African Safari-Day 4: Emirates to South Africa

Wake up, list and check in for the emirates flight. Whoa! Once we are listed we can see the loads!! The flight to DXB has 50 seats open, and it's on an a380 (the full length double decker plane). 6 Hours to DXB. Head to the airport, where we check in (as economy, emirates will upgrade paying passengers to get nonrevs ono but never upgrade standbys). And he clears us! We have seats so we are atleast getting out of london and heading to a new country Dubai! Of course both our bags get pulled to have them look at our liquids (which i have jam packed bc we have a lot of sunscreen and bug spray in little bottles) But alas, we are in and I decide to grab chocolates from duty free for the flight crew. An a380 can have as many as 26 FA and i know i dont have that many FA treat boxes with me. We then each grab a quick bite from the coffee shops and wait for the gate to be announced. Gate announced, we head there, and clear the gate and wait. There is some delay due to the aircraft arriving late. But it gives me time to list us for DXB to CPT which leaves 3 hours after we land in Dubai. (At 355AM). We finally get to board, and carry on all of our suitcases. We have the window and middle in a row right infront of the bathrooms and someone on our aisle. BUT! The a380 is surprisingly spacious in coach (the lower level). The lead fa notices we are crew and offers us anything we want (within reason— i did ask if we could see upstairs and were politely told no, but whatever it was worth the ask). 6 hours to DXB and we land, at midnight Dubai time (but6p London time and 11a CST). We easily get through the transfer line which includes security (but leave everything in your bags). Then we look to find the capetown flight. (That was the first flight to leave at 355a, JBurg had a 455a departure and a 955a departure, so may as well try the first). We pass a McDonalds (have to try the local specials!) and check in with the gate agent— as we didn't have boarding passes and had just checked in online. He says the flight is full but check back later (i see there are 4 seats open and 4 standbys listed). I pick up matt a McArabia chicken sandwich and i have their beef and mushroom burger. They were okay. Boarding starts, and we still arent cleared. Check back 20 minutes before departure. Okay. So we wait and wait and wait. But then we check in and we have seats! And they re together!! This aircraft was a 777 and a 2 seat, 4 seat 2 seat configuration. We have an aisle and a middle in the 4 seat section. We board and ooooofda, this planes interior is old, and outdated. We squeeze into our seats and try to get comfortable for the 10 hour flight to capetown. We get amenity kits (very basic with eye mask and tooth brush). I am exhausted as is matt, so we try our best to sleep. It's a long flight, we get both dinner and breakfast. But it was a means to the end. I had our server one of my FA boxes (there's so many FAs and we didn't get much for handing out chocolates on the other emirates flights so may as well save the other boxes i have for other flights. After a long long fight crammed into our seats we finally arrive in Capetown SouthAfrica! 2 days later than we had anticipated but! We are in South AFrica!

AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

African Safari Day 3- London

En route, I realized, we should get a hotel with early check in, and shower, nap, relax a bit before we fly through the night a second time. I found a budget Ibis for 60$ which allowed early check in. Best 60$ We have spent! The hotel was on the Piccadilly line which connects direct to LHR (London-Heathrow). We easily clear customs (after I had to wait for an actual person as my smart-card is broken on my passport and the automatic control woudlnt' work for me). Then we were off on our long walk carrying our heavy Tom Bihn Backpack bags. Make it to the hotel, check in, shower and we decide to push through. Back to the Piccadilly line and its an hour and a half with 2 transfers to the maritime museum. Make it there, and it is not what matt was expecting, and he was slightly disappointed, however, we did it! Our zed fare loads get updated, and capetown is 2 seats open and 4 people listed. As it's a zed fare, we would be the last ones to board. Johannesburg went from 70 open to 10 open. 6 people on the list. Capetown leaves at 5p and JBurg at 10p, so we decide JBurg still looks the best, and we head back to the hotel on the hour and a half journey. We arrive at four thirty and take a 2 hour nap. Wake up around 7p and the loads have been updated again— negative 1 with 6 people listed. Okay, it's a 787 that carries 250 people, we definitely have a chance. Nothing else we can do but try,. Before we leave the hotel, we let the staff know… we might be back (And we technically have the room until tomorrow anyway) but we left the keys and said hopefully we wont be back but atleast we have a room already if we dont make it. So we head back to the airport check in, grab an English dinner at the same restaurant we ate at on the way home in September (this time we had bangers and mash and a steak pot pie— both very very good). And then we head to the gate. We check in with the agent, and they let us know they dont have seats for us yet but there are a few people that hadn't checked in. So we hangout inside the gate area waiting. And waiting. And waiting. With 2 other couples of non-revs. Well, all 250 passengers showed up. There was not a single seat available. The gate agent kindly checks the flights for the next day and lets us know South Africa is a very popular route this time of year from London. Capetown had 11 open but 19 standbys already and Johannesburg had 10 seats and 2 people listed, but the numbers change very last minute. So we do the walk of shame and try and find the exit. We had to re-clear customs into London which took some doing as it's not a common thing to happen.And then head back to our hotel carrying our heavy bags. We decide to stop at the pub next to the underground station by our hotel. They close at 1130 and it's now11, we ask if we could have a quick pint and they agreed. We have our pint and then do the half mile walk to the hotel. With the time change, we were pretty wide awake at this time,so we stop at the pub next to our hotel and see if they are open late, they were pretty dead inside but were open for another hour. We get new keys made and then drop our bags, grab a notepad and head back to the pub to research what to do next. After having the Virgin flight fill up so last minute, we decide to look at other options. Etihad and Emirates both fly out of London, and both have flights to South Africa. I post on Staff traveler and also on some facebook groups. There is a noon flight to Dubai that 'looks really good' and then flights from Dubai to capetown and 2 flights to Johannesburg "look okay". So, we decide to try emirates. We head back and set an alarm for 10a feeling a little optimistic. 

AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

African Safari Day 2– Try again: Get to London

Wake up around 10a, and check the London flight, and all the zed fare route options that got updated over night. London still looked like the best bet, we are still 12/13 with 25 open and Virgin has 2 flights direct to Johannesburg AND Capetown, the JBurg flight has 70 open and capetown had 5, so we decide to wait it out and go on the delta flight. Stop at our favorite brunch spot (Ideal Diner in NE) and then get our workouts in before dad picks us up again, for us to try again. But now the flight is 22 open D1 seats, and we are 17/18 on the list with 3 hours to go. We had washed our non rev clothes so we go back to the airport in the same attire we had on the night before. Get a pint at HiLo Diner right next to our gate, and we wait. Tim Calamari just landed and came to have a pint with us before he heads home. D1 down to 19 seats open, we are 18/19….. oh man, 20 minutes before the gate closes. One Hour prior there's 18 open we are 18/19. And they haven't cleared any standbys. So we wait, and with 20 minutes to go they finally call my name. I get D1, I ask the agent if she can also clear Matt (he was next on the list.) and she goes yep! And were out! Matt and I got the last two delta one seats and we are sitting next to each other. Yay!!! Get into our seats, and it's the same FA as the day before. Hand out my FA Treats and we wait for push back. The plane takes off just fine and we were on our way to London! The goal to sleep most the way so we could land refreshed. Plan is to do the JBurg flight that's wide open and spend the day at the Maritime museum that we missed in September the last time we were in London. 

AGENCY RELATIONSHIPS IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

 

 

 

African Safari— Day 1: Get to LHR

 Took a half day off of work and hurried home to get the last of my things packed up. Dad picked us up, and brought us to the airport! Used a buddy pass for matt, as there were 20 Delta1 seats open and 10 people on standby. I forgot my bag of FA treats, on the dining room table. Ugh! But anyway— we Got to our gate (thank goodness matt finally has global entry so he can get pre-check too). Waited patiently at the HiLo Diner right next door and Bjorn came to say hi! With an hour prior to take off, all standbys were cleared into Delta one! Wahoooo! Matt and I even had seats together. Only problem— their third pilot was stranded in MSN due to the snow storm. But the remaining two pilots opted to waive the need for a third pilot and we were going to be taking off! We board, have our welcome drinks and then wait for push back. With only 2 pilots they have an 8 hour block limit (push back to park) and it is a 7 hour flight to London. They had 4 de-ice trucks ready for us and we go to push back. Matt says the captain didnt take off the parking break because the tug busted the shear pin, so then they needed to get a new tug bar, and try again, but the clock was already ticking. Finally we get pushed back, the captain starts up the engines, and pulls right back into the gate (he’s gotta get paid). Maintenance comes on board and talks to the pilots, but they dont have enough block time so they time out, and they dont have any spare crew sitting around to fly the plane. So EVERYONE has to get off, and wait in the gate area for more details (delta is very good at not cancelling flights, just delaying for long periods of times… gotta keep that completion rate high). Delay , delay , delay then the FAs and pilots get off…. And if the FAs get off we know we aren’t going anywhere tonight. Plane delayed until 630p Thursday. Which means we miss our planned connection to S.Africa and have to figure out what to do. Daddies comes back to pick us up, I’m almost in tears (never did we think we would get matt back into D1… ever again… and we had it! Seats together even.) but now ANYONE can list for the flight tomorrow. 25 Seats open, We cleared at 15/16 on the list Wednesday night, so hopefully not too many people notice the new time for this flight. I have the service counter help rebook us both on the Thursday flight, and we head home to replan EVERYTHING. Submit new staff traveler requests to see what our Zed Options look like. And go to bed. Tomorrow is a new day. 

Middle East Day 3: Dead Sea

Woke up around 10 or 11. Whoops. Checkout is noon. Packed up our bags, checked out of the hotel, dropped our bags in the car and headed down the street for some pizza. Had a fantastic meat pizza before heading back to the hotel where the front desk staff recommended a day pass to holiday inn which provides access to the Dead Sea , pools , showers, amenities.

Hit the road for our 3 hour drive to the resorts of the Dead Sea. Not sure which way google brought ya but to get out of Petra we were going up some pretty steep hills with sharp corners (and matt killed the car a couple times too— the clutch was crap). But before long we were high up on the mountains overlooking the beginning of the Dead Sea. The lowest place on earth. 480 meters below sea level. We kept driving and decided to stop at the Dead Sea spa (day pass was 20JOD vs 45JOD at the holiday inn). We got changed and set out for the private beach at the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea has been evaporating quickly, it had retreated a solid quarter mile or more. But we claimed a bench and walked carefully over rock and pebbles to enter the Dead Sea. They weren't joking about the buoyancy. You could relax on your back without a fuss. Had our pictures taken together. Enjoyed rubbing mud all over ourselves and getting in to rinse off. Then we went up too to the pool to relax, then hopped out to shower just in time to see sunset. Absolutley beautiful. Then happy hour started. We had 2 for 1 white Jordanian wine and ordered some nachos and a meat plate. All of the food was very tasty. Met a PA that works the emergency room at Abbott with Dave Gurda. And before long it was 8pm and time to start the 1 hour drive to Amman in hopes of catching the 1130pm flight direct to Cairo. Dropped the car off no problem and went to check in to find out the plane was wide open. Got exit row, bags checked with priority and we waited the hour to begging boarding. We did hit up the duty free shop as alcohol in egypt is rather difficult to find and we learned we could bring our own onboard the Nile cruise. Grabbed a bottle of stoli gold and Johnny Walker black. Boarded the plane and thanked the flight crew with USA M&Ms enjoyed our inflight snack box and was thanked by the crew with a bottle of champagne and nuts to take away.

