As promised, Part 2 - we often focus on first impressions and overlook last impressions.

After a few days on the Belmond Andean Explorer train, our magnificent trip ended.

Have you ever seen a farewell like this before? What a remarkable last impression with the entire staff

Yesterday, we did a rainforest jungle walk in pouring rain and it was *incredible*

Our guide (in red up front) is a jungle master - showed us boa constrictor on a tree limb, nocturnal monkeys, found a tarantula spider, etc.

Experiences create memories.

Memories are of joy (good ones) or regret (bad ones).

An ordinary breakfast turns extraordinary when it’s a picnic on a boat on the Amazon.

Well done Aqua: fresh OJ / Papaya juice, delicious fresh fruit, poached eggs w homemade chili sauce,

Damn! Piranhas sure have sharp teeth!

Day 1 in the Amazon. Spectacular beauty, sights and sounds.

A reminder to slow down, be present and embrace nature. ❤️

Top of the morning from the Amazon. Waking to this sunrise with dolphins frolicking below.

Wishing all the mothers a beautiful day filled w love and joy.

Thank you for all you do. ❤️🙏

Aqua Nera cruise down the Amazon. Heard it was great, photos looked amazing.

In real life, it’s spectacular.

Landed in Iquitos, Peru.

Headed for another bucket list item: luxury cruise in the Amazon.

Seen below is a shanty town all built on stilts. During the wet season, the river rises 35 *feet* from rain and snowmelt and everything you see is underwater (except the homes).

Thoughts? We’ve experimented with all inclusive pricing and breaking fees out. There’s benefits to each. Which do you prefer?

Part 1 of 2

Here is the often discussed, first impression / sense of arrival at the Belmond Rio Sagrado hotel in the Sacred Valley, Perú - for the record, we arrived at 10pm

How cool / fun is this?

Just throwing this out there. I see alpacas in our future…

who knew?

Peru has over 3000 varieties of potatoes. They grow at altitude.

also was surprised to see many surfers in Lima (all in wetsuits due to Humboldt ocean current)

The hike to Machu Picchu was a powerful reminder:

- It’s hard. Deal w it.
- small steps forward.
- focus on big picture - summit
- don’t quit

And when you succeed:
- gain confidence & conviction
- celebrate the win (joy!)

Would have been easier to skip the hike.

But is

Don’t know who needs to hear this but…

Machu Picchu wasn’t built in a day.

See too many on this app chasing “shiny objects” and get rich quick schemes.

Stay focused. Put in the work. Persevere.

We made it! Long day, lots of sun, heat, humidity in the cloud forest and passed through the Sun Gate and there she was in all her majesty.

Tomorrow we hike Mount Machu Picchu in the am (2300 Ft elevation gain) before returning to tour the citadel.

Incredible day. More

Living life, crossing off “bucket list*

2 Day Inca Trail trek; train to km 104.
Hike 6.22 miles, 2000 ft elevation gain, (7000 ft -> 9000 ft).

Stay at Belmond Sanctuary Lodge overnight. Drop into Machu Picchu first thing tomorrow morning. LFG!! 🔥🚀
🙏

Greetings from The Sacred Valley, Andean Highlands, Peru