pisco sour welcome to Peru drink

Things to Do in Miraflores

During my first visit to Lima, which was a short layover on our way to Machu Picchu 15 years ago, we spent most our time in the historic district wandering around the Plaza de Armas which features the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, the Museo del Pisco, and the Palacio de la Municipalidad that includes a museum and the changing of the guards at noon daily.

While the historic district is interesting, it is not as upscale or safe as Miraflores, a district of Lima home to many shops, fine dining, luxury hotels, and a lovely boardwalk.  Thus, during our next layover, this time on our way to the Peruvian Amazon, we spent a day exploring Miraflores.

EXPLORE!
the pantanal

Travel Photo Challenge Day 9 – Brazil

I’ve been nominated by some fellow bloggers, Tony and Margie with Back Roads and Other Stories as well as Jyothi with Travel Explore Enjoy, to post one favorite travel picture a day for ten days without explanation, then to nominate someone else to participate.  That’s 10 days, 10 travel pictures, and 10 nominations.  It is my understanding that the idea behind the challenge is to expose audiences to new bloggers and vice versa.  I’m always up for helping fellow bloggers, so I have accepted the challenge. 

That said, my rule following self is going to follow Tony and Margie’s lead and break a handful of them.  First, while a picture paints a 1,000 words, I’m incapable of posting a photo without some explanation.  Sometimes the story makes the image that much more special.  Second, though not specified, I think the intent is to post 10 days in a row.  I’ll be lucky if I post 10 weeks in a row. I also may post more than one photo at times.

TAKE THE CHALLENGE!
Annie at Estabrook

Postcard Apps for Writing Notes from Afar

Given most of the world is in lockdown due to COVID, this is probably not the best time to write an article about postcard apps that let you mail a note with your own photo from all over the world.  At the same time, they may still be used to cheer someone up during this difficult time and for the holiday season.

When I began traveling internationally for extensive trips, I wanted an easy way to say “hello” to my friends and family back home without having to hunt for a postcard, find a post office, and get the appropriate postage.

SAY HELLO!
street art in brazil

36 Hours in Sao Paulo

About São Paulo

I would have never thought I’d say 36 hours was not enough time for visiting São Paulo.  I personally am not a big city enthusiast, but always feel like I should explore for a day at the beginning or end of my wilderness trips.  We planned to arrive mid-day, stay overnight and then leave the following evening.

EXPLORE!
piranha fishing

Piranha Fishing in the Pantanal

Of all the activities we completed in the Pantanal, river floating, games drives, hiking, and horseback riding, Piranha fishing might have been the most fun.  I really wanted to fish for Piranha simply to be able to say I’ve done it.  Ruth and Alice, the other girl on our tour were not sold on participating, especially when we saw locals standing chest deep in water fishing for these sharp toothed critters. Continue reading “Piranha Fishing in the Pantanal” →

Game Drives in the Pantanal

We spent three days in the Pantanal at Pousada Piuval.  Our guides liked this 7,000 hectare ranch as it is home to the most jaguars at this time of year (which isn’t many) compared to the jaguar preserve that is not accessible at the end of the rainy season.  Anyway, that didn’t stop us from looking for them.  We took sunrise and sunset drives every day.  Most of the time we drove the few roads on the ranch, occasionally we tried a few fields that were still to wet, and we also went to the park. Continue reading “Game Drives in the Pantanal” →

Parrot

Traveling Tips for the Pantanal

Tips for Traveling to the Pantanal, Brazil

Airports, Airlines, and Transportation

  1. Leave generous connection times between flights, especially in São Paulo.  The airport is huge!  It took us at minimum 25 minutes to walk FAST from the gate at which we landed with American Airlines to reach the Gol Airline ticket counter to go to Cuiabá.  Fortunately, we didn’t have to check bags as the line was extremely long. We were able to use the kiosks to check-in which saved us.  After going through security and walking to our gate, we used up our hour connection (which was originally longer before our other delays).  We got to the bus five minutes before it left for the plane.
  2. Both Gol and Avianca are good local airline options. Avianca has in seat entertainment.
  3. Change money at an ATM in São Paulo as there were not any ATM’s at the Cuiabá airport. The information desk told us to “Go to the Shopping.”  That seemed weird so we waited to go to a bank near our hotel which limited us to $100, so then we had to go to a gas station that charged a significant fee.
  4. It’s easy to get Uber or a taxi at the airport. I’m told Uber costs less.

Continue reading “Traveling Tips for the Pantanal” →