Day 11 January 14 - Salaverry, Peru (port for Trujillo)

Salaverry, Peru photos
We had the best intentions of sleeping in a little this morning. But, the ship's fog horn started blowing every few minutes around 4am and continued right on until past dawn. Debbie got up and looked outside and on the TV bridge cam. It was indeed very foggy. Past dawn you could see the windshield wipers working on the bridge cam, but nothing else. We arrived right around 8am and docked on the starboard side ride next to HAL's Prinsendam.
A few more random comments about Mariner. In April 2006 when RSSC switched from Radisson to Regent and dropped the lyre logo, everyone bemoaned the loss. Well, the lyre is still very much present today on Mariner. It is on every faucet handle, on the carpets, on every cabin door, on the sugar packets, on the officers' lapel pins, etc.
Anyway, about today. The description posted in yesterday's blog pretty much spells out our day. There was a lot of confusion about when we would arrive exactly and when buses would be available for the ship's tours. It was changed, then changed back and it wound up being somewhere in between times, we think.
There were the usual problems of spending an hour out of a 7 hour day loading and unloading buses. We wound up with only about 15 minutes at the final site which was surely the most amazing of them all. There was absolutely no shopping at all. At the first stop, they had a gift shop and the guide told us do not shop here, we will shop at Huaca de la Luna. No idea what she was thinking since it was very remote and had no gift shop that we saw, but then again we only pulled up and got out for 15 minutes and did not even get to tour the site, much less have extra time. So, it was a mixed bag of a day here. We were very impressed though with the pre-Inca sites here. The sheer size and scale of the adobe buildings was just mind-boggling. We were all late returning to the ship. We were supposed to sail at 3pm and we didn't get back on board until after We started sailing pretty immediately there after and started blowing the fog horn again not long after that. Not sure what is up with the fog, but it may be another long night! We are starting to get worn out and all agreed that we are too old for this few sea days!
So, we are packed up and ready or not, in the morning we are off the ship and without computer until the evening of the 17th at the earliest. Don't expect us to post here again before the 18th though, probably. Fingers crossed for a good day atMachu Picchu. Right now the forecast is for rain. We hope we don't spend all this money and time to see the inside of a cloud and to freeze our patooties off in Cuzco. Went to the briefing earlier and learned that the ship's nurse is accompanying us because of the likelihood of people having problems with altitude sickness. Not a happy thought! Also, sat through Terry Breen's 45-minute storytelling of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Machu Picchu". SPOILER: if you don't want to know stop reading now! One, it involves large quantities of alcohol and cuy (Peruvian guinea pigs that a local food source). Two, those aren't olives!
Well, we'll leave you with our tour description for the next few days and sign off until Friday.
Machu Picchu on the Hiram Bingham
Duration: 2 Nights.
Hiking.
Code: CLA-6323
This tour is only available to INTRANSIT guests and guests embarking in Lima on January 16th, 2008 but have arrived in the city prior to this date or are on an RSSC pre-cruise hotel program. Guests will rejoin the ship in Pisco.
This optional tour has to be pre-purchased and is not included in the regular tour program. If you have not already pre-booked this optional shore excursion you may contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises' Reservations at 1 (800) 285-1835 to verify the current status of this program. Limited space may be available and should be booked via reservations. You may also check with the Travel Concierge Manager upon embarkation to verify if this tour is still available. RSSC reserves the right to withdraw this program if minimum participation requirements are not met.
A 100% cancellation penalty applies to overland programs cancelled within 60 days of departure.
Discover the beauty and history of the Inca Empire during this picturesque and informative adventure in the Peruvian Andes. Upon arriving in Cusco, you will explore the remarkable ruins of the Inca Empire, along with wonderful Medieval architecture and churches in San Blas. You will then proceed to the Plaza San Cristobal for dinner overlooking Cusco, followed by an overnight stay at the Hotel Libertador.
After breakfast the next morning, you will board the deluxe Orient Express train Hiram Bingham and travel past spectacular Andean scenery en route to the ancient city of Machu Picchu. After touring the stunning Lost Citadel of the Incas and other archeological sites, you will rejoin the Hiram Bingham. During the return ride back to Cusco, you will be treated to a 4-course dinner accompanied by live entertainment and a fireworks display.
