Are we okay? Peru situation

Some folks have been asking if we are okay… Short answer – Yes. Some may not be aware of the current situation in Peru.

Timeline: Peru’s political crisis since removal of Pedro Castillo | Politics News | Al Jazeera

We were in Peru – actually in the capital – Lima – when these events unfolded. We dodged the difficulties that have beset some other travellers. Here is our timeline. I write this from Santa Cruz – one of the islands in the Galapagos, Ecuador – 1000km off the coast of South America.

Apologies for the brevity… The internet here is about as fast as a Galapagos Tortoise.

Entered Peru 27 Nov 2022

Our Lake Titicaca experience and entry into Peru from Bolivia via bus was uneventful, friendly and enjoyable. From the Bolivian side where we stayed on the Isla del Sol and staged our travel to Puno from Copacabana, we had no problems.

Puno and the floating reed islands near this friendly city were a wonderful experience.

Arrived Cusco from Puno by bus 30 Nov

We managed to enjoy the whole Cusco, Rainbow Mountain, Sacred Valley, Ollantoytambo, Machu Picchu experience without any issues.

We did witness peaceful restrained protests while there. This was during the few days prior to the arrest of the President.

Perurail and our flight to Lima from Cusco airport were normal and without issue.

6 Dec 2022 – Departed Cusco for Lima

During our stay in Lima the President was arrested on the 7^th . We witnessed more protests and the main square in front of the Presidential palace was fenced off. Tourists like us were still permitted to go beyond the fence to take pictures. Demonstrations occurred in one of the nearby plazas. We walked through this plaza on the way to the Presidential palace and while noisy, there was no violence.

10 Dec 2022 – Departed Lima for Tumbes

Tumbes is a Peruvian border town. We opted to fly here and take the bus across the border to Guayaquil to catch our flight to the Galapagos Islands. We were led astray by an enterprising tuk-tuk driver who abandoned us illegally inside Ecuador, forcing us back to the border post to check out of Peru and into Ecuador. It turned out okay but was a little harrowing. Not related to the unrest in Peru, however, the bus company security guard, complete with a handgun took photographs of all passengers before we departed.

11 Dec 2022 – Arrive in Guayaquil

Guayaquil is the gateway to the Galapagos. We managed to spend a couple of days here before flying to the Galapagos Islands 13 Dec 2022

13 Dec 2022 fly to San Cristobel, Galapagos Islands

Galapagos Islands – 1000km West of Guayaquil – Currently there until 20 Dec 2022. Have travelled to Isabela and we are currently in Santa Cruz.

I’d like to leave you with some low-resolution photos of the wonderful animals here in the Galapagos Islands.