The first significant stop on the Peru Hop bus, heading south from Lima is at Chincha. It was interesting to learn a little of Spanish colonial life in Peru. I had no idea there had been African slaves here and was very saddened by the underground tunnels and punishment rooms we viewed. Especially as the home had a Catholic church attached...
We overnighted in Paracas, a small fishing village of about 100 people. Tourists come here to do a two hour boat trip out to the Ballestas Islands, a.k.a. "the poor man's Galapagos Islands".
The first stop on the boat tour is actually to see the Candelabra. It's about 5000 years old, only viewable from sea and deeper than the Nazca Lines. It's purpose is unknown but it is amazing to think it still survives.
The islands are covered in birds. Though apparently fewer than in the past. Manure is only collected every 5-8 years instead of annually in recent times. And yes, I did get pooped on but only a tiny bit!
There were many sea lions and we were able to get up even closer than this. I was grateful for the advice of our Peru Hop guide to sit at the back of the boat so I was even closer to them.
A free inclusion on the Peru Hop bus trip is a visit to the Paracas Natural Reserve. It was incredibly beautiful and photos don't do it justice. It was amazing to be on the desert but at the ocean's edge.
posted from Bloggeroid
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