Archive | Destinations

Top 10 things to do in Marrakesh

Have you booked your tickets to Marrakesh?  If you have, count yourself lucky.   You are in for an adventure of a lifetime! Morocco is unlike any place we have visited.  With its interesting culture, delectable cuisine and welcoming locals, Marrakesh is indeed an enchanting destination.  With a city that offers so much, we came up with a list of the top “must experience.”

Lets start with a quick primer for the city.  Marrakesh is the fourth largest city in Morocco, and is very tourist-friendly.  English and French are spoken at most restaurants and hotels and across the city.  At the heart of the city is “Old Marrakesh”, it is surrounded by fortified walls and battlements.  At the center of the old city is the central square called Jemaa el-Fnaa.  This sizable public area is surrounded by tourist focused restaurants and filled to the brim with arts and crafts vendors, snake charmers, and crowds of visitors.

Riad Houdou

1) Stay in a Riad-To truly partake in the vibe of the city, we highly recommend staying in one of the Riads in the old medina.  Riads are converted mansions that now play host to tourists as a bed and breakfast. We stayed at the Riad Houdou.  This riad has well-appointed rooms, engaging staff, and a rooftop dining area that is enchanting.  Riads are the perfect bases to seeing the city.  Hosts can help you navigate the narrow alleyways and build your itinerary.  Most are very affordable all the way up to the high-end lodging for the well-healed. 

Yves Saint Lauren Home

2) Yves St. Lauren Museum and Le Jardin Majorelle Are you ready to relive some 80s chic?  Look no further than this museum dedicated to the design powerhouse Yves and his partner Pierre.  They would frequent the city and created an enclave with gardens and a bright blue home.   The gardens on the property are absolutely incredible.

One of the many works of art in the Maison de La Photographie

3) The Maison de la Photographie de Marrakech -Although modest in size, this little museum was my favorite of our visit.  It contains a collection of early photos of Morocco.  You get a feel for what life was like during the era of sultans and Bedouins.  They have a gift shop on the first floor with prints of just about all of the art you will see.

The Jewish Cemetery of Marrakech

4) Jewish Cemetery-One of the highlights of my visit was wandering the Jewish Cemetery.  At one time, Marrakech had a large community of Jews.  Now they number less than 200 within the city.  Gravestones are whitewashed and many include Hebrew and French inscriptions.  For more information on the cemetery, please visit here.

Sahara Desert

5)  Side trip to the Sahara- If you know us well, we love side trips.  One that we would highly recommend is a journey out to the Sahara.  There are a number of companies that will offer transportation and tent stays out on the grand desert.  Know this, it is a ways out of town.  The drive is 8-10 hours one way.  The trip takes you over the Atlas Mountains which are nothing short of Instagram worthy!  We stayed just one night on the sand and took some amazing pictures of the desert. 

 

6)  Golf-With over a dozen different courses and weather that will never disappoint, golfing in Marrakech is a must-do for the golfing enthusiast.  We played the Royal Golf Course and the Assoufid Golf Club.  While the Royal was much more buttoned-up, and high end.  The Assoufid was a great track for a relaxed game.  The Royal actually hosted Churchill and Eisenhower during the war.  Plan your outing for early in the AM to avoid the oppressive heat.

Silversmith at the Handicraft center

7)  Handicraft center- Make a trip to the center square and you will be bombarded by enterprising sellers to sell you their wares.  We highly recommend avoiding the maylay of hawkers.  There is a handicraft center just outside the medina that has some really high quality, and fairly priced items to take home.  They highlight local artists and craftsmen so you can be assured that you are not getting taken.  The best thing about the center?  All prices are posted.

8)  Dinner on the square- As we mentioned above, the food in Morocco is a delight!  The mesh of French and Arabic culinary traditions is the perfect marriage.  Spice?  Yes!  Butter and wine?  Yes!  There is a wide variety of different offerings catering to just about any taste.  

9)  El Badi Palace-There are a number of ruins in the city that are interesting and of historical importance, none more so than the El Badi Palace.  Nicknamed the Palace of Wonder, it lives up to every inch of its name.  The former seat of power for the Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, the palace has a huge throne room, reflection pools and massive walls.   There is a citrus orchard in the center as well.

