HOTEL

OUR CUTE NEIGHBORS, THE ALPACA

THE LLAMA

THE BABY ALPACA

THE CUTE BURRO THAT WE GOT UNTWISTED OUT OF HIS LINE

THE ECO INN LODGE - COLCA



FALCON ON HIS HEAD


OUR FRENCH FREINDS FROM PORT LOUIS IN GRENADA.  WHAT A GREAT SURPRISE.  SAME TOUR, SAME DAY, WHAT ARE THE CHANCES


HIKING COLCA CANYON



WE ARE BACK AT THE HOTELS SAN AGUSTIN IN AREQUIPA
THE BEAUTIFUL SUNSET FROM OUR ROOM







 
SEPTEMBER 26, 2012
DEPART AREQUIPA FOR LIMA
HOTEL IN LIMA IS CASA SAN MARTIN
 

ONE MORE PHOTO FROM THE ROOFTOP OF HOTELS SAN AGUSTIN IN AREQUIPA


NASCA LINES
OUR ROOM AT CASA SAN MARTIN IN MIRAFLORES, LIMA



THE STREETS OF LIMA


WE ARE OFF ON OUR ADVENTURE OF LIMA:
STOP  AT THE CASINO AND DOUBLE OUR $20 USD ON A SLOT MACHINE.  THEN  WE HEAD FOR ALL YOU CAN EAT SUSHI AND EAT FOR FREE WITH  OUR WINNINGS.

THE FRONT OF CASA SAN MARTIN







BACK AT OUR ROOM FOR A TOAST TO LIFE AND EAT A PIECE OF BIRTHDAY CAKE FROM VERONICA AT HOTEL SAN AGUSTIN

BIRTHDAY WISH A COUPLE OF DAYS LATE, BUT STILL A GOOD ONE!


SEPTEMBER 28, 2012
ARRIVE IN MIAMI AT 5:30 A.M. AND DRIVE TO FT. LAUDERDALE
SAILORMAN, WEST MARINE, TARGET, GOODWILL AND THEN ERNIE'S BBQ FOR SOME CONCH CHOWDER AND BIMINI BREAD.
 
SEPTEMBER 29, 2012
BILL WAKES US UP JUST BEFORE DAWN TO WATCH THE SUN RISE
TOUR AROUND F.L. AND THEN OFF TO EAST LAS OLAS AND THEN PF CHANG'S FOR LETTUCE WRAPS DINNER.
 
 







PF CHANG'S LETTUCE WRAPS.WOWIE! BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE WE HAD THOSE!
 

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012
BILL FLEW TO TEXAS TO HIS SON, DAVID, FOR A FEW DAYS AND JOANNE DROVE TO WINDEMERE TO SEE HER FAMILY.
 
OCTOBER 1, 2012
MY BROTHER, TOBIN AND HIS GIRLFRIEND, KATHERINE'S, JACK RUSSEL TERRIER, SEBASTIAN.

 

DRINKS AT THE LOCAL HANG OUT
KATHERINE'S COUSIN, MELANIE, TOBIN, KATHERINE, SEBASTIAN, AND JOANNE

 
OCTOBER 2, 2012
 
JOANNE HELPED DAD CUT THE BACKYARD GRASS AND WEED THE FLOWER BEDS OF THE BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS!  SO FUN!

 
OCTOBER 3, 2012
BILL COMES HOME TODAY!
DAD BBQS FOR EVERYONE!  WHAT A FUN PARTY!




THE BEAUTIFUL YARD THAT LOOKS LIKE A BOTANICAL GARDEN!










KATHERINE, MELANIE, KAREN AND TOBIN

DAVE, JACK,PAIGE AND DAD

 
OCTOBER 3, 2012
EARLY AFTERNOON HAPPY HOUR JAM SESSION!
THEN WE WERE OFF TO EPCOT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL! AND OF COURSE RIDE A RIDE OR TWO!

BERT AND SEBASTIAN PLAYING

 
 



DAD ROCKING IT OUT!

DAD'S GUITAR FROM HIS HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE DAYS WHEN HE HAD HIS BAND

YEA, WE ARE AT EPCOT! WOO HOO!

KAREN, DAD, JOANNE AND BILL

WE ARE GOING TO EAT AND DRINK OUR WAY THROUGH EPCOT

FIRST STOP IS RIDE THIS RIDE!








THE RAIN HAS STOPPED, TIME TO TAKE OFF THE MICKEY MOUSE RAIN PANCHO FOR NOW







SUGAR RAY GIVING A FUN PERFORMANCE.  WOW!  THAT GUY HAS BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME!

SEXY BELLY DANCER








YES, JOANNE HAD TO TRY ON SOME MICKEY MOUSE EARS

THE GREAT FIREWORKS SHOW!

 
 
OCTOBER 4, 2012
 
OCTOBER 5, 2012
WE ARE FLYING BACK TO  BEAUTIFUL GRENADA AGAIN TODAY.


 

 
 
OCTOBER 8, 2012
HAPPY CANADIAN THANKSGIVING!

CLARKE'S COURT BAY THANKSGIVING!
 

 
 


OCTOBER 13, 2012
ANOTHER GREAT HASH!
 








 
 
OCTOBER 14, 2012

LOBSTERS ARRIVED FROM KURT OUR LOBSTERMAN AND FRIEND!
 
WE ORDERED LOBSTERS TONIGHT FOR THE DINNER PARTY FOR CAPTAIN RON FOR TAKING CARE OF ULTRA WHILE WE WERE GONE!  CURT BROUGHT EXTRA SO EVERYONE GOT TO BUY SOME!
 BILL GAVE A GREAT LOBSTER CLEANING DEMONSTRATION FOR EVERYONE!










BILL DEMONSTRATING HOW TO CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE LOBSTER WITH THE ANTENNA UP THE YOU KNOW WHERE!



 
 
WE HOPE THAT YOU ENJOYED THIS BLOG!
 
CHEERS,
J AND B :  )