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2023 Review: Living Our Best Life
Compared to 2022, 2023 was a huge relief. Lots of cool activities that make us say we’re living our best life. MALTA : It was in Malta that we spent New Year’s Eve. Malta which we visited for the first time (JB had been there for a week with his family as a teenager). It’s a bit of a return to our roots because JB is 25% Maltese. Oh, how we love this country! There’s a certain sweetness to life! The country is tiny, so it’s very easy to see everything; you just rent a car every now and then and you can go from one end of the country…
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Taxi from Lima airport: how much does it cost? (2024)
Usually, when we arrive at an airport, we either use public transport or an Uber to get to our accommodation. In Lima’s case, there is a shuttle bus that seems really good, but it only leaves once an hour. We were very tired after a sleepless night and a 12-hour journey, so no. Uber is present in Lima, but they don’t have privileged access to the airport, so it’s not a recommended option. I had done my research and noted that the taxi fare to Miraflores, the neighborhood where we were staying, should be between 55 and 80 soles. Peruvian taxis don’t have meters, so you have to negotiate the…
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Taxi from Cusco airport: how much does it cost? (2024)
Just like at Lima airport, you’ll find a kiosk to prepay for an official taxi, right before the exit. The fare to reach Cusco’s historic center is 40 S/. There’s clearly a “tourist tax” because that’s roughly the price of a 30-minute ride in Lima, while Cusco’s center is only about fifteen minutes away. I had read that it was possible to pay less by leaving the airport and negotiating with “unofficial” taxis. Since we weren’t in a particular hurry, we gave it a shot. Sure enough, just a few steps out, drivers approach you. I’m offered 30 S/, I counter with 15. We settle on 20 S/, specifying that…
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How to withdraw money without fees in Peru?
When you withdraw money from an ATM in Peru, you are subject to two types of fees: In Peru, the vast majority of banks charge between 25 and 38 soles per withdrawal. That’s still between €6 and €10! You could get around this by withdrawing a large amount each time, but withdrawal limits are very low! Judged rather (figures observed in January 2024 in Lima). Bank Fixed fee Withdrawal limit Equivalent in % if you withdraw the maximum amount BCP 36 S/ 700 S/ 5% Scotiabank 25 S/ 400 S/ 6% BBVA 38 S/ 200 S/ 19% (!!!) Globalnet 25 S/ 400 S/ 6% These fees are colossal! If you…
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Las Vegas – Road trip in the American West #16
Hallelujah, we’re finally back in Las Vegas. Since we’re going for the 4th time (just a few hours layover the first time just before Covid, 2nd and 3rd time starting and in the middle of this road trip), we feel like we know the city more or less. This article is part of our series of articles on the American West road trip. If you haven’t read the previous travel diaries, here they are: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15 Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Day 33 of the road trip I say “hallelujah” because…
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My Current Favorites [December 2023]: William Morris’s Ideas
As I was getting interested fine books, I came across the book The Kelmscott Chaucer, considered the most beautiful book in the world, created by Kelmscott and William Morris. It was while getting interested in William Morris that I understood things about myself. You know I’m very interested in crafts (jewelry, stained glass, paper flowers, sewing, bookbinding, leatherworking, linocut, etching, paper cutting) but I do it at a demanding level, meaning I train directly with artisans, use professional tools, the best materials, as if I were going to sell each piece. Moreover, unlike many, I’m interested in a wide range of different trades. For years, I struggled to understand my…
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Review of our invitation to the Marriott Vacation Club presentation
It all starts with our check-in at the Marriott Vacation Club “Grand Chateau” hotel in Las Vegas. We’re handed a voucher for a gift to pick up from the hotel concierge. Since we’re Gold members (thanks to our card American Expresswe regularly get a little treat upon arrival in our room: a snack, a handwritten welcome card, … but it’s the first time we’ve been given a mysterious voucher like this. We don’t have high expectations, we predict a voucher for a drink at the bar. We go see the concierge. After showing us a card that offers discounts at several restaurants in the city, he gets down to business.…
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Joshua Tree National Park – Road trip in the American West #15
Between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, we were recommended to pass through Joshua Tree National Park. This article is part of our series of articles on the American West road trip. If you haven’t read the previous travel diaries, here they are: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14 Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal This little stop at Joshua Tree National Park lets us take a small part of Route 66, the famous one! After several days of hopping from city to city, we really miss the national parks. We’ve heard about Joshua Tree National Park as…
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4 days in Los Angeles – Road trip in the American West #14
I was a bit apprehensive about going to Los Angeles. I’ve heard so much about it that I was afraid of being disappointed. And then, in the end, I really liked it. It’s great to visit, but to live there, I doubt it 😀 This article is part of our series of articles on the American West road trip. If you haven’t read the previous travel diaries, here they are: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13 Part 1: Travel JournalPart 2: Practical Tips Part 1: Travel Journal Day 28 of the road trip Today, we don’t do much because JB is super stressed.…
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Polar Expedition: Navigating the Arctic’s Icy Waters
If we’ve already had the chance to take several cruises, whether in the Norwegian fjords, , on the Nile in Egypt, or crossing the Atlantic, one trip still makes me dream: Arctic cruises with Ponant. Imagine gliding over calm waters, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes where ice and snow blend with the bluish hues of the Arctic sky. Arctic cruises offer a unique experience, far from the usual tourist routes. It’s an adventure that combines exploration, wildlife discovery, and awe in the face of nature in its rawest state. Itineraries Arctic cruises vary considerably in terms of itineraries. The most popular include the Northwest Passage, Greenland, the Barents Sea, Svalbard, and…