Saadian Tombs

10)The Saadian Tombs-One of the off the beaten path attractions is this set of ornately tiled tombs.   The stonework and tile work set this location apart.  The arches over the tombs are absolutely incredible. 

We hope you enjoy your journey to Marrakech!  Reach out to us if you have questions or if we can assist in any way! 

Ushuaia: The End of the World

There are few places on the planet like Ushuaia.   It is one of those places you don’t accidentally end up visiting.  It is a village of beginnings and endings.  

Perched on the southern tip of Argentina, Ushuaia claims the title of the southern most city on the earth.  It is often called the “fin del Mundo” (end of the earth).  Tourism provides the lifeblood of the village.  Ushuaia and her sister city Punta Arenas, Chile, are key departure points for tourist, scientific and activist departures to Antarctica.  

Port of Ushuaia

Ushuaia is far from just a transit port.  It is a beautiful and interesting area all on its own.  The backdrop for the city are dramatic peaks, dense forests, and alpine lakes.  The Beagle Channel marks the southern border of the city.  The dramatic scenery attracted the eye of Alejandro Gonzalez Inarriu who shot his famed film, The Revenant, here in 2015.  Even an ill fated edition of Top Gear was filmed here (until they were run out of the city for making references to the Falkland War.)

According to tradition, the word Ushuaia comes from the Yaghan language: ush and waia (“bay” or “cove”) and means “deep bay”.  This name is very fitting.  Its port hosts expedition ships with flags from around the globe.  

A Storied History

The city was founded by British explorers and settled by missionaries.  It was later converted into a penal colony that housed the worst of the worst offenders due to the fact that escape was impossibly dangerous.  The prison was done away with by President Peron in the late 1940s.  The rough edges of the city’s former residents remain.  Plucky year round residents face harsh winters of isolation.

Instead of a place to avoid, the city now attracts flocks of Northface and Helly Hansen clad wanderers.  Wide-eyed and well-healed journey men and women crowd the many eateries along the port docks.  High tourist season runs October to March during the southern summer.  Hotels of every level of hospitality dot the front of the mountain range that plays host to the city.

The Fin del Mundo!

Getting There

The city sports a sizable international airport.  With connections to major hubs like Buenos Aires, Rio, and many other key South American cities, getting there has become much more easier.   Do be aware, the city sits smack dab between a cold and warm ocean.  This causes turbulence on the water and in the air.  The video below was taken on our flight.  It was bumpy!  There are a fleet of taxis that ferry folks from the airport to downtown or to lodging.  We also used Uber, which was very affordable. 

Getting There the Hard Way

As you begin to spend some time in Ushuaia you start to notice the abundance of long distance road bikes and converted VW and sprinter vans.  Ushuaia is the southern terminus of the Great Pan-American Highway.  Brave motorists begin north in Alaska and take the epic journey that crosses the equator and delivers them to the end of the road literally in Ushuaia. 

The Stories

Ushuaia is not a center of learning and art; nor is it a place of culture and refinement.  It is a place of stories.  Whether you are sitting in a pub or eating empanadas overlooking the bay, conversation is king.  Skilled waitstaff speak the basics of dozens of languages.  Spanish, English, and German seem to be the most common in our limited experience.  There is a kaleidoscope of different backgrounds and nationalities.  

During our visit, a Greenpeace frigate was docked at harbor, two oil tankers and a half a dozen expedition boats headed across the Drake Passage en route to Antarctica.  This made for a wide array of viewpoints at dinner.  This clash of ideas is what makes Ushuia magical.  Pull up a chair and join the scrum!

Chile Border Crossing

There are numerous day trips you can take to see southern Patagonia.  Ushuaia is the perfect launching point for these excursions.   We will highlight one.  A very special one.  We took the Hito XXIV trail into Chile.  It took us the morning to hike in and out.  It was one of the best hikes I have ever done.  The beauty of the alpine lake, and the waterfalls along the trail were stunning.   If you are country collectors like us, this is an easy one to add to your collection with minimal effort.  There is a lodge at the trailhead that has excellent cheesecake.

