inca trail & amazon rainforest (tpj) 17th Sept 11

Hello there,

It's great to hear from you.  I'm also booked on the same trip and can't wait.  Have you been on an exodus trip before?

 Sonia

No not used before, have you? How's planning going? It's taken me ages to get my head all of it, but now so excited only 121 days.

Hi Sonia/Ema

Martin and I are on this trip too. I've never been to this part of the world before and really looking forward to it. I've been on trips with Exodus before and they've all been great and well organised. Now I just need to start thinking about getting a bit fitter...!

Vicki

Helloa vicki,martin,sonia

great so glad i am able to at least catch up with some of you before we go:) how have you guys been getting on with the anti maleria side of things, i keep getting mixed answers about taking or not:( I have managed to get myself some walking boots and have even started to go out in them. on the fittness side got a really good routine from my gym which looked easy but my it was a killer first time, legs killed for 3 days!!!! I dont know about you but i have so many questions going around my head!

It would be great to really get this forum thing going and have all 15/16 of us on it. I make no apologises for my spelling mind!

ema

It's great to hear from you.  I know what you mean about the fitness side of things...  all a bit daunting! 

 As for the malarial side of things, not sure I haven't spoken to people yet?  Does Exodus make any recommendations?  Must admit, I've had malarone before, one of the better ones with supposedly less side effects, and I did feel quite squiffy (technical term), so I'm hoping it's not required!

It's good to hear that Vicki and Martin have been away with Exodus before, repeat business is always reassuring lol.  So where did you go previously?

 Keep working out guys, we'll get there,

 :o)

 Sonia

Previously I've been to Morocco and Egypt with Exodus. I've got an appointment at my local travel clinic on Friday so I'll let you know what advice I get re malaria and any other jabs...

I was thinking how wierd it would be if i was going all the way to peru to meet up with a group of people and that some of them where from my home town. so guys i live in bournemouth,dorset, how about you?

yes please let me know what your travel clinic says:)

117 days to goooooooooooooo:)

Good thinking Ema  :o)

wow really, i grew up on the wirral:) chester is my favourite place to go when i see my mum.

We live in West Norfolk which is very flat - no hills for training! I went to the travel clinic at my doctors surgery and here’s what they said. I’m up to date on my Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid and Hepatitis A which they mentioned as needing. There is a slight risk of Malaria in some of the parts we will go to. I’ve used Mefloquine (or Lariam) before so I’ll probably use these again if I decide to get them but I think these are the anti-malarials that supposedly have the most side effects and you have to remember to continue taking them for 4 weeks after you’re back which is quite a faff for some people. There are a couple of other options available e.g.Doxycycline & Malarone . They mentioned Yellow Fever – again I’ve had this within the last 10 years so I’m covered anyway. I was told Hepatitis B is only really recommended for health professionals or people who plan to be working with children out there. The other one mentioned briefly was Rabies which comes from infected animal bites but this was really expensive (I think she said about £150 for the course of 3 jabs). However, if you are within 24 hours of being able to get the vaccine should you get bitten then you should be ok. The feeling I got was I would be ok without Hep B & Rabies for the parts we are visiting. Having said all that, that’s the advice I was given but if anyone hears any different I’d be interested to know! I did come across this website which might be of interest: http://www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk/destinations/south-america/peru.aspx Is anyone on the group flights or are you making your own way there? Vicki

Hi All

Sounds like we are taking malaria tablets then, I had the same advise, the malaria tablets recommended were proguanil or doxycycline.

I missed a space on the group flight:( so take off 30mins later on my own:(

Hows the planning going on the clothing front for you guys? me not sure what to buy first!

only 103 days to go:)

ema

Same advice I've been given too, although I've had Malarone before (supposedly tablets with least side effects) and after 3 weeks was feeling quite off, so will probably try the doxy instead.

 Clothes wise, definitely going for the down jackets etc.  Am now best friends with one of the managers of Cotswold's in Betws-y-coed, who's lead several treks up Macchu Picchu, and the advice is definitely down!  Although, they've also mentioned 2x shorts, 2x trousers, 4x tops....  I usually take more than this for a weekend away!

 How's the training going anyway?  For fear of not pushing myself hard enough, I've booked onto one of those boot camps in July (enough time to heal afterwards lol), think my friend's are starting to worry lol!

 Flights wise, I'm actually going from Manchester - Paris - Lima, so will see you all there, anyone else on these flights?

