Getting To Peru

[curtiejoe]

omegaet wrote:

It is interesting toobserve the increased tourism budget being allocated by the country of Peruhttp://www.peru.info/perueng.aspspecifically targeted to encourage English speaking visitors to their country. Who ever or what ever entity is setting this strategy has determined the continuing unfavorable currency relationship between the dollar and the Euro represents a huge opportunity to capitalize on the availability of increased visitors. Too bad LL isn't currently offering the Orient Express Peru packages, but the Inkaterra packages still look pretty good.

Hi omegaet



From visiting the excellent weblink you provided in your post on Peru, it's clear that the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Commerce and Tourism is the official federal entity responsible for the strategy targeting English and Americantravellersand thereby promoting increased tourism, business and industry in Peru. A contributing factor may also be that Allan Garcia, the fairly newly re-elected President of Peru, obviously sees tourism as a vital key to the revitalization of that country's economy. Last time he was in charge back in the late 1980-90s, his main preoccupation was dealing with The Shining Path, a Maoist rebel army that was terrorizing much of Peru (and hence not a really good time for tourists to visit the country).

I also checked out Spirit Airlines website and saw that they do have some terrific prices on flight between Lima and several U.S. centres, like Detroit. These flights cost about half of what I paid just atwo years ago when I flew from Miama to Lima and back on one of the major U.S. airlines serving South American destinations. Next time I visit my sister and her family in Lima, I;ll definitely see what Spirit has to offer. Thanx for the information.



Curt

Curt.

[curtiejoe]

lhbrown wrote:
Hi Bonniejoy-03,

Peru just got hit by a massive earthquake. How will that affect the Inkaterra trips? Also, what about Hurrican Dean that came through Jamaica - will that affect your September trip to Virgin Gorda.... We had been to Virgin Gorda at one point shortly after a hurrican had gone through and the grass on the Little Dix lawn an all the nearby trees were just brown from the salt spray...

Hi travelfan & mountie



My sister, who lives in Lima, Peru, and my nephew who lives in Ica, several hundred miles south of Lima and near Pisco, which was closest to the epicentre of the recent earthquakes that hit that country, both tell me that most of the deaths and destruction is centred in and around Pisco. Though Lima was somewhat affected, it suffered mainly minor damage. Ica was harder hit with about 500 deaths andhundreds of mud-brick buildings being destroyed while more substantial re-inforced concrete houses and buildings escaped major damage.

Neither my sister or nephew had heard any reports on Peruvian TV or local radio and newspapers about any damage at Machu Picchu or the nearby town of Aquas Caliente nor in the regional capital of Cusco (from which most excursions to Machu Picchu originate). I was very happy to hear this, having visited all of these places in Peru just two years ago and marvelling at the amazing architrcture of Machu Picchu and the vibrant Inca customs and heritage still pulsing in the streets and squares of Cusco. Also, Pisco was a sleepy fishingvillage with more albatrossesthan people as inhabitantsalong the craggy Pacific coastline

with one other indutry: the making of a unique liquor fromMuscat grapes used in concocting, with lime and egg yolks, the very sour but delicious "Pisco Sour" cocktail (tastes a bit like Tequila) that's become Peru's "national drink".

Since Peru straddles one of the most active seismic fault lines in South America and therefore experiences earthquakes and tremours on a regular basis and since both Cusco and Machu Picchu have survived centuries of such upheavals without much apparent damage, it seems that it would take a massive earthquake located right near these two world-class destinations to actually affect either one. Let's hope their good luck so far holds out for these truly unique travel destinations.



Curt

[bonniejoy03]

Thanks for your concern. Virgin Gorda is fine. Also checked with Anguilla and they are fine also. Luckily this past hurricane caused no damage. Still waiting to hear back about Belize and Guatemala. We are heading out next week and we are READY! Can't wait to go snorkelling at the Baths and Spring Bay. Looking forward to visiting Anegada for the day. I have an email in to Double D Charters to see if they will make the trip. Many companies shut down at this time of the year. Worse case is the regular ferry from Tortola. If you call the day before, they will stop and pick you up in VG. I hope to see the pink flamingos!

[lhbrown]

Hi bonniejoy,

Have a great trip to Virgin Gorda. When you are down there, have a look at Mango Bay Resort/former Paradise Beach Resort for me.

[travelme]

South America is a fascinating destination. My last year tour to Peru was a real adventure.
The Peruvian Andes have many human made and natural wonders to offer: Machu Picchu, Imperial Cuzco, the Colca Canyon (the deepest canyon in Latin America), and Lake Titicaca (the highest navigated lake in the world), are just a few of them.
Inkaterra, luxury boutique hotel, brings the kind of pampering and luxury usually available only in the worlds most exotic and hidden-away retreats. Its a real vacation paradise. If you are interesting in upscale and comfortable tour look at Latour Company. They offer a variety of packages to South America, including Peru. You also find useful information at:http://www.justperu.org/