Hito XXIV Hike to Chile

An Ode to Ushuaia

Few cities in this world have left an impression like Ushuaia.  It is a unique place.  It is a beautiful place.  But most importantly, it has a soul that is made up of all those that congregate on her steps as they conclude or begin their journey of self discovery.  

The city’s motto is:  Ushuaia, end of the world, beginning of everything.  I have found this to be true.

10 Steps to Antarctica

We often hear about our travels, ”what a trip of a lifetime”.   

But this trip was different.

This one was special. 

Antarctica.

Antarctica!

In a previous post, I shared how meaningful going to Antartica was because it was a lifetime goal set by a kid in rural Idaho. Back in high school, I (Mike) set the audacious goal to set foot on all seven continents and swim in the seven seas.  I saved the hardest, most expensive, and most difficult one for last.  This post is intended for two groups of people: 1) Those of you who are planning your trip there and 2) Those that chose not to go, but want to see some cool penguin pics.  I do need to give a shout out to some of the bloggers who inspired and coached me on this adventure:  Adventurous Kate  and iAmAileen They give good advice, follow them.

This is the first of a few posts about my adventure.

What follows is the 10 simple (not really) steps to prep for this grand adventure.

Step 1) Save up lots of money.  I saved five years for this adventure (Birthdays, Christmas, Father’s Day, basically anytime I could con Luci into giving me money instead of a present for a holiday).  Costs are below:

$7,800 per person Oceanwide double cabin. Discovery and Learning Voyage (10 day, 9 nights). MV Hondius

$3,200 Delta Airlines (Delta comfort) BOI-EZE

$700  Aerolineas Argentinas AEP to Ushuaia

$125 transfer between EZE and AEP

Step 2) Search the right cruise for you.  There are two types of cruises to Antarctica, ones that let you land on the continent, and those that let you wave to the penguins as you sail by.  Current international regulations limit the number of passengers that can be on a ship and make a landing.  Big cruise ships are not welcome.  You will need to board an “expedition ship” to make the crossing if you want terra firma.  There are roughly a dozen different cruise lines that offer the trips.  Prices range from $3,800 to $50,000.

Step 3) Timing is everything.  Due to weather conditions, Drake Passage crossings can only be made in the months of October to March.  The crossing is notoriously “bumpy”.  Shoulder season prices are cheaper, with good reason.  As the saying goes, “The Drake Shake or the Drake Lake”.  We (my friend and I) were very lucky to get the latter.  We made our trek in late December.  Saving money by cutting corners on timing is not recommended.

Dress warm!

Step 4) Packing and Prep.  This trip was like none other.  As we were staying in Buenos Aires for a couple days after our trip, we had to pack for two completely different seasons.  It goes without saying that it is cold in Antarctica. A visit to the peninsula is unlikely to produces -40 versus Buenos Aires that is one hot town during summer.

It was cold and windy during our visit to #7.  It is best to dress in layers, with a water and wind proof shell.  You will need gloves, thick socks and a warm hat.  I used Helly Hansen sailing gear and was glad I did.  They specialize in clothing that keeps you warm and dry on the water.  I highly recommend. and sunblock are also highly recommended to deal with the reflection of snow and ice.  I didn’t wear sunblock and ended up sunburned.  You will also need a swimsuit!  Stay tuned on that!  Most, if not all ships, provide footwear for visiting the continent.  This is a function of preventing invasive plants and from being transported to this pristine environment. 

A word or two about camera gear.  I went with our Cannon DSLR with two lens (50 and a 250).  Spend as much as you can afford on a lens.  It will make all the difference.  I kinda wish I would have gone with the longer lens. But most of my pictures I took using my iphone. Some of my best pics were on my phone.  Crazy huh?

Step 5) Go see the doctor. I went to my local travel clinic to get all the seasickness meds money can buy.  Read more on this step in our previous post. The Drugs of Antarctica.

