Easter Island

Easter Island (Rapa Nui) – a 62 sq mi slab of volcanic rock is 2000 miles from anywhere. The island has about 3400 Polynesian descendants although it is believed the society that created the Moai’s no longer exists. About 900 of the Moai survive in some state –toppled, broken, restored and re-erected and some stand as they were found. All of the Moai faced inland when erected to protect the islanders. There was no thought of danger from the seas since they were so far from other lands.

If I landed here on a boat back in the day, I would have left. Advantage: Islanders

Not all of these fellas were lined up.

 

One foot on the beach.

The Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley lies along the Urubamba River in Peru. Numerous ruins dot the valley and adjacent mountain walls. This area was one of the major food sources for the Incas – fruits and fertile land (corn and potatoes) and the Coca leaf used in everyday life and ritual acts. 

Settlements and fortresses were located so runners could relay messages from Cusco to the outlying areas. These messages included info about an attack or request for a certain food which might be returned via return runner(s).

You don't just get this stuff at Kohl's.

Rule #1: Decide what the Llama will eat before they decide what to eat.

From my cozy perch, I could see where the sky actually touched the top of the hills.

Never Bean to Lima, Peru

Lima has grown from 600,000 to about 8 million in the last 25 years. Many businesses constructed elevated guard houses on their building to counter terrorist attacks in the ninety’s. These terrorist attacks in the outlying areas are one of the main reasons Lima’s population increased so fast. Military presence is evident and the central square is well used. 

The city is quite colorful and clean.  Traffic was a nightmare as we crawled for an hour at 5:00 to just go a couple of miles. 

Lima is a beautiful city, but we were ready to board the ship when the day was done.

The Fortress of Machu Picchu

Machipicchu is a self contained mountain fortress. There were terraced fields, running water, storage buildings, housing, temples, observatories for sun and stars, and watch towers. The city was never invaded by the Spaniards, but suddenly abandoned by the Incas for reasons not fully known. The ruins were discovered in July of 1911 and many artifacts were removed from the site. It has also been estimated that the site will be closed to visitors in 10 years to preserve the site from human touch. 

When I catch that Spaniard that took my hat, it's on.

What a beautiful place for a city. 

Saq Say Waman

When I first heard we were going to Saqsaywaman, I thought it was a Mad Gab involving an attractive lady.

actually, Saqsaywamam is a complex of Inca ruins. It was an outpost consisting of three outer walls (15m, 10m, & 7m) with three watch towers on top. It was a military post and a religious place with a temple and ceremonial plaza between the post & temple. Large stones were used to construct the outpost (360 t) with unique jointing methods in the walls. The site was destroyed by the Spanish and used as a quarry for pre cut stones for new construction in Cusco until 1930. 

I could pick up a smaller rock.

Whose that "Saqsay" lady in the photo with me?

Near the Equator in Ecuador

We've already exprienced some wonderful sunsets on this adventure, but this display on our way to Manta, Ecuador was simply majestic.

A stranger helped himself to a photo opportunity with me on the site of these ruins. He could have at least groomed his hair.

Panama Canal, Panama

Panama has a lot more to offer than a canal, but the canal is a big part of Panama.

Here's our ship passing through the canal. It's huuuuuge.

I thought I would go for a dip, but Dick said that there were large snakes in the water. I guess I'll settle for one of the gazillion hot tubs on the ship.

When Dick said he was going to "help me find religion," I assumed it was a threat related to when I loosened the cap of the parmesan cheese when we were eating pizza on the ship. Guess I got that wrong.

O' Cayman Islands!

Yesterday we hit the Cayman Islands. Not only was it beautiful, but I also made some new friends... of several different species.

Just in case you needed proof.

Turtles keep it real in the Cayman's. 

I can tell this is going to be a friend-filled trip!

Globetrottin' 09

Hello, everyone. After sitting on my tail monitoring the daily progress at Benetti's Coffee Experience, I've finally gotten the opportunity to do what I do best - engage in Fez'capades. Unfortunately, I have left Marcos behind this time and stowed away with customers Sue and Dick Riegel on their four-month trip around the world. 

Our voyage will be mostly by boat, and in preparation for the journey, Dick and Sue shipped most of our belongings ahead of us.  Fortunately, mine coud be taken as a carry on. :)

I'll be sharing my experiences with you mostly via photos. So, let's get started:

It takes a lot of stuff to go on a cruise. I think I see a pallet of salsa.

We begin our trip in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. This the a drawbridge, which raises in order for tall boats to be pass through. I guess they wanted to make this boat feel special.

Sue = Awesomeness

We got right down to business by visiting one of the ship's restaurants. Shortly after this photo was taken, a waiter brought to my attention that I was wearing my hat to the dinner table. I agreed to remove it, but didn't think it was any more offensive than Dick's shirt. JK, you know I love ya.