Mano del Desierto,

located in the middle of the desert just outside the city. Pictured here with Laura.

Winter ...

Winter in Antofagasta doesn't look like this...

Iquique, Chile

About six hours north of Antofagasta, also on the coast, spent a 3-day weekend here in April.

beware of floonds.

Lima & Cuzco

Elise and me at Tambo Machay, just outside Cuzco

Here is a summary and some pictures from my trip to Peru, May 27 - June 10. I had to post it in three different parts.

Lima

I traveled from Antofagasta to Lima with Heather and Lindsey. We took an overnight bus to Arica with Manuel, and then spent the day shopping and eating with him and his family. From Arica we crossed the border into Tacna, Peru, and flew from there to Lima. I met Elise in the Lima airport and the four of us went to Nicole and Miguel's beautiful apartment. We spent two great days sightseeing and shopping with Nicole and her future mother-in-law, Gladys.

Plaza de Armas

creepy catacombs at Monasterio de San Francisco

Cuzco
From Lima, Elise and I flew to Cuzco. We had about two days to eat delicious food, visit the ruins outside the city, and get ready for our trek. I wish we had had more time there.

view from our hostel

Huchuyqosco to Machu Picchu Trip

We took an amazing tour with the group Qente. Nobody else signed up, so the group consisted of Elise, me, our guide Socroates, our head cook Alex, the assistant cook Cicero, and the 'muleteer.' We saw no other tourists during the hike or at Huchuyqosco -- just us and the local people and lots of animals. The first day, we hiked all the way to the Huchuyqosco ruins and camped at its base. The first part was all uphill, and just when we reached the top and thought it would get easier, it started hailing. From lunch on, however, it got easier.

The next morning we ate breakfast outside as the sun rose. Speaking of food, the food on our trip was incredible and there was so much of it! The morning of the second day we hiked down to a village, ate lunch, and then a bus took us to Ollantaytambo, where we had some time to look around. From there we took the train to Aguas Calientes and stayed overnight. We visited the hot springs (which were actually only lukewarm), and the third morning took the bus up to Machu Picchu at 6 A.M. Overall, we were very spoiled on the trip.

near Ollantaytambo

Huchuyqosco from above

our campsite, at the base of Huchuyqosco

Machu Picchu

Machu Picchu (view from Huayna Picchu)

Puno -- Lake Titicaca & the Floating Islands

We weren't in Puno for long at all ... arrived one evening, took a tour the next morning, and caught a bus to Arequipa that afternoon. I'm glad we made the stop, though. The Floating Islands were fascinating to see and walk on. Unfortunately, my impression was that it's an over-touristed and kind of depressing place.

trying the reed (it's edible)

Arequipa & Colca Canyon

Colca Canyon

While we didn't have time to take a two-day tour to Colca Canyon, or to hike once there, we managed to find a tour that picked us up at our hostel at 2 A.M., arriving to Chivay at about 6 A.M. There our group had breakfast and then started the two hour ride to Cruz del Condor, with several stops along the way.

at one stop, a group of children were doing a traditional dance for the vanloads of tourists. I wish I could remember more about the history of it...

When we finally arrived and started seeing the condors, it was amazing. At one point there were eight in the sky at once.

One of the mountains in the background is Mt. Ampato, where scientists discovered the mummy Juanita, a girl sacrificed by the Incans.

We ate at a delicious kebab place twice while in Arequipa. From Arequipa, Elise and I flew back to Lima and stayed with Nicole and Miguel again, and also met up with Heather after her crazy jungle trip. Again, more shopping and good food in Lima. An amazing trip, but too short.

Crazy Waves

This past weekend the waves were huge. I don't know what caused it, but I've never seeen them like this. It was at least unusual enough for crowds of people to line the costanera watching the waves break over the wall. On Saturday, traffic was backed up and the roads were flooded. I wasn't able to get pictures of any giant waves, but here are at least a few good-sized ones...

The roads Saturday afternoon

The waves Sunday afternoon

Saturday's pictures were taken from my balcony, and Sunday's from just outside my building and across the street.

A new arrival

The newest addition to departmento 603...Paddington Whiskerson.