20 November 2015 ~ Pisaq

Listening to: Elvin Bishop ~ What the Hell is Going On

Heading towards our first Incan Ruin at the Pisaq Archeological Park, we were tempted to try the Coca Candy.

Basically it was dried coca leaves that you are to chew (but not swallow). Arrghh. It tasted Horrible. I couldn't even keep it in my mouth for 30 seconds! It tasted like moldy green tea (or I am assuming, since I've never had moldy green tea).

The Inca constructed agricultural terraces on the steep hillside, which are still in use today, enabling the production of food surplus, at altitudes as high as 11,000 feet.

The word Pisaq comes from the word 'pisaqa' meaning partridge, a bird species that still can be seen flying here at dusk.

Pisaq served a triple purpose: military, religious and agricultural. It was most likely built no earlier than 1440 and was destroyed by Spanish conquerors in the 1530s.

This cemetery built into the hillside holds almost 3000 graves.

We didn't have time to shop with the local sellers here.

I will be heading off for another adventure tomorrow, and unable to post until after December 1st, so please check back then.

For those who celebrate, have a grand Thanksgiving!

16 November 2015 ~ Camelids

Listening to: Hurray For The Riff Raff ~ I Know It's Wrong (But That's Alright)

Next stop: Cuzco, Peru, Gateway to Machu Picchu.

Flying in over the Andes. The elevation was around 8000 feet when we landed. I could tell the difference in walking and breathing.

Our guide took us to a Camelid "ranch", where we learned about llamas and alpacas, cousins to camels.

Up close and personal.

These have a nickname of "Bob Marley".

 Already fleeced and perhaps made into a sweater.

Always good to make friends along the way.

15 November 2015 ~ Last Day in the Amazon

Listening to: Boy and Bear ~ Walk the Wire


On the way to a village, this woman was so proud off the roosters she was taking to market, she insisted on a picture.

Arriving at the village, we stopped by a house. During the rainy season when this village floods, everything gathers and lives on the platform...extended family, chickens, pigs, etc.

We visited the school where all the children told us their names and we went around the group and told them where we were from. The we all sang a song together. We left behind toothbrushes/paste and school supplies.

We also stopped in a "lake" of the Amazon where we went swimming. There was a strong current and rain clouds gathering, so I didn't stay in too long. There was a rainbow which I did not get a picture of, but I did get one of this cloud.

We paused a moment to look at pink and grey dolphins jumping out of the water. Here is a short video.

https://youtu.be/HwhHz_77roY

We ended the day with cocktails and snacks on the beach.

14 November 2015 ~ Piranha Fishing

Listening to:  Chris Carmack ~ Pieces of You

One late afternoon we went piranha fishing. No fancy fishing poles, just a stick, wire and some raw beef on the hook.

The first catch of the day.

The teeth are often used as tools.

Even I got into the action.

But I would't let them get too close, nor would I take it off the hook.

Kathy caught a baby piranha.

We cruised home to a beautiful sunset.

Our cooks fried them up for dinner and they were delicious.

10 November 2015 ~ In the Trees

Listening to: Brigadier Jerry ~ Jamaica, Jamaica

This iguana is a bit better to see.

Meet the Hoatzin Bird. This bird is only found in the Amazon jungle and has no close relatives. The Hoatzin is one of the only primarily herbivorous birds on the globe. Like other familiar herbivores such as cows, the Hoatzin makes use of bacteria to help digest the plant matter it consumes.

They can barely fly, despite the fact, or because of the fact they are born with claws on their wings. This is to help prevent them from falling into the water as the clamber around lakeside vegetation.

The stork family posed for the photo. Storks are mute; bill-clattering is an important mode of stork communication at the nest.  

And the ultimate high-lite! A three-toed sloth!

The sloth is the world's slowest mammal, so sedentary that algae grows on its furry coat. Nearly all of their time is spent in the trees: sleeping 10-15 hours per day, mating, even giving birth. Although clumsy on land, they are surprisingly good swimmers. They also have an extra neck vertebrae that allows them to turn their heads some 270 degrees. That doesn't offer enough to lookout for eagles that will swoop in and carry the away.

It's really hard to take a photo from a moving boat. And I didn't have my larger lens to get the close-up of this Blue and Scarlet Macaw.