WANDERLUSTER: Peru

My first trip to South America was without a doubt a very memorable one. Peru has awakened my desire to explore much more of the continent. The country is truly amazing with its gorgeous landscape, diverse ecosystems, rich cultural heritage, gentle and respectful people, and delicious cuisine. My 11 day trip was a whirlwind (as all my trips abroad are), but I can sleep when I’m dead. Besides, I can always lay comatose on the beach in the Bahamas with my fake and bake tan when I’m 80. I want to explore all of the rapidly changing countries, those still more or less intact from outside influences and tourism, and of course, the wonders of the world before gravity takes over and while I’m still young!

Aside from the rapid pace of the trip, it was also very physical and strenuous at times. With the trail hiking, climbing up and down ruins, and the high altitude, it definitely helps to be in shape. I don’t recommend traveling to Cusco and Machu Picchu otherwise (or at least until you’ve given up the Krispy Kremes, the Marlboros, and actually follow through on your New Years resolution and start taking those Zumba classes)!

There were many highlights of this trip, which more or less included everything I did. Flying in a five seat plane over the Nazca Lines was quite an experience. I would have to describe it as exhilarating. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. The pilot circled over several of these mysterious, large-scale geoglyphs – the hummingbird, dog, whale, and monkey, just to name a few. It was difficult to snap any focused photographs while multitasking on trying to decipher the images below and maintaining what I had for breakfast at the same time. All in all, this should definitely be on the list of 1001 things to do before you die, if it isn’t already.

Another highlight was a boat ride to the Ballestas Islands, whose inhabitants include numerous species of birds, such as gulls and penguins, and a large colony of sea lions. And did I mention the smell? It was lovely. I guess these islands are a bit of how I imagine the Galapagos to be.

Perhaps the most beautiful flight I’ve experienced was the flight into Cusco. The plane was low enough to be able to clearly view the Andes through the billowy clouds. The entire Urubamba Valley or Sacred Valley region was absolutely breathtaking. It was a photographer’s dream with the Urubamba River flowing through the Valley and the glaciers atop the Andes Mountains. Also, the Pisac Market in the Sacred Valley offered a genuine glimpse into the Andean way of life. Experiencing the locals section of the market where villagers sell meat, produce, and other goods was truly spectacular – the bustle of activity, the vibrant colors of produce and textiles everywhere, and the locals dressed in their elaborate traditional clothing. It was too much for all of the senses to take in such a short amount of time. My only regret was not having more time at Pisac Market.

Another memorable experience was a private visit to a shaman temple in Cusco. It was a modern building with an upstairs room where sacred rituals and blessings are performed. The room was long with seat cushions positioned against the walls. On the floor, in the center of the long room was an altar displaying a wide array of various objects that represented different regions, such as the tropics, desert, ocean, and also representations of passed spirits and symbols from beyond this earthly existence. Seated on the floor around the altar, one by one, we were instructed to hold out our hands while a strong, aromatic water-based oil was poured into our hands. We were told to clap three times, bring both hands up to our face to inhale the aroma as if cleansing our face with the oil, and finally release all of our negative energy out through our hands away from us as if throwing away any negativity. This was repeated three times. I wish the experience lasted longer, but nevertheless, it was one I will never forget.

Of course, it goes without saying that the main reason for traveling to Peru is to visit Machu Picchu. The one and a half hour ride on the Vistadome train from Ollantaytambo to Aguas Calientes was absolutely awe-inspiring. The train route parallels the rushing Urubamba River, which is a popular river rafting destination. Also, being there during the country’s wet season allowed for great photo ops of the Valley’s lush greenery. Every now and then, the Inca Trail was visible from the train, but no brave hikers were actually seen on their four day trek. After reaching the Aguas Calientes train station, there was still a short winding bus ride to Machu Picchu. It’s difficult to describe the feeling of the first time you lay your eyes on the breathtaking ruins and the surrounding landscape – one of the great wonders of the world and the famous site that has graced National Geographic and travel books everywhere. For me, walking through the entrance gate into the most spectacular view was like Charlie walking into the Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for the first time or Dorothy’s first peek of Oz. I wish I had all day just to sit there and meditate and watch the sunset, but I was off on a three hour hike to the Sun Gate, which was located in the far end of the entire ruins complex. There were very few people who were adventurous enough to hit this trail, so it was welcoming to get away from the crowds and experience some peace and quiet.

Last, but not least, a boat ride on Lake Titicaca to the floating island of Uros and the larger island of Taquile offered a fascinating glimpse into a different world. The small floating island itself and all of the houses were made of reeds. Taquile was a regular island with gorgeous views of Lake Titicaca, where Bolivia could also be seen in the distance.

My trip ended with a fabulous meal back in Lima at a beachfront restaurant, La Rosa Nautica. The leisurely afternoon lunch of fresh seafood was the perfect way to end a wonderful trip.