Step 6) Board the plane!  Our flight originated in my hometown of Boise, Idaho.  I had layovers in Salt Lake City and Atlanta.   Download those books and podcasts!  The flight from Atlanta ATL to Buenos Aires EZE was roughly 10 hours.  I took the overnight flight, which really helped with the jet lag.

Step 7) Transfer and board the other plane!  Flights to the two major ports (Ushuaia and Puerto Arenas) that have ships going to Antarctica leave out of a different airport in Buenos Aires.  The transfer takes roughly an hour, but can be up to 3 hours depending on traffic.  Leave plenty of time for this transfer including getting through customs in EZE.  We spent three hours in line to get through customs.  Rumor is there was a strike that day, but I cannot confirm.  Just follow my advice, leave plenty of time. 

Step 8) Enjoy Ushuaia.  Ushuaia is unlike any place I have ever been.  It is nicknamed the “Fin Del Mundo” — The end of the world.  You have an eclectic mix of folks there.  Some just finished their trans north and south America journeys, there’s a bunch of trust fund millennials, or a herd of hard core travelers seeking to board the boat to get #7,  while you also meet adventure junkies just seeking to explore.  We were never short on conversation topics as we dined with others.

Go and take your picture by the Fin Del Mundo sign!  This was particularly special to me as one of my good friends who ran the JourneyWoman blog, who has since passed away, posed at the same place.  I miss her.  She was an inspiration to so many. Evelyn Hannon is my hero. We wish Carolyn Ray well as she fills those shoes!

Step 9) The morning of departure, you must bring your luggage to your cruise company’s headquarters.  Luggage must be loaded by the ship’s crew. You can board with your hand luggage, no problem.  Don’t forget, you will need your passport as you go to board, don’t leave it in your luggage!

Step 10) Savor every second.  Yes, this truly is a trip of a lifetime.  The things you will see: the ice, the water, the animals and the terrain are unlike anything you will ever see again.  The follow adventures are fascinating, the crew and expedition leaders are an intriguing bunch. 

The final part of this is to take that first step up the gangway to adventure. 

Boy Voyage!

Hawaii for Lovers

Hawaii is calling.

For many Americans this is their one big, lifetime, bucket-listed dream destination.  Being a US state, the language, transportation, currency and in some ways the culture is similar to the mainland. Plus, it’s relatively close: Hawaii is a mere 190 million inches away for Los Angeles.  That math translates to a simple 6 hour flight to paradise.  Recently Southwest Airlines announced that they will begin service to Honolulu.  The starting price?  $49 (one way, limited time, limited availably, plus taxes and fees-no way you are going this cheap).  Regardless of the price, Southwest is doing something special for traveling couples.  Alaska Airlines, as well as Delta Airlines, do get honorable mentions for affordable flights.  In no uncertain terms, these airlines are placing the dream couple’s trip within your reach. It’s time to go to Hawaii!

Tickets booked?

Hawaii is waiting.

Let’s work on your plan.  Having been to the Islands a number of times, we have posted a few articles that may help.  Step one is to pick an Island(s).  We took the challenge to describe each island in three words or less:

Oahu:  Crowded, Waikiki, Pearl Harbor

Maui:  Trendy, Fun, Yum

Hawaii:  Volcanos

Kauai: Beautiful, Beautiful, Beautiful

Molokai:  Rustic, quiet, off the grid

Lanai:  Golf, small, island life

Let’s start where most trips to the Island start: Oahu.  Most of the flights from the mainland arrive at the Oahu airport.  Most people are surprised as they circle on final approach at Honolulu.  It is a large city. It’s Manhattan with a beach.  There are four recommendations we have for you on Oahu:  Waikiki, Pearl Harbor, Hanauma Bay and the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Waikiki

If you are looking to do a sunset heart-hands selfie, be prepared to share the frame with a few dozen fellow sun worshipers.  Waikiki is crowded; there is no getting around it. It’s still very special.  Major international resorts line the long golden beach.  You will never be a stones through from a “watering hole” with umbrella drinks and other liquid libations.  With the sun and sand, the recipe for Hawaiian romance is waiting for you. You can rent a surf board, take a catamaran sunset cruise, or plant yourself in the sand and listen to the surf.

