Paracas (Peru - Part 7 - Conclusion)

After more than four weeks traveling in Peru, we were ready for a little bit of luxury.   So for three nights we stayed at a resort on the coast that cost about 5x our normal budget per night.   The resort was walled off from the streets, offered western food, and the staff spoke English, so it was very comfortable (but not so authentic).    The main attraction here was the islands offshore - home to millions of birds (covering every square inch of the barren rock islands).   They even have penguins.

The other big attraction was the Nazca lines.  You may have heard about these ancient "geoglyphs" in the desert - they are giant shapes of monkeys, birds, etc traced in the desert floor - so large (200 meters across) they can only be seen from the air.  Our favorite is called the Astronaut - an odd bubble-headed humanoid waving up to the sky.  In addition to the figures, the desert is also criss-crossed with long straight lines, triangles, and trapezoids.   They may have been made to summon water from the mountains or to worship in some way.

This is where our journey ends, and the trip home begins.   After 3 hours by bus, we arrive in Lima to explore for the afternoon before our flight.  It is a modern city along the coast, but a persistent marine layer makes it kind of grey in the winter (our summer).  

As we begin to think about home, I really miss some of my material possessions:  My mountain bike, our jacuzzi, the camper van (and all its self contained luxuries).  Plus clean air - without smoke, exhaust, or sewer smells.  Also, the emotional impact of American music, which we haven't heard for awhile.  And comfort food:  chicken tikka masala, Thai crunch salad, En fuego burger, VGs donuts, and sushi all come immediately to mind.   Surprisingly, I don't miss TV (except for "the Newsroom" on HBO).

Ever notice the older we get, the faster life speeds by?  Want the antidote?  It is travel!  We have experienced so much in the last five weeks that it feels like we've lived a whole year there.  Just stepping outside of the routine stretches out time.  The world contains so much amazing variety!  New experiences.  New challenges.  ...just new.

In closing, I'd like to acknowledge that Eileen planned this whole trip for us.  Many months were spent considering destinations and choosing hotels (guided by Trip Adviser and Lonely Planet).  I am eternally grateful to have her as a travel partner - to confront the little challenges together, to share the amazement, and to have her support (even warming my body with hers while I suffered with altitude sickness chills inside our tent).   

Thanks for following along with us.