HELLO AND WELCOME
Welcome to our website! My wife, Laura, and I discovered our passion for travel during a special trip to Europe in 2004 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. We fell in love with exploring new places and returned to Europe in 2007 and 2012, this time to mark my mother Norma’s 75th birthday. As her mobility began to decline, she still felt she had one more trip in her, and in 2019, we embarked on an 8-day cruise along the Adriatic Sea, south of Venice. It was a wonderful experience, and while Norma, at 82, expressed her gratitude for our help, she told us it would be her last adventure abroad.
However, in 2022, Laura and I decided to visit Portugal for a few weeks. I was excited to explore Porto’s famous Port Houses. When we told Norma about our plans, she insisted her travel days were over. Yet, 15 minutes later, she called us back, ready to join us once again!
In between these European vacations, we’ve also explored destinations like Cuba and the Dominican Republic, but there is still so much of the world we want to see. Over the years, we’ve shared our journeys on Facebook, and many of our friends have followed along with our adventures. This website is an extension of that—our way to make it easier for you to follow our travels, learn from our experiences, and perhaps inspire your own journeys.
Whether you’re considering a European cruise or a relaxing getaway, we hope our stories and tips will guide you as you plan your next adventure!
INITIAL PLANNING FOR SOUTH AMERICA 2024
Laura and I are embarking on another incredible journey, this time to south America. We weren’t sure exactly where we wanted to go and quite frankly how to get there. We found a travel agency called Exotica that offered “create your own itinerary” packages from groups of places/activities. Laura has wanted to explore Machu Pichu for some time so that is where we decided to start for our searches of places to go. So out came the wine and laptop and we started planning.
In our searches, a visit to the Amazon jungle stood out as exciting as well as the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos is a place I used to dream of going to when I was a kid so it quickly became a priority next to Machu Pichu. It took a number of evenings, and bottles of wine, but we finally got our package choices down and sent it off for pricing and possible itineraries.
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EXOTICA ITINERARY, SOUTH AMERICA 2024
We received an exciting itinerary from Exotica that showcases our choices for destinations. The adventure begins with a flight from Edmonton to Quito, Ecuador. On October 18th, we embark on a guided tour of Quito, with some leisure time to explore the city’s culture, food and drink.
The following day, we head into the Amazon jungle, staying at an eco-lodge near Tena. This immersive experience includes guided walks through the jungle both during the day and at night, offering a chance to see the nocturnal creatures of the jungle.
After returning to Quito for more exploration, we’ll set off for the breathtaking Galapagos Islands on October 22nd, where we’ll enjoy several tours on San Cristobal. On October 25th, we’ll travel to Guayaquil, Ecuador’s largest city on the Pacific coast. From there, we’ll continue our journey to Lima, Peru, where we’ll delve into the rich history of the city with a couple of tours.
On the 29th, we’ll fly to Cuzco, the former Inca capital, and then transfer to the Sacred Valley. There, we’ll experience guided tours of the valley and a trip to the iconic Machu Picchu before returning to Cuzco on the 31st. November 1st will see us back in Lima for a few days of exploration before we fly back to Edmonton on November 6th.
This incredible package includes round-trip airfare, internal flights between destinations, all transfers, hotel accommodations, and daily breakfasts—all for $9,594.49. It’s a great deal for such a comprehensive adventure!
THE AD-ONS FOR SOUTH AMERICA 2024
Once we received our itinerary, we noticed several optional excursions that could be added to the days when there was free time. Laura and I aren’t the type to sit still for long, so we decided to enhance our trip with a few extra experiences—about $3,000 worth, to be exact!
In Quito, we’ve arranged a day to explore the region’s culinary and cultural gems. We’ll visit Guayllabamba to taste the unique Cherimoya fruit and then head to Cayambe for their famous local biscuits. From there, we’ll discover the vibrant markets of Otavalo, Peguche, and Cotacachi, gaining insight into the rich history of the native people.
One of the highlights will be a ceviche-making class right on the beach in San Cristobal Island, part of the Galapagos. We’ll not only learn to make this delicious dish with fresh, local ingredients, but we’ll get to enjoy it by the ocean.
For a relaxing day in Guayaquil, we’ve booked a boat trip to Puerto El Morro, a stunning marine reserve surrounded by mangroves. We’re looking forward to seeing dolphins and a variety of exotic birds that call this area home.
We’ve also scheduled a guided tour of the Sacred Valley in Peru, where we’ll visit historical sites like Ollantaytambo, Parwa, and Chinchero to immerse ourselves in the local culture and history.
When we return to Cuzco, we’ve booked a dinner show at the Tunupa Museo Restaurant, featuring traditional music and dances that will give us a deeper appreciation of the area’s heritage.
I’m still working on securing a snorkeling trip in the Galapagos, which I hope to finalize soon. While these extra excursions have certainly added to the cost, how could we pass up the chance to make ceviche on the beach in the Galapagos?
