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Sunday 6 July 2008

Paracas - Islas Ballatas

5th - 6th July 2008

Along the coastal road 15km south of Pisco, a town still massively affected by the earthquake of August 2007, is the small bay of Paracas. Boats from the jetty at El Chaco, the fishing port and beach next to Paracas village can be taken early each morning to the Islas Ballestas, a spectacular set of islands, eroded into numerous arches and caves and home to seabirds and sea lions. Sometimes described as the "poor mans Galapagos", it is possible to see dolphins, penguins, pelicans, flamingoes and of course sea lions.

On the grey morning that we visited the island by speedboat, we were lucky enough to see all of the above, and some Nazca-like lines etched into the hillside of the peninsular. We had stayed the night before in a small hotel in Paracas, the Santa Maria, and enjoyed lunch, an evening meal, a comfortable nights stay, and transport both from Ica to Paracas (via Pisco) and onwards to Lima for the price of a one day tour with an agency from Ica/Huacachina. Hail the independent traveler!

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