Round the Globe (Apr-June 2010)

Robin and Darren head for New Zealand (via Hong Kong on the way and Fiji on the return)

Hong Kong harbour

A quick visit to see Swill and have a look about.

Please don't tell Robin what is on the signpost!

Castle Crag above Lyttleton harbour

Mt. Cook, New Zealand

Moeraki Boulders - doing the geologist bit!

Yellow-eyed Penguin

the Alpine Parrot or Kea

Milford Sound....and not raining!

Inverse Gravitational Effects.....

Robin walking on water at Golden Bay, Takaka

Re visiting the Ohakune carrot

Eddie and his hot rod at Ruapehu

Coastal walking north island

Kayaking over the reefs in Fiji

taking it really easy in Fiji

Inca Explore Trek, Peru – Sept 2009

Peru 2009 – Inca Explore Trek – Inca Trail to Machu Picchu

Sept 7: The first morning we visited the pre-Inca site called Huana Pucllana in Miraflores district – this consists of a vast mound constructed of adobe bricks containing many levels and plazas. The afternoon saw perfect conditions for paragliding along the Costa Verde. I spent over an hour cruising to the Marriot Hotel and back whilst Terry, Jules, Chris, Toity and Barney all took a tandem flight also! Great soaring conditions and what better way to view the Lima skyline and Pacific ocean than free flying paragliding.

paragliding past the Marriot hotel in Lima

Sept 8: South on the Pacific highway to the coastal reserve at Paracas. Desert scenery and beautiful coasts. Hotel in town of Pisco which is still recovering after the earthquake of Aug 2007. It will be a long time until Pisco is restored but the friendly welcome (and pisco sour drinks) emphasise the character of the people here.

Pacific Ocean waves at Paracas Nature Reserve

Sept 9: Boat trip to the Ballestas Islands -abundant bird and sea life in the guise of Humbolt penguins, Inca terns, Peruvian boobies and sea lions galore. The afternoon saw a sandstorm blow in from Paracas – interesting experience for all before we took the bus south further and on to Nasca.

Sept 10: Flight over the Nasca Lines to see the huge desert drawings and lines. Surreal experience as we looped around the various drawings of hummingbrids, spiders and even an astronaut! The afternoon saw us heading south again. A long journey to Arequipa that was lengthened by the Pacific Highway being closed for an hour as sand dunes covered the surface.

Flight to the Nasca Lines (ask Terry where the sick bags are!)

Sept 11: Easy day sightseeing in Arequipa – the White City of Peru! Tomorrow we head up to the Colca canyon and on to Lake Titicaca before back north to Cusco for the Inca Trail.

Reed boat on Lake Titicaca, Puno, Peru

Sept 18 – Now in Cusco, the Inca capital of Peru. Getting ready for the Inca Trail trek which we start on Sunday. Today the crew are off to see the Inca sites of Pisac and Ollantaytambo in the Sacred Valley. All happy and not too many stomach troubles…….!

Uros (floating) Islands, Lake Titicaca, Peru

Inca Trail 20-23rd Sept.

Inca Trail - the group at the start of the Camino Inca

All happy at the Dead Womans Pass, 4200m high in the Andes!

There it is! Machu Picchu, Peru

Inca Explore Trek – Peru Sept 2009

Had a few days mooching in Lima. The winds have been variable but had two great afternoons soaring along the Costa Verde, Miraflores on the paraglider. Smooth dynamic lift and great views! The rest of the team arrive tonight (Sunday) and then the tour of Inca Peru starts in Pisco and the Nasca Lines.