Landed in Cairo after one hour, booked a hotel at the airport as it was almost midnight. Bought our 25$ visa and walked 20minuyes out of the way in a loop to get to the hotel. Checked in and they agreed to a late check out of 2pm (next day was simply arrive to Cairo day) enjoyed a stella bier from the fridge and oir champagne. Repacked our bags and passed out. Get to Cairo hotel and hang out with Alaa's friends the next day.

Middle East Day 2

Woke up around 1130am. Whoops. But we were tired. Matt was ready first so he set out to find us breakfast and lunch to bring with into Petra, and some waters. I met him about 20 minutes later at a small shawarma shop where they were making the tortilla to go with our chicken kabob breakfast. At lunch and got dinner for 15JOD (~20$). Then we set out for Petra. 150$ for the two of us to enter. (Woulda been 200 but we were staying overnight in the town). And started to hike the long 45 minute walk weaving through the ancient riverbed to the Siq (Iconic Petra photo). Meanwhile we had to mind the horse carriages bringing those unable to walk.

The siq was filled with tourists and young kids trying to sell postcards and small crafts. Then we continued onwards for about 10 minutes to a bigger opening. The royal tombs were high in the mountains on the right. And there were dwellings on the left. Walked towards the start of the montestary path and had an ice cold Coca Cola light. A donkey owner then explained what was so cool at the end of the path— gorgeous views, tents with things for sale, less people. And for a good price you could take his donkey up the 980 steps in 20 minutes instead of walking for 1hour. Knowing matt doesn't like to ride animals due to discomfort we opted to hike. Wowza. Atleast we were not at 13000 feet like Wayne Picchu. There were cats, and many tents to buy things along the way. We took a few stops to catch our breath and were passed by a few donkeys with riders. But we were to the Montestary in 40 minutes. Way better than riding a donkey. We took our pictures (and there were few people there which was nice) and hiked up one of the three identified local hills entitled "best view". We got a pretty incredible view from up top and then resorted down to enjoy our shawarma for lunch. And cold fries. Then we decided to head down. We stopped at the church and had a look around which included original mosaic floors and then hiked up to the royal tombs. We watched sunset there and then about 6pm we started the hour hike out of Petra. But not without stopping for a sunset lighting picture infront of the siq with very few people in the background. As we were walking out, the crews with dropping and lighting candlelight bags for the evening tour. We spent about 5 hours there which was a perfect amount of time. We then stopped at "my mommas recipe" for some great jordanian food before grabbing a pint at the Irish pub and calling it a night. Next day we stop at the Dead Sea en route back to Amman to catch our flight hopefully to Cairo.

Chasing the 7 wonders

Surprisingly my boss agreed to work the last 3 hours of my shift so I could get home grab my bags and matt and we made it to the airport by 3pm for a 3:55pm departure to Chicago (ORD). Got seated up front and were allowed to carry our bags on no problem. The captain is one of the guys that lives in matts Eagan house too.

Flight to Chicago was bumpy so the fa stayed in their jump seats. Landed, said good bye and went to check on the Royal Jordanian flight direct to Amman departing 3 hours later. Since we landed in the international terminal we went to the advertised gate but there was no sign of RJ anywhere. So we left security and went into the ticketing area.

Waited in line to be told with a scrunched up face— it doesn't look good come back 2 hours prior to departure. We check with information and the only 2 eateries outside of security at the international terminal are McDonald, or a pre-made well warm it up for you spot. We went with the later and shared a gyro pizza and had a beverage each. Went back to the ticket counter and were told again —— flight is full, we can't give you seats until right before departure if some people don't show up. So we check in with Emirates (adds 5 hours of flight time) and they say they should have seats available.

Get to security line which is long and not moving. 45 minutes later (and boarding start time to Amman) we make it through security and check in with the gate—- still no seats we'll call your name. So we go down to emirates flight and they say they have seats. I take the boarding pass (no seats assigned yet) and head back to the RJ flight where matt was waiting. He went to the bathroom and they called our name, we had two seats together in the very last row (before crew rest) and had one seat open next to us too. I hook our rollarboards together and head to the emirates flight to let them know we aren't flying them and head back to RJ. We wait to be some of the last people to board. Barely find room for our bags — had to rearrange a few bins to make it happen, then I started handing out the treats I brought for the crew and let them know matt is a pilot. The fa loves the fact we brought treats and cake and introduced themselves to pilot matt. "Anything you want you let us know!" Before too long we were taking off. We got extra wet wipes, and both the chicken and fish economy meal (which wasn't terrible) and were served first so we had both options available. Matt ordered a scotch, to which the fa replies red or black label. Obviously he went with the black label. It took awhile for the fa to return but he came with first class nuts, first class Care packages, and a coffee cup filled with JW black label. I just had a red wine.

Not too long after finishing our meal the crew set up for crew rest, one laid across a row of three and the other two shut the curtains around the jump seat of the rear exit doors on the 787 Dreamliner. And laid down on the floor. Yuck!

I headed to the back and got chatting with the crew. One drives atv/trucks through the desert and another was on holiday in the states with his wife. The guys were very excited to give us tips for our short trip to Jordan. They kept my glass full too. Wasn't too long before the crew rest gals yelled at us for being too loud. Soooo I went back to my seat and napped for about 6 hours (making it all the way to touchdown). Apparently while I was sleeping the guys brought us a wine in a bag and served breakfast (croissant and jam).

