alilou's Adventures in Wonderland - all over the map.

[skatesindreams]

Thanks for sharing more about "otherworldly" Bolivia.
We in North America have heard very little about the area; and the wonders found there.

What an "introduction" you have provided!

 

[sk8pics]

Say hi for me - a bit belated. I've been a bit slack keeping up with this thread

I will! No worries. And thanks for the great card of Bolivia from Peru!

 

[harekrishna43]

Loved the pictures from Bolivia - they are simply stunning! Thanks for the adorable Vicuna card too

Friends are mine from Pennsylvania are traveling in Peru right now - perhaps you will cross paths ?

Looking forward to your next installment.

 

[Alilou]

Amazing again! Glad you are doing better. And again, I can't thank you enough for sharing your adventure with us!

Thank you Yes, I am doing better though I think maybe I should buy shares in whoever makes ibuprofen. It's called better living through chemistry and it will get me back to Van in March when I'll get some treatments.

Thanks for sharing more about "otherworldly" Bolivia.
We in North America have heard very little about the area; and the wonders found there.

What an "introduction" you have provided!

Isn't it amazing! We were just floored - such a beautiful and amazing place. We may never get to Tibet or Nepal but in a way Bolivia makes up for that.

I will! No worries. And thanks for the great card of Bolivia from Peru!

Oh good, you got the card. Peru cards coming from Peru soon. It's nice to hear they arrive.

Loved the pictures from Bolivia - they are simply stunning! Thanks for the adorable Vicuna card too

Friends are mine from Pennsylvania are traveling in Peru right now - perhaps you will cross paths ?

Looking forward to your next installment.

Thanks harekrishna, and glad to hear you got the card.
Where are your friends? We are in Puno until the 11th, then Lima for two days then 13-21 in the Amazon.

 

[Alilou]

We're back from the Amazon jungle. Eventually I will post about that adventure but first this:

This Nomadic Life - Things we've learned
http://alisonanddon.wordpress.com/2014/02/07/this-nomadic-life-things-weve-learned/

This Nomadic Life - Thank you blogosphere, and our first guest post
http://alisonanddon.wordpress.com/2...-you-blogging-world-and-our-first-guest-post/

And a new travel post - Reeds Rocks Pumas and Gods - Lake Titicaca, Bolivia and Peru
http://alisonanddon.wordpress.com/2...umas-and-gods-lake-titicaca-bolivia-and-peru/

I actually saw some of the Oly team event on TV in Lima before we went into the jungle, after that it was just PBP (thank you FSU!) so now going to see if there are any vids available tho not hopeful
Will finally see it all when I get back to Vancouver in March.

 

[skatesindreams]

alliou, if necessary, I can help you with videos.
Let me know.

Thank you, as always, for allowing me to share your "voyage of discovery"; and introducing me to worlds I would never know, without your very special gifts.

 

[sk8pics]

ali!

 

[Alilou]

alliou, if necessary, I can help you with videos.
Let me know.
Thank you, as always, for allowing me to share your "voyage of discovery"; and introducing me to worlds I would never know, without your very special gifts.

Thank you so much re the blog - still having a fine time recording our journey.

Will let you know re vids. Thank you for offering. Not motivated at the moment. Sometimes FS falls to the back burner.

ali!

Thanks Lost of Inca stuff next

 

[Alilou]

I have a new post ready - the next stage of our odyssey in Peru - luxury train travel, Cusco, and lots of Inca and pre-Inca ruins

http://alisonanddon.wordpress.com/2014/03/02/trains-plains-and-cuscos-sexy-woman-2/

We currently in Quito, Ecuador, but leave, at the ungodly hour of 4.30 on the morning for the Galapagos Islands. We'll be completely without internet for 8 days. I hope I don't go through withdrawal

 

[sk8pics]

Beautiful, ali. What is that in the picture with the smiley face, in the section on exploring the streets and below the one with 3 people in front of a beautiful blue wall/door?

Thanks as always for sharing!

 

[Alilou]

Thanks sk8pics. That's a photo of a door (probably into someone's home compound) that we walked by on the way up to Sacsayhuaman. Colourful eh?! I love stuff like that

 

[sk8pics]

A door with a smiley face, that's cool!

