5 frolicking dolphins & travel updates & blogging

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ While I was walking along the Venetian causeway yesterday I saw a pod of 5 frolicking dolphins. ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ ok... now it's time for some updates, as it's been quite a while since I've done that here. -=-=-=--=-==--==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-===-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= My 3-week trip to Peru is quickly approaching. I'm going in June and my first stop will be Lima, and the next day off to Puerto Maldonado for 4 days in the edge of the Amazon Rainforest. Then back to Lima for another night and on to Cusco. Two days in/around Cusco to aid in the altitude acclimitization and then... {{grand music chimes in::: -dun- -dun- -dun- }} Hiking the Inka Trail beginning at km 82. It is a 40-km (25 mile) hike, with 3 high passes to be crossed, one of which reaches an elevation of 4200m (13776 ft). The trail is often steep, and it may rain even during the dry season, the time I'll be there. The temperatures at night may fall below zero, so I will be traveling with layers of clothes including long underwear, wool socks, hats & gloves. Even daytime temps can be cool/cold, but with proper layering I'll be fine. When I'm on the Inka Trail I'll be celebrating my birthday. A few days later, after returning back to Cusco, the Summer Solstice (in the Northern Hemisphere) occurs, with Inti Raymi the Festival of the Sun celebration commences, coinciding with my time in Cusco. I did plan my trip to include part of my time there to partake in the festivities. ••• •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• I've begun my training/conditioning for this long hike. Once a week I put on my hiking boots, actual clothing I'm going to wear on the hike, a bottle of water, and my backpack, filled with items of similar weight that I'll have on the Inka Trail. I venture into the neighborhood, blending right in with the tourists here (hehehe). I walk for 1 1/2 to 2 hours (6 to 8 miles) without breaks or rests. This is to help break in my equipment and to help strengthen my muscles. It's flatlands here, so not quite a fair comparison to the mountainous terrain of the Andes. I do try to walk off paved/cemented walkways... at least walking in the grass, as the Inka Trail is mostly worn stone. I don't even know if my walking surface makes a difference or not. I'm more concerned about the altitude, and that's the main purpose for my conditioning. I'm in good shape as it is, but I don't want my butt to get beat up due to the altitude. I've experience altitude sickness when I was in Colorado Springs back in 1992, but I also played some vigorous volleyball on that trip, exasperating the altitude effects. Let me just say this-- altitude sickness isn't fun :( GAP Adventures is the well-respected tour group I'm going with. My trip is already entirely paid for (yay), and it's a sustainable company, meaning the monies I bring into Peru are kept local, helping the local economy (hotels, restaurants, shops, airlines, etc.) I don't yet know my travel companions, we'll all meet in Lima, but it will be a group of about 15 people, plus our group Guide and the team of porters. The porters are Peruvian natives and they'll carry the tents, equipment, food, as well as hikers personal effects. I'm going to pack as lightly as I can. I'm taking my digital camera with batteries, a good LED flashlight, my travel journal, a monocular, and some other necessities including an offering to the Inca spirits. The research I've done reveals that electricity is not available where we'll be staying in the Amazon Rainforest nor on the Inka Trail. Water for human consumption may not be readily available, so water-purfying tablets will be necessary. Hot water may be difficult to encounter, as well. I paid for my airfare from Miami to Lima, Peru with 35,000 frequent flier miles. If I hadn't done that, it would've cost me $800+ round trip (Miami-->Lima & return). Travel Visas are not required for US citizens to Peru, making that even easier to visit. I booked my trip in December and I paid for it as well. I also purchased travel insurance, just in case. ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞ At work I was nominated (along with 4 others) for the 2006 Interconnectedness Award. Interconnectedness is linking different departments (such as the Spa, Restaurant, Housekeeping, Engineering, and Front Desk) to open our communications with each other. I won !!! Y-A-Y The prize::: round-trip airfare, two night stay at any of our properties (in LA or NYC) and a chunk of spending cash. I'm going to Chateau Marmont Hotel and Bungalows in LA in May. I'm going to relax and see my long-time, good friend Robi. I've not yet been to California, so this will be the 21st United State I'll have visited. only 29 more to go hehehe. Actually I don't really have a desire to visit each US state. 21 is enough. But I do want to go to Arizona (Sedona), but I don't know when. ••• ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• .