On the final morning of your journey, you will fly to Lima for an orientation tour of the City of the Kings. At historic Plaza Mayor, you will see the Government Palace, City Hall, Cathedral and Archbishop's Palace before continuing on to Casa Aliaga, the most well-preserved Colonial mansion in the Americas. From here, you will pass through the picturesque seaside districts of Miraflores and San Isidro before your morning tour concludes at a centuries-old pyramid complex. After lunch, you will continue on across the Pan-American Highway to Pisco.
Day 1 - Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Upon disembarking the ship in Callao, you will be met at the pier, and transferred to the airport for your flight to Cusco. Upon arrival, you will then be transferred to the Hotel Libertador for check-in.
After lunch served at the hotel, you will depart for the drive to visit the culture center of Sacsayhuaman, one of the remarkable ruins of the Inca Empire. Next, you will continue on to San Blas for a visit its beautiful Colonial church. The church is dedicated to the Virgin of the Blessed Event, and home to both an impressive pulpit and filigree woodcarving bearing the fruits of the region. Some time will then be made available to stroll through the many handicraft and native art galleries in the little square. From here, you will proceed through the older quarters of the city, which date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Along the way, you will pass the Santo Domingo Convent Monastery, formerly the Koricancha Temple, the most important Inca temple dedicated to worshipping the sun. According to the chronicles, it was covered in gold leaf and filled with golden representations of nature. Your tour will conclude with a visit to the Church of Victory, or Suntur Wasi, a cathedral built in 1539. Tonight, you will proceed for a gourmet dinner served at the Plaza San Cristobal overlooking the city of Cusco. A children's choir will welcome your arrival, and a fireworks display will cap off the evenings festivities before you are transferred back to the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Libertador - Cusco.
Day 2 - Wednesday, January 16, 2008 After breakfast served at the hotel, you will be transferred to Poroy's Station and board the Hiram Bingham, the deluxe Orient Express train named after the man who discovered Machu Picchu in 1911. During the 3.5-hour journey,brunch will be served while you enjoy the spectacular Andean scenery. Upon arrival at The Lost Citadel of the Incas, you will proceed for a guided tour of the citadel, and stroll through the archeological site before stopping for afternoon tea at the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge Hotel. At sunset, you will return to the train for the return ride to Cusco. Back on board the Hiram Bingham, you will cap off your memorable day in Macchu Picchu with a cocktail accompanied by live entertainment, then a 4-course gourmet dinner served in the dining car. Upon arrival back in Cusco, you will be transferred from Poroy's Station back to the hotel. Overnight at the Hotel Libertador - Cusco.
Day 3 - Thursday, January 17, 2008 After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred to the airport for your flight to Lima. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred via air-conditioned coach for an orientation tour of the City of the Kings. Your first stop is the historic Plaza Mayor, where you will see the Government Palace, City Hall, Cathedral and Archbishop's Palace. Next, you will continue on for a visit to Casa Aliaga, the most well-preserved Colonial mansion in the Americas, and occupied by the same family since 1535. From here, you will proceed to the San Francisco Monastery, a wonderful example of Colonial architecture. You will then drive through the residential districts of Miraflores and San Isidro, where you will enjoy magnificent views and photo opportunities of the Pacific Ocean and its beaches. Your morning tour concludes with a visit to a pyramid complex housed in an oracle between the 5th and 7th centuries. After lunch, you will continue on for the 3.5-hour drive across the Pan-American Highway to Pisco.
Please note: Cusco is situated at an altitude in excess of 11,000 feet, and Machu Picchu at an altitude exceeding 10,000 feet. Guests prone to altitude sickness may want to check with their physician before booking this program. Please pack one small carry-on bag for the program. Clothing should be casual and layered. Sturdy walking shoes and sunscreen are essential. Guests participating in this program will have no sightseeing opportunities in Pisco. Due to heightened security, large luggage will not be accepted on the train, and all guests must show their passport before embarking the train.
Program includes: * Scheduled coach air Lima - Cuzco - Lima * 2 night's accommodation at the Hotel Libertador * Reserved seat on the Orient Express Hiram Bingham Deluxe train * 2 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 2 dinners (some meals are buffet style). Lunches and dinners include soft drinks, local wine and beer * Transfers and sightseeing as per program * Mineral water on all coaches and hotel rooms * Air-conditioned coaches
Salaverry, Peru photos