Silversea Water Cooler: Welcome! Part Five

[Mr Luxury]

2 hours ago, lincslady said:

Was it delicious?

 

Lola

I hope it didn't have a soggy bottom

[TLCOhio]

17 minutes ago, Tothesunset said:

The Flan railway is just pie in the sky. 

 

YES, super cute and creative about that "FLAN" railway being "pie in the sky".  The real Flam rail adventure is fun and exciting.  Need proof and evidence??  Below are a few of my visuals to prove it great drama and excitement.  

 

Hopefully, QueSeraSera has great weather and a wonderful sailing.  Look forward to seeing reports and any pictures. 

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

 

Just a couple of samples for the dramatic views experienced when doing the Flam rail adventure.:

 

 

Stopping at one of the massive waterfalls along the track side to see its power "up close and personal".:

 

[QueSeraSera]

Great pictures as always @TLCOhio

 

[jpalbny]

Day 1 in Peru (yesterday). All of our flights were on time or early. Our hotel in Cusco is gorgeous and they had the room ready for us at 10:30 when we arrived. 

 

So instead of resting we set off on a long uphill hike to Saqsayhuaman. Because the first thing that you should do after arriving at 11,000 feet is to climb higher!

 

We took our time and stopped often. It was a decent uphill slog. But the stonework was impressive! 

 

 

And the overview of the city was spectacular. In the distance, a snow-capped mountain. Salcantay?

 

 

And the main square. 

 

 

A few more pics from the site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

As we were heading out we saw an opening in the rocks. So we explored a cave.

 

 

Time to rest? No, there's another site a little bit further up the hill... Besides, we need to get trained for tomorrow's hike at 16000 feet!

 

[drron29]

 

 

[jpalbny]

Peru... the rest of yesterday. 

 

From Saqsayhuaman, we slowly trudged uphill to Q'enqo. More overviews of Cusco.

 

 

The Saqsayhuaman ticket included this site as well. An impressive monolith. 

 

 

 

And another cave to explore. 

 

 

We were worn out by now. Time to find our way home. Our hotel is way down there somewhere! 

 

 

A forest adjacent to the site.

 

 

We had climbed at least 1000 feet. So we took the express way down.

 

 

The stairs were a bit worse for the wear. You had to watch your step!

 

 

And then halfway through the trip home, the stairs were suddenly barricaded! No way are we climbing back up to search for an alternative route! There's a trail off to the side...

 

We cut sideways through what looked like a construction zone. Ditches, makeshift "bridges" of 2x6 boards, piles of gravel, and a self-appointed guard dog who eventually stopped growling and let us through. We found the next "street" and continued down more staircases for what seemed an eternity before returning to the hotel. 

 

We soaked in the tub to rest our weary muscles and then headed to dinner at Pachepapa, a place specializing in local cuisine. Started with a "Cusco" mule and a Captain Pachepapa.

 

 

Alpaca skewers and giant corn to whet the appetite.

 

 

And some nice main courses. Chicken in aji amarillo, and pork prepared in a delicious broth. Too dark for good pictures. Instead, a picture of the wood-fired oven.

 

 

Home for a well-deserved rest. We are hoping that our success climbing here today bodes well for tomorrow's hike at 16000 feet!

 

***

 

Spoiler alert. We survived the hike to Rainbow Mountain! Incredible views. Pics to follow. 

[Host Jazzbeau]

JP, you know I love you and Chris – so please take this in the way I mean it:  you guys are crazy!  🤪

[drron29]

 

[lincslady]

1 hour ago, Host Jazzbeau said:

JP, you know I love you and Chris – so please take this in the way I mean it:  you guys are crazy!  🤪

Same from me.

 

Lola

[lincslady]

A Happy 4th July to all the Coolers from the USA!!  From an Old English Cooler who enjoys all your comments and funnies on here.

 

Lola

[mysty]

Happy 4th to our neighbours to the South!

 

[mysty]

Greetings Coolers!

 

Today's funny.....

 

 

I will be MIA until Friday.  Heading to a friend's cottage.  Have a great safe fun day all!

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, mysty said:

Greetings Coolers!    Today's funny..... I will be MIA until Friday.  Heading to a friend's cottage.  Have a great safe fun day all!

