Miami

4 nights in Miami. Shopping, Work, NBA, Nightlife. Stunned by the Glitz and Glamour. Check out the photo of key west at the top. Also the view from my hotel room. 

Easter Island - Mass

Amazing mass in two languages: Spanish and Rapa Nui! 

Easter on Easter Island - Moais

A dream come true. I spent Easter on Easter Island, alone. A time of spiritual re-birth of sorts which I needed in many respects. I returned to a new relationship with Paola. This explains why I haven't uploaded blogs in a long-time.

Road Trip - Quilotoa

Road trip with Henry and Sharlene. 5 hours outside Quito deep in the Andes at the Black Sheep Inn. Wonderful eco-lodge, with amazing meals, cozy rooms and amazing views! 

Quilotoa Lake

One of the most beautiful sites in the world. A 3km wide lake inside a collapsed volcanic crater at 3600 mtrs above sea-level. Still active and bubbling. We hiked down an hour past sheep and goat, rode out to the center of the lake, all to ourselves, and rode back up on horse. 

Andean People - Quilotoa

Traveling deep into the Andean mountain region, we came across many colorful Kichwa speaking Indian people. It was amazing to interact and talk with the locals, even driving one of the couples back to their local village. 

Plane Crash

The fog is so intense here. Surely a factor in a plane crash, 500 meters from my house. My heart goes out to the victims. This is the 5th plane crash in the neighborhood since the 90's!!

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/03/19/world/main4878091.shtml

Lazy Sunday Drive

My mind a blur from the usual Sunday morning hang-over, I decided to take-off for a drive with no particular destination in mind. I just wanted to get a taste of the indigenous cultures and get off the beaten path. 

First stop was San Pablo de Lago. Rather than view the lake from a distance, I entered "downtown" through a muddy unpaved road. Locals were struggling to keep their homes from flooding. I strolled around in the rain in downtown San Pablo del Lago (1st photo above) feeling clearly out of place, but enjoying it. 

Next stop was Otavalo where I had been before but only to the markets. The town was charming. Check-out the head shot of the Incan General Rumiñahui juxtaposed against the backdrop of a church. I am intrigued by the culture of Otavalenos. The women proudly wear traditional clothes layered with gold jewelry. Apparently, this is the closest to the original Incan fashion - based on my quick research.

Last stop, La Cascada de Pechuga - gorgeous waterfall and some Incan ruins. (Thanks to Satya for the tip)

Marlboro Beach House

We opened up a beautiful Marlboro Beach House all throughout March, near Salinas. On opening day, we had 640 guests who were lounging by the pool during the day and dancing to music by night.

I got so sunburned that my face was peeling all week!

Party NIghts Salinas

Few snaps from after-beach party in Salinas with co-workers (and Marlboro Hostess). I temporarily started growing a beard since my last vacation.

Machu Picchu

The 3 hour train ride winding through the Sacred Valley of the Incas lead us to Aguas Calientes from which a bus lead us to Machu Picchu.

A thick fog blanketed the mountains and the sites. Within hours the sun cleared the fog and revealed the majestic views of the Lost City of the Incas. It was discovered in 1911. Unspoiled by destruction by the Spanish. 

A steep strenuous climb up Waynapicchu (limited to 400 ppl a day) revealed a birds-eye view. Only then did it become clear how the city was designed in the shape of a condor.

My Dad, celebrating his 61st birthday on this day, made it to the top to our surprise!

Cusco Inca Capital

Cusco, the Inca Capital. Most of the ruins have been destroyed as the palaces and temples were destroyed by the Spanish. At the foundation of many of these Inca sites are now amazing churches and cathedrals. The old world charm and fusion of 600 yrs of cultures; Incan, Spanish and Peruvian adorn the streets.

One of the paintings is an amazing reflection of this fusion. The Last Supper where Jesus and his disciples are eating Cuy or Guinea Pig. 

Galapagos the Land

Galapagos, comes from the old Spanish name for "saddles" representing the distinct shape of the tortoise shell. The islands formed over 10 million years ago are still alive, spewing lava.

When the ship first arrived at dawn to Sullivan Bay, the red-earth and hundreds of craters was reminiscent of Mars, less the water of-course. If there ever was a Jurassic Park, this would be it.

No wonder the islands are voted #2 (among islands) in the New Seven Wonders of the World.

http://www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/liveranking/