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12 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | NOVEMBER 2022 By Sandra Butler-Roberts It took a great deal of effort and perseverance to receive an email ruling in my favor for my flight reservation to rollover for another year. I could restart the planning that my travel agent and I set up for my adventures – a 20-day trip to Peru and Ecuador to see Machu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands. "You need to take this trip while you are at your 'youngest' age," was his strong recommendation. My next challenge was packing. The tour company sent instructions on what we would need to bring and the limits of weight and size, as we would be taking four flights during this tour. Before long, I was finally on my way to LAX, and on to Lima, Peru! I had read a lot of warnings about traveling in Lima and had prepared myself by not wearing any jewelry and purchasing "travel- safe" clothing. I also carefully studied city maps to orient myself in advance of travel. It turns out that the three districts our small group of 20 travelers would be visiting were the safest, and there was no need for extra precautions. I felt extremely safe in the city, although there were some disorienting moments when we all got caught up going against the crowds in a body-crushing religious procession. We all managed to emerge at the other end with no one getting lost and no one being robbed. Since I am a frequent traveler with this tour group, I got a "free night" ahead of the start of the tour. I used this extra day to orient myself to the San Isidro District near my hotel. The hotel concierge provided me with some maps and suggestions, and as my room was not ready yet, I explored. I toured Hualla Huallamaca, an amazing archaeological site right in the middle of the high rises and apartments. It's a pre-Inca site from about 200 B.C. with fascinating mummies. Two other tourists and I came upon this discovery and we paid our 20 Peruvian Soles (around $5.32) for the tour. The next day, the rest of the group arrived and we ventured into the city for a tour of two other districts: Barranco and Miraflores. When it was time to leave Lima, we headed for the airport for a flight to Cusco, a city at 11,152 feet altitude. Travelers were advised to take it easy and to not exert ourselves. We were offered coca tea, muno tea, and coca leaves to chew to help us handle the effects of the high altitude. Hotels in the city also offer oxygen as needed. My doctor had prescribed Diamox but the local tour guides advised against taking anything. This was the place to buy handmade alpaca items. I purchased a beautifully colorful loomed table runner. On the way to our hotel in the Sacred Valley, we stopped at a working ranch for lunch, weaving demonstrations, and music, as well as to enjoy the national beverage, Pisco Sour (offered everywhere you go). We saw the famous Peruvian Paso horses demonstrate their unique natural gait. The ranch is known for growing the famous giant white corn used in many dishes throughout Peru. They also raised guinea pigs or cuy (coo-ee), a traditional dish rich in protein. Our hotel was at about 8,000 feet and we started acclimating to the altitudes, preparing for the journey to Machu Picchu, which is between 7,800 feet and 9,000 feet, depending on which parts you explore. After one night at the beautiful new hotel, we were off again in the morning to load the bus and head to Machu Picchu. They provided us with walking sticks and woven shoulder strap water bottle holders. These items came in handy with the climbing, walking, and exploring. We got off the bus and toured the site of Ollantaytambo. We were still experiencing some effects of the altitude, so some of the younger people climbed to the top, while the rest of us stayed closer to earth. Then we boarded the famous Hiram Bingham train for the scenic trip to Aguas Calientes. Next we boarded a bus and rode the hairpin turns up to the long-awaited Machu Picchu. Our group was fortunate enough to be able to stay at the only hotel at Machu Picchu. We could step right out the door and watch the sunrise over the amazing vistas in the morning. We dropped off our luggage and immediately met with our guide to explore the breathtaking vistas. The next day, we were back on the bus to traverse the hairpin turns down the mountain, back to the train station, then on to smaller buses for the drive back to Cusco. We stayed in a beautiful hotel in Cusco which used to be a monastery. They had a fabulous restaurant, and we enjoyed dining here. From Cusco we had a choice of tours then back to the airport for the flight back to Lima, with a connection to Guayaquil, Ecuador, for the second half of this trip – the fantastic Galápagos Islands. In Samborondon, we checked in to the Hotel Del Parque in Guayaquil, a tropical oasis surrounded by a botanical garden and animal sanctuary. The next day we flew to San Cristobal, Galápagos. Once there, we headed to the dock where we boarded a Zodiac. Our luggage was taken on a small boat, and we were transported in small groups to the ship. Our Zodiac pilot narrated our trip through the bay, pointing out birds and wildlife, and giving us some orientation. Our ship was the Silver Origin with a 100-passenger capacity. It was not nearly full, and we got to know most of the other guests. TRIP OF A LIFETIME Four Seasons solo traveler, Sandra Butler-Roberts, did not let a sprained ankle deter her from finally fulfilling a much anticipated trip that had been delayed for two years. Read about her latest adventure and see if it could be one of yours.

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