Back in Peru
Greetings again everyone~
It has been quite awhile since I've updated the blog. That was due in large part to my trip back to Minnesota between mid January to mid February, but we've also experienced issues at home with our computer, so I'm relying upon Marianella's work laptop for now and figured I better get you all updated while I had the opportunity (rather than whittle my time away playing online Sudoku-be forewarned, it's quite addictive!)
As stated I was back in Minnesota for about a month, and I happened to arrive on the coldest day not only this year, but for the last several years. It took a bit to get my system adjusted, but fortunately, a winter thaw arrived shortly before I returned to Peru, pushing tempertures up into the 40's and making my readjustment to Peru's summer not so severe. I was happy to get a lot accomplished when I was home, plus I was able to spend quality time with family & friends. If I wasn't able to see you while home, I apologize-it's amazing how quickly a month's time can go and there just weren't enough days/nights to reach everyone.
Although the time moved rapidly on many accounts while back in the States, it dragged in one sense-I really missed Marianella during my time away. Upon returning to Peru, we fit in one last weekend getaway before Marianella's summer vacation came to an end. Last weekend we took a bus ride about 3 hours from Lima to the town of Pisco and the Paracas National Reserve. You may recall that about a year and a half ago a devastating earthquake hit Peru. Pisco was at the epicenter of this earthquake, which killed 700 people in that mid-sized community. The town and the surrounding area are still rebuilding, with the tourist areas near the ocean in the best shape. We were in the area for about two and a half days, and while we were there, we enjoyed three major activities: Tambo Colorado, an Incan and pre-Incan community; the Paracas National Reserve; and the sand dunes of the National Reserve.
Tambo Colorado
When we arrived on Thursday, we hired a tour guide to take us to this ancient Incan community which was situated between the ocean and Cusco (the capital of the Inca empire). Tambo Colorado, while not as popular or extravagant as some of the other Inca ruins found in Peru, is still very well maintained from its origins in the latter 15th century. While driving up to Tambo Colorado, our guide also pointed out the crops which are grown locally, which include cotton and field corn (for those non-farmers in the audience, corn to feed livestock, not humans). The area we visited is located at the tip of the Peruvian desert, but with close proximity to the ocean, allowing for some bountiful crops you wouldn't expect in desert climates.
Cotton & Corn:
Paracas National Reserve
This was the part of the trip that Marianella lured me with. On Friday morning, we awoke early to take a large speedboat (along with many other tourists) to visit Ballestas Islands, which serves as home for thousands, if not millions of birds along with sea wolves, otters, and dolphins (we were fortunate to see dolphins on the ride back to shore but unable to take pictures). While I'm no expert on birds, I was able to identify the penguins, pelicans, and sea gulls among the overwhelming number and breeds of birds present. As for the sea wolves, we were fortunate to be visiting at a time of the year when the female wolves are having their babies. All the birthing mothers gather on a beach called "Maternity Beach" creating a cacophony unmatched by any maternity ward I've ever visited.
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With Marianella back at work and me likely following in her footsteps soon, we probably won't have too many exotic adventures to share with you in the near future, so when I update the blog in the near future it will be more local to our home and Lima. I hope you are all doing well and it's March-winter can't be around too much longer for you all. Take care~Tim and Marianella
It has been quite awhile since I've updated the blog. That was due in large part to my trip back to Minnesota between mid January to mid February, but we've also experienced issues at home with our computer, so I'm relying upon Marianella's work laptop for now and figured I better get you all updated while I had the opportunity (rather than whittle my time away playing online Sudoku-be forewarned, it's quite addictive!)
As stated I was back in Minnesota for about a month, and I happened to arrive on the coldest day not only this year, but for the last several years. It took a bit to get my system adjusted, but fortunately, a winter thaw arrived shortly before I returned to Peru, pushing tempertures up into the 40's and making my readjustment to Peru's summer not so severe. I was happy to get a lot accomplished when I was home, plus I was able to spend quality time with family & friends. If I wasn't able to see you while home, I apologize-it's amazing how quickly a month's time can go and there just weren't enough days/nights to reach everyone.
Although the time moved rapidly on many accounts while back in the States, it dragged in one sense-I really missed Marianella during my time away. Upon returning to Peru, we fit in one last weekend getaway before Marianella's summer vacation came to an end. Last weekend we took a bus ride about 3 hours from Lima to the town of Pisco and the Paracas National Reserve. You may recall that about a year and a half ago a devastating earthquake hit Peru. Pisco was at the epicenter of this earthquake, which killed 700 people in that mid-sized community. The town and the surrounding area are still rebuilding, with the tourist areas near the ocean in the best shape. We were in the area for about two and a half days, and while we were there, we enjoyed three major activities: Tambo Colorado, an Incan and pre-Incan community; the Paracas National Reserve; and the sand dunes of the National Reserve.
