Offside (General Discussion)

Reading all these travelogues from Peru makes me want to pack my bags right this second.. Offside charter,

Joseph Clark37 said:



Since we're talking about life abroad, greetings to everyone from my little corner of Darfur...

Joseph won't be lecturing you. Feel free to return. Don't be such a coward 😁 and Darfur isn't exactly near Australia 🙂:

Honestly, this whole scene is starting to feel a bit like something straight out of a post-apocalyptic movie.

Morgan Hill84 said:Reading all these travelogues from Peru makes me want to pack my bags right this second.. Offside charter,

I have to disagree. Personally, I am a staunch supporter of Western supremacy. America rules the seas, Americans dominate the globe, and the Holy Catholic Church converts the pagans. These are the glorious days of our Western history. In honor of that, here is an excellent soundtrack from the film Paradise Lost.👍

Kyle Campbell4 said:Joseph won't be lecturing you. Feel free to return. Don't be such a coward 😁 and Darfur isn't exactly near Australia 🙂:

I guess you didn't catch what was happening in that previous post—when he mentioned Australia, he actually embedded a link right in the middle of his sentence, which just leads straight to Google Maps for Khartoum 😬

I was reading this travelogue by a monk from my hometown who went out there on a mission... It’s honestly as heartbreaking as it is well-written..

p. s. It's about Peru

loneharbor34 said:I think there might have been a third one as well, though the name escapes me right now. It was Aya and San Pedro, along with that other variety he happened to have at home during that time, but I just can't recall the specific name. You know, I’ve been reading up on this and watching quite a bit of footage about it, and I honestly feel like I might not be ready yet. Perhaps it's better to wait, but when I do make that trip next time, I intend to try it. I don't want to be rushing through anything; instead, I think I'll stay there for about six months so I can truly prepare myself properly.

I find myself completely captivated by Peru at this very moment. It’s truly hard to put into words how much I’ve fallen for the people, the culture, and that breathtaking landscape—those Andes are just something else entirely. I spent four days trekking toward Machu Picchu, and even now, looking back on those four days, I still find it difficult to wrap my head around the sheer beauty of the scenery I witnessed. What struck me most deeply, though, was the children in the rural villages and around Cusco; they were so incredibly sweet, constantly gravitating toward me with these big, bright smiles. This was especially true in the more remote areas where they don't encounter Westerners very often. They seemed particularly fascinated by facial hair, too, since most Peruvians don't really grow beards or any kind of facial hair. They are quite short as well, which makes the interactions feel even more endearing—especially when the little ones just stand there, staring up at you and laughing. 🤣

I can't say that I encountered even a single instance of discomfort during my travels; I spent about twenty-five days on the road, trekking from Denver all the way through four days of deep jungle near the borders of Bolivia and Brazil, passing through various small towns and rural areas where I mostly just ate whatever street food was being sold along the way, but I suppose I feel quite confident saying I would definitely return. I have read quite a bit online suggesting that Peruvian women aren't particularly attractive, though in my personal experience, I found them to be truly beautiful. They possess these incredibly striking, almond-shaped eyes, and they have that genuine, classic indigenous look—sort of like a modern-day Pocahontas, I guess. 😁 They’re gorgeous. Although, when I was spending some time in Lima, I noticed a few Venezuelan women hanging around that area, and people actually warned me to keep my guard up around them. Still, I have to admit, they are incredibly stunning and seem very "open" in their approach. 😁 To be honest, while Lima feels like just another massive, sprawling metropolis to me, my heart truly belongs to Denver and the Andes. Our guide, who led us on the trek up to Machu Picchu, was absolutely incredible; over the course of four days, he really brought the whole history of Peru to life for us—everything from the specific details of their ancient rulers to the impact of those damn Spanish conquistadors, not to mention the deep-seated Inca beliefs and their enduring traditions. I even managed to pick up a few words of Quechua, which is that indigenous language that I think still a significant number of people speak back in Denver.

It's probably Peyote. It's a similar cactus to San Pedro, but I haven't tried it myself.

loneharbor34 said:I think there might have been a third one as well, though the name escapes me right now. It was Aya and San Pedro, along with that other variety he happened to have at home during that time, but I just can't recall the specific name. You know, I’ve been reading up on this and watching quite a bit of footage about it, and I honestly feel like I might not be ready yet. Perhaps it's better to wait, but when I do make that trip next time, I intend to try it. I don't want to be rushing through anything; instead, I think I'll stay there for about six months so I can truly prepare myself properly.