Pearl Harbor

Pearl Harbor

Real all about this important historical attraction on in our most recent post: Remembering Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor https://1000fights.com/remembering-pearl-harbor/

Hanauma Bay

Located a few miles, but light years away from the hustle and bustle of the city is Hanauma State Park (https://hanaumabaystatepark.com/).  Here you can snorkel and see some amazing sea-life.  The waters are shallow making snorkeling an absolute perfect adventure.  The beach is very inviting and if you time your visit in the early morning and late afternoon, the crowds are not bad.   You can rent all of your snorkeling equipment on sight.  Parking is a bit of pain, but there is a tram that will take you down and back from the water.  The waters are crystal clear; this place is not to be missed.

Polynesian Cultural Center

Polynesian Cultural Center

Our last stop in Oahu, is the Polynesian Cultural Center (https://www.polynesia.com/).  This Disneyland-ish park highlights the many cultures and aspects of traditional Polynesian life.  It is owned and operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help young Polynesians earn money for higher education. Island cultures throughout the South Pacific are represented.  You are able to stroll from village to village learning about dance, tools, culture and dress of these unique island people.  It is all very tastefully done.  The highlight is the evening show and luau.  Reservations are highly recommended.

While we are on the topic of Island dancing, how could we not mention Luci’s Hula lesson with the Grand Master of Hula:     https://1000fights.com/luci-learns-to-hula/   

Grand Hyatt at Kauai

Kauai

Perhaps our favorite island in the chain is Kauai.  This island is made for lovers. It is called the garden Island for good reason.  It is very lush and green.  The entire island operates at a much slower pace.  You can dive at the many reefs along the north and south shores, take a helicopter ride to waterfall spot, hike into a secret beach, play a round of golf, or do absolutely nothing sitting on the beach.

There are a dozen or so very nice resorts lining the coast.  We highly recommend a stay at the Grand Hyatt Kauai.  It is a paradise. Kauai https://1000fights.com/grandhyattkaaui/

Once you check in, order up a Hawaiian Massage. https://1000fights.com/fighting-couples-hawaiian-secret/

The Garden Island

Maui

If you are looking for a cross between the hustle and bustle of Oahu and sleepy Kauai, Maui is the place for you.  Maui has an active foodie scene and has a lively nightlife. 

It has been a few moons since we have been to Maui.  To offer some current perspectives check out these blog posts:

https://www.tripsavvy.com/romantic-things-to-do-on-maui-1861904

https://hawaiiforlovers.com/

Staying Connected

We strongly recommend using a virtual private network (VPN) when using the hotel’s free wifi – the last thing you want is for your banking info or credit card numbers to get stolen by hackers while you’re far away from home. This bestvpn.com/guides/what-is-vpn-beginners-guide/ has a pretty good breakdown of what VPNs do, if you’re not familiar.

We hope that this post helped you find the inspiration to book your couple’s trip to Hawaii.  What are you waiting for?  Aloha!

Belize for Couples

The best things in life are the perfect mix of two ingredients:  strawberries and cream, jam and toast, peanut butter and jelly.  We have found the perfect combination of the carefree Caribbean and the flair of Latin American:  Belize.

We’ve put together the perfect couple’s itinerary for your visit to this paradise.  We found 10 days was ideal to relax and see the key sites.

The exchange rate with United States dollar is set at one dollar for every two Belizean dollars. This makes monetary conversions very simple. Most places take American dollars and credit cards.  English is widely spoken, it doesn’t hurt to have a little Spanish in your back pocket.

Getting There

Belize has one major airport in Belize City.  It is easily accessible from just about anywhere in the lower 48 states.  Major departure cities include: Miami, Dallas/Ft. Worth, and Houston.  We elected the three-hour flight from Dallas.  It could not have been easier.

Once you arrive, take a taxi into Belize City. The airport is a ways out-of-town, about 10 miles.  It should cost US $25.  Don’t pay more than that.  (You are already paying double what the locals pay.)  Candidly, we didn’t find much to see in Belize City.  There are some rough spots, make sure you take precautions for personal safety, especially at night. Have your taxi drop you off at the boat terminal. From here you can purchase tickets and board boats to the many island locations. We elected to take a boat to Ambergris Caye.  If time is an issue you can also book a short flight from the Belize City to San Pedro. The boat takes roughly an hour and a half.  The flight will get you there in 30 minutes. The boat ride can be a little rough depending on weather.