This trip is all about making the most of every moment, and we’re excited to experience the unique flavors, landscapes, and cultures along the way! now it’s just the wait until we leave.
ANTICIPATION
As we gear up for our South America adventure, we need to prioritize our health, especially since we are now over 60, ok we are both 65. Before embarking on this trip, we needed to consider a variety of vaccinations to ensure we don’t catch anything in the regions we plan to explore.
The standard vaccinations, such as Hepatitis A and B, are important, but since we’ve already received those, we’re focusing on the others now. One vaccine that’s often recommended for South America is Yellow Fever, though it’s not advised for individuals over 60 due to potential side effects. I had this vaccine when I travelled for work in South America, but after consulting our doctor, Laura won’t be getting it, as the risks may outweigh the benefits for her.
Given that our trip involves walks in the jungle, we were advised to get the Rabies vaccine, as well as a tetanus booster. For another mosquito-borne disease, we will take the Typhoid fever vaccine, which fortunately comes in an oral form—no needles required! Additionally, we are getting our Malaria vaccine and a booster for MMR. To play it safe, we’re also getting updated shots for pneumococcal, RSV, COVID, and the flu.
A recurring piece of advice is to try and avoid mosquito bites, so I’ve equipped us with some 100% DEET spray and a stylish mosquito repeller. I’ve also picked up lightweight, vented long-sleeve shirts and convertible pants that zip off into shorts to provide extra protection while staying cool.
In the excitement of planning our trip, we’ve watched a number of YouTube travel videos. One thing that puzzled us was seeing travellers in shorts and tank tops, seemingly oblivious to mosquitoes. WTH, do mosquito-borne diseases pose a serious risk or not?
On the practical side, we need cash for the. TD Bank offers a convenient service to purchase various currencies online, delivering them to our local branch or even our home. It’s worth noting that Ecuador uses the American dollar, while Peru has its own currency; currently, one Canadian dollar exchanges for 2.73 Sol.
In today’s world, cell phones have become indispensable, serving as both our cameras and primary means of communication. Many travel plans can be pricey, charging up to $15 a day for data use, which can quickly add up over a 21-day trip. We’ve discovered that a travel SIM card offers a more economical option. My phone can accommodate both a SIM card and two eSIMs, enabling me to keep my original number while using a South American eSIM for essential services like Google Maps and messaging. We found a fantastic plan with 15GB of data for 30 days, ensuring we can stay connected without breaking the bank.
With all these preparations in place, we’re feeling ready and eager for our adventures ahead!
VACCINES
As we gear up for our South America adventure, we need to prioritize our health, especially since we are now over 60, ok we are both 65. Before embarking on this trip, we needed to consider a variety of vaccinations to ensure we don’t catch anything in the regions we plan to explore.
The standard vaccinations, such as Hepatitis A and B, are important, but since we’ve already received those, we’re focusing on the others now. One vaccine that’s often recommended for South America is Yellow Fever, though it’s not advised for individuals over 60 due to potential side effects. I had this vaccine when I travelled for work in South America, but after consulting our doctor, Laura won’t be getting it, as the risks may outweigh the benefits for her.
Given that our trip involves walks in the jungle, we were advised to get the Rabies vaccine, as well as a tetanus booster. For another mosquito-borne disease, we will take the Typhoid fever vaccine, which fortunately comes in an oral form—no needles required! Additionally, we are getting our Malaria vaccine and a booster for MMR. To play it safe, we’re also getting updated shots for pneumococcal, RSV, COVID-19, and the flu.
A recurring piece of advice is to minimize mosquito bites, so I’ve equipped us with some 100% DEET spray and a stylish mosquito repeller. I’ve also picked up lightweight, vented long-sleeve shirts and convertible pants that zip off into shorts to provide extra protection while staying cool.
In the excitement of planning our trip, we’ve watched a number of YouTube travel videos. One thing that puzzled us was seeing travellers in shorts and tank tops, seemingly oblivious to mosquitoes. WTH, do mosquito-borne diseases pose a serious risk or not?
On the practical side, we are preparing our finances for the journey. TD Bank offers a convenient service to purchase various currencies online, delivering them to our local branch or even our home. It’s worth noting that Ecuador uses the American dollar, while Peru has its own currency; currently, one Canadian dollar exchanges for 2.73 Sol.
In today’s world, cell phones have become indispensable, serving as both our cameras and primary means of communication. Many travel plans can be pricey, charging up to $15 a day for data use, which can quickly add up over a 21-day trip. We’ve discovered that a travel SIM card offers a more economical option. My phone can accommodate both a SIM card and an eSIM, enabling me to keep my original number while using a South American eSIM for essential services like Google Maps and messaging. We found a fantastic plan with 15GB of data for 30 days, ensuring we can stay connected without breaking the bank.
With all these preparations in place, we’re feeling ready and eager for our adventures ahead!