Colombia to easter island photo credits
Trip Start
Sep 01, 2007
1
94
96
Trip End
Sep 10, 2008
Anchorage, Alaska
Monday, November 1, 2010
crossing Colombia
the landscapes of colombia were extreme and beautiful.
stuck in the bus station: in the midst of our 18 hour bus ride that was supposed to be 12 hours.
Quito ecuador farms: as soon as we crossed the border into ecuador we noticed a difference in the landscape.
pig sex: we have been seeing signs like this one for a while now and finally figured out that they are animal husbandry businesses. but the drawing of the pig is what cracked me up the most
quito town house: this house was across the street from our hostel in quito. like alot of the buildings in the area, it was really pretty
Blue footed boobies!!!
this is the sun deck of the archipel
archipel:this is the boat looking from the back
food art: yes, we even got food art on board
this is our room on the boat. you can not only turn around in it but stand all the way up too! we had our own hot water shower and everything. I was so happy.
this dining hall could fit the entire last boat inside of it
the top deck with pinnacle rock in the background.
blue footed boobies hanging out on the rocks.
1 dancing boobie: the dude boobie does some steps and then shows his wings. he also offers nesting material too. really neat to see up close
1 marine iguana: this huge guy was sunning himself on the rocks.
flightless cormorant hanging out on the rocks
dancing under palo santo, the incense tree
more flightless cormorants sunning themselves
jason steers the boat: not really. they had paid staff on this boat. this is just a dummy wheel I think.
flamingo: the photo is a little grainy, but they really do have stilt like legs.
Galapagos penguins having a swim
godzilla colors: male marine iguanas have big spines and lots of color when wet.
a male magnificent frigate with his pouch inflated to attract a mate
male land iguanas change their color to this yellowish red during mating season
a masked boobie trying to mingle
really close: they donīt scamper away. we were standing there, walking among them forever.
sea lions and marine iguanas sharing the space
sea lion pup: ahhh. arenīt they cute? they came right up to smell us.
close up of the sea lion sunning himself. donīt you just want to pluck those whiskers?
sea turtle: good thing itīs digital. I took more shots of the splash or the water trying to get this.
sunset prickly pears: the prickly pears on santa cruz island grow up tall like a tree
swimming marine iguana: they really do swim, using their tale, not their feet like I thought they would
the boat at the rock: everyone on the trip and the guide pose at pinnacle rock view point.
us at pinnacle rock: jason and irene pose at the famous galop view. that is pinnacle rock in the background. we snorkeled with the sharks in the bay on the left and with sea lions on the right.
in front of the prickly pears of isabella island--shorter.
us sunset wheel: we were getting close to the equator and wanted a photo with the sunset.
wheel sunset: the sunsets were amazing.
this is a white tipped shark. harmless but still intimidating to swim with.
Lima, peru
much of the landscape from tumbes on is sandy and flat with occasional sand dunes like these.
Cuzco, peru
the plaza de armas in the center of peru has not changed in appearance, just price
the stepped streets of Cuzco leading to our hostel
this is the view of the city and the main plaza from the top of our hostel.
ooohy cuy! yes, we had to try it. on thanksgiving, rather than go to the american style dinner, we decided to try the local delicacy---guinea pig. however, this particular beast came to us rather quickly so we suspect that better cooking techniques of fresher meat may have tasted better. it was terrible, honestly, but expensive so jason ate it anyway. the vegetarians at the table next to us were horrified by the fact that it still had its teeth, claws, eyes, etc.
yes, an actual live condor. but I suspect he was clipped and trained. these birds are huge. this photo was taken at saqsaywaman
andean life: alpacas and ladies decorated and waiting for photos in saqsaywaman
saqsaywaman: these are the ruins of the temple just at the top of Cuzco.
the rock slide at saqsaywaman
alpacas just hanging out on the side of the road in front of one of the tourist fine alpaca textiles stores.
this is the other ruined temple area up the road called quenco
so, where is it? jason finally arrives at macchu picchu. so, where is it
oh there it is! the mist and eerie fog lifts and covers macchu picchu, adding to the mystical air of the area
all of macchu picchu: the site continues down the mountain side into the valley but this is the most excavated portion
the aqueducts in all the temples leading up to and including macchu picchu are pretty impressive. they were carved and designed to both conduct water and prevent erosion.
the aqueducts split apart to slow down the laminar flow of the water and then join just before the precipice to the next level. this slows the water more and prevents erosion of the rock on the receiving level.
there are a few trees still growing inside the compound. note also how the large rocks are incorporated.