The fa wished us all farewell and we were off to buy our visa (60$/each) and waited in line to get through customs. Wasn't too long and we were through looking for our car rental location Alamo.

Got our car— a mini /manual /death trap and we were off. But there was 1/8th of a tank. So we had to find gas. Found a station. 20JOD to have it filled up by a full service location. Then we were off to try and get back on the highway..... that didn't work well; it took a very long time and many turns and u turns but alas we made it back on the highway. Utilized google to get us to Petra city about 3 hours away.

The roads turned into one lane roads with two way traffic and no street lights to illuminate where to go. Or what was around the bend. There were many random speed humps that if you don't slow down you will fly through the air. But eventually we did make it to our hotel Edom hotel, 7 minute walk to Petra visitor center. We parked the car and headed up to our room in the 3 star hotel. I showered as I was gross and we went out in search of dinner. We went to the night restaurant as they advertised they had pizza and traditional food. No alcohol and no pizza were available. Matt ordered a hummus and some beef meal and I ordered a Lebanese chicken. They were pretty good. The hummus was spectacular.

After dinner we walked to the Kilkenny bar and had a pint before calling it a night. We made it back to the hotel and I was awfully sleepy eyed. Matt showered and we fell asleep with no plans for an alarm or waking up early.

Galapagos day 2: snorkel disaster

Woke up at 7am for 8 am breakfast and morning zodiac ride. Also got out snorkeling equipment for the excursions throughout the trip. Saw some blue footed boobies and Nazca boobies and a lot of pelicans. No penguins. 

Then deep sea snorkeling to depart at 1030a. Where you get off the boat and snorkel. Only problem is with the full moon the waters have been so rough the normal snorkel g spot wasn't available so they brought us to the Nazca boobie spot to snorkel around that rock island. Only problem. Is that the water was producing massive swells and the clarity of the water for snorkeling was horrible. Kayaking was canceled due to the swells. I begrudgingly went with and got my snorkel equipment on and headed into the water. Nothing but salt water into my snorkel and visibility was negative. 

I made it mostly around the rock. Ok like half before throwing my arm up to be picked up. Nothing like a stomach full of Jameson and salt water to make you nauseous the entire ride home. Made it back without puking and took another Dramamine before lunch. Managed to keep lunch down then napped the afternoon away. Skipped the 2 hour beach relaxation and went to James island for the walk on the black sand beach. Saw numerous Galapagos seal lines and fur seals along with iguanas hidden in the rocks and tons of sally light foot crabs. After a hike along the beach we came back to the zodiacs (pangas in Ecuador) and just missed the wet landing departure fiasco. Apparently the first boat of older peeps had a big wave hit and toppled everyone overboard. By the time we made it to the pangas the guys knew what they were doing and we all made it onboard without too much issue. 

Made it back to the boat for buffet dinner and attempted to stargaze. More deep sea snorkel the next day. 

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Galapagos cruise day 1

After waking up way to early we had breakfast and waited for our taxi to bring us on the two hour commute from Puerto Ayora to the Baltra airport to meet our cruise

No tortoises in the road this time. Taxi. To boat shuttle. To airport bus shuttle to airport. Arrived one hour early. Wasted time on the internet and started searching for the Santa Cruz ii signs. Found them. Boarded a bus hopefully to take us not back to Puerto Ayora where we started. Traveled to the north end of the island. Where we boarded a zodiac (known here as a panga) or a rubber 10person pontoon boat. Our to a giant ship in the middle of the bay.

Enjoyed our welcome juice and found our room. Nothing special about this. Two twin beds pushed together one bathroom and a closet. Pulled everything out of our suitcase and arranged it Marie kondo style in the closet before lunch and emergency drill.

Had an amazing buffet lunch compliments of the Austrian head chef before learning emergency information and going to our muster stations.

We then set out on our first excursion to banchas bay and did a two hour hike walking past iguanas and sea lions. And birds galore. Made it back to the zodiac for a wet landing back to the ship.

Showered and tidyed up for dinner (no shorts allowed) and learned about the next day activities. Deep sea snorkeling, black beach snorkel and hike.

Had a fantastic buffet dinner before calling it a night.

Galapagos: Puerto Ayora

Woke up around 8 to try out the free breakfast at our hotel. Made to order omelette. Good enough for me and Matt has a croissant with jame and butter and fresh coffee.

We then started the 50 minute hike to Tortuga Bay. The entrance to the hike was 10 minutes from the hotel and then it was a well laid cobblestone trek the entire way to the beach, took about 25 minutes with periods of rain. Which actually felt nice considering how humid it is here.

We went to the right when we reached the ocean and watched as the sandpipers and other birds challenged the tide trying to get food. Made it to an area of black lava rock and a protected harbor with a seal and iguana swimming. Or sunbathing on the rocks. They are everywhere here, their camouflage is spectacular. Matt didn't even see one that was right infront of him. We went around the corner to a calm sea inlet. Many locals were swimming and snorkeling. We then captured a few more pictures of iguana and then started the 30 minute trek back. Saw a giant tortoise having lunch on the side of the walkway. Then we were out and back to the hotel. Stopped for a snack before heading out for pizza lunch. Pizza place didn't have anyone working it so we went further down towards the Charles Darwin research center to another place that had a pizza sign. Except they didn't have pizza. Ordered a panini and Matt had a burger. They were decent. Served with stale potatoes chips with ketchup and mayo.

