Mototaxi Junket...a sputtering start

So the junket has been faced with a major hiccup (Honda Peru backing out of the deal to deliver the moto´s in less than 2 weeks before the launch). They found a backup, but the motos are coming from everywhere (even by boat from the Amazon) and being thrown together quickly. Waiting on all the vehicle docs as well and they will hopefully arrive today.

Instead of launching Sunday, we´re all still in Huancayo plotting and planning how we might be able to still get to Asuncion with the time left. I´ve saddled up with a fantastic group of chaps from the UK and Scotland - Mental Militia (aka Mental Matilda), Gavin and Neil, and Pirate´s Nest, Simon and Phil. They´ve all acquired fake leather biker jackets and look a bit like Hell´s Angels relative to the locals. They´ve even convinced me to adorn my jacket a bit with some stripes and a lightning bolt. It´s going to be a grand time!!!

Be on the lookout for updates at our team pages and you can read the latest new from The adventurists as well at http://www.mototaxijunket09.theadventurists.com/

Team pages:
www.mototaxijunket09.theadventurists.com/wondermoto
www.mototaxijunket09.theadventurists.com/piratesrest
www.mototaxijunket09.theadventurists.com/mentalmilitia

Pic: Simon at the helm, with Neil hanging off the back for better cornering.

The bikes are rickety at best and being tossed together so quickly that I´m sure we´ll be spending the first 100k or so picking up all the nuts and bolts. They are as gutless as they promised and steer worse than a stubborn donkey. We´re well stocked with tools, spares, and wild ambition to take them as far as they´ll go!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!

The Lares Valley and Machu Picchu

While Machu Picchu is an amazing site, the hike through the Lares Valley, the great people on the trek, and amazing trekking service made this trip more memorable than a visit to the ruins alone.

Most folks go for the standard Inca trail. Hearing stories of a crowded trail that makes you feel more like you´re walking a 5k charity event rather then trekking an ancient path, the alternative trek sounded ideal. It promised to be off the beaten path and it delivered.

I want to elaborate on the whole trip, but I´m super short on time as I´m in Huancayo getting ready to launch for the Mototaxi Junket. Andina Travel, the agency I went through, has a great itinerary that´s pretty true to our trek save for a few minor deviations. http://andinatravel.com/0621-lares-valley-circuit.html

Our guide, Jorge, became a fast friend and even met up with the group of us for dinner in Cusco and later Lima. Great guide and even better guy. He´s worked for an NGO in the area and done lot´s of studies and educational research on the local communities and the impact, both good and bad, that the tourism industry has.

The rest of the Andina crew was great too! From our radio weilding chef extraordinaire Isaac and his graceful indigenous flute playing assistant Feliciano to our timely and efficient wranglers Domingo, Daniel, and Manuel - the service and hospitality was amazing. Can´t say I´ve ever been woken in my tent by a fresh cup of hot tea and bowl of hot water to freshen up. This trip might have spoiled me.

In addition to the crew, we had an absolutely spectacular group of people to trek with. Dave and Agnes from Cornwall and Poland kicking off their 9 month honeymoon and Roly and Renny from the Netherlands putting in 6 months on the road before getting hitched this December.
Last and certainly not least, my pal Sara who came down from Seattle to join in the adventure for a bit.

Thanks everyone for a fantastic trip!

Pics coming. Internet ain´t what it is in the States.

Welcome to the Jungle!

(and definitely not in an Axl Rose kind of way)

Where to even begin... This is one of those unplanned side trips that blew me away and makes me so thankful to have the opportunity to travel and see such amazing things. I decided to stay out of the mountains for the time being, even though Ecuador has many that I would love to stand atop of, and headed down into the Cuyabeno Reserve in the Amazon for a real life episode of Planet Earth.


We were very lucky to have ideal conditions and a stellar guide, Luis, who was not afraid to pursue any wild animal. I got to see an anaconda, a black caiman, a spectacled caiman, a pink river dolphin, yellow spotted amazon river turtles, several types of monkeys, many different birds and insects, and flora that was just amazing.

A few highlights (in addition to all the great sightings listed above) include:

• Fishing for piranha´s
• Seeing the lekking (mating dance and song) of the Golden Tipped Manakin
• Almost getting bombarded by a herd of White Lipped Peccaries (wild pigs)
• Hearing the Red Howler Monkeys howl
• Having Squirrel Monkey´s cross the river in front of us as we paddled down stream
• Swimming at sunset in Laguna Grande
• Seeing the full moon rise while the sun set, all against the back drop of a giant and full rainbow
• Paddling across the lake on a beautiful day in a wooden canoe in my underwear (it was really hot, and my undergarments have more coverage than my swimsuit)
• Learning about the symbiotic nature of many species in the Amazon
• Having a shaman ceremony performed on me
• Learning how to make casabe
• Having a wild tarantula in my room

I have pictures posted (http://www.flickr.com/photos/14158549@N02/sets/72157622427378297/), but they don´t do the place justice. It was an experience for all your senses...the smells, the sounds, the sights, the tastes, and textures.

I could go on and on, but I won´t. If you ever find yourself in South America near the Amazon, go! It´s amazing!

http://www.samona-expedition.com/