3 ventanas walkway in between the living quarters of macchu picchu
mira! peaking through the windows that line the temple of the sun
peruvian lawn mower: they crop it pretty close.
irene and jason share a moment near the spirit rock of macchu picchu.
the stone work of the temple portions are very precise and clean fitting
the stairs descend along the 800 meter road into agua caliente. these are actually built into the rock itself without evidence of concrete.
Copacobana, bolivia
crud: it seems the american disabilities act has not reached peru. by this I mean that the doors are not of standard american height. they are very short in fact and jason has hit his head many times. only this time, he was still asleep, because we had to catch a bus at 430 am. he managed to draw a nice cut, spewing blood. how is that for waking up on the wrong side of the bed?
the sunset over lake titicaca from copacobana from our swanky and cheap hotel room
when the sky is clear, the sun beams down on this high altitude town. copa in the daylight is fantastic
the church at the center of copa is dazzling white. it is also the site of pilgrimage for many and a place to have your car or items blessed. people show up for this in all of their finery.
the buildings are painted all different colors which pop for the camera on a blue bird day. and the wiring of the houses is an electrician{s nightmare
Bolivian navy: the story goes that Chile usurped Bolivia’s access to the ocean. the navy remains in landlocked lake titicaca only----as a testament to stubbornness
andean hat: irene tries on one of the hats that the andean women wear. they wear them small and balance them just so on the head, without a hat pin or anything
a photo of us on the boat ride to the isla del sol
ayamara boat: the first time I saw a boat like this it was on the floating islands of the uro indians of the same lake. why it was over at the isla del sol I don't know. they are made completely of the reeds that grow in the lake
the fountain of youth: on the isla del sol, you climb the incan stairs and then come to the fountain of youth. this water has been untainted and flowing continuously from a spring on the island for thousands of years. we tasted it and didn't get sick and it was quite sweet.
isla del sol: view of the island’s terraces from the southwestern edge
pre-Columbian temple: this temple on the south side of the isla del sol was built in pre Incan times and then built over by the Inca.
crossing Bolivia
flamingos running and flapping away from the train
the glassy wetlands yawn away from the train tracks and the birds twitch here and there.
the sunset is made more spectacular by the ghost like landscape and the fine dust in the thin air.
for sharon and katrina: the toilet of this train doesn't even have a cover on the bottom that opens up when you flush. you just see the tracks go by the whole time
salt flattin and stuff---san pedro de quemez, Bolivia
dead trains: the trains come here to be taken apart piece by piece in Bolivia
tracks: and the path I continue walking
wondering where it leads
making salt: after sweeping the salt into piles, drying it over a fire and then adding iodine, the salt is ready for packaging. a Bolivian lady scoops and seals the retail bags by hand.
salt lick: after getting dehydrated by food poisoning, jason goes for one of the salt blocks.
I mean flat: it just goes and goes and goes
the ojos, or springs of the salar bubble up
a salt pool in front of the illegal salt hotel
illegal salt hotel: rumor has it that the people who built this salt hotel never had a permit, but they built it anyway and asked to keep it because it was already built. however, the waste from the hotel goes into the water table of the flats. staying here is quite a controversy.
the salt seems to form these natural honeycomb designs
the stark white of the salt flats takes away ones depth perception, allowing for funny photos like these. jason is only about 50 feet away
if you like your nalgene so much, why donīt you live in it?
and may he hold you in the palm of his hand
the background is a blindingly white contrast to the rock of the isla de pescador
this building makes use of the large old saguaro cacti growing on it
isla de pescador raises up in the center of the salt flats as the only patch of brown around for miles. saguaros hundreds of years old raise up around the island (so called for its location in the center of salt). a volcano rises up in the distance.
coral arch: isla de pescador shows signs of being part of the ocean with coral like growths all over the rocks.