 

[skatesindreams]

That luxury train sounds wonderful.
Another wonderful example of serendipity.

I'll be thinking of you while you are Internet-less; while awaiting your impressions of the Galapagos.

 

[orientalplane]

Thanks so much, Ali and Don. The incredible blueness of the lake, the mini-forest of ancient cacti and the very, very woolly llama were some of the highlights for me this time, but it's all beautifully written and accompanied by photos so vivid and ravishing that while sometimes I just wished I were there, at other times I really felt as though I were seeing it myself through my own eyes.

Many congratulations on your awards - you deserve every one that comes your way, and I feel for sure there will be more.

 

[Maofan7]

Thanks so much, Ali and Don. The incredible blueness of the lake, the mini-forest of ancient cacti and the very, very woolly llama were some of the highlights for me this time, but it's all beautifully written and accompanied by photos so vivid and ravishing that while sometimes I just wished I were there, at other times I really felt as though I were seeing it myself through my own eyes.

Completely agree

 

[skatesindreams]

Thanks so much, Ali and Don. The incredible blueness of the lake, the mini-forest of ancient cacti and the very, very woolly llama were some of the highlights for me this time, but it's all beautifully written and accompanied by photos so vivid and ravishing that while sometimes I just wished I were there, at other times I really felt as though I were seeing it myself through my own eyes.

Many congratulations on your awards - you deserve every one that comes your way, and I feel for sure there will be more.

Not many travel writers have the ability to communicate the joy of discovering other cultures. peoples. and experiences; as you have.

 

[Alilou]

A door with a smiley face, that's cool!

Isn't it? And I just love the colours. Makes my heart sing.

That luxury train sounds wonderful.
Another wonderful example of serendipity.

I'll be thinking of you while you are Internet-less; while awaiting your impressions of the Galapagos.

Oooo that luxury train ride was so . . . . . . . luxurious! We loved it. We are no longer internetless I went through withdrawals a bit lol but the Galapagos Islands, and wildlife, are so spectacular that it hardly hurt at all

Thanks so much, Ali and Don. The incredible blueness of the lake, the mini-forest of ancient cacti and the very, very woolly llama were some of the highlights for me this time, but it's all beautifully written and accompanied by photos so vivid and ravishing that while sometimes I just wished I were there, at other times I really felt as though I were seeing it myself through my own eyes.

Many congratulations on your awards - you deserve every one that comes your way, and I feel for sure there will be more.

Thanks OP - one of the best compliments for me is for people to be able to feel as if they are there. It is such a visually rich part of the world, I'm glad I can convey what it's like to be there. xoxox

Completely agree

Thanks Maofan7 - see above

Not many travel writers have the ability to communicate the joy of discovering other cultures. peoples. and experiences; as you have.

Thank you so much. Wow, I am so happy to hear this. I just write how it is for me. I wonder if I'll ever get tired of it. I somehow think not. And I love that the feel of it all is coming across.



We are back from the Galapagos, and now in the lovely town of Cuenca, Ecuador. I have a new blog post ready. This one is about the town of Chinchero, Peru where the traditional life of this Andean community is still very much in evidence. Fascinating day there. Hope you enjoy it.
http://alisonanddon.wordpress.com/2014/03/12/chinchero-crowds-colour-and-sacred-ceremonies/

 

[orientalplane]

I'm so glad that you're feeling appreciated!

 

[skatesindreams]

I'm so glad that you're feeling appreciated!

Seconding this!

 

[Alilou]

Thanks
to you both

 

[sk8pics]

We are back from the Galapagos, and now in the lovely town of Cuenca, Ecuador. I have a new blog post ready. This one is about the town of Chinchero, Peru where the traditional life of this Andean community is still very much in evidence. Fascinating day there. Hope you enjoy it.
http://alisonanddon.wordpress.com/2014/03/12/chinchero-crowds-colour-and-sacred-ceremonies/

Finally had a chance to read your latest blog. It was great! Beautiful pictures again. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures with us.