 

 

 

 

Yes, sadly, we must have lots and lots and lots of proctologists around in our Central Ohio areas based on their driving practices on our roads.  Great funny!  Sorry Misty will be MIA for a few days.  Great reporting and we are enjoying the fun visuals from J.P. and Chris in Peru.  Looking forward to many more.

 

Appreciate the kind Fourth of July greetings from our good neighbor to the North from  Canada.   Last night, we kicked off our local celebrations with what is called: "Red, White & Boom!".  Excellent fireworks show rated as the biggest in the Midwest.  Perfect weather last night after we had to deal with much rain earlier in the day.  Below are a few of my visuals as proof that a "Good Time Was Had by All".

 

Now off to an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet.

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Late Summer 2022, many scenic visuals and details from Canada Maritimes doing Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton Island, etc., via a Tauck land tour.  Visual Summary:

www.flickr.com/photos/196555480@N08/albums

 

From Central Ohio's "Red, White & Boom!", below are a few of visual samples for the exciting celebration for our nation's birthday.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

 

[spinnaker2]

Here’s to the 4th and to more drone “fireworks”,  dog friendly!

 

[lincslady]

I guess Mysty is missing in action, not going to Miami, as I first thought. I am not too clever at all these LOLs etc., often thinking they stand for something else.  I try not to use LOL, as I believe it can mean laugh out loud, or lots of love - you could really cause trouble if misinterpreted.  I have a feeling that happened to David Cameron years ago; it is not too useful nowadays to have had a classical education.

 

Lola

[jpalbny]

Rainbow Mountain, yesterday. 

 

We were up by 5:30 and had breakfast at 6:00 when the restaurant opened. Ready to go at 6:30, for a 3+ hour drive to the trail.

 

Some beautiful landscapes along the way.

 

 

 

We arrived around 10AM and hit the trail. This looks steep! And this is the highest altitude we've ever visited. Let's go...but slowly!

 

 

We climbed slowly, which really takes discipline for us. And we took frequent photo stops, necessary when the landscape is so gorgeous. This view looks back to the start, with one of the three rainbow mountains in the background. 

 

 

So much iron oxide in the rocks. Beautiful colors all around. And bright sunshine to make the colors really pop.

 

 

Before we got too far, we had to build a small cairn for good luck with the climb. Sounds like a good idea at this altitude! 

 

 

Far above us, the stone forest looked like an unattainable goal. One step at a time.

 

 

We got to the third mirador after about 40 minutes. Only about 1km distance but not easy.

 

One striped mountain. And in the distance, Nevado Auzangate, covered in snow.

 

 

Here comes the guy with his alpacas.

 

 

What a spectacular view!

 

 

Well, we had made good time so far, and the altitude hadn't defeated us yet. Should we go for the highest point, and tackle the stone forest? Chris is unsure...

 

[highplanesdrifters]

22 minutes ago, jpalbny said:

Rainbow Mountain, yesterday. 

 

We were up by 5:30 and had breakfast at 6:00 when the restaurant opened. Ready to go at 6:30, for a 3+ hour drive to the trail.

 

Some beautiful landscapes along the way.

 

 

 

We arrived around 10AM and hit the trail. This looks steep! And this is the highest altitude we've ever visited. Let's go...but slowly!

 

 

We climbed slowly, which really takes discipline for us. And we took frequent photo stops, necessary when the landscape is so gorgeous. This view looks back to the start, with one of the three rainbow mountains in the background. 

 

 

So much iron oxide in the rocks. Beautiful colors all around. And bright sunshine to make the colors really pop.

 

 

Before we got too far, we had to build a small cairn for good luck with the climb. Sounds like a good idea at this altitude! 

 

 

Far above us, the stone forest looked like an unattainable goal. One step at a time.

 

 

We got to the third mirador after about 40 minutes. Only about 1km distance but not easy.

 

One striped mountain. And in the distance, Nevado Auzangate, covered in snow.

 

 

Here comes the guy with his alpacas.

 

 

What a spectacular view!

 

 

Well, we had made good time so far, and the altitude hadn't defeated us yet. Should we go for the highest point, and tackle the stone forest? Chris is unsure...

 

Killer!

[lincslady]

Truly beautiful.

 

Lola

[jpalbny]

Rainbow Mountain, part 2.

 

Some more views from the third mirador. A close-up of Auzangate and its glacier.

 

 

Another good luck charm at the mirador. 

 

 

The stone forest was still taunting us... But those switchbacks! 

