(This is the second writing of this episode as I have lost my USB. How does one lose a USB from a pocket inside a backpack? Good question. Will do my best to recreate that masterpiece.)
First stop was Paracas for a boat trip to Ballestas Is to see sea lions, penguins and numerous bird species. Great local guide ensured this trip was worth it.
Through the desert …. On and on and on. So much sand, only changing to more rocky, but equally barren terrain. Haucachina Oasis is a fertile spot in the middle of this expanse of desert. A lunchtime stop with dune bugy rides for the less faint hearted, followed by sandboarding. We’d never intended to partake of these additional activities, but once Lex saw the buggy and some pictures, he was in!!!! So with camera safely wrapped in a plastic bag he set off with the others, returning later with the BIGGEST grin on his face. Dune buggy was like a wild roller coaster ride … even more scarey than the sand boarding.
The rest of us checked out the oasis.
Next stop was the airport at Nazca for flights over the Nazca lines. Flying in small planes is not really for me – so they bundled me int the first plane (no time to reconsider). The lines are a sight to see … if you manage to look out the window. The flight in a small 4 seater plane was more like aerial acrobatics than a joy ride as the pilot did a tight circle over the first markings, saying ‘ under the right wing, the monley…. Now under the left wing, the monkey…’ I was thrust back into the seat unable to say a word or lift a finger … it felt soooo heavy…. All the time feeling pleased that I didn’t have the camera and therefore responsible for capturing these never-to-be-repeated views.
It wasn’t until we were all on terra-firma that I discovered that we didn’t have any images of the lines as our camera, which had been protected from sand earlier, had found its way into Lex’s pocket along with millions of tiny grains of sand!!!! Apparently Lindy managed to hold herself together enough (both ends) to get some great shots. What a champion!!! Photos to come...
A couple more quick stops before we made it to our next hotel. Must describe the experience at the pottery works. Tobi, the potter told us about his father unearthing the techniques of the Incas and passing these on to others. He gave us a demonstration, described in Spanish with Zac translating. WOW that was something to witness. I assume that Tobi can communicate in English, but apparently he chooses not to when there’s someone to translate. But the interaction between Tobi and Zac was hilarious. Just had to buy some Tobi pottery.
A gold demonstration followed, but since it was Labour Day, a public holiday, nothing was working … but they do it all by manual labour. Can’t imagine crushing rocks like that.
The Hacienda where we stayed was amazing. Beautiful sitting rooms etc all filled with cultural artifacts.
First stop was Paracas for a boat trip to Ballestas Is to see sea lions, penguins and numerous bird species. Great local guide ensured this trip was worth it.
Through the desert …. On and on and on. So much sand, only changing to more rocky, but equally barren terrain. Haucachina Oasis is a fertile spot in the middle of this expanse of desert. A lunchtime stop with dune bugy rides for the less faint hearted, followed by sandboarding. We’d never intended to partake of these additional activities, but once Lex saw the buggy and some pictures, he was in!!!! So with camera safely wrapped in a plastic bag he set off with the others, returning later with the BIGGEST grin on his face. Dune buggy was like a wild roller coaster ride … even more scarey than the sand boarding.
The rest of us checked out the oasis.
Next stop was the airport at Nazca for flights over the Nazca lines. Flying in small planes is not really for me – so they bundled me int the first plane (no time to reconsider). The lines are a sight to see … if you manage to look out the window. The flight in a small 4 seater plane was more like aerial acrobatics than a joy ride as the pilot did a tight circle over the first markings, saying ‘ under the right wing, the monley…. Now under the left wing, the monkey…’ I was thrust back into the seat unable to say a word or lift a finger … it felt soooo heavy…. All the time feeling pleased that I didn’t have the camera and therefore responsible for capturing these never-to-be-repeated views.
It wasn’t until we were all on terra-firma that I discovered that we didn’t have any images of the lines as our camera, which had been protected from sand earlier, had found its way into Lex’s pocket along with millions of tiny grains of sand!!!! Apparently Lindy managed to hold herself together enough (both ends) to get some great shots. What a champion!!! Photos to come...
A couple more quick stops before we made it to our next hotel. Must describe the experience at the pottery works. Tobi, the potter told us about his father unearthing the techniques of the Incas and passing these on to others. He gave us a demonstration, described in Spanish with Zac translating. WOW that was something to witness. I assume that Tobi can communicate in English, but apparently he chooses not to when there’s someone to translate. But the interaction between Tobi and Zac was hilarious. Just had to buy some Tobi pottery.
A gold demonstration followed, but since it was Labour Day, a public holiday, nothing was working … but they do it all by manual labour. Can’t imagine crushing rocks like that.
The Hacienda where we stayed was amazing. Beautiful sitting rooms etc all filled with cultural artifacts.
1 comment:
Sounds like you're enjoying the tour guide (Zac) as much as the tour!!
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