16.03.2004
LA 530 SCL-LIM
Seat: 7L
Boeing 767-300
20:15-22:50
We arrived rather early to SCL for our flight to Lima. However we could check in at the separated business and first class counters (you really have to know were to find them). At check-in we also got our boarding passes for the next morning flight to Cusco. After passport check, we had dinner at one of the SCL airport restaurant (or probably it’s the only one). We spent the rest of the time before boarding in the Neruda lounge having some snacks and checking e-mails. The Neruda lounge was clam and comfortable. The lounge staff also warmly welcomed us and explained all available services. Boarding of the flight was on time, and even if this flight was continuing to JFK, there were no extra security inspections. Once on board, I noticed that this flight was going to be full in business. Before take-off, we were offered pre take off drinks, the menus and wine lits as well as a shoe-bag with socks and eyeshades. The amenity kit was offered only on the LIM-JFK leg. Once in the air, dinner service was started. I choose the crab ravioli, which had a very good tomato sauce. I found the crew friendlier than on the AKL-SCL flight (even if they didn’t attempt to pronounce our ‘difficult’ Finnish names). After dinner, the cabin lights were dimmed, and the crew probably also went for a rest, since I had to go to the front (first class) galley to get a glass of water (in the first class glassware!). I have read that the same crew continues on the LIM-JFK leg, which must be a rather long shift. As we landed to LIM, we could see the city lights.
TO START
Champagne ‘Henriot Brut Souverain’
TRADITIONAL MENU
APPETIZERS
FROM THE SEA
Shrimp in mustard sauce, served with hearts of palm and baby salad greens
Our Master Sommelier suggests Sauvignon Blanc 2003, Viña Undurraga – Valle de Lontué 2003
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FRESH GARDEN SALAD
Fresh seasonal greens served with your choice of olive oil with balsamic vinegar or creamy dressing
AS THE MAIN ENTRÉE, WE OFFER
GRILLED FILLET OF BEEF
Grilled fillet of beef served with sautéed vegetables and mashed potatoes with garlic and bacon
Our Master Sommelier suggests Cabernet Sauvignon Stella Aurea 2000, Viña Clos, Quebrada de Macul – Valle del Maipo
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SAUTÉED SALMON
Sautéed salmon in fresh tomato sauce, served with almond rice and grilled zucchini
Our Master Sommelier suggests Chardonnay Reserve 2003, Viña Agustinos – Valle de Casablance
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CRAB RAVIOLI
Spinach ravioli filled with crab meat topped with tomato sauce
Our Master Sommelier suggests Premium Malbec 2001, Bodega Altavista, Provincia de Mendoza (Argentina)
CHEESES
Assorted cheeses served with dried fruit and crackers
FROM THE BAKERY
Choose your selection from our variety of warm breads
OUR DESSERT
Sherry crème caramel; or selection of fresh seasonal fruit
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Freshly brewed gourmet or instant coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or herbal teas
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Liqueurs
Once at he airport, we had to board a bus, which took us to the terminal. The lines were rather long for passport control and the temporary hall without any efficient air conditioning didn’t make the waiting easier. After we got our luggage, we checked at a shared-taxi counter to get as fast as possible to our hotel in Miraflores (Best Western Embajadores). We wanted to catch a few hours of sleeping before the early morning wake-up for the flight to Cusco. The taxi-bus driver however left us at another Best Western hotel in Miraflores (even if I asked him if it was the Embajadores hotel). Fortunately our correct hotel wasn’t far away and a taxi was arranged to get us there. By this time we were in need of a shower due to the hot and humid climate of Lima (at the airport tarmac, the air had a dead fish smell). At the hotel we also got our vouchers for the 4-nights Cusco tour that we had pre-arranged. This Best Western hotel was modest, but OK for one night. In the morning we had time for some breakfast before a taxi took us to LIM airport. In the morning, from the taxi we had the opportunity to see a little bit more of Miraflores and Lima. Security is an issue after I saw all the fenced houses and listened to warnings made by the taxi driver. The taxi took us as near as possible to the domestic departure area and soon we were checking our suitcases and paying the departure tax. Our flight to Cusco was full (with tourist like us). Before boarding, I had time to make a call to the travel agent in Cusco, which would be waiting for us and confirm that we were coming (there had been some misunderstandings about arrival times).
