Pre Peru excitement!

Joezilla said:
I’ll be in Peru, as an absolute silent sponge soaking up everything this unbelievable trip has to offer, ......
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First, I'm really happy for you and look forward to all the fantastic pics and discussion that will follow. You guys have a great time and stay safe.

Second, who are you kidding?!?!?! Silent sponge???? I had to laugh at that... More like caffeine turbo-charged juggernaut sponge bouncing around between all the jungle trees!!!!!!
:D
 
Black Palm will put a sure 'nuff halt to bouncing around from tree to tree :D
 
KuRUpTD said:
So what are you packing Joe ? inquiring minds want to know :D

RAT Pack # 64
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Backpacker mag filled me up with a bunch of bug proof stuff to try out. It'll be neat to see which deer fly cares the least about the insect shield tag.

oh and probably 3 (!)condor machetes, because I'm a dork like that. Koyote knife, SAK, and a ladybug salt. Eh I guess I should throw in Brian andrew's scandi necker. Gringos and their knives :rolleyes:






R.A.T. said:
Black Palm will put a sure 'nuff halt to bouncing around from tree to tree :D
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spiny-palm-trunk.jpg

Is that this fun little guy?
 
Dylside said:
Seeing how the locals swing would make a great "how to" video.
....and by "swing" I mean a machete, not how they party on the plural.
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Numbah 1 reason I'm bring it there bruddah. Hopefully the humidity won't (*@&# it too much
 
I'll have to do this eventually, hopefully have the time to sign up if I move to the US. I've got citizenship and all, just studying in Australia.
 
Color me green with envy! I hope you are taking one of those Olympus shock-proof water-proof cameras! The humidity grows fungus on lenses very quickly, but hopefully not in just a couple of weeks. We will really look forward to your pictures.

I would love to take that course, if my fat old body could even survive it. How busy is the agenda during these courses? Are you even going to have time to appreciate the beautiful butterflies that swarm on the stinky riverbanks, or are you going to be so busy "surviving" you won't be able to relax? Maybe some of the natives will offer you their delicacies, like smoked grubs from the palm trees :) . Be careful not to drink too much of their masato (they chew up yucca / manioc root and spit it out into a vat, and let it ferment, then drink it :barf: ). Are you going to take any extra time after the school finishes to visit Machu Picchu (Inca ruins)?

Do you expect any trouble taking all your machetes and gear through customs?

Have a blast and be safe!
 
rodloos said:
Do you expect any trouble taking all your machetes and gear through customs?
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Yep.
I'm just going to assume the sharp stuff gets lost. I'm going to pack everything else I can in my carry on. That way, if it actually, miraculously, some how makes it, I can rejoice and jubilate. But if not, I'll just go to the hardware store on the way, grab a $4 machete and a $5 paring knife...shhhh don't tell anyone, they cut too.
 
Joezilla said:
Yep.
I'm just going to assume the sharp stuff gets lost. I'm going to pack everything else I can in my carry on. That way, if it actually, miraculously, some how makes it, I can rejoice and jubilate. But if not, I'll just go to the hardware store on the way, grab a $4 machete and a $5 paring knife...shhhh don't tell anyone, they cut too.
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I like your thinking! I just wish I traveled places that gave me the excuse to pick up a new machete when I got off the plane. :D
 
Customs doesn't care about knives and machetes in checked luggage. I've never had anybody say anything about it. I think Jeff had a security woman at the airport in Peru say something but after she found out where we were headed she backed off. They are more looking for drugs or CITES banned stuff coming back. Of course firearms attract attention too if you don't have paperwork for them.:)
 
Most of the time they don't care at least. We have an annual customer at the shop who's a chairman of a bank down in Chile. When he comes in we literally set out pads on the counter for all of his stuff and he basically just walks down the cases going "I want this one...this one...this one..." The guy usually has five clips coming out of his pockets. We asked one of his assistants once if they ever have trouble at the airport with usually around 50-100 knives in his luggage. The fellow indicated that this has caused hold-ups in the past.

So as long as Joe doesn't bring his entire machete collection then he ought to be fine! :D :D :D
 
Wish I could go. I would take my Newt Livesay’s RTAK. To bad Joe that you don't have room for it.
 
Dude, enjoy it! I know when I am older and have the money this will be at the top of the list. I would love to see those photos though!

Your younger self sounds a lot like someone I know....:rolleyes:
 
rodloos said:
Do you expect any trouble taking all your machetes and gear through customs?
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I lived in Peru for six years and brought all sorts of knives, etc into the country without a problem.

You shouldn't have a problem with Customs. They are looking for things that you may be selling in the country, so if they see a lot of one thing they make confiscate it until you pay the import duty (~25-30%) or a deposit.

You can bring gifts totalling $300, but the value of each must be less than $100. The things to be careful of are laptops (you are only allowed to bring in one), the same goes with digital cameras and MP3 players (only one allowed). I believe there are exemptions if you are a reporter, but then I think you have to enter the country on a business visa.

Seal your pack/suitcase zippers with cable/zip ties when travelling within Peru.

Have fun and enjoy Iquitos !
 
Jeff and Mike, Be prepared to stop about every 30 seconds for Joe to play with just about every insect or reptile you come across. You may want to charge him a lil more for slowing you down!
 
It has been a loooong time since I lived in Peru (over 30 years ago) but back then, if you looked like you had money, there was a chance the customs guys would look for a reason to get more money from you, or try to get you to bribe them. And most Americans, even the poor ones, were "rich" to the *average* Peruvian.
 
The only time I've had a problem bringing knives in and out of the country was with one ridiculous machete box. That one got held up but I did receive it. I haven't had a problem with checked knives at all yet either, and I've brought them both out and into the country.

Now they did have to hold the machetes I purchased during a cruise once, however I was able to get them at the end.
 
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