 

[Alilou]

You're welcome. Isn't than a sweet place. I just love their clothing and ceremony. Such a strong sense of community.

 

[Japanfan]

Looking forward to your report on your experience of the Galapagos. I thought it was becoming more difficult to travel there because tourism was mucking with the islands' ecosystems.

 

[Alilou]

Our experience of it was that the Ecuadorian govt is very careful about taking care of the Galapagos. There are three small communities, but most islands are completely uninhabited. I don't know how garbage disposal/recycling/etc works in those communities, but I do know that visits to all the islands are strictly monitored as to how many people at a time. All the tour boats are restricted as to which islands they can go to and how often. And we were all told, more than once - no bathrooms on the islands (save it til you get back to the boat), no going closer to the animals than 6 ft, no food allowed on the islands, no flash photography, no feeding the animals, no one is allowed on any of the islands without a guide, no going off the defined path, etc. There's no denying there was some garbage in the water at one of the towns we went to, so it is not completely unsullied, but all the uninhabited islands we went to were pristine and there were animals in abundance. Because they have never had reason to be, they are completely unafraid of humans so it possible to be close to them without them moving away. We walked right through a large boobie breeding colony with adults and fluffy chicks right next to us. It was extraordinary. They say the boobie population is declining due to declining sardine populations due to over fishing so not all is in control of the Ecuadorian govt, but it seemed to me they're doing a pretty good job.

 

[Marge_Simpson]

Alilou, the latest photos are just gorgeous. I must tell you, a few months back I showed your blog to 2 coworkers, one from Ecuador and the other from Peru.
Now they keep nagging me, asking me if there are any new entries up, because they want to see more of your fabulous photos from their part of the world. .

 

[Alilou]

Thanks Marge. That visit to Chinchero was a wonderful day. I couldn't believe we'd lucked into that religious ceremony with everyone dressed in their Sunday-best traditional outfits. So beautiful.
I'm thrilled your coworkers are enjoying the blog. There's at least 8 more posts to come on Peru, and then probably about 4 or 5 on Ecuador so they'll have plenty to look at.


There's a new blog post up - about a few seemingly miraculous occurrences. Sometimes (read frequently) our luck amazes me.
http://alisonanddon.wordpress.com/2014/03/17/this-nomadic-life-four-miracles/

 

[sk8pics]

Oh, ali, what a wonderful blog post! What wonderful stories! There are no coincidences!

And 1263 photos! Now I know you need to meet Greg one day.

 

[Alilou]

Thanks sk8pics. We've been pretty dumbfounded by all the synchronicity. It really does seem miraculous.
The photos! I was ruthless and that night reduced it to 477. Still have to delete more I think - no one needs that many photos - but there were so many different dance groups, and their outfits were so gorgeous I couldn't help myself. Greg takes a lot of photos too?
I'd love to meet. Someday we'll figure out how get into the US without losing our entire life savings paying for health insurance

I agree there are no coincidences. I just feel so blessed by our luck.

 

[orientalplane]

Thanks alilou, marvellous writing and sensational photos as always; in pictures and words you infuse everything with the vividness and splendour of life. And I'm saying that as here my glorious Gloucestershire is bursting into springtime. About the coincidences, or luck, or whatever it is, I've found that when you feel at peace and at one with the world, all kinds of truly wonderful and weird things will go in your favour. And it's when things are cheerless and hostile and alien that nothing seems to go for you. I don't know quite whether that parallels your experience, but it's an impression I've gained. But who knows whether it's an illusion? Maybe it's just that when you're down, you view the positives in a different light, or dark. And when you're blithe and full of enthusiasm, any coincidental luck is in keeping with your spirits, and you notice it more. I don't know, and neither does anyone else.

Please put a big heading on the Amazonian segment saying *TARANTULA ALERT*

 

[Alilou]

I agree with all of this op, and what you've said does parallel my experience. Who knows how it all works, but I think the way we're perceiving life has a lot to do with how it shows up.
I hope you're enjoying your glorious Gloucestershire - I get the feeling it's quite magnificent!

TARANTULA ALERT

(Don and I both laughed out loud )