Continued on the way to the Charles Darwin center, where they help rear tortoises and reintroduce them to the wild there were tiny baby toirtoises all the way up to giant tortoises. Then we made the walk back in time to lay by the pool for a couple hours before going out to dinner on the harbor for our anniversary. The pool was freezing cold but a welcoming refresher for the hot humid air. It's like Puerto Rico in November.

Got dressed and walked to the Hotel Solymar for harbor side dining. Their restaurant is in the side of a cliff. Matt ordered a green crusted fish and I ordered a mushroom fettuccine. It was delicious. Only problem was service took so long we finished it after they were supposed to close. Whoops. As we were finishing our last bites we had a seal come up to our table. And then he went and hung out by the iguana that was sun bathing on the rail.

After dinner we went back to the hotel to pack. Cruise departs tomorrow!

Galapagos arrival pictures

Getting to the Galapagos

It's amazing how hard it is to get to the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

SunCountry flight msp to mco (Orlando) 3 hours.
Rented a car and drove 3 hours to fll (Fort Lauderdale) where our confirmed spirit flight to Ecuador was out of.

Wake up Friday morning have a bite to eat and then go to Walmart to get water bottle and go pro charge cord. Which they didn't have so we went to Best Buy and subway to have food for the flight. And by that time with all the traffic it was time to fill up the rental car and get to the airport. After circling the airport a couple times trying to find rental car return we finally found it. Dropped the car off. And checked in for the spirit flight. Of course I could check in online with a boarding pass but Matt always causing trouble couldn't.

Got him checked in and corrected the gate agent who moved us from our confirmed paid for exit row seats to a different row. Back to window aisle of exit row and through security. Luckily Matt got precheck too so it was super quick to get in. Hit up duty free for a bottle of whiskey to bring on board our cruise and then sat down at a Cuban restaurant while we waited for our flight. Matt ordered some fried chicken with beans and rice which was okay. Before we knew it it was time to board.

Our bags made it into the overhead and we were making friends with the flight attendant in the exit row. Only problem is he was only three weeks in and a total rule follower.

4 hour flight to gye (some city in Ecuador I don't know how to pronounce). Land and call the hotel and they sent a shuttle to pick us up. A Wyndham garden in with free brekke. The travel agency we booked the cruise through arranged for a airport delivery for us.

He was picking us up at 840 for a 1040 flight. He arrived early. And drove us the three minutes to the airport and walked us through the customs checkpoints to enter Galapagos (numerous bag screenings) and we checked our bags (with two bottles carefully packed away) and we went to our gate.

2 more hour flight, the gate agents bug sprayed all the overhead bins before arrival and we finally arrived on Baltra Island of the Galapagos. Walked up the volcanic wasteland into the airport. We had to wait in lone and pay $100 plus a $5 bus fee. The island only has the airport on it. We had to wait for a dog to sniff all the checked baggage. Once that was cleared up we went out to find our bus. 15 minute ride down to the water. We then had to board a water ferry to cross 100 yards of a waterway. $1 each. Once we got to the other side we had to wait for all the bags which were precariously thrown up too the ferry to be unloaded. Matt waited for our bags and I found a taxi. $25 for the 40km ride into Puerto Ayora. Bags thrown in the back of the truck and we were on our way to hotel Ninfa

Along the way we had to swerve around a giant tortoise just hanging out on the side of the road.

We arrived and dropped our bags and went exploring the town of Puerto Ayora. Lots of restaurants with 3x10$ drink specials. Had a round plus some calamari before we went searching for water and snacks for the next day.
Snacks found. Went walking along the harbor for dinner. Found a brewery across, had chicken fajitas and a sausage sandwich. Walked along the waterway back to the hotel and passed a tree full of pelicans and some seals and iguanas hanging out.

Tortuga beach and Charles Darwin research center the next day.

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Scotland day 1: arrive to Scotland

We nervously went to the airport for a 455pm attempt at delta one Msp to ams. We were 3/4 with 3 seats open. Got to the airport and check in one hour and two minutes prior to departure. Dropped my commissions checks off at the wings financial in the ticketing hall and headed to our gate. Within an hour there miraculously was one more delta one seat that appeared! We were 3/4 with 4 open. And we got it! Delta one across the pond on Matt's benefit. We each ordered a 12year mccallan to commemorate the scotch tour we were planning on doing. We also each ordered the lamb chop. Yumm yumm. Slept for a few hours and before we knew it we were in ams 1 hour early. We landed at 730. We were planning on taking the 9 to Aberdeen or the 10 to Inverness; both however were red. We noticed on the departure board the flight to Edinburgh was leaving in 20 minutes and just down the hall. We got to the gate and te agent said if we could list for the flight we would have a seat. So 17 minutes prior to departure we listed and had seats to Scotland! We were together too. Quickly booked a car so we had some sort of plan ($140) One hour and a half after 7 hours to ams and we were in Scotland! We deplaned on an exterior stairwell and waited a bit for customs to open. Got through no problem. Matt changed and I booked a hotel near a few northern highland distilleries.