Sonia

 

Injection day for me today!:( sure it will be fine, plus me going for malaria tablets proguanil they have least side affects but you take 2 tablets per day( will rattle after 4wks).  Now I was thinking I'm sure we are all going to have to buy lots of stuff from deet to sleeping bags. So if your doing any bargain, price comparisons etc and see a good deal, then lets share it:) that way were not all searching for same stuff.

91 days to go do the other 11 people excist!

quote of week " stairs are your freind"

ema

Ha ha...  I love the idea of quote of the week!  Having just got back from the pub after having plum crumble for desert, I'm now looking forward to an evening on the treadmill :o(

You're a good influence Ema, thanks!

PS Cotswolds do 20% off if you've booked with Exodus.

 

Hi everyone, my names Helen and my other half is Darren and we re joining you all on the trip!! Can t wait it s coming round v quickly now though! Am just starting to get organised and get shopping (It s not a fashion show as I ve been told a LOT of times!) so will be reading up on any hints and tips. Fitness wise Darren going great guns and me not so good but feel inspired now!!!! You ll know who we are on the trip cause I'm petrified of spiders and Darrens not so good with heights and snakes so we ll be the ones crying like girls! Looking forward to meeting you all, it's going to be fun!! X

Helloa Helen & Darren

 welcome to the mad house! I'm sure we are all just going to have a fab time & as long as we prep, we so will have a laugh too. If ya have any good hints or tips please share

:) xx

Hey everyone

long time so hear:(

so me got yellow fever injection this week!(so looking forward to that). Anyone found a bargain yet on a trip necessity list, me off work this week so hoping to do a bit of shopping around, including trip to coltsworld shop & nomad.

so guys remember stairs still your friends, plus ballons aswell!

why you ask? answers on postcard:)

xx

Sorry

i did say my spelling bad

I meant "balloons"

Hi all I just got Ali 1l water bottle £3.99, yes the price is right:) can't believe it was in sports direct as well. For the girls pink ones & boys well some nice dull ones:) Have fun:) X

Hi everyone, paid the final balance today which means it's getting closer. In 2 months we'll be there! So far there are 14 of us aged from mid 20s to 60s so quite a spread.

Couple of quick questions, I'm nearly ready, just got malarial tablets to sort out, but just to check as far as I'm aware, we don't need any visa's or certificate for yellow fever immunisations do we?  Had a YF injection few years ago and am still covered but lost the certificate (oops!)

 So looking forward to it now :o)

wow good to have contact again, thought you had all changed your minds!

yes me paid my final balcance and yes stil very very much excited as now only 58 days (love my phone app)

yellow fever not required for peru, i had as hoping to do more travelling in future.

Sonia how was boot camp? me killing myself with exercise i decided, my routine includes 200 steps with 10kilo weights & my favourite lunges:( 60! with weights plus my usual cv workout. so better help out there.

me on a jacket hunt this week and in 2 weeks up your way sonia visiting mum, so hoping to go to cheshire oaks for some bargain outlet gear.

anyway keep in touch guys and remember any tips you hear share:)

 ema the mad one xx

wow good to have contact again, thought you had all changed your minds!

yes me paid my final balcance and yes stil very very much excited as now only 58 days (love my phone app)

yellow fever not required for peru, i had as hoping to do more travelling in future.

Sonia how was boot camp? me killing myself with exercise i decided, my routine includes 200 steps with 10kilo weights & my favourite lunges:( 60! with weights plus my usual cv workout. so better help out there.

me on a jacket hunt this week and in 2 weeks up your way sonia visiting mum, so hoping to go to cheshire oaks for some bargain outlet gear.

anyway keep in touch guys and remember any tips you hear share:)

 ema the mad one xx

wow good to have contact again, thought you had all changed your minds!

yes me paid my final balcance and yes stil very very much excited as now only 58 days (love my phone app)

yellow fever not required for peru, i had as hoping to do more travelling in future.

Sonia how was boot camp? me killing myself with exercise i decided, my routine includes 200 steps with 10kilo weights & my favourite lunges:( 60! with weights plus my usual cv workout. so better help out there.

me on a jacket hunt this week and in 2 weeks up your way sonia visiting mum, so hoping to go to cheshire oaks for some bargain outlet gear.

anyway keep in touch guys and remember any tips you hear share:)

 ema the mad one xx

We ve paid!!!! Getting stuck in to the gym and trying to get organised with clothes now, has everyone done their insurance through exodus? Had a quick look at others but not sure if as good a cover? Can t wait to go now, it can't come quick enough! X

Hi ya all Me not done insurance yet, prob go with exodus, like yourselves not sure others will cover altitude. What's rest of u done?? Ema x

How on earth did my earlier message post 3 times!!!!