 

 

Chris tried to distract me with a view of the last striped mountain. 

 

 

And Auzangate again. With a rather impressive cairn (apacheta). Puts ours to shame!

 

 

Well, we decided that we had to climb up to the stone forest after all. The overview was even better!

 

 

Auzangate was everywhere. I took far too many pictures. 

 

 

Now for the way down... This looks challenging! 

 

 

Luckily it was an easy descent amd we barely stopped. We were back near the start around noon.

 

 

Since we had finished so early we held off on lunch. Back on the road, we encountered a crossing guard. 

 

 

We stopped in Uco for a picnic lunch overlooking another gorgeous lake. The air felt heavy, back at 11,000 feet.

 

 

Since we had hiked so quickly, we were back at our hotel just after 4PM (not 5:30 as scheduled). So why not go for a walk in town, considering the low altitude...

 

The main square was beautifully lit in the late afternoon sun. The Church of the Compania de Jesus, and the Cathedral. 

 

 

 

We continued downhill to find an ATM. Then we visited Qorikancha, a monastery built over an Inca temple. Nice gardens! 

 

 

Back to our hotel where we had a nice dinner with two of my brother's friends. They had just arrived and were spending a few days in Cusco before the wedding. 

 

We are now on board the Belmond Andean Explorer, leaving Cusco for Puno. It's beautiful! Next stop, Lake Titicaca! Until tomorrow, then.

Edited July 4, 2023 by jpalbny

[TLCOhio]

4 hours ago, lincslady said:

Truly beautiful.   Lola

 

YES!!  More great travel adventures from J.P. and Chris.  Looking interesting and exciting in Peru.

 

As I warned (or threatened) early, we were attending this morning an old-fashioned, small-community July 4th parade and breakfast buffet.  Below are some visual highlights.  Yes, it was great weather and a fun time.  Lots of "American Traditions", etc.   

 

THANKS!  Enjoy!  Terry in Ohio

 

Norway Coast/Fjords/Arctic Circle cruise from Copenhagen, July 2010, to the top of Europe. Scenic visuals with key tips. Live/blog at 247,814 views.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/1172051-livesilver-cloud-norway-coastfjords-july-1-16-reports/

 

A small sample of parade fun today, including creative flags, big bikes, live music, etc.:

(Open your screen/viewer wider to see these visuals larger/better!)

 

 

 

 

High School class reunion members riding on their float thirty years after graduation.:

 

From the Bexley High School Class of 1973, 50 years back, this guy was carrying their yearbook with the innovative and unique name (for that period) of FACEBOOK!!  Who stole that idea?:

[Emtbsams]

The word for today is discreet. Now let’s use that word in a sentence. When I went to pay for my groceries my wallet was missing. I must have dropped it on discreet.

[jpalbny]

A little dancing before boarding the train. The professionals...

 

 

 

And a few passengers that were asked to join. See Chris's Silversea jacket? 

 

 

 

[Host Jazzbeau]

Very good dancing at 11,000 feet (or even at sea level)!  So, the Datura stramonium is doing the trick, eh?

[drron29]

 

 

[jpalbny]

Andean Explorer, yesterday. 

 

Relaxing morning at the hotel while packing up. Had a much more leisurely breakfast, then checked out and got our ride to the train station, less than 10 minutes. 

 

We were immediately met by train staff and our bags were whisked away to be loaded on the train. A welcome drink and dancing followed. We heard that there are only 18 (or 20) on board and the train should hold 48.

 

On board, all gathered in the piano lounge.

 

 

The dancers saw us off.

 

 

The first part, through the city, wasn't so scenic. Occasionally a dog would chase us, though they couldn't keep up and soon lost interest. Once the view got better we went to the very last car where there is an open observation area.

 

 

 

Lots of landscape to see! 

 

 

The course ran along the Urubamba River for most of the afternoon. 

 

 

 

 

Is it lunch time yet?

 

 

Here's our cabin. Cozy but enough room for one night. 

 

 

We settled in for lunch with a view. 

 

 

Giant corn to start, then sea bass.

 

 

 

From our prime lunch seat, we didn't have to suffer from FOMO. We had a great view of the passing landscape. 

 

 

Dessert. Light and sweet, with very ripe citrus. 

 

 

Back to the observation car. The weather is beautiful. Not too hot, and clear blue skies. Sometimes it gets dusty because it's the dry season. We'll put up with it!