are you listening to me????
good salt hotel: unlike the other, illegal hotel, this one does have a permit and sits on the edge of the salt flats. the building itself is made of the blocks of salt, cut just like ice blocks. the floor has salt on it. the bed mattresses rest on salt blocks as well. the tables, chairs, steps, etc are all made of salt. this is our room for the night
burro: habla en voz alta! you donīt have to whisper, I want to be loved!!!
becky maneja: since our guide didn't really speak spanish, he would often make signs and sounds to indicate a verb or word he lacked. for example, driving pantomime to symbolize car or drive. this would cause fits of laughter in becky and sara, the other american gals, mostly because they couldn't figure out what he really wanted. here becky does "the car" while vico loads our junk
bad sign: on our first stop of the day, the hood comes up and vico tinkers around.
llamas sin duenos: I guess vico didn't have the word for wild to describe the llamas. so these are llamas without owners. they wander the country side all over the place here.
1 color: the colors of the lake, salt, grass and land are in stark contrasts on a blue bird day here.
colors: who knew that brown came in so many shades? this area, or somewhere nearby is the area that inspired the painter Dali
flamingos on the lake: their silhouettes stand out in the bright sun
vicunas: porque estan mirandome? the vicuņas show us their ears as we stop to take a photo.
flamingos in the salt: all of that white stuff is salt. it looks like snow or ice on the lake to
tussock balls: the lake, the birds and the grass
there are several species of flamingo in this area on each of the different lakes
vizcacha and lichen: this little rodent is related to the chinchilla. (yet another strange animal). you can also see the hard green lichen in the background that the people use for heat.
arbol de piedra: the tree of rock in the desert, sculpted by the sand and wind
1 laguna colorado: the red of the lake comes from the ground color which mixes with the water in a silty suspension.
2 laguna colorado: colors mixing
sunrise at 5000m: the sun breaks through the mist of the geysers at 5000meters. there is a drilled vent here that has been going steady with steam since the 1970s.
boiling mud: new zealand isn't the only place with boiling mud
red mud: the color of each pool of boiling liquid at the geysers is different
stay back: after dropping us off and telling us to walk through all of these geysers, being careful only not to fall in them, we saw this sign that says "danger, do not get close". you can see how effective it is. I cannot believe that only 2 people have died here!
tire 1: vico puts on his toyota suit to change the tire. jason, as the only guy somehow gets roped into helping.
laguna verde: salty water again that looks like it should belong in alaska.
villa mar plane crash: just opposite the canyon wall of this tale remains, jason discovered the human skulls. the crash has been there for many years though, so we don't know if those are the passengers or not.
creepy skulls: One of the gals on the salt flats trip was not as freaked out by the skulls as we were and went right up and got a photo. She sent it to us to use.
tire 2: good thing he repaired the spare, we got another flat
train stop: the Bolivian train system gets interesting
colored rocks: the Bolivian landscape was surprising as we rumbled along in the train to villazon
wake up: irene snoozes through the snow on the way over the pass
salta, argentina
salta church: we happened upon this church while looking for an atm
for stacey and the gang: I really wanted to buy this shirt but we were in a long line for the plane. it shows a goat with a Bolivian hat on that I found hysterical (chivandose)
buenos aires, argentina
irene with family friends: these are only two of the triplets that are close family friends with Irene
This is the boca district in buenos aires. Home of the tango
Not only know for tango this area is also known for its very colorful historic buildings
Performers give tango shows in the streets for tips. For the right price you can get photographed and dance with them also.
fine BA architecture: This is an exact copy of a famous bridge that is in Spain.
punta arenas—almost to the bottom
the wind was cranking on our first day in punta arenas
view of the strait of Magellan from the town of punta arenas
Ushuaia—bottom of the world
flat grasslands: Not what we expected of the famed Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego
big bird of the south: are we in africa or australia? nope just another species of large bird, around these parts called a nandu.
This is the ferry crossing from the mainland patagonia to the island of Tierra del Fuego across the strait of Magellan.