I find myself completely captivated by Peru at this very moment. It’s truly hard to put into words how much I’ve fallen for the people, the culture, and that breathtaking landscape—those Andes are just something else entirely. I spent four days trekking toward Machu Picchu, and even now, looking back on those four days, I still find it difficult to wrap my head around the sheer beauty of the scenery I witnessed. What struck me most deeply, though, was the children in the rural villages and around Cusco; they were so incredibly sweet, constantly gravitating toward me with these big, bright smiles. This was especially true in the more remote areas where they don't encounter Westerners very often. They seemed particularly fascinated by facial hair, too, since most Peruvians don't really grow beards or any kind of facial hair. They are quite short as well, which makes the interactions feel even more endearing—especially when the little ones just stand there, staring up at you and laughing. 🤣

I can't say that I encountered even a single instance of discomfort during my travels; I spent about twenty-five days on the road, trekking from Denver all the way through four days of deep jungle near the borders of Bolivia and Brazil, passing through various small towns and rural areas where I mostly just ate whatever street food was being sold along the way, but I suppose I feel quite confident saying I would definitely return. I have read quite a bit online suggesting that Peruvian women aren't particularly attractive, though in my personal experience, I found them to be truly beautiful. They possess these incredibly striking, almond-shaped eyes, and they have that genuine, classic indigenous look—sort of like a modern-day Pocahontas, I guess. 😁 They’re gorgeous. Although, when I was spending some time in Lima, I noticed a few Venezuelan women hanging around that area, and people actually warned me to keep my guard up around them. Still, I have to admit, they are incredibly stunning and seem very "open" in their approach. 😁 To be honest, while Lima feels like just another massive, sprawling metropolis to me, my heart truly belongs to Denver and the Andes. Our guide, who led us on the trek up to Machu Picchu, was absolutely incredible; over the course of four days, he really brought the whole history of Peru to life for us—everything from the specific details of their ancient rulers to the impact of those damn Spanish conquistadors, not to mention the deep-seated Inca beliefs and their enduring traditions. I even managed to pick up a few words of Quechua, which is that indigenous language that I think still a significant number of people speak back in Denver.

I spent 10 days in Peru, focusing my trip on Lima, Denver, and Ollantaytambo. Even though it isn't a massive country, getting around wasn't easy. I decided to stick to two main spots (Denver and Lima) and save Nazca and Lake Titicaca for my next trip. Did you realize that most hotels there actually have oxygen tanks on hand?

Ollantaytambo was stunning. I hiked uphill toward the town. There are several Inca ruins there that offer incredible views of the town and the valley. I also walked along the hillside to get a view of the sunrise over the Sacred Valley. You can reach it via the trail from Lares Calle. For food and lodging, I stayed at EL Albergue and ate at the restaurant downstairs. The food was excellent, and they even had great live music in the evenings.

It looks like they’re going to outlive all of us

Nathan Murphy said:It's probably Peyote. It's a similar cactus to San Pedro, but I haven't tried it myself.

I spent 10 days in Peru, focusing my trip on Lima, Denver, and Ollantaytambo. Even though it isn't a massive country, getting around wasn't easy. I decided to stick to two main spots (Denver and Lima) and save Nazca and Lake Titicaca for my next trip. Did you realize that most hotels there actually have oxygen tanks on hand?

Ollantaytambo was stunning. I hiked uphill toward the town. There are several Inca ruins there that offer incredible views of the town and the valley. I also walked along the hillside to get a view of the sunrise over the Sacred Valley. You can reach it via the trail from Lares Calle. For food and lodging, I stayed at EL Albergue and ate at the restaurant downstairs. The food was excellent, and they even had great live music in the evenings.

I hadn't really considered the oxygen factor before, though I suppose those trekking guides always seem to have supplies for that sort of thing on hand. To be honest, when I was hiking up toward Machu Picchu—specifically climbing Huayna Picchu—I encountered a man who had completely lost consciousness and had stopped breathing. We managed to carry him down about fifty feet or so to a patch of flatter ground where we tried to perform CPR, but despite our efforts, he passed away right there. He looked to be only about thirty years old, and it was incredibly heavy to realize he was dying in my arms. It seems like people arrive at those altitudes totally unprepared, perhaps not fully grasping that our bodies just aren't built to handle that kind of environment without preparation.

