Peru and Ecuador

I made South America my own
It was my vacation home
Its beauty pleased my eye
And Spanish captured my mind

Its people are handsome and kind
In all the colors that I could find
I met many new friends
Friendships that will never end

I made entries
To two beautiful countries
With Peru I fell in love
Ecuador fascinated me in the north above

Their three forms are terrific:
The coast of the Pacific
The mountains of the Andes
The Amazon jungle in the north and east

In Lima Peru the sky was grey
The weather was cool all night and day
I felt the winter in my bones
It was cold inside the homes

The Inca capital Cusco was gorgeous
Its beauty was enormous
I rode a horse in the mountains
Bought some Inca art near the fountains

Machu Picchu is the best in the world
Indescribable with human words
Inca ruins abound
With steep mountains around

I saw the Nasca lines
The astronaut and monkey with my own eyes
I saw mummies, their faces and hands
In their tombs in the desert sand

The city of Arequipa was neat
Its pre-Inca cuisine was a treat
The mummy Juanita was frozen
Quite a death for her was chosen

The Peruvian mountains had awesome shapes
With colors painted with excellent taste
Watching through the bus window
I enjoyed nature's excellent show

I went to Puno in the east
To see Lake Titicaca and its feasts
At the lake in a high altitude
I heard stories in their multitude

The Uros Islands were floating
Beautiful handicraft its people were showing
The natural Taquile Island
Was gorgeous with its highlands

Then I wanted to see more
I flew north to Ecuador
Its awesome mountains were green
And sceneries some of the best I've seen

I viewed the capital from a height
And liked what I had in my sight
Quito was founded on the sixth of December
Finland's Independence Day, remember?

I stood on the Equator
With zero on the GPS indicator
I viewed a volcano from a high place
With clouds below my face

Baños was good for sports
I rode a bicycle wearing my shorts
Saw breath-taking waterfalls nearby
Because of the rain I kissed the town goodbye

So I went south to Guayaquil
The heat on the coast could kill
The riverfront was a thrill
I viewed the city from a hill

I spent a week on the Galápagos Islands
On the coast and in the highlands
The volcanic lava stones
Gave shivers to my bones

The colors and shapes were great
Giving the islands great fame
The animals were not afraid
They were always very tame

I swam with sea lions in the sea
And followed a penguin that I could see
The fish had gorgeous colors
The birds were beautiful in their feathers

The blue-footed boobies were hatching
They raised their legs when dancing
Frigatebirds were in action
When we watched their satisfaction

Iguanas were everywhere
Except for in the air
The turtoises were huge
They were given some refuge

I returned to the continent
The sunny route was excellent
I went to Puerto Lopez on the coast
Saw two whales from the boat

I quickly went to Manta to eat
Seafood was a healthy treat
I took a bus down south
Spent a night in Cuenca on my way out

There is action on the buses in Ecuador
With salespeople coming through the door
New passengers come from every curb
Cheerful music can be heard

I took a night bus from Loja Ecuador
In kind of a rush, I stepped on its floor
I was in Piura Peru the next morning
Then at night, Chiclayo was calling

The Independence Day was near
People in Chiclayo were out to cheer
I left for Trujillo before noon
And saw the pyramids of the moon

Then I took a night bus with a bed
Woke up in Lima with a light head
I went to a party in a home
Had dinner and beer with a foam

I had seen mountains and coast
Many people young and old
I had to see the rest:
The tropical rainforest

I flew to the city of Iquitos
But didn't see any mosquitoes
Mototaxis filled the streets
They are practical in the heat

They provide a city sound
While rivers surround the town
The clothes are always wet
Because of constant sweat

The jungle was impressive
Huge and so expressive
We saw and heard its life
Only the guide had a knife

People lived in their humble homes
Bathed in the river foams
I swam in the Amazon
Saw some dolphins and moved on

Soon it's time to fly back home
But I would like to stay and roam
Some day I will return
There is so much more to learn

Iquitos Peru 4 - 5 August 2008