We got our car, it was 930am Scotland time or 330am Msp time. The lady recommended pitlochry as a small town for lunch on the way north to Inverness. About an hour from the airport. So we were on our way. Driving on the other side of the road and a stick. Made it to a distillery Blair athol. Looked around the pretty setting and stopped by the visitor centre before continuing onto pitlochry. Pitlochry is a small town with a river and dam. It had a cute Main Street. We found a car park but had no small change to pay the meter. 15 minutes free. So we walked down to the dam, checked out the fish ladder and then back to the car. Reupped the 15 minutes and then went to the toilet and checked out a few shops before continuing our way up to speyside. We stopped at the dalwinnie distillery, the sister of Blair athol which is also the highest distillery in Scotland resulting in only losing 1% evaporation where most others lose 2-3% evaporation. Pulled up to dalwinnie and we were exhausted. We both tilted the chairs back and took a solid half hour cat nap. I ordered a tasting tray. Not knowing much about scotch, it was scotch. We then continued our way to a hotel near the glenfiddich distillery. We arrive about 330 only to learn the distilleries close around 5 and taxis are super expensive. The hotel was a small bed and breakfast and we were the only guests. And it was quite a sleepy town, we decided we had time for two distilleries. Per the hotelier recommendation we went to glenfarclas. They had some bottles dating back to 1920. There were some rowdy tourists that took over most of the tasting room. We sampled a couple and then went on to glenlivet. Being hungry we were hoping for a little something just before we make it back to our hotel for dinner. Arrived about 20 minutes prior to closing. No bakery items looked appealing. But we sampled a twelve year executive which only is available in Asia. It was pretty good. Matt picked up a couple minis to bring back and we were on our way to the hotel for dinner. He ordered a steak pie and I ordered a venison sausage and mash. The food was delicious. Before long we were ready for bed at 8pm. 930a breakfast the next morning and then continue to check out the distilleries.

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Scotland day 2: distilleries and Jens!

Work up to the alarm at 9am after sleeping all night. Showered quick and headed down for brekke. Ham bacon eggs were ordered (typical Scottish breakfast). T was very good then we were on our way. Distillery list includes dalmore, benromach, glenfiddich, and mccallan. It was an hour twenty north to dalmore. We passed signs for Loch Ness, didn't realize it was so far north. Made it to dalmore and went into the tasting room. The 12 year was very smooth. We joked with the server she used to be a nurse practitioner onboard ships off the coast of New Orleans. Sampled the king Alexander 3. 5£ of deliciousness. So good. A 750 is only £160. Then we were off. Next stop benromach, SWANNY's favorite. The visitor centre there was very new. It also happened to be whiskey weekend so the malt whiskey trail had events at different distilleries. We picked up some items from the distillery and then continued onward. Glenfiddich was next. We ordered a 15 year and their IPA cask scotch. Super good with the bodes of citrus from the hops. We stopped at balvenie who's grounds are very pretty and tucked away in the woods. Then made it to mccallan. Ordered a couple drams from there before returning to glenfiddich as we wanted a 200ml to welcome Jens with. 3 hours drive to dunfermline; a city that popped up on Edinburgh within a half hour to the airport with cheap hotel rooms. Drove through Aberdeen and Dundee (but not in time to see the Antarctic ship discovery). Picked up our typical gas station grub food and continued. And then got some premade sandwiches from a coop that was pretty good eating on the coast of Aberdeen. By 830 we arrived to our hotel. And got checked in. Jens to arrive about 10pm. We walked the Main Street looking for food and found a döner place enjoyed the döner in the car and then were off to find Jens. Filled up at a gas station. Managed to find Jens and back to the hotel. We stayed up chatting until 130 and split the glenfiddich

Peru day 6: return home

Woke up at 8am for quick brekke consisting of an omelet and toast. Did a quick finally walk around the town and then we were in our taxi to the airport to catch a noon flight. Made it to the airport by 1030. Checked out bags in and went through security. Got seats and we were off. Made it to Lima 10 hours before the first flight we could try to make. Only got 30minutes of free wifi. I ordered some Chinese dish and matt ate a bite of leftover chicken sandwich from the train the night before.... which after smelling it was wretched. So then he bought a Peruvian burger. Then we walked around the airport and found a cherry berry with free wifi. Got a 3$ dessert and the wifi code and were set. We eventually moved outside the place but just outside the place and connected to the wifi all day.

Missed the United ewr flight by 3 seats. Then we're deciding beteeen delta (frequently payload optimized) and united coach coach to Iah. Listed on both as we had a shot at first to atl but got a row to ourselves on Iah so we called that good enough which good thing we did because the delta flight weight restricted and only 7 people got on wii 27 open seats. We were 10-11. Settled into our row of three and passed out. Oh yeah, matt got food poisoning from that bit of sandwich he ate. He puked his brains out before we got seats to Iah. And his dinner. Then had some anti nausea meds. Anyway. Landed in Iah, caught a forty five minute connection and were home by noon

Peru day 5: Machu Picchu!!!!!

Woke up at 7, consolidated our things and packed our hiking bag. Went down to brekke where we met a retired American flight attendant and her husband. Had a ham and cheese sandwich a banana and 2 fried eggs. Then a little after 8 we were off to find the bus. Hopped in the line which took about 10 minutes--luckily we already had tickets and up the mountain we went. About 30 minutes door to door with multitudes of switchbacks and narrow roads and no guardrails. Then we entered the park. Up and to the left as the girl from the Irish pub recommended. We followed circuit 1 to the guard house to get our money shot without a ton of tourists in the background. Bam. Done! Followed the walkway in the direction of the sungate and saw some alpaca/llama and then passed through the streets of the ancient town to find the waynapicchu hike entrance. 2 hours round trip... up the tall mountain in the background. In line at 954 and through the entrance at 1000. This hike was killer. One hour uphill the entire time. Narrow steps and many switchbacks. We had numerous catch our breath stops and shared a slimfast bar we snuck in. Must of te strap areas had a steal rope to hold onto. The views from atop were insane. Machu looked tiny. We took alotnof photos and then started the hike down. Through a narrow cave and aa steap staircase. Slow going down the hill side stepping most the steps down as my feet were more than double the width of the step. Met an Aussie couple on their honeymoon who speant 5 days hiking the inca trail prior to this. They also did ethe two hour hike up the route to the gates. Yuck. Anyway. Made it down in 45 minutes for a tidal of 2.03 speant on the mountain. At this point our legs were shaking and we were starving. Found our way to the bus line which was about 20 minutes and we were on our way down. It was everything I thought it would be aside from the tallest mountain hike.