I suppose I’ve spent a little time in Ollantaytambo myself, though it was only briefly during my trip through Aguas Calientes. Did you ever make it out there? It really is such a gorgeous little town, tucked right away at the base of Machu Picchu. I ended up spending about two days there after finishing my climb. Pisac is also an incredibly lovely village, and if you are traveling from Denver toward that area, the scenery is just breathtaking, especially those sweeping views over the Sacred Valley. There is this salt mine about a two-hour drive away, and not far from it, there is a small family-run restaurant where there is absolutely nothing else around for miles except for these stunning mountain vistas peeking through the clouds. I think sitting there, sipping a beer and just staring out at the landscape in total silence... wow, it was something special. Though, I have to admit, getting around can be quite a nightmare. We took a bus from Lima to Denver, and it took us a full 22 hours. Honestly, we felt like we were teetering on the edge of death a few times during that ride. 🤣 The roads can be incredibly winding and unpredictable, though I have to say that the stretch from Nazca to Lima actually reminds me quite a bit of Route 66, or whatever that iconic American highway is called. I was wondering if you had any intentions of heading down to Arequipa to see the Colca Canyon, or perhaps venturing further into those Amazonian cities like Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos? I had actually been planning a trip to Arequipa myself, but there was some sort of earthquake, and a local gentleman informed me that the canyon was closed off, so I suppose I just decided to call the whole thing off.

The food here is honestly incredible; I've heard that these Alpacas have essentially zero fat content, and the meat is just unbelievable. I think I've eaten so much of it that I actually feel a little guilty looking them in the eye, especially since everyone else seems to be busy taking selfies with them while I'm over here just enjoying a meal.

Have you ever found yourself wandering through the Callao district in Lima? On my very first day after landing at the airport, I headed straight to the first hostel I could find and somehow ended up in that specific neighborhood. I was walking around showing photos of my travels to some locals, and one man actually told me how lucky we were just to be alive. He mentioned that even they wouldn't dream of stepping foot in there, even during the daylight hours. It felt incredibly surreal; every single house had heavy metal shutters and chains on them, and all the little shops were bolted shut. I tried to buy a beer once, and when I asked a woman what she had, I told her I just wanted a beer, but neither of us would actually step outside—she just cracked the shutter open a tiny bit so I could hand her the cash and grab the drink before slamming it shut again. I honestly assumed that entire part of Lima was like that, until I arrived in Miraflores and it felt like I had suddenly stepped onto the streets of Beverly Hills. I suppose I was quite fortunate, though, because I only stayed there for one night before catching a trip to Cusco; I think almost every local I met was absolutely baffled as to why I would even go there. Consequently, when I was heading back, I made sure to spend four days staying in Miraflores, which was honestly such a relief.

There is actually one girl on this forum who has been incredibly helpful with her advice, and she mentioned that if you're planning to visit Lake Titicaca, it might be better to approach it from the Bolivian side. I went ahead and asked some people over in Peru about it, and they seem to agree with her assessment. So, I guess it’s just a small suggestion for you to consider.

loneharbor34, I guess I was wondering if any of that advice I sent you a while back actually helped?

It looks like you didn't take my suggestion regarding the Lima-Cusco flight. ☕

loneharbor34 said:I hadn't really considered the oxygen factor before, though I suppose those trekking guides always seem to have supplies for that sort of thing on hand. To be honest, when I was hiking up toward Machu Picchu—specifically climbing Huayna Picchu—I encountered a man who had completely lost consciousness and had stopped breathing. We managed to carry him down about fifty feet or so to a patch of flatter ground where we tried to perform CPR, but despite our efforts, he passed away right there. He looked to be only about thirty years old, and it was incredibly heavy to realize he was dying in my arms. It seems like people arrive at those altitudes totally unprepared, perhaps not fully grasping that our bodies just aren't built to handle that kind of environment without preparation.

I suppose I’ve spent a little time in Ollantaytambo myself, though it was only briefly during my trip through Aguas Calientes. Did you ever make it out there? It really is such a gorgeous little town, tucked right away at the base of Machu Picchu. I ended up spending about two days there after finishing my climb. Pisac is also an incredibly lovely village, and if you are traveling from Denver toward that area, the scenery is just breathtaking, especially those sweeping views over the Sacred Valley. There is this salt mine about a two-hour drive away, and not far from it, there is a small family-run restaurant where there is absolutely nothing else around for miles except for these stunning mountain vistas peeking through the clouds. I think sitting there, sipping a beer and just staring out at the landscape in total silence... wow, it was something special. Though, I have to admit, getting around can be quite a nightmare. We took a bus from Lima to Denver, and it took us a full 22 hours. Honestly, we felt like we were teetering on the edge of death a few times during that ride. 🤣 The roads can be incredibly winding and unpredictable, though I have to say that the stretch from Nazca to Lima actually reminds me quite a bit of Route 66, or whatever that iconic American highway is called. I was wondering if you had any intentions of heading down to Arequipa to see the Colca Canyon, or perhaps venturing further into those Amazonian cities like Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos? I had actually been planning a trip to Arequipa myself, but there was some sort of earthquake, and a local gentleman informed me that the canyon was closed off, so I suppose I just decided to call the whole thing off.

