Tuesday, 10 October 2006

Nazca lines, ruins, and the mummies

These photos were taken from a small airplane over the Nazca desert, the lines you can see are the famous Nazca lines. That little trip cost us US$55 each! but also included a night in a hostel in Nazca, and the trip to see pottery works, gold works, and the mummies.

The pottery and gold works were little more than an excuse to extract money from tourist, although the gold man spent most of his time singing his speech and replies to questions, he was at least a happy fellow.

The Astronaut

The Monkey

The Condor

The Spider

The Hummingbird

Cant recall, it has a really long zig zaggy neck you cannot see in the photo

The Hands

The Tree

Both the above, with road and truck to show scale. You can also see the massive geometric shapes in the background.

We found some ruins on the outskirts of Nazca (15mins walk from the hostel). I believe its Incan, there was a guy there who told some other tourists not to climb on the ruins, we stayed on the path like good little gringos.

The sights on the way back from the ruins. Erin - mum boganvillia grows like a weed here! The monkey was a pet in someones back yard. The river is all dried up.. its a desert after all. The second driest in the world, we think.

On our return from the Nazca lines we had a little excitement, the police were forcing cars off the road and took our taxi drivers licenses..  (Regan was freaking out at this point, Erin was much more relaxed) he kindly dropped us back at our hostel via the back roads, including driving across the river as shown in the photo. We found out later there was a race, I hope he got his licenses back.

The view from our hostel in Nazca

A mummy in its tomb. Apparently grave robbers dug these guys up, took all the gold and left them on the surface, so theyre not so well preserved.

These are the shelters over the tombs. They dont need anything else because it never rains.

These next three were ones the archaeologists dug up in 2000 (perhaps) when they opened 50 tombs, these guys get their own display cases.

The mummy of a baby.

Pottery, buried with the mummies.

An adult.

This oven is in a restraunt in Cusco, we had dinner here last night.

It rained a little in Cusco. We joined all the tourists and took a photo of the rainbow over one of the many churches here.

We will update you all after the trek to Macchu Pichu.

@ 21:26 PM Add Comment

Sue: I guess some of those were 'mummies'...how ancient, I wonder. Not what you would see in downtown Wellington on a Sunday afternoon. (10/11/06)

Juanita & Allan: Hi looks like you must have been in a plane or helicopter to get some of these pics. the mummies are disturbing. one looks a bit like Regan on an extra bad hair day, the other - how Erin might be if she doesn't find some decent food! (10/11/06)

Paul (from MK): Wow, great photos. the Rainbow over the Church is especially impressive. And the Desert oasis picture is just astounding. that dune buggy looks like the most terrifying fun-ride EVER. I can't wait to see your next update after Machu Pichu. All the best, Paul (10/15/06)

J&A again: I love the photo of the rainbow as well I now have it as the wall paper on my computer! (10/12/06)

Naomi (from MK): Hi there Erin and Regan, Sorry it's taken me so long to have a look at your blog site! How exciting though that I have now! Great to hear that you're doing such fantastic things and that all is working out well for you. I'll be sure to have a proper read of everything now, just wanted to say we miss you lots Erin, and your office looks yucky and bare without you here!! xxx Naomi (10/12/06)

Becs: Hey you two, Fantastic to see the photos and hear about the trip - it looks amazing! Becs (10/16/06)

Ross: You know i think J & A might actually have something there... the first one even has Regan's programming tan (is he starting to shake with withdrawal symptoms yet Erin?) anyho sounds great so far and lovin the photo's... i reckon you cld even put more of yourselves in with the pretty, the old, and the stuff i.e. Erin armwrestling the 1000 year old mummy etc ;oP i'm sure local people love tourists like that... love them to pieces... tiny ones. Enjoy! (10/18/06)

sue: Me again. I particularly love the photo of the rainbow and the people (in the rain?) Those pictures are amazing. Impossible to think they are random lines, so many of them. Will have to see them for myself I think. How's the spanish going? You sound like 'old hands' now. I am starting "Latin for Travellers' next week. Kate is coming too, as she is keen to visit Italy some time. We'll probably have a glass of vino before class to get us in the mood! (10/12/06)

grandad: thank you for your e-mails and photos,it is great to have direct contact with you.I will follow your journey with a interest.Lots of love,take care,Grandad OXOXOX. (10/13/06)

grandad: thank you for your e-mails and photos,it is great to have direct contact with you.I will follow your journey with a interest.Lots of love,take care,Grandad OXOXOX. (10/13/06)