Costa Blu Belize

Costa Blu Belize

Resort Life

We highly recommend that you start your vacation on the beach. Select from one of many resort locations along the ocean. You can get everything from simple accommodations to five-star resorts. Definitely pick one with the pool.  We elected to stay at the beautiful Costa Blu Resort at Ambergris Caye.  It is an intimate resort that focuses on providing world-class diving.  The staff is friendly, and the food on premises is really good.  We highly recommend the conch ceviche!

Snorkeling

Belize is home to the second largest barrier reef in the world.   Definitely bring your Go Pro camera!   Your resort can help you in booking snorkeling trips. We elected to use Tuff N Nuff. We went out for two different half day excursions: shark alley, and Mexico rocks. We would recommend both to you. The excellent dive masters were so helpful and patient. Eric was especially nice to Luci who had trouble with her mask at first. They provide all the gear that you need.  They also offer insights into the flora and fauna you will see. If you are scuba certified or would like to become so, there are so many places that offer this service. Again they provide all of the equipment and excellent dive masters. On our visit to Mexico rocks, we swam with nurse sharks, turtles, and even an moray eel.  It was incredible.

 

Chill at the pool/beach

Arriving in Belize you immediately go into relax mode. Whether it’s sitting by the beach or enjoying the sun by the pool, you cannot help at leave all your worries behind.  We elected to have a couples massage right on the beach. Our resort arranged it and the cost was reasonable. We paid $90 for a 90 minute massage with the sounds of the sea and breeze tickling our faces.

Shopping at San Pedro

The major town located on the peninsula is called San Pedro. This rough and tumble beach town gives you access to a wonderful restaurants, souvenir shops, and more T-shirt shops and you can shake a stick at. We highly recommend Elvi’s restaurant for lunch or dinner. You’re not going to find high-end retail shops here. Just the sort that offer fun little trinkets to remember your trip.

Once your stress has melted away when you’re ready for adventure hop on the boat or plane back to the mainland. Here you’re going to need to rent a car. After doing our research there’s only one place that could offer the border transfer documents into Guatemala and that is Crystal Auto.  They have a solid selection of vehicles, it is not a bad idea to rent a jeep   Buy the GPS.  Cell service is a little spotty there. The main roads in Belize are fine, but you have a lot of large speed bumps and potholes the size of Texas or a German Shepherd. There is one major road running north and south and east to west.

Tikal Mayan Ruins

Tikal Mayan Ruins

Day trip to Tikal Mayan Ruins

We highly recommend a side trip to Tikal, the ruins in western Guatemala. It is a beautiful four-hour drive from Belize City. Well worth the travel. You will need to have a rental car that allows you to leave Belize and enter Guatemala. Crossing the border is a bit of an adventure.  The Belize side is fairly straightforward, the Guatemalan side not so much. You will need to trade some Belizean dollars into Guatemalan dollars. Keep in mind, border agents only speak Spanish on the Guatemalan side.  Be prepared for a lot of gestures and pointing.  There are a lot of teenage boys and men more than willing to help you figure out the border procedures, especially if you have a car. We let them help us and tipped them afterwards.

IMPORTANT:  You also need some Guatemalan dollars in order to enter in the Tikal National Park. We made the mistake of not having cash, we had to drive all the way back roughly an hour each way to get cash. Do not make this mistake.

There are two hotels in the park.  Accommodations are not stellar. Both are a bit rustic. We recommend staying inside the park as travel in and out of the park takes a lot of time. There are many guides that are available via your hotel.  Please visit with them before you book your tour. The command of good English is not widespread.  If you keep walking at a good pace you can see the entire complex in one day. You will definitely want to take pictures in the morning and evening, as the light is best. Pack gallons of mosquito spray and sunscreen: both will be an issue.  We elected to take the sunrise tour. This was a mistake. We did not check the weather. Eight out of ten days you will not be able to see the sunrise. The fog is too thick. Have your hotel check the weather forecast for the morning.