Yep, I've also gone with exodus for insurance (they guarantee helicopter recovery which not all others do lol).  Bills paid, just last few items of clothing to buy now (long sleeves and trousers for the amazon I've been told), and gyming it during the week and up and down Snowdon at the weekends.  Don't think I've ever done this much exercise in my life!

 Ema, next time you're up north again let us know if you fancy catching up, I'm around Cheshire Oaks so would be great to meet up if you fancy?  That goes for anyone else too?

 How many days to go now????

 

hey hey hey 51 days to go, yippee

ok me going for exodus insurance too:)

been manic in work lately so gym proving harder this week:(

Here's my email ema.cornwell@ntlworld.com, sonia heading up north this sunday for couple of days:) feel free to email.

hows the rest of the clan?

ema

Work and a stinking cold (again! That's twice in a month!) have prevented me from exercising over the last week. Getting a bit worried especially after reading about all your fitness routines! Hopefully I'll shift it soon and can get back on it. 

Hey don't worry be happy:) Still ages to go really, so chill get better & stock up on multi vits. Then u will have energy & motivation for exercise, u can then go for it. Me still not getting that many miles in my new boots as means walking on my own:( don't feel safe doing that in the beautiful countryside:( so I walk to gym & back. We will all be fine as long as we work together. Go inca team sept :) Ema xx

I really wouldn't worry too much Vicki.  A friend of mine has lead several treks up Machu Picchu himself and seeing how much exercise I was 'trying' to do (not generally very fit personally lol), he basically told me to chill out and don't get super fit.  In his experience, the super fit people are the ones who focus on the challenge of the walk ahead rather than taking their time and enjoying the beautiful scenary, subsequently they ascend too quickly and suffer from shortness of breath. Well that's what I've been told and makes me a bit less apprehensive about whether or not I'm fit enough lol!  Like Ema says, we'll look after each other for sure :o)xx 

Thanks guys, makes me feel better already :-)

8 weeks today we'll be going over Dead Womans Pass!!

wow guys you have all gone so quiet:( is this because we're all dashing round buying stuff, panicing do i need this or that? well me been buying cloths side of things, plus doing a list of what bits and bobs i still need to buy. even managed to get out more in my boots, which felt great.

are most people flying into paris for a connection to lima? Thought it would be great to say hi if so:)

where you guys at then?

ema xx

omg 23 days to go:)

final instructions and tickets arrived, omg so much still to do!

hows the rest of you getting along? all packed? not looked at! semi done:)

faqs tab a real help with questions running around your head.

Are you all flying into amsterdam airport?

who's going from heathrow, would be good to say hi there?

I hope you all have a great time on this trip. I'm booked on the similar APX trip that's departing around the same time so maybe I'll bump into you all somewhere in Peru!

Best Wishes,

 Ian

Thanks Ian, hope you have a fab trip as well!

 Sooooooo excited now, off at the weekend to get the final bits and pieces, although have done so much hiking recently that my new boots look a couple of years old and I think my new waterproof is no longer waterproof - flippin Snowdonia weather lol!  Hoping the rainy season doesn't really kick in whilst we're over there now :o(

Sorry Ema, I'm flying to Paris then Lima, so will meet up with you there.  I get to Lima around 15:55 (assuming transfers go ok).

x

 

SO HOW'S EVERY ONE DOING APART FROM BEING REALLY QUIET!

I'M NOT THERE YET ON PACKING FRONT BUT HAVE A MASSIVE LONG LIST:)

WHO'S FLYING FROM HEATHROW? OR AMSTERDAM?

HI HO HI HO ITS OFF TO PERU WE GO:) OF COURSE WITH MY MARMALADE BUTTY M M

EMA XX

Hi Ema & Everyone, We've still got a few bits and pieces to get. I think packing will be difficult with all the different weather we'll potentially experience! Martin and I are flying from Heathrow via Madrid and are due to land in Lima about 6pm ish I think. Maybe we'll meet some fellow travellers on the way?

Vicki

Yep, I'm still hunting round for a few items, but like you said Vicki, we've got so much stuff to take with all the different weather systems.  Can't wait though :o)

Hi all,

 

My name is Sylvain from Montreal Canada.  I have decided last week to join the trip and I will travel alone.  It is my 3rd Exodus trip.  I have done India/Nepal and Middle East.  I travel often and I can say without a doubt that these have been the best trips of my life.  This is why I did not hesitate to do it again!!!

 

The 2 preceding groups I was with were fantastic.  It is very important especially when you travel alone.  This is why I look forward to meet you all.