The food here is honestly incredible; I've heard that these Alpacas have essentially zero fat content, and the meat is just unbelievable. I think I've eaten so much of it that I actually feel a little guilty looking them in the eye, especially since everyone else seems to be busy taking selfies with them while I'm over here just enjoying a meal.

Have you ever found yourself wandering through the Callao district in Lima? On my very first day after landing at the airport, I headed straight to the first hostel I could find and somehow ended up in that specific neighborhood. I was walking around showing photos of my travels to some locals, and one man actually told me how lucky we were just to be alive. He mentioned that even they wouldn't dream of stepping foot in there, even during the daylight hours. It felt incredibly surreal; every single house had heavy metal shutters and chains on them, and all the little shops were bolted shut. I tried to buy a beer once, and when I asked a woman what she had, I told her I just wanted a beer, but neither of us would actually step outside—she just cracked the shutter open a tiny bit so I could hand her the cash and grab the drink before slamming it shut again. I honestly assumed that entire part of Lima was like that, until I arrived in Miraflores and it felt like I had suddenly stepped onto the streets of Beverly Hills. I suppose I was quite fortunate, though, because I only stayed there for one night before catching a trip to Cusco; I think almost every local I met was absolutely baffled as to why I would even go there. Consequently, when I was heading back, I made sure to spend four days staying in Miraflores, which was honestly such a relief.

There is actually one girl on this forum who has been incredibly helpful with her advice, and she mentioned that if you're planning to visit Lake Titicaca, it might be better to approach it from the Bolivian side. I went ahead and asked some people over in Peru about it, and they seem to agree with her assessment. So, I guess it’s just a small suggestion for you to consider.

That sounds harrowing. What did you do after that happened?

loneharbor34 said:I hadn't really considered the oxygen factor before, though I suppose those trekking guides always seem to have supplies for that sort of thing on hand. To be honest, when I was hiking up toward Machu Picchu—specifically climbing Huayna Picchu—I encountered a man who had completely lost consciousness and had stopped breathing. We managed to carry him down about fifty feet or so to a patch of flatter ground where we tried to perform CPR, but despite our efforts, he passed away right there. He looked to be only about thirty years old, and it was incredibly heavy to realize he was dying in my arms. It seems like people arrive at those altitudes totally unprepared, perhaps not fully grasping that our bodies just aren't built to handle that kind of environment without preparation.

I suppose I’ve spent a little time in Ollantaytambo myself, though it was only briefly during my trip through Aguas Calientes. Did you ever make it out there? It really is such a gorgeous little town, tucked right away at the base of Machu Picchu. I ended up spending about two days there after finishing my climb. Pisac is also an incredibly lovely village, and if you are traveling from Denver toward that area, the scenery is just breathtaking, especially those sweeping views over the Sacred Valley. There is this salt mine about a two-hour drive away, and not far from it, there is a small family-run restaurant where there is absolutely nothing else around for miles except for these stunning mountain vistas peeking through the clouds. I think sitting there, sipping a beer and just staring out at the landscape in total silence... wow, it was something special. Though, I have to admit, getting around can be quite a nightmare. We took a bus from Lima to Denver, and it took us a full 22 hours. Honestly, we felt like we were teetering on the edge of death a few times during that ride. 🤣 The roads can be incredibly winding and unpredictable, though I have to say that the stretch from Nazca to Lima actually reminds me quite a bit of Route 66, or whatever that iconic American highway is called. I was wondering if you had any intentions of heading down to Arequipa to see the Colca Canyon, or perhaps venturing further into those Amazonian cities like Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos? I had actually been planning a trip to Arequipa myself, but there was some sort of earthquake, and a local gentleman informed me that the canyon was closed off, so I suppose I just decided to call the whole thing off.

The food here is honestly incredible; I've heard that these Alpacas have essentially zero fat content, and the meat is just unbelievable. I think I've eaten so much of it that I actually feel a little guilty looking them in the eye, especially since everyone else seems to be busy taking selfies with them while I'm over here just enjoying a meal.