There is definitely a different feel in Guatemala. The language barrier is significant at times. The culture is remarkably different. With that said, well worth the adventure.

ATM Cave

Hands-down our favorite activity in Belize was visiting the ATM cave. You will need to book a trip in advance with a tour company that leads small groups through to Cave. You will need to be able to: swim, climb, and be ready for a significant hike.  The ATM cave complex is ancient Mayan religious site.  The cave is filled with archaeological artifacts and geological formations. Cameras and video cameras are not allowed in the cave. Sorry we don’t have any pictures. You begin the morning about 8 a.m..  Your guides will pick you up from your hotel.  From the main parking lot, your guide will take you on a short jungle hike, which includes a river crossing. There is a rope stretched across the river to use your crossing.

At the mouth of the cave you guide will give you a short introduction of what you will see in the caves and the will emphasize importance of staying together. The company will supply you with a helmet and a flashlight for your helmet. There is a moderate creek that runs through the cave. At the mouth of the cave your swim roughly 50 yards   The rest of the journey will be hiking and climbing.

Toward the end of the hike you will climb a ladder remove your shoes and walk into the main sacrificial chamber. There you will see a well-preserved skeleton of a sacrificed Mayan as well as interesting pottery and other ancient artifacts.

The entire experience was impressive.  It was unlike anything we have ever done.   We highly recommend it. It is a bit on the expensive side running roughly US$100 per person.  The guide service provides lunch, and transportation to and from your hotel in the area.

Caracol

If you’re up for another day of exploring Mayan ruins. We highly recommend Caracol ruins. Getting there is a wonderful adventure. You will need a high clearance or a jeep type vehicle to get there. There are several small river crossings as well as some jungle jeeping to get to the location. It is roughly 2 hour drive on a rough unpaved road. Toward the end of the journey you will need an armed guard to get to the ruins. Each day the Belizean army runs an armed guard service from the army base into the ruins. There’s no cost for this service but you have to be on time. There’s a sign in & out location there. Don’t let this scare you away, it is really straight forward and safe.

Caracol Mayan Ruins

Caracol Mayan Ruins

Make sure you have plenty of fuel as well as food as there are no services on the entire road into the ruins. There are guide services that can take you on this trip if you would like. Candidly, the drive in and out of Carocol is a lot of fun.  What makes the ruins better than Tikal would be the number of people.   There were only other 15 people at the entire complex during our visit. This makes for great pictures and you can take your time and seeing each of the ruins.

Enjoy your trip to Belize! The country offers something for the body and soul.  Relax on the beach, swim with schools of fish, then explore the ruins of an ancient civilization.

How to See Machu Picchu

On top of almost everyone’s bucket list lies a very special location: Machu Picchu. This mountain fortress located just outside Aquas Caliente is just one of them most special places we have visited in our travels. The commanding views from Machu Picchu rival any vista we have taken in.

Why go?

We get asked a lot, is Machu Picchu really that cool? Take our word for it:  It is. Set your expectations high: few places live up to the exquisite beauty, intricate history, and fascinating architecture.  Machu Picchu certainly one does.   The only thing likely to ruin your visit is weather.  We will talk about that later.  So what is Machu Picchu?  The Inca Fortress of Machu Picchu was built in the 15th century. It is a collection of 150 buildings, temples, homes and bath houses. It was apparently abandoned 100 years or so after its construction due to reasons unknown. There is no evidence that Europeans ever laid eyes on it during their conquests in South America in the 1600s.

The Perfect Day at Machu Picchu

The Perfect Day at Machu Picchu

You may want to check out National Geographic’s “10 secrets of Machu Picchu.”

Machu Picchu was “rediscovered” by a Yale professor named Hiram Bingham. Bingham engaged local residents to assist him in exploring the area. They led him to the ruins that had been taken over by the jungle growth. Over the next 4-5 year Bingham led expeditions to clear the growth and uncover one of the wonders of the world.

