Nasca Lines - chart

The flight over the Nasca Lines was about 35-40 minutes. Darrell, Elaine and Lanny Scholes were in one plane.

Nasca Lines - "alien landing strip"?

The Nasca Lines became famous after pilots spotted the shapes from the air. The scale of the shapes is so large - it is difficult to see how the ancient civilizations could have made them so perfectly proportioned.

I worked hard to get these photos - shooting the camera from both sides of the airplane (and paid the price of getting air sick - ugh-( (too much information for most).

It might be helpful to click on the photo to bring it to full screen to see the outlines more clearly.
1. Is the Monkey with the spiral tail - regarded as a divine being
2. Hummingbird - believed to be the messenger between men and the gods.
3. Parrot

Nasca Lines - as seen from the air - Spider and Monkey

The purpose of the Nasca Lines is subject to a great deal of debate among scholars and archaeologists. Astronomical? Religious? Maps to ..Water?? A Calendar??

What is known is that there are more than 10,000 lines created by the Nasca Indians across the desert plain in southern Peru. Many are anthropomorphic animals and many are geometric lines, trapezoids, etc.

1. The monkey
2. The hummingbird

Flight over Nasca Lines

June 18, 2010 - Nasca Peru. We are at the small airport in Nasca - taking off over the desert to see the Nasca Lines. A UNESCO world heritage site - these giant geoglyphs spread across the desert. Some of the lines date back to 500 bc. Because of the lack of rain in the desert - the lines are mostly still intact.

The first image - The Astronaut - shown is actually carved into the stone of the side of the mountain.

Sand Dunes and siesta on the lake

Darrell and I enjoy a nice stop at the Huacachina Oasis.

Siesta time on the lake.

Some of the highest sand dunes in the world are around the Ica area of southern coastal Peru.

Huacachina - an Oasis in the Desert

Ica, Peru boasts some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Huacachina is a "sand boarding" mecca for adventurers. Huacachina is really an oasis in the middle of the desert with a wonderful lake. Many "boards for rent" shops surround the small town. People grab their boards then walk up to the top of the dune for a quick ride down.

Our entire group poses at Huacachina.

Stop the bus - the cows have taken over the road!

A local women herds cows through the roads in Pisac Peru - returning to the Pan American Highway from the Tacama Winery!

Enjoying Pisco wine at Tacama

Lanny Scholes and Kathleen Roberts enjoy the wine tasting at Tacama Bodega in Pisco, Peru. Darrell and Dave Roberts obviously had a good time

Tacama Winery in Pisco

Formerly a monastary started in 1540 Tacama is one of the Pisco "Bodegas". Pisco is a clear grape brandy. We toured the grounds of the winery and the processing part of the winery. The area around Pisco is very much a desert - but the people have utilzed effective water mangement to grow the grapes.

Unique catcus are found on the grounds.

A lookout tower/belfry centers the estate. The bell was sounded several times of day to signal the workers.

June 17, 2010

Guano (Nasca gold!) on Ballestas Islands

Sea lions, penguins, boobies and many other species of birds deposit "gold" on the Isles in Parcas Bay. The Nasca Indians have sailed to the isles for hundreds of years to collect Guano - bird poop - to use as fertizer for the crops. You could smell the islands from far away!

Sea lions and boaters - Much to see in Parcas Bay, Peru

Sea lions sunning on the rocks at Isle Ballestas in Parcas Bay, Peru. Dave and Kathleen Roberts; Darrell and Elaine!!

Waves, Sea lions, boats - Much to see in Parcas Bay, Peru

Parcas Bay - Southern Coast of Peru

Parcas Bay is about 150 miles south of Lima Peru on the Pan-American Highway. We took a passenger boat to Ballestas Islands - the smaller version of the Galapagos Islands.

Humboldt Penguins and boobies are two of the many species found on this protected reserve.

Rick and Phyllis Roberts and Lanny Scholes are preparing for the boat. Elaine is enjoying the ride!!

Isle Ballestas - southern coast of Peru

What a morning - we had to leave the hotel before 5:00 am. Some confusion about the guide. Our private bus had a flat tire. We were traveling through the desert. Peru is a third world country afterall!

We arrive at Parcas Bay to take a passenger boat to the islands. We are late - and the boat is waiting!!

We pass a huge "geoglyph" on the island of Puerto San Martin - "El Candelabro". It is almost 500 feet long - it is stamped into the desert hillside by the Nasca natives.

We arrive at the islands of San Gallan and La Vieja - home to many unique species of bird and sea lion. The Humboldt Current flows close to the coast at the part of the Pacific Ocean - making the waters cold. The Islands are home to the Humboldt Penguins as well.

Natural arches have been formed by the sea making for dramatic views.

Enrico Poli Museum in Lima

Lanny got great information about visiting the Poli Museum on the airplane from USA. It was wonderful advice - an amazing collection of art, antiquities, treasures, jewels, ....

Enrico Poli emigrated to Lima and began his work as a cook. He became interested in ancient artifacts and started acquiring pieces for many years. His son shared the home's collection with us adding fabulous stories about the collection, the country, religion and life. What a treasure to be able to experience such a unique opportunity.
June 16, 2010 Lima Peu

Again - no photos allowed in the home -these are attributed to google images.

Larco Museum - Erotica gallery (Warning - expilict images)

The Moche culture used pottery to explain everything they did - from growing food, to preparing for battles to fertility idols.
Larco has amassed an amazing collection of Moche pottery involved with sexual acts. It is believed that most is seeking fertility for the people. You can decide for yourself!

Here is the link for more information.
http://www.museolarco.org

Gold pieces at Larco Museo

There is an extensive collection of gold pieces from seveal ancient civilizations - including the earrings ( I keep repeating - that is one huge hole in the ear lobe for these earrings!) Also head dresses of gold were used by kings and priests.