I wil be at Exodus hotel ahead of the group Thursday 15th AM.  Do not hesitate to contact me if you are planning to be there ahead of time.

 

Cheers,

 

Sylvain 

Hello there, nice to have you with us, and good to hear such good reports for Exodus trips too :o)

 Think most of us are arriving on the Friday, so will undoubtedly meet up at the hotel I'm guessing.  Really looking forward to it now!

 Good luck with your last minute packing...  I'm impressed with your decisiveness!

Have a good journey and see you next week,

 Sonia

It is very nice to hear from you.  I guess my decisiveness is coming from the kind of work I do!!!

 As I said I really took a last minute decision on this one.  I had to submit a bid for September 7th and I had to work intensively the last 4 months.  Indeed, there was a crecendo the last 2 weeks since I had to work 15 days in a row and spending 4 nights at the office only returning home to take a shower and have breakfast and then returning to the office!!!  Needless to say that I did not have a single minute to think about vacations!! 

 I slept all day on the 8th and then took the decision on the trip 9th AM and then went for vaccinations and bought medications in the afternoon!!!  Today, I went to buy what is required and...Ouf!!! I'm ready to go!!!

I really really..really look forward to that trip Lol Lol!!!

 Will you be there in time for dinner Friday?

 

Sylvain

 

All makes sense lol, you'll be ready for a chill out after all that work!  Dare I ask what you actually do!?!

 Think I'm the first to arrive out the rest of the group, at 15:55 :o)  How about everyone else?  Am guessing we'll all meet up and head out, that is if you're not passing out of hunger before then Sylvain?

:o)

Wow!!  You are up late!! I'm not an early bird too Lol Lol

I am VP and Chief Financial Officer of a company in the health sector.  I am a bit scared of telling you what I do because you will think that I am boring like the majority of people working in finance!!! Lol Lol I also lecture at University.  Is it better now Lol Lol?  How about you, are you also a boring finance person? Lol Lol 

Leave me a message at hotel reception if you get there in time for dinner Friday and if I'm there we may go somewhere to eat alpaga or guinea pig with a few Pisco sours!!!! 

Sylvain

Yeah, I do struggle with mornings, bit of a warning everyone lol :o)  Last weekend before we head off so have been trying catch up on sleep, which usually means I slip back into my natural body clock of being wide awake at silly o'clock in the morning.  I'll have a shock to the system at 5.30am tomorrow morning when I have to get up for work :o( 

 Sounds like you keep yourself busy that's for sure Sylvain.  Me...  no I'm not in finance, research bioscientist, so even more boring lol!  Although promise not your stereotypical mad scientist lol!

 Sounds like a plan, will leave a message at the hotel for you. 

 As Ema just texted me...  only 5 days to go :o)

Sonia

Sounds like you guys are going to be there a day ahead of us - we arrive Saturday evening.

I've decided I need to think seriously about packing today as I'm not going to get much chance in the week. Despite having been booked on this trip for months it's suddenly upon us. I like your strategy Sylvain - I recently went to Mount Toubkal in Morocco at about a weeks notice. On the packing front it was much easier- no time to think about it just had to do it!

This time next week...

Vicki

Sonia, we will be able to count on you to identify all the bugs that will bite us Lol Lol interesting!!!

 I agree with you Vicki, I'm at my best when I have to react to situation.  Probably coming from the fact that I am an ice hockey goaltender accustomed to react to 100 miles an hour puck being thrown at me!!!

There is only 3 days left for me since I leave Wednesday.  I fly Montreal to toronto and then Toronto Lima.  I will be there around 1 AM.  I really hope that Exodus will be there to pick me up as they promised!!!

Since I'm there ahead of you, it will allow me some time to brush up on my spanish!! Quisiera uno Alpaga con varios piscos!!! Lol Lol  I can't wait to be there and chill out!!!

 Cheers, 

Sylvain

Sorry to disappoint Sylvain, I'd stand more chance of identifying what had bitten you with a blood sample and a microscope then seeing the creepy crawly up close and personal - haven't got a clue about species etc.  Sorry!

 Liking the fact that you speak Spanish!  Someone needs to do the obligatory ordering drinks :o)

 So what time do you arrive Ema and Vicki?  Not sure whether to wait around for you guys or head straight to the hotel?

 :o)

Helloa all So boots ready, bag well sort of packed, unpacked, packed:) sure unpacked again. Me organised for Hol it's just the work & home bit still to sort out!!?!? Me arrive sat night 6pm (17th) did think I got date wrong when u said fri Sonia, had to check my ticket ! Soooo excited I feel ill:) C ya all very soon, can't wait to put faces to names Ema xx