Why go? The site is fascinating on so many levels. First you have the intricate stonework that makes up the entire fortress. The farming techniques using terraces with mud from the river below is incredible. Little is known of the ancient Inca religion, but temples and religious sites are on display in the mountain perch. Again, the views from Machu Picchu are simply breathtaking. The green mountains cut against the blue sky are something to behold in person. If you love photography, You will fall in love with Machu Picchu.

But the real reason you should go to Machu Picchu, is the spiritual energy of the place. It’s difficult to describe. Here you are in such a beautiful setting, amid architecture that is way before its time, you sense that this is a wonder of the world.

When to go

Machu Picchu is open to visitors year round. The entire area is a jungle climate zone, so rain is always a possibility. It does rain more in October to mid April. The peak visitors season is July-August. But if you select this time to visit, be prepared for hordes of people. We visited in April and it was perfect.   Always pack a sport towel to wipe down the camera.

Machu Picchu

It is hard to take a bad picture of the place.

Getting There

We must be candid, getting to Machu Picchu is not easy. It is not close to anything. With that said there is an easy way and hard way to get to Machu Picchu. Before we get to the way that we prefer, you must know that there are a number of different hikes through the sacred Valley along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. This is a much beloved route of backpackers from around the world. They brag about the beauty of the trail leading to the fortress. There are many guides and travel agencies that can arrange all of the details for this kind of trip. Everything from rustic camping to full on ultra “glamping.”   We have heard some backpackers complain that after traveling the Inca Trail, visiting Machu Picchu was actually anti-climatic.

The whole camping hiking thing is just not for us.

For those who are pressed for time or want to take the easy way, We will walk you through it. Most journeys to Machu Picchu begin in Cuzco, Peru. We flew from Lima to Cuzco, then used it as our base to see the Sacred Valley and Machu.

Peru Rail now runs the main train from Cusco to Augas Calientes. There is also a luxury option called the Hiram Bingham run by the Orient Express. The train trip runs 3.5 hours one way. (Sit on the left side of the train going up. It has the best views of the river.) Overnighting in Aguas and coming back the next day is always a viable option. We were pressed for time and did the whole thing in one day, which is doable, just keep in mind the train waits for no one. The train doesn’t actually depart from Cusco, it departs from a little suburb called Poroy. It takes 20 mins or so from your hotel in downtown to get to the train station. The ride takes you along the beautiful Urubamba River. You see a number of little farms and families along the way. Simply beautiful. You can also see the hardworking Sherpa’s linking up with hikers headed out to take on the Inca Trail.

The beginning of the Inca Trail.  This is the HARD way to get to Machu Picchu.

The beginning of the Inca Trail. This is the HARD way to get to Machu Picchu.

As stated above, Machu Picchu is extremely popular. Train tickets do sell out. It is critical that you buy you tickets on the Peru Rail site as early as possible.  You will also need to purchase your tickets into Machu Picchu as well, in advance.

Once you arrive in Augas Calientes, buy water. You can secure a guide in town if you wish, but the entire site is seeable with a guidebook. We actually did both. We saved all our questions for our guide. You then board the bus and head up the switch backs. If you are at all motion sickness prone, meds would be appropriate. These bus drivers are crazy! It is a two-hour hike by foot one way.

The winding road to Machu Picchu

The winding road to Machu Picchu

There are bathroom facilities at the venue. Bring some bills or coins for the tip. There is a small snack bar there at the main gate.  Once you leave that venue, you will need you actual passport to get back in.  DONT FORGET TO BRING YOUR PASSPORT!

If you elect to see Machu Picchu’s sister Huayna Picchu, you will need a separate ticket to climb the peak. Our good friends returned from attempting the hike last year. It is rigorous, and at altitude, keep that in mind.

Fighting Couple Tip: Eat an early or late lunch and let the crowds go eat. You will get some great pictures, like this one:

Machu Picchu

The Views of Machu Picchu. Mike taking it all in. There is something special about this place.

Machu Picchu is truly one of the wonders of the world. We cant recommend it enough to you. Have you been? What were your impressions? Any tips for couples wanting to see the place? Please leave your comments below.