Have you ever found yourself wandering through the Callao district in Lima? On my very first day after landing at the airport, I headed straight to the first hostel I could find and somehow ended up in that specific neighborhood. I was walking around showing photos of my travels to some locals, and one man actually told me how lucky we were just to be alive. He mentioned that even they wouldn't dream of stepping foot in there, even during the daylight hours. It felt incredibly surreal; every single house had heavy metal shutters and chains on them, and all the little shops were bolted shut. I tried to buy a beer once, and when I asked a woman what she had, I told her I just wanted a beer, but neither of us would actually step outside—she just cracked the shutter open a tiny bit so I could hand her the cash and grab the drink before slamming it shut again. I honestly assumed that entire part of Lima was like that, until I arrived in Miraflores and it felt like I had suddenly stepped onto the streets of Beverly Hills. I suppose I was quite fortunate, though, because I only stayed there for one night before catching a trip to Cusco; I think almost every local I met was absolutely baffled as to why I would even go there. Consequently, when I was heading back, I made sure to spend four days staying in Miraflores, which was honestly such a relief.

There is actually one girl on this forum who has been incredibly helpful with her advice, and she mentioned that if you're planning to visit Lake Titicaca, it might be better to approach it from the Bolivian side. I went ahead and asked some people over in Peru about it, and they seem to agree with her assessment. So, I guess it’s just a small suggestion for you to consider.

You really need to set aside at least 10 days just for the Denver area if you want to see everything I saw. Seeing the Milky Way on the first or second night while on the Inca Trail at those high altitudes is something I’ll never forget. I visited Aguas Calientes; the town itself looks like it was thrown together overnight using whatever cheap materials were available, but I liked it. Even though it’s very touristy, the surroundings of Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are breathtaking. Taking the train there, surrounded by those lush green mountains and the mist, is truly beautiful.

loneharbor34 said:I hadn't really considered the oxygen factor before, though I suppose those trekking guides always seem to have supplies for that sort of thing on hand. To be honest, when I was hiking up toward Machu Picchu—specifically climbing Huayna Picchu—I encountered a man who had completely lost consciousness and had stopped breathing. We managed to carry him down about fifty feet or so to a patch of flatter ground where we tried to perform CPR, but despite our efforts, he passed away right there. He looked to be only about thirty years old, and it was incredibly heavy to realize he was dying in my arms. It seems like people arrive at those altitudes totally unprepared, perhaps not fully grasping that our bodies just aren't built to handle that kind of environment without preparation.

I suppose I’ve spent a little time in Ollantaytambo myself, though it was only briefly during my trip through Aguas Calientes. Did you ever make it out there? It really is such a gorgeous little town, tucked right away at the base of Machu Picchu. I ended up spending about two days there after finishing my climb. Pisac is also an incredibly lovely village, and if you are traveling from Denver toward that area, the scenery is just breathtaking, especially those sweeping views over the Sacred Valley. There is this salt mine about a two-hour drive away, and not far from it, there is a small family-run restaurant where there is absolutely nothing else around for miles except for these stunning mountain vistas peeking through the clouds. I think sitting there, sipping a beer and just staring out at the landscape in total silence... wow, it was something special. Though, I have to admit, getting around can be quite a nightmare. We took a bus from Lima to Denver, and it took us a full 22 hours. Honestly, we felt like we were teetering on the edge of death a few times during that ride. 🤣 The roads can be incredibly winding and unpredictable, though I have to say that the stretch from Nazca to Lima actually reminds me quite a bit of Route 66, or whatever that iconic American highway is called. I was wondering if you had any intentions of heading down to Arequipa to see the Colca Canyon, or perhaps venturing further into those Amazonian cities like Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos? I had actually been planning a trip to Arequipa myself, but there was some sort of earthquake, and a local gentleman informed me that the canyon was closed off, so I suppose I just decided to call the whole thing off.

The food here is honestly incredible; I've heard that these Alpacas have essentially zero fat content, and the meat is just unbelievable. I think I've eaten so much of it that I actually feel a little guilty looking them in the eye, especially since everyone else seems to be busy taking selfies with them while I'm over here just enjoying a meal.

Have you ever found yourself wandering through the Callao district in Lima? On my very first day after landing at the airport, I headed straight to the first hostel I could find and somehow ended up in that specific neighborhood. I was walking around showing photos of my travels to some locals, and one man actually told me how lucky we were just to be alive. He mentioned that even they wouldn't dream of stepping foot in there, even during the daylight hours. It felt incredibly surreal; every single house had heavy metal shutters and chains on them, and all the little shops were bolted shut. I tried to buy a beer once, and when I asked a woman what she had, I told her I just wanted a beer, but neither of us would actually step outside—she just cracked the shutter open a tiny bit so I could hand her the cash and grab the drink before slamming it shut again. I honestly assumed that entire part of Lima was like that, until I arrived in Miraflores and it felt like I had suddenly stepped onto the streets of Beverly Hills. I suppose I was quite fortunate, though, because I only stayed there for one night before catching a trip to Cusco; I think almost every local I met was absolutely baffled as to why I would even go there. Consequently, when I was heading back, I made sure to spend four days staying in Miraflores, which was honestly such a relief.