American midwest? It's just like america except there are millions of sheep here instead of the once roaming buffalo.
trees finally: we finally started to glimpse the first signs of trees, still small and stunted but trees none the less.
getting better! Now the view is starting to get a little better
almost home? I swear this looks very similar to someplace I've seen once or twice in my life.
now we’re talking:If this doesn't look like home I don't know what would.
is that a tundra flat? Yep, sure is, we are starting to see the first signs of a traditional arctic or in this case Antarctic environment. Tundra
bottom of the world: Sign entering Ushuaia. Not really the furthest south city but it is close enough.
whittier or Ushuaia: Yes I know it's always shittier in whittier, but the resemblances between the two are quite striking.
jason’s happy: Jason gets his hands on the last snow of the season at the bottom of the world. This is probably the last snow jason will get to touch until next winter
sorry jason, we’re not going home yet. End of the road. This is the road sign at the furthest south point that can be reached by vehicle.
Tierra del fuego national park was small but a pleasure to hike around in all day.
irene is done walking. After jason drug Irene around Ushuaia for three days she had had enough. Where the damn bus!?
Torres del Paine National Park, chile
This was our first view of the Torres in Torres del Paine national park when we got there.
This is one of the pretty waterfalls that are found in the park. We hiked to this one while waiting for the ferry.
We took this ferry across a lake to start our hiking trip. The weather also took a brief turn for the better
hitting the trail: A much nicer view of the Torres range was seen as the weather cleared up and we hit the trail. It may look like there are alot of people going with us but most of them just went for a day hike and then went back to the "campground" for a hot shower and latte.
irene is happy to be hiking The weather turned bad again with high winds and blowing rain. Irene, however, was just happy to be on the trail.
are you sure you are not in AK? A nice glacier in Torres del Paine park
first night’s camping spot: This was the view from our first nights camping spot. It was free but unfortunately there were no hot showers, lattes, or internet access.
strangers on the trail: We ran into mary and shane on the trail. The same couple that we spent a week on a boat in the Galapagos with. Small world for those on the traveler’s circuit
only one Jason allowed: Only two people allowed! Irene puts her foot down though and says that just because the sign says two people only doesn't mean jason plus one more. Jason had to cross on his own.
camping spot, night 2: The river sounds drowned out the sounds of the other campers.
a little windy: Thank goodness for the protection of the trees. Some of the gusts had to be close to 100 mph. At one point Irene was knocked well off the trail by a gust.
night 3 camping spot: We spent our final night camped below the actual Torres that the park is famous for.
roughing it torres style: At the end of the trail we were waiting for a bus in the parking lot of the main lodge of the park. At 16 dollars for a small plate of cheeses and meat, I don't think we could've afforded to stay there.
Easter island, Chile
where we stayed on easter island: This is the place where we stayed on Easter Island. It also turns out to be the cheapest also. You can rent a tent if you didn't bring your own or stay in a room of the guest house.
the back yard: This is the view directly across from the camping site. Not to shabby to wake up and go to sleep with the sounds of waves.
city swimming pool: This is a city maintained park. Not too shabby.
town moai: These moai are located right on the outskirts of town.
jason goes in for a closer look: This is a size comparison of jason and a moai. Most don't have eyes anymore but the experts believe at one time most of them had or where supposed to have eyes and they received them on site. they essentially slept until they reached the ahu.
looking back at town: This is the biggest and only town on Easter Island. Definitely not a crowded place.
ceremonial village: Some of the ancient stone houses on the island.
View from the top of one of the island's extinct volcanoes.
surf’s up: Surf is easy to find all around the island and anyone with some skill will have a good time. This break was one of the more challenging. Closer to town are the beginner’s areas.
normal view: All of the moai were tipped over hundreds of years ago during tribal infighting. All the currently standing moai have been restored in modern times.
moai birthplace: this is the quarry where all of the 800 some moai where carved.
no home for these: hundreds of moai lay around this site in various states of completion. These ones are waiting for a home that will never come.
15 plus 1: This is the largest restored site on the island 15 moai side by side with one extra off to the side.
paradise moai: These moai are located in probably the nicest location on the island.
easter island paradise: There are only three beaches on the island and this one is probably the nicest. The lack of beaches is probably why the island is pleasantly free of large scale mega hotels. That is a good thing because it leaves beaches like this free of people.
