The day started with a trip to Manta, Ecuador where the Immigrations office is located. The agent who stamped us in was probably the most efficient woman in South America. I have never seen a government worker execute her job with such purpose and efficiency. We were in and out in less than 30 minutes, god bless her.
We hopped on a bus to Guyaquil (3 and a half hours in AC with big seats and leg room for 5 dollars ) with plans to catch a bus to Lima (24-28 hours). However, we had a quick fateful exchange of words over almuerzo. Call it a family meeting, if you will.
Terry sighs and asks, "You know what?"
Cassie and Mandy reply in unison, "What dad?"
"Lets just fly to Lima. I don't want to spend 28 hours on a bus."
"Are you serious?...Effin awesome!"

And that's how we came to Lima yesterday.
We flew with LAN, who I highly recommend, from Guyaquil and arrived in Lima shortly after 7pm. Other than dad going into psycho pilot panic attack mode in the airport, everything went fantastically smooth. I wont say airport security was lax, but we didn't get the American 'you're-probably-a-terrorist' treatment that makes modern day air travel a pain in the ass. Once in the air, I enjoyed my complimentary 2oz white wine while gazing out of my window at the mountain peaks, the coast, and a sunset as vivid as they come. I'd say that it was a refreshing alternative the sea level sunsets I've grown accustom to.
Hostal de Patio, our lodging for the night, is so charming that it was difficult to muster up the energy to go out into the city this morning.
But, after a cup of coffee, I believe we are going to venture into downtown Lima to visit some historically stimulating museums.

Oh, I'd like to retract the thirty-seven or so times that I misspelled Machu Picchu. Oops.

I am at a internet caf� in Miraflores, Lima and once again I've been informed by the captain that what I'm doing should be done faster, cheaper, and without hindrance to his schedule.

Cheers
cass