Peter's Trip to Central America, Part 2

Paracas and Ballestas:

Hotel
Our seafront hotel in Paracas.
Hotel
Dolphin
Only one we saw.
Dolphin
Coast
The rugged desert coastline of Peru. The coastal areas are all desert.
Coast
Candelabra
No-one knows who scraped this on the side of the hill. Conquistadors? Pirates? Aliens?
Candelabra
Candelabra Closeup
A closer view. Noone's really sure if this is Christian or Incan imagery.
Candelabra Closeup
Guide
The guide animated explained the features of the area in both Spanish and English.
Guide
Lifejackets
This was the one boat we went on in Peru where life jackets were required. Other places weren't as particular.
Lifejackets
Ballestas Islands
The Ballestas Islands are described as the 'mini-Galapagos'. There's certainly enought birds and seals, but no plants.
Ballestas Islands
Diving Birds
The hordes of birds on the islands produce enormous amounts of guano. You can smell the islands getting closer.
Diving Birds
Arch
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Arch
Bird
Obviously a loner.
Bird
More Birds
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More Birds

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Penguins
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Penguins

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A Seal Reclining
This was the first time Jean had seen a seal. The seals were everywhere but blended in well.
A Seal Reclining
Face Arch
This arch is supposed to look like a face looking down. You can see the nose and the chin.
Face Arch
More Birds
When the first guano harvesters arrived, the guano was tens of metres deep.
More Birds
Guano Wharf
In years past the guano industry was thriving. Now they are only allowed to harvest every 3 years.
Guano Wharf

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More Seals Sunning Themselves
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More Seals Sunning Themselves
Seals Again
Who's the tart in the blue hat that keeps getting in my shots?
Seals Again
Locust Plague?
Nope, that dark mass is all birds.
Locust Plague?
Overhead
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Overhead
Arches and Birds
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Arches and Birds

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Lazy Day
A bull seal treating himself to a lie in.
Lazy Day
Cave
A breeding ground for the seals. If you thought the rest of the island stank, this place was incredible.
Cave
Seals on the Beach
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Seals on the Beach

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Paracas Shoreline
We're almost back now, and like all beachfont property, has some nice houses.
Paracas Shoreline
Happy Boaters
Matt, Jo, and Warren on the left, Sherryn on the right.
Happy Boaters
In the Boat
Happy to see that we all had lifejackets. Later boat cruises we not so particular.
In the Boat
Wharf
The wharf for this trip was right next to the hotel.
Wharf
Media Tension
Dunno, just thought this was funny.
Media Tension
Dune Buggy
Time to go for a belt along the sand.
Dune Buggy
Sand
And lots of it.
Sand
Warren on the Edge
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Warren on the Edge
Coastline
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Coastline
Peter on the Edge
There's quite a sheer drop right in front of where I am standing.
Peter on the Edge
Paracas Cliffs
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Paracas Cliffs
Group on the Beach
By the cliffs at Paracas. In order: Jo, Peter, Jean, Sherryn, Scott, Warren, Paola.
Group on the Beach
Wind Sculpture
Is supposed to look like a praying woman facing away from us.
Wind Sculpture
Praying Woman
Can you see this in the rock formation?
Praying Woman
Praying Woman 2
I guess she's praying that that arch doesn't fall down.
Praying Woman 2
Beach
North of the cliffs was an accessible beach.
Beach
Beach 2
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Beach 2
Fishermen
The fishermen were dragging in their nets.
Fishermen
Catch of the Day
Is that all?
Catch of the Day
Sculptured Dunes
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Sculptured Dunes
Map of Paracas
Our guide explains about environmental damage to the area. El Niño is bad for Peru too.
Map of Paracas
View from the Restaurant
Off to lunch in town in the Bahia restaurant. Beautiful fish and seafood, of course.
View from the Restaurant
Sherryn and Jo
Outside the restaurant.
Sherryn and Jo
Lunch
Excellent fish lunch at Paracas. Jo and Sherryn out front.
Lunch
Along the Shoreline
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Along the Shoreline
Street Scene
There's a dog in each window in the building on the left.
Street Scene
Downtown Paracas
Quaint, isn't it? :-) Stick to the beach I think.
Downtown Paracas
Mirror
Waiting in the hotel for the bus to Nazca. Jo in the mirror. I like pictures of reflections of things. One day I'm going to make a film where all of the shots are reflections, not direct shots.
Mirror

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