As someone who flies more than just about any other traveler in Peru, in this episode I talk about frequent flyer benefits no matter what airline you use, transportation, the best seats to reserve, how I get the best airfare deals, airport security, luggage, the reality of some airport terminals, transportation from and to the airport, and a lot more. You can get links to all the airlines who fly domestically on the Show Notes page here: Podcast Episode 13 - Domestic Air Travel in Peru - Everything You Need to Know

It's hard to describe how deeply I love the rainforest, but in this episode I give it a try by talking about experiences with animals and how I dealt with my own personal deep phobia. You can read the Show Notes here and see a few of my favorite wildlife photos from the jungle: Episode 12 - Why I Love the Rainforest (Part 1) - Animals.

In this episode I talk a little more about visiting Machu Picchu including recommendations on how to get there and using guides. Show Notes are available at Some Thoughts on Visiting Machu Picchu.

I spent a couple of days in Arequipa focusing on photographing and finally visited the Monatserio Santa Catalina as well as the lesser known Convento la Recoleta. Both. while completely different, turned out to be two of the most interesting places i've ever visited in Peru. Santa Catalina, in particular, might be the most photogenic place I've ever visited in years of travel across the country. I also talk briefly about some issues I had with the hotel I'd used once before, Bella AQP. I was quite disappointed with the level of service by some of the staff, though others did their best to make up for it. You can check out the Show Notes for this episode here: Monasteries and Convents in Arequipa

Last week I took a short trip to the small town of Abancay about five hours from Cusco by bus. While it really wasn't long enough to do much exploring in the town itself., this episode focuses on information about the bus ride that might be useful to anyone thinking about traveling across the country in this slower and far cheaper mode of transportation. I also talk about a development with the availability of tickets for Machu Picchu as well as a brief update on COVID in Peru. You can read the show notes here: Episode 9 - Abancay and the South Central Andes by Bus.

In this episode I talk about noise, traffic, and how Peruvians approach time -- all things that visitors commonly have a bit of uncertainty in dealing with as they are frequently quit a bit different from what visitors are used to in their home countries. You can check out the show notes here: Episode 8 - Peruvian Cultural Differences (Part 2)

In this episode I talk about some of the differences in Peruvian culture that might be a little more challenging to deal with by a visitor from a foreign place. Some of these may be inconsequential to you, but others may be a little harder to accept. As I always say, visitors must remember that they are guests in someone else's country and it is up to those guests to accept the culture of Peru without expecting Peruvians to change for them. Also in this episode I talk quite a bit about some of the things that are happening at Machu Picchu including one major change that will affect thousands of people looking to visit the site through what I call the "back way" along the train tracks form the hidroelectrica. I also warn you about problems that have arisen from dishonest agencies who have basically ruined the lifelong dream to visit Machu Picchu of apparently hundreds of people in recent days. I've got some useful information in the show notes here: Podcast Episode 7 - Cultural Differences (Part 1)

The idea for this episode came from some social media posts I've seen recently by p[eople planning trips to Peru. Their concerns were very real and echoed comments I'd seen many times in the past, but some of the responses were, at best, incorrect, so I thought I'd share some facts and experiences from someone who lives here. In this epsiode I also briefly touch upon about how COVID has not reached the level where 20% of those tested are infected. Even more important to a lot of people is that there is a good chance of increased flight cancellations in the next few days as there is a shortage of jet fuel that won't be remedied for at least another week. Be sur to check out the show notes at Episode 6 - ATMs, Food, and Safety.

In this epsiode I had a little fun sharing my thoughts on the eternal debate about tourists vs travelers. You can catch up on some of the news and hopefully share your own thoughts with a comment at the bottom of the Episode 5 Show Notes page.

In this episode I talk about the two routes coming into Aguas Calientes which is the jumping off point for Machu Picchu. People can come in from either upriver by train or from downriver by train or hiking along the railway. There are no roads to Aguas Calientes and Machu Picchu from anywhere outside. I also talk about the continued rapid rise in the spread of COVID across the country and the expanded mask rules which affect the entire country beginning immediately. Show notes can be found at Podcast Episode – Tips on Visiting Machu Picchu (Part 2)