17.03.2004
LP 035 LIM-CUZ
Seat: 4K
Airbus A320
Time: 09:40-10:50
During this short flight, we got a warm sandwich (warm bread filled scrambled eggs) and drinks (coca tea amongst others). We also had a good view over the mountains and it was exciting to see our arrival to CUZ as the airport is almost in the middle of the city. At CUZ airport, the travel agent was waiting for us in order to take us to our hotel and inform about our program in Cusco. We had booked a 4-night package including the following: 3 nights in Cusco Novotel, 1 night in Aguas Calientes Pueblo Hotel, half-day visit of Cusco, full day visit of the Sacred Valley, Vistadom train to Machu Picchu and visit of Machu Picchu. All of this for USD 510 per person.
We rested a few hours resting at the hotel before starting the half-day tour of Cusco and its surroundings. The rest was really needed as we felt some typical symptoms of high altitude. During the tour, we visited many of the must-see places such as the Cathedral, Coricancha and Sacsaywaman. Once back at the hotel, we still were in need of rest, but managed to go out for dinner (some place around Plaza de Armas) and buy a few bottles of water, which we would need the following day.
On the second day the tour took us to the Sacred Valley and we saw places such as the village of Pisac (with its market), Urubamba and Ollantaytambo. The tour included a buffet lunch. Fortunately during the day the weather was much better than the day before (we new that this was the rainy season). Again, we were rather exhausted and went to sleep early for the very early morning departure to Machu Picchu with the Vistadom train. This train ride to the village of Aguas Calientes took approximately three hours, during wich we were served a light breakfast. Even if this was the low season, our carriage was full. At Aguas Calientes we took the bus up to Machu Picchu (luggages had been left at the station from where they were taken to our hotel). At Machu Picchu, we joined our guided 2-hours tour after which we had lunch and went back to the site for the rest of the day. We were really lucky with the weather as it didn’t rain and later in the afternoon we could make beautiful pictures in the sunlight. This visit was a great experience. We took the last bus from the site to Aguas Calientes and went to our hotel, the Pueblo. This eco-hotel is very nice and build in the edge of the rain forest. We also enjoyed our dinner there. The following morning it was again raining and we decided to not get back to Machu Picchu, but rather visit the orchid garden of the Pueblo hotel and to Pepito, the spectacle bear living in a fenced area in the hotel rain forest garden. As a great friend of bears, I was very sorry to see that this animal had to leave in such a small place, poor Pepito… We had lunch at the Pueblo hotel managed lunch restaurant and then boarded the train back to Cusco. Our last night was in Novotel. The travel agent took us the next day back to the airport.
21.03.2004
LP 131 CUZ-JUL (with 1 stop in AQP)
Seat: 10L
Airbus A320
Time: 12:45-14:40
Nothing special about this flight (or rather two short flights). We just got some candies from the FA and admired the beautiful landscapes of Peru from the air. At Juliaca we took the only available shared taxi to Puno (which is on board of lake Titicaca). After a one-hour bumpy ride to Puno, we were left at our hotel, the Colon Inn (somehow affiliated to Best Western). We had not made any arrangements in advance for visiting the Titicaca Lake and therefore went to a tour agent recommended by the Insight Pocket Guide (Edgar Adventures). We got a full day tour for the next day including a visit to the floating Uros Islands and Taquile Island. We had dinner at the hotel and walked in downtown Puno (not a very interesting city).
The next morning, we boarded a ship with 15 other tourists for the whole day tour. First we had a visit of the Uros Island and took a ride on a reed boat. It was really amazing to see the life style of the Uros people, who have wanted to isolate themselves on these floating reed islands (which they abandon if the island touches the lake bottom). After Uros, we went to Taquile and had to climb up to the islands highest point (fortunately Edgar Adventures takes us to the north end landing site from where the road is not as steep as on the west shore). We had lunch at a collective restaurant during which our guide explained us the lifestyle of the people living on Taquile Island. Late afternoon we arrived back to Puno and made our way to an internet café in order to check e-mails. During the internet session I also check my itinerary with checkmytrip.com, and noticed that our places on our flights back home had bee cancelled. Fortunately I was able to make a call to Finnair (GSM also woks in Puno) and reconfirm our place on those flights (apparently the problem was that our itineraries had been cancelled, because our separate bookings from AQP to JUL had been changed into CUZ-JUL, canceling the CUZ-AQP leg, complicated but we got it managed at the LAN Peru office in Arequipa). Later in the evening we went to eat at a pizza restaurant, however I started feeling all the symptoms of a food poisoning and had to leave the pizza. Fortunately everything was over the next morning (although I was really sick with fever during the night) and we could continue to JUL airport for our flight to Arequipa.