Tambo Colorado
When we arrived on Thursday, we hired a tour guide to take us to this ancient Incan community which was situated between the ocean and Cusco (the capital of the Inca empire). Tambo Colorado, while not as popular or extravagant as some of the other Inca ruins found in Peru, is still very well maintained from its origins in the latter 15th century. While driving up to Tambo Colorado, our guide also pointed out the crops which are grown locally, which include cotton and field corn (for those non-farmers in the audience, corn to feed livestock, not humans). The area we visited is located at the tip of the Peruvian desert, but with close proximity to the ocean, allowing for some bountiful crops you wouldn't expect in desert climates.
Cotton & Corn:Paracas National Reserve
This was the part of the trip that Marianella lured me with. On Friday morning, we awoke early to take a large speedboat (along with many other tourists) to visit Ballestas Islands, which serves as home for thousands, if not millions of birds along with sea wolves, otters, and dolphins (we were fortunate to see dolphins on the ride back to shore but unable to take pictures). While I'm no expert on birds, I was able to identify the penguins, pelicans, and sea gulls among the overwhelming number and breeds of birds present. As for the sea wolves, we were fortunate to be visiting at a time of the year when the female wolves are having their babies. All the birthing mothers gather on a beach called "Maternity Beach" creating a cacophony unmatched by any maternity ward I've ever visited.
Remember the movie "Birds"?
Penguins, Pelicans, and much much more:
A sea otter ready to choose the ocean over the shutterbugs:
Maternity Beach: 
After our morning out to sea, our tour guide from Thursday took us around the rest of the Reserve. Our first stop was a beautiful beach, tucked in between massive cliffs and offering crystal clear ocean water. After lounging there for an hour or so, we had a delicious lunch of locally caught fish and then drove through the rest of the Reserve, gazing at desert from one side of the car and ocean out the other side. By the time our day was done, we were both pretty exhausted from a full day spent in the sun. I know, I know rough living, right?
After our morning out to sea, our tour guide from Thursday took us around the rest of the Reserve. Our first stop was a beautiful beach, tucked in between massive cliffs and offering crystal clear ocean water. After lounging there for an hour or so, we had a delicious lunch of locally caught fish and then drove through the rest of the Reserve, gazing at desert from one side of the car and ocean out the other side. By the time our day was done, we were both pretty exhausted from a full day spent in the sun. I know, I know rough living, right? Our beach:
Other sites along our tour through Paracas Reserve: 
Dune Buggying in the Sand Dunes
While Marianella convinced me of this trip due to the Reserve, upon further perusal of the websites, I found that dune buggying was also a popular activity in this area and one that we couldn't pass up. Saturday morning we headed to the Sand Dunes for an adventure that neither Marianella or I had indulged in before. Our fearless driver took delight in tackling the large sand walls, climbing perilously up to the top and then tumbling down the other side. I likened it to a ride on a roller coaster, except this offered little grains of sand pelting our bodies as we advanced through the shifting landscape. Unfortunately for Marianella, her breakfast wasn't digested by the time we began our dune buggy ride and when our driver stopped after about a half-hour, she added her breakfast to the landscape. She was still game for the next adventure though, which was sand surfing. Our driver convinced both of us to give it a shot and we both had a great time doing it, although Marianella did not taste sand like I did (although it should be noted that she only rode down the slope on her bottom, not on her feet, like I did :)). After returning to our hotel and taking a long,thorough shower, we grabbed some lunch (well, I did) and then made our way home to Lima.
Dune Buggying in the Sand DunesWhile Marianella convinced me of this trip due to the Reserve, upon further perusal of the websites, I found that dune buggying was also a popular activity in this area and one that we couldn't pass up. Saturday morning we headed to the Sand Dunes for an adventure that neither Marianella or I had indulged in before. Our fearless driver took delight in tackling the large sand walls, climbing perilously up to the top and then tumbling down the other side. I likened it to a ride on a roller coaster, except this offered little grains of sand pelting our bodies as we advanced through the shifting landscape. Unfortunately for Marianella, her breakfast wasn't digested by the time we began our dune buggy ride and when our driver stopped after about a half-hour, she added her breakfast to the landscape. She was still game for the next adventure though, which was sand surfing. Our driver convinced both of us to give it a shot and we both had a great time doing it, although Marianella did not taste sand like I did (although it should be noted that she only rode down the slope on her bottom, not on her feet, like I did :)). After returning to our hotel and taking a long,thorough shower, we grabbed some lunch (well, I did) and then made our way home to Lima.Looking somewhat graceful:
Not graceful at all:
What a poser!:
Coated with a few layers of sand:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------With Marianella back at work and me likely following in her footsteps soon, we probably won't have too many exotic adventures to share with you in the near future, so when I update the blog in the near future it will be more local to our home and Lima. I hope you are all doing well and it's March-winter can't be around too much longer for you all. Take care~Tim and Marianella
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