Made it down in about 20 minutes and saught out a restaurant along the sacred river. Found one and split a cheese curd guac appetizer, I had a beef and pesto noodle dish and matt a chicken bow tie pasta dish and then we walked through the markets and back to our hotel to collect our things 330 and we weee on the move fo get to the train. Passed through the entrance and found our train no problem 2 hour train ride and then we hopped onto a bus for another two hours. The bus dropped us off by a market and by the restaurant we are at the first night with colon in Cusco. I ordered the alpaca and matt a pork chop. Good thing we got there when we did. A croup of 20people young showed up and took all the time. Dropped the postcard for kaylee off and hailed a cab. 15 soules later we were at our hoaral checking into the same room we had preiouaky. Hopefully flying to Lima and home tomorrow.

Peru day 3: travel to Machu Picchu

Woke up at 830; showered packed up and went down for brekke. Special omelet and bread with meat and cheese again. Then we went in search of an ATM. Passed by a market and picked up Bryson a birthday present and then found me an adult alpaca sweater. Matt picked up 2 3liters of water and waited for our taxi driver. 150soules for a ride to ollyantatambo, which is about a 2 hour drive no stops; but he was going to stop along the way. He arrived a few minutes past ten blocked traffic down the one lane road and we quickly loaded all our gear in the trunk and off we were. We stopped at a couple lookouts and then went to an alpaca producer where they demonstrated how they make yarn from alpaca hair. We saw the weaving process, one table runner can take up to 1.5months to create. They use natural things to dye the yarn as well. Then we were set lose to please buy something. Ended up buying matt a hat and me an alpaca throw blanket for 115soules (~35$). This spot also had a cuy (guinea pig house) which held a couple dozen guinea pigs (much cuter before they are baked in an oven)

Continued on our way stopping at a gorgeous overlook of orubamba before continuing onwards. We reached ollyantatambo around 1230; and our taxi driver brought us to the train station to get our train tickets and drop our luggage off so we could venture the town before catching our 430pm train to Machu pichu. Our driver dropped us off at the town square where we found a second floor balcony to enjoy a "happy hour 2x20s pisco sour" soaking in the ruins of the last town of the sacred valley. Then we walked the square and found a woodfired pizza shop overlooking the ruins of ollyantatambo. Finally we still had 45 minutes; we went atop a Panoramic view cafe and had a brownie with icecream and cappuccino for dessert. Finally time to board the train, picked up our luggage, found our carriage, ran into a klm fa who was worried about getting home because of the Air France strike and we were in our seats for the 1:40 minute ride to Machu Picchu town (aka Aguascalientes) we were served a biscotti snack and coffee and I was dozing in and out of sleep trying not to be car sick with the consistent sway back and forth along with the constant change in speed.

Anyway, before we knew it we were pulling into Machu Picchu town. Grabbed our bags and were on our 6 minute walk to our hotel through weaves of merchants selling the same: alpaca sweaters and blankets and table runners and alpaca statues and jewelry. Ended up buying a baby alpaca figure. But made it to our hotel. Nicest hotel I have ever paid to stay in. King size beds, rainshower head blackout shades, wowza it was nice. We then asked for advice from the front desk agent on how to get bus tickets. Buy them tonight! So we set off to buy bus tickets (2h hike up 1h hike down or 20min bus ride each way for 24$. Made it to the bus ticket booth only to be turned away because we didn't have our passports. Also, being 7pm we were worried about the restaurants closing. So we decided on a place that had Mexican and pasta and matt would stay and order the 4x1 pisco sours for 15s while I walked back the 6 minutes to the hotel and back with the passports. Get the passports and get back to the bus ticket station only to have forgotten the cc. Go up 50m to the restaurant to get the cc from matt and back to the ticket booth only to find out they only accept MasterCard. Good thing we had pulled out 250s in ollyantatambo. Paid the 155s and then went to the restaurant to join matt. He ordered me the chicken quesadillas and he ordered himself a pesto spaghetti dish with chicken. His dish was way better than mine. Finished it up walked the markers back to the hotel. Picked up waters and off to early bed for a big day. 7am wake up, brekke, bus around 8am to Machu Picchu waynapicchu hike at 10am train at 4pm to a bus in ollyantatambo. To Cusco by 8 pm to our hostel to check flights and determine a ride home Monday.

Peru day 3- Cusco!