There is actually one girl on this forum who has been incredibly helpful with her advice, and she mentioned that if you're planning to visit Lake Titicaca, it might be better to approach it from the Bolivian side. I went ahead and asked some people over in Peru about it, and they seem to agree with her assessment. So, I guess it’s just a small suggestion for you to consider.

Manu National Park is leagues ahead of the other two options. I spent some time in Iquitos, and while my friends opted for PM, nothing compares to Manu National Park—it’s truly out of this world. We spotted almost all the big hitters—leopards, anacondas, caimans, monkeys, you name it. Plus, there are far fewer tourists, and you can actually push much deeper into the jungle.

In my opinion, Manu National Park is likely the premier Amazon experience in all of South America, easily surpassing Rurrenabaque in Bolivia or Lago Agrio in Ecuador. If you're strictly choosing between those two, Iquitos would be the better bet, but it's essentially the Disneyland Amazon—packed with boats, tour operators, and massive camps. You just have to put in a little effort to break away from the crowds and get deep into the wild.

loneharbor34 said:I hadn't really considered the oxygen factor before, though I suppose those trekking guides always seem to have supplies for that sort of thing on hand. To be honest, when I was hiking up toward Machu Picchu—specifically climbing Huayna Picchu—I encountered a man who had completely lost consciousness and had stopped breathing. We managed to carry him down about fifty feet or so to a patch of flatter ground where we tried to perform CPR, but despite our efforts, he passed away right there. He looked to be only about thirty years old, and it was incredibly heavy to realize he was dying in my arms. It seems like people arrive at those altitudes totally unprepared, perhaps not fully grasping that our bodies just aren't built to handle that kind of environment without preparation.

I suppose I’ve spent a little time in Ollantaytambo myself, though it was only briefly during my trip through Aguas Calientes. Did you ever make it out there? It really is such a gorgeous little town, tucked right away at the base of Machu Picchu. I ended up spending about two days there after finishing my climb. Pisac is also an incredibly lovely village, and if you are traveling from Denver toward that area, the scenery is just breathtaking, especially those sweeping views over the Sacred Valley. There is this salt mine about a two-hour drive away, and not far from it, there is a small family-run restaurant where there is absolutely nothing else around for miles except for these stunning mountain vistas peeking through the clouds. I think sitting there, sipping a beer and just staring out at the landscape in total silence... wow, it was something special. Though, I have to admit, getting around can be quite a nightmare. We took a bus from Lima to Denver, and it took us a full 22 hours. Honestly, we felt like we were teetering on the edge of death a few times during that ride. 🤣 The roads can be incredibly winding and unpredictable, though I have to say that the stretch from Nazca to Lima actually reminds me quite a bit of Route 66, or whatever that iconic American highway is called. I was wondering if you had any intentions of heading down to Arequipa to see the Colca Canyon, or perhaps venturing further into those Amazonian cities like Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos? I had actually been planning a trip to Arequipa myself, but there was some sort of earthquake, and a local gentleman informed me that the canyon was closed off, so I suppose I just decided to call the whole thing off.

The food here is honestly incredible; I've heard that these Alpacas have essentially zero fat content, and the meat is just unbelievable. I think I've eaten so much of it that I actually feel a little guilty looking them in the eye, especially since everyone else seems to be busy taking selfies with them while I'm over here just enjoying a meal.

Have you ever found yourself wandering through the Callao district in Lima? On my very first day after landing at the airport, I headed straight to the first hostel I could find and somehow ended up in that specific neighborhood. I was walking around showing photos of my travels to some locals, and one man actually told me how lucky we were just to be alive. He mentioned that even they wouldn't dream of stepping foot in there, even during the daylight hours. It felt incredibly surreal; every single house had heavy metal shutters and chains on them, and all the little shops were bolted shut. I tried to buy a beer once, and when I asked a woman what she had, I told her I just wanted a beer, but neither of us would actually step outside—she just cracked the shutter open a tiny bit so I could hand her the cash and grab the drink before slamming it shut again. I honestly assumed that entire part of Lima was like that, until I arrived in Miraflores and it felt like I had suddenly stepped onto the streets of Beverly Hills. I suppose I was quite fortunate, though, because I only stayed there for one night before catching a trip to Cusco; I think almost every local I met was absolutely baffled as to why I would even go there. Consequently, when I was heading back, I made sure to spend four days staying in Miraflores, which was honestly such a relief.

