We flew non-stop to Cusco in the morning and were met at the plane by our guide and driver, Edwin and Edison. We checked into the Monasterio Hotel which was a monastery at one time. The guide did all the work of checking in and delivering the bags. I could get used to this personal service that has been available at every point in the trip. The guides and drivers have been taking good care of us. When we were driving to the hotel, the guide and driver discussed...

Brady and Jose picked us up early to head for the Paracas peninsula which was about an hour north of Ica. When we got there we were able to take a boat out to see the Ballestas Islands. The boat did not stop at any of the islands, since they do not allow humans to land there usually. The islands are inhabited by lots of wildlife. We saw pelicans, sea lions, Humboldt penguins, boobies (the gray-footed ones), starfish, sand dollars, sea urchins, and lots more, espe...

We were picked up by our guide and driver for the day, Brady and Jose, for the four-hour drive south to Ica. The main activity for the day was the flight over the Nasca Lines, but on the way we stopped at El Catador bodega in the town of Pisco to learn about how pisco, the beverage, is made. The family there has been making pisco in the same way for over 100 years still using equipment and methods from long ago. We tried their Vino Perfecto Amor, the wine of perf...

We arrived in Lima to start the adventure after a long day of traveling. Finally made it to the hotel around 11:30 p.m. Clearing customs and immigration was easy, but they do issue you an immigration card that you have to keep with you and return to them when leaving the country. The greeter and driver were at the airport as expected and took us straight to the hotel. Our wonderful, long-time travel agent, Paula Kay, arranged for the personal service for us. Th...