Barely heard Colin leave at five am, then before we knew it it was 830; showered dressed and were down for brekke before they closed. Had a European bread meat and cheese and ordered an omelet special-- onion, mushroom and ham with cheese omelet. Yumm. Then we were off to find a open top bus tour. But before we left we asked about scheduling a taxi with tourist stops along to way to ollyantatambo. 150s and 10am pick up. 3s=1$. Perfect. Off to the town center for a bus tour. 25s and we were united with a group that just started. We did a little walking tour around town then hopped on a city cruiser bus as the open too bus is too big to maneuver the tight streets and 90 degree turns. We went past both churches and a water fountain before heading out of town to hop on our double decker open top bus. Drove past the sachychuea (or something like that ruins) out to an inca shawman house where we put coca leaves in a fire and he removed the evil spirits by hitting us with some green plants and then washed away te evil spirits with some aromatic waters. Got my pictures with a 5 year old inca girl and her baby alpaca (pagame!! She would say if you took a picture without paying her) then off to an alpaca shop, with non stop buy this buy that and then to the Jesus Cristo statue overlooking the town of Cusco and down back into town. It ended up being a three hour tour. Then we set off to find some woodfired pizza; at another ma and pa shop and then to the cocoa museum for for some dessert. We learned about the different regions where cocoa beans grow and the process of getting the cocoa beans out of the pods and roasting them and then separating the cocoa butter from the cocoa powder and then finally tasters the different types of chocolate. We detoured into the cocoa mieseun because it looked like rain. No rain. After the free tour we went back to our room for a siesta. Woke up around 530 and daughter out seledonias mesa; the restaurant recommended by joey. Cuy and soup and a pisco sour and a beer. The soup was a chicken noodle with vegetables and was quite delicious. The cuy-- bakes guinea pig came out head, teeth, ears feet fully intact. Trying to eat it but the skin was practically impenetrable. We were able to get to some of the meat; which was salty and pork tasting. Unable to handle the rodent stares matt attempted to decapitate the thing. No luck. Luckily the soup was filling. After some hearty laughs and a 6$ tip we were done with the food and ready to walk toward old town. Heard some love music and walked up three flights of a cafe and found it. Two rounds of pisco spurs and a lot of Elvis covers and we were ready to retreat back to our hotel after picking up some water. Next morning, wake up pack, brekke and hop in the taxi to ollyantatambo.

Peru day 2: travel to Cusco

Woke up at six, showered, and were ready for our 630am taxi leaving behind my shower toiletries. Made it to the airport through the mess of no rules to follow traffic in ten minutes. Colin matt and I checked in for the 810am flight to Cusco which happens to be delayed until 840; thanks google. Checked our bags and were off to find brekke. McDonald's mcjuevo and coffee for us (7$) and Colin got a traditional Peruvian brekke consisting of a meat sandwich and potatoe fries. Before Lon. We were walking through domestic security and waiting for our seats to be cleared. 20 open and we all got seats on avianca but none together. Oh well. Quickly matt and I booked a hotel in the historic old town of Cusco for 53$/night which actually had three beds in it. Landed in Cusco after a short hour flight and said our goodbyes to Colin after solidifying a taxi. He was going to his treking company, afraid he was a day late for his 5 day trek and no clear explanation and we were off to our hostel. Dropped off Colin and we were on our way to the hotel when he messaged saying he missed his trek and is now on a four day trek the next day. Since we had 3 beds in our room we invited him to crash one night if he wanted. He worked his way to us while I sipped on some coca tea. Dehydration headache from the previous day was intensifying. Colin dropped his bags off and then we went to search out the paddys irish pub. Pisco sours for Colin and I and matt ordered a dark lager. The boys also had a grilled meat and cheese sandwich and I had a quesadilla. Colin met some guys from Australia and chatted about their trek stories. Then to the cathedral square steps. The altitude was causing my headache to pound so matt and I retreated for a siesta while Colin was off to do whatever. We woke up around 530 and headed back into town and tried to ignore the non stop pestering to buy this buy that. We ended up at a beer hall before heading back to the hostel to meet Colin for dinner.

Met Colin for dinner who explained he met a pretty girl on the steps who talked him into an open too bus tour and he bought a few alpaca sweaters and some energy drink. He also had a meeting with his treking company and is now squared away. As we were getting ready to go to dinner at te place joey recommended matt realized he didn't grab his credit card from the beer hall. We had the front desk call down and sure enough they still had it. So now we had to walk always to go get the credit card. We ended up getting sucked into a restaurant that was nearby the beer hall, 2/20s cocktails. I had a flor de caña & Coke and the boys had johnny walker & Coke. We ordered 2 alpaca dishes and a traditional Peruvian appetizer consisting of chicken skewers, chicheronnes, and potatoes. We got chatting with the server who's mother spoke no English and chatted the night away it was quite funny hearing Colin's stupid stories and then the translation reaction. 178s later we were on our way home. Stopped by the market and picked up a couple waters and were off to bed. Colin with a 5 am wake up; matt and I just need to be up before 9 for free brekke.

Peru Day 1-- Travel to Lima

Woke up at seven, checked flights and decided to catch the 9 am to ewr as ewr had more comfort plus seats available and a shot at first class. Packed up our things and walked to the train station. For listed for our flight to ewr and then into our flight to Lima. We noticed an Oo (skywest) employee with a 2014 hire date from ewr to lim : spe, c. Hmmm could it be? Then we looked at the map to ewr list. Same spe,c Oo employee listed. It must be Colin Spencer--Matt's old student he flight instructed with and I went to elementary middle and high school with. Matt texted him quick to which he realized he listed himself on the wrong flight, he meant to list to Iah. But matt talked him into catching the delta flight to ewr and riding down with us. Matt and I got seats to ewr and we were off. Landed in ewr with about 1.5 hours to take off. Picked up some pholly cheesesteaks filled up 1 of the 2 water bottles and patiently waited for our seat assignments. Got 2 seats together in the exit row. Quickly booked a hotel nearby the Lima hotel, and Colin who ended up sitting just across the aisle from us bought a room in the same hotel. Then 7 hours of horrible united service ensued. Would pass through for dinner service and barely ask you what you wanted and the drinks if you didn't answer quick enough you weren't getting anything. But; matt and I watched like 3 movies --pitch perfect 3, wonder, and some WWII movie.

Before long we were landing in Peru. Customs was a joke per usually. Collected our bags and off to find a taxi. 40s would bring us right to our hotel. Done. For checked in. Decent enough hotel and The desk worker ordered is a van for fhe
Morning. We went on a wild food chase. Orders street enchiladas and tacos and retreated to our rooms. 630am cab to try the 8am to Cuzco