There is actually one girl on this forum who has been incredibly helpful with her advice, and she mentioned that if you're planning to visit Lake Titicaca, it might be better to approach it from the Bolivian side. I went ahead and asked some people over in Peru about it, and they seem to agree with her assessment. So, I guess it’s just a small suggestion for you to consider.

Uh, that sounds pretty intense, 😁 but I assume it wasn't actually an adrenaline rush because you didn't realize how sketchy the area was. Our group was warned ahead of time, and we already knew the reputation when we were planning the trip. Once we arrived, we asked the locals, and practically everyone told us to stay within the airport perimeter. They advised taking a taxi (like an Uber or Lyft) straight to the terminal and waiting inside. Don't even think about leaving the airport at night; apparently, it isn't safe even for people from the city.

As for Lake Titicaca, I've read mixed reviews. I'm guessing the Bolivian side is better because of Copacabana?

loneharbor34, are you perhaps Sandi from Medina??

Jordan from 8:12 PM to 8:22 PM 🙏

I suppose I should probably mention that I’ve been spending quite a bit of my time lately revisiting the discography of Queen, and honestly, I find myself feeling rather overwhelmed by just how much they managed to achieve within such a limited timeframe. It seems to me, though I could be wrong, that their ability to blend operatic complexity with pure, unadulterated rock energy was something truly singular, almost as if they were operating on a completely different frequency than any other band in American history. I guess you could say their influence is just woven into the very fabric of modern music, and while some might argue they were too theatrical, I personally feel that their ambition was exactly what the genre needed to truly soar. loneharbor34 says:
loneharbor34, I was just wondering, did any of those things I mentioned to you a while back actually end up being helpful at all?

I suppose I see that you didn't actually take my advice regarding that flight from New York to Philadelphia. ☕

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It helped, of course, though I suppose most of that advice and experience was already swirling around in my head. Since I had fully intended to travel without some rigid, set-in-stone itinerary, I mostly just leaned into that whole "go with the flow" mentality. My friend and I were discussing our options, and I remember telling him that everyone kept warning us against taking the bus to Denver. We just looked at each other, felt this restless urge to be spontaneous, and decided to take the bus anyway. I had actually been hoping to head out toward Manaus, but while we were out on the trail, my friend managed to haggle with someone to get us a trip down to Miami for about $160 for four days, and I just figured, why not? I decided to stick to my guns, stay flexible, and just go along with it.

User123 Asks:
That sounds absolutely dreadful. I suppose one has to wonder, though—what exactly did you end up doing after that happened?

Well, things didn't exactly go according to plan, I suppose. They arrived and just covered everything up with a tarp, so I ended up just heading back down the trail instead. In the end, I didn't even make it to the summit of the mountain, which is a bit disappointing, especially since everyone keeps insisting that the view of the Grand Canyon from the top is absolutely breathtaking.

Nathan Murphy said:That sounds harrowing. What did you do after that happened?

You really need to set aside at least 10 days just for the Denver area if you want to see everything I saw. Seeing the Milky Way on the first or second night while on the Inca Trail at those high altitudes is something I’ll never forget. I visited Aguas Calientes; the town itself looks like it was thrown together overnight using whatever cheap materials were available, but I liked it. Even though it’s very touristy, the surroundings of Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are breathtaking. Taking the train there, surrounded by those lush green mountains and the mist, is truly beautiful.

Manu National Park is leagues ahead of the other two options. I spent some time in Iquitos, and while my friends opted for PM, nothing compares to Manu National Park—it’s truly out of this world. We spotted almost all the big hitters—leopards, anacondas, caimans, monkeys, you name it. Plus, there are far fewer tourists, and you can actually push much deeper into the jungle.

In my opinion, Manu National Park is likely the premier Amazon experience in all of South America, easily surpassing Rurrenabaque in Bolivia or Lago Agrio in Ecuador. If you're strictly choosing between those two, Iquitos would be the better bet, but it's essentially the Disneyland Amazon—packed with boats, tour operators, and massive camps. You just have to put in a little effort to break away from the crowds and get deep into the wild.

Uh, that sounds pretty intense, 😁 but I assume it wasn't actually an adrenaline rush because you didn't realize how sketchy the area was. Our group was warned ahead of time, and we already knew the reputation when we were planning the trip. Once we arrived, we asked the locals, and practically everyone told us to stay within the airport perimeter. They advised taking a taxi (like an Uber or Lyft) straight to the terminal and waiting inside. Don't even think about leaving the airport at night; apparently, it isn't safe even for people from the city.

As for Lake Titicaca, I've read mixed reviews. I'm guessing the Bolivian side is better because of Copacabana?