Peru is a beautiful country that I would highly recommend traveling to. I hope my photos have captured at least a small glimpse of all that this amazing country has to offer. Enjoy!

LA CATEDRAL, PLAZA MAYOR, LIMA

PLAZA MAYOR, LIMA

PALACIO ARZOBISPAL (ARCHBISHOP'S PALACE), PLAZA MAYOR, LIMA

COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE OF BASILICA SAN FRANCISCO, LIMA

BEACH AND SAND DUNES ON THE ROAD TO NAZCA LINES IN ICA

SAND DUNES ON THE ROAD TO NAZCA LINES

LANDSCAPE ON THE WAY TO NAZCA LINES

MORE BEAUTIFUL SCENERY

ON THE WAY TO NAZCA LINES, ICA

FLIGHT OVER NAZCA LINES

MONKEY GEOGLYPH, NAZCA LINES

FIVE SEAT PLANE, NAZCA LINES

STREET VENDOR, ICA

SEA LIONS, BALLESTAS ISLANDS

BIRDS, BIRDS, AND MORE BIRDS, BALLESTAS ISLANDS

BEEF STEW WITH CILANTRO SAUCE AND TACU TACU (RICE AND BEANS WITH YELLOW CHILI)

FLIGHT TO CUSCO OVER ANDES MOUNTAINS

INCA CEREMONIAL NICHE (USED TO PRESERVE IMPORTANT IMAGES OR RELIGIOUS OBJECTS) IN KORICANCHA (TEMPLE BUILT TO HONOR THE SUN GOD, INTI), CUSCO

LA CATEDRAL, PLAZA DE ARMAS, CUSCO

PLAZA DE ARMAS, CUSCO

ALPACA DINNER AT TUNUPA RESTAURANT, PLAZA DE ARMAS, CUSCO

VIEW OF CUSCO

RUINS AT SACSAYHUAMAN (INCA MILITARY RUINS), CUSCO

ON THE ROAD TO URUBAMBA VALLEY (SACRED VALLEY)

VIEW OF SACRED VALLEY

BREAD AND EMPANADA BAKERY AT PISAC MARKET, SACRED VALLEY

CORN AT PISAC MARKET

LOCAL VENDORS AT PISAC MARKET

RUINS AT OLLANTAYTAMBO, SACRED VALLEY

INCA TERRACES AT OLLANTAYTAMBO

VIEW OF URUBAMBA VALLEY FROM VISTADOME TRAIN

URUBAMBA RIVER, SACRED VALLEY

VISTADOME TRAIN ARRIVING AT AGUAS CALIENTES TRAIN STATION

FIRST VIEW OF MACHU PICCHU

THREE HOUR HIKE ON THE TRAIL TO INTIPUNKU (THE SUN GATE)

VIEW OF MACHU PICCHU, WINDY ROAD TO RUINS,
AND URUBAMBA RIVER FROM TRAIL TO THE SUN GATE

INTIPUNKU (THE SUN GATE)

BEAUTIFUL MACHU PICCHU

TEMPLE OF WIRACOCHA, RAQCHI

RUINS AT RAQCHI

PURPLE CORN GROWING AT RAQCHI

LLAMAS, VICUNAS, AND ALPACAS

LANDSCAPE ON THE WAY TO PUNO

FLOATING ISLAND OF UROS (MADE OF REEDS)

UROS

BOAT MADE OF REEDS

BOAT RIDE ON LAKE TITICACA, ON THE WAY TO THE ISLAND OF TAQUILE

LAKE TITICACA VIEW FROM TAQUILE

VIEW OF LAKE TITICACA FROM ATOP OF TAQUILE

PISCO SOUR (MADE WITH PISCO -- GRAPE BRANDY, LEMON JUICE, SUGAR, EGG WHITES, AND TOPPED WITH BITTERS) AND MANGO JUICE

CAUSITAS (PERUVIAN POTATOES) TOPPED WITH SEAFOOD AT CASA ANDINA PRIVATE COLLECTION HOTEL RESTAURANT, PUNO

LA ROSA NAUTICA RESTAURANT, MIRAFLORES, LIMA

MIXED PLATTER (CEVICHE LIMENITO WITH YELLOW CHILI PEPPER SAUCE, SHRIMP CAUSITAS WITH OCOPA SAUCE, PARMESAN SCALLOPS, AND GRILLED OCTOPUS WITH AIOLI SAUCE) AT LA ROSA NAUTICA

ROSA NAUTICA SEABASS COOKED IN A PERNOD SAUCE AND SERVED WITH SEA SCALLOPS AND SHRIMPS, ON A BED OF YELLOW PERUVIAN POTATOES AND TOPPED WITH PUFF PASTRY