Well, I am back at work again after an extended Christmas vacation.  The time off was wonderful. After spending Christmas in Costa Rica, my husband and I went to Perú for the New Year and had a wonderful time.  It was the first time for both of us in Perú, and it sure lived up to our high expectations. We were both very impressed by Lima – though a little dangerous in some areas, the city was quite well-maintained, with historic architecture and wonderful infrastructure.  I was a bit disappointed with the museums.  I found the Gold Museum to be poorly laid-out and poorly explained – not to mention over-priced- while the National Museum was quite redundant in its displays, despite the building’s impressive exterior.

We also visited Cuzco, a small little town that serves as the stepping stone to Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley.  Now, I usually try to avoid tourist spots.  I usually find them to be artificial and redundant.  However, in Cuzco for some reason, the tourists and vendors didn’t seem to bother us quite as much. Perhaps it was because most of the travellers were more experienced than most.  It could also have been that we quite enjoyed walking around the little markets and shops, rather than seeing them as bothersome.  Whatever the reason, after several days exploring this small town, we were both very sad to leave. 

Due to time (and budget) constraints, we elected to do the two-day hike to Machu Picchu.  Though surely the four day option also provides many spectacular views, we were thrilled with the shorter version of the hike, which dazzled us with its beauty.  If at all possible to do the hike, it is a far better alternative than taking the train-to-bus route.  The magic of breaking over the mountain to catch your first glimpse of Machu Picchu is unforgettable. 

When we got home, we had one day to rest, unpack, wash cloths and unwind before friends arrived from back home.  We had 4 visitors within one week, and we headed out travelling once more – this time within Costa Rica.  Our destination was the Nicoya Peninsula (to the beach) and then to Arenal Volcano.  The volcano was clouded over, as it usually is this time of year, so we ended up relaxing in the nearby hotsprings.

So, now I am back at work, still whirling from our travels, yet happy to get back into the old routine.