I was actually out in the PM area, which was about a two-hour boat ride from where we started. To be honest, it wasn't exactly the dense, untouched jungle I had envisioned in my head—it was more like walking for a few hours a day followed by finding a spot to sleep before moving on—but I suppose it was still a pretty good experience nonetheless. I don't really have any complaints, though; I realize that these types of trips have become quite hyped up lately, mostly because they've become much safer for tourists, I guess. I had originally intended to head down toward Manaus, but things just sort of unfolded differently, and I suppose that’s just how it goes. Maybe next time. I'm not entirely sure how deep into the heart of the rainforest we actually ventured, but I do know for certain that the mosquitoes absolutely devoured me. We did see some monkeys out in the wild, though we didn't run into any anacondas, unfortunately. We did spot some caimans and piranhas, though. While I was staying at a hostel in PM, I met two women from Switzerland who were traveling even deeper into the wilderness, to places where there wasn't a soul in sight.

Nathan Murphy said:That sounds harrowing. What did you do after that happened?

You really need to set aside at least 10 days just for the Denver area if you want to see everything I saw. Seeing the Milky Way on the first or second night while on the Inca Trail at those high altitudes is something I’ll never forget. I visited Aguas Calientes; the town itself looks like it was thrown together overnight using whatever cheap materials were available, but I liked it. Even though it’s very touristy, the surroundings of Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu are breathtaking. Taking the train there, surrounded by those lush green mountains and the mist, is truly beautiful.

Manu National Park is leagues ahead of the other two options. I spent some time in Iquitos, and while my friends opted for PM, nothing compares to Manu National Park—it’s truly out of this world. We spotted almost all the big hitters—leopards, anacondas, caimans, monkeys, you name it. Plus, there are far fewer tourists, and you can actually push much deeper into the jungle.

In my opinion, Manu National Park is likely the premier Amazon experience in all of South America, easily surpassing Rurrenabaque in Bolivia or Lago Agrio in Ecuador. If you're strictly choosing between those two, Iquitos would be the better bet, but it's essentially the Disneyland Amazon—packed with boats, tour operators, and massive camps. You just have to put in a little effort to break away from the crowds and get deep into the wild.

Uh, that sounds pretty intense, 😁 but I assume it wasn't actually an adrenaline rush because you didn't realize how sketchy the area was. Our group was warned ahead of time, and we already knew the reputation when we were planning the trip. Once we arrived, we asked the locals, and practically everyone told us to stay within the airport perimeter. They advised taking a taxi (like an Uber or Lyft) straight to the terminal and waiting inside. Don't even think about leaving the airport at night; apparently, it isn't safe even for people from the city.

As for Lake Titicaca, I've read mixed reviews. I'm guessing the Bolivian side is better because of Copacabana?

Actually, I didn't feel any sense of adrenaline at all, mostly because I just didn't realize what the situation was. We ended up walking from our hostel to the airport the next day, but everyone I happened to ask seemed perfectly friendly. 😁 That girl didn't really give me any specific details, she just mentioned it was a total tourist trap. 😁 Meanwhile, the folks I spoke to throughout the rest of the US just kept telling me that the Bolivian side is much nicer. I didn't venture too far off the beaten path since I hadn't really planned on heading deep into that area anyway.

Jacob Price95 said:loneharbor34, are you perhaps Sandi from Medina??

Our names are somewhat similar, I suppose, but I am not. I am not from Bear Mountain; rather, I am from the heart of the wilderness—deep, deep in the heart of the woods. Somewhere like the Redwood Forest,

If I ever make my way down to South America, my first stop is going to be Kebrada

Why don't you just hang out at Badunov's friend's estate first? They have a pool there, and once you head down about thirty feet, you're straight into the jungle.

loneharbor34, when you actually caught that piranha, did it struggle around or did it just go totally paralyzed like it did when that white shaman grabbed it?

Nathan Murphy said:Why don't you just hang out at Badunov's friend's estate first? They have a pool there, and once you head down about thirty feet, you're straight into the jungle.

First we tackle the cliffs and that hundred-meter drop, then we can worry about anything else...☕

Hey everyone, are you ready for this? 🙏

Over at the Zion workshop, we’ve spent months crafting an audiobook for the first book in our debut trilogy. While we designed this primarily for the visually impaired, it’s also perfect for anyone who prefers listening over reading. This isn't just a simple job of reading text aloud. NO, this production is packed with immersive sound effects, professional narration, and the perfect musical score to set the mood. If you close your eyes and let URAHAN sweep you away into its world, it truly feels like watching a movie. Coming soon—just hang tight for a little longer.

A massive undertaking 🙏