
Jacaranda Journey


Plaza de Armas

Colonial building on the Plaza de Armas

Terrible traffic and congested streets

Amor Park - Park of the Lovers - along the malecon in Miraflores

One of the landmarks seen on our bike ride-- a church damaged in the war between Peru and Chile - left as is as a memorial to the conflict

Peruvian crafts displayed in Mari Solari's artisan shop/ home/museum (Artesanias Las Pallas)

Joe, Evan, and David in front of our wonderful hostel in Lima

The amazing colonial architecture of historic Lima

More Incan Bling (Moche Epoch)

Lima is the gastronomic capital of South America. Our Goodbye Dinner at Danica Restaurant with the owners of 511 Lima Hostel (Humberto, Gonzalo) and Gonzalo's girlfriend Anunziata

Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas

Cathedral on the Plaza de Armas with statue of Incan leader

Typical street. The rainbow flag is not the symbol of gay pride like in the U.S. - it represents the Incan nation

Quechua woman and llama

Church built on the remains of the most sacred Incan temple

Eco-Packers Hostal

Street in the steep San Blas neigborhood

Quechua women in indigenous dress with baby lambs

Pisco is the national alcohol drink of Peru, a clear liquor made from grapes, similar to a grappa.

Quechua woman weaving with a backstrap loom

Guinea Pig, or cuy, is a traditional food source in Peru - they are not kept as pets

Coca candies and tea leaves sold everywhere to combat the effects of altitude


Terraces

Children outside the Incan ruins, Ollantaytambo

Ollantaytambo ruins and market

Chinchero (the birthplace of the rainbow in Quechua lore)

To Machu Picchu (from Ollantaytambo)


Gateway to Machu Picchu, Aguas Calientes is located in a steep gorge with a rushing river down the center.

Virgen del Carmen Fiesta

Virgen del Carmen Fiesta

Narrow street lined with pizza joints

Hot Springs

Iconic family photo



The Incans were master stone masons

Cathedral at night

Uros Floating Islands

Uros Reed Islands - traditional reed boat

Taquile Island where the men have a tradition of knitting hats - red ones for married men and white ones for singles

Volcanoes looking down on the city of Arequipa

Peruvian Independence Day preparations

Baroque decorated colonial buildings constructed of white sillar volcanic stone

Santa Catalina Monastery - a city within a city

Jacaranda trees in bloom - a sight we really love to see

Sillar Quarry outside Arequipa

Inca terracing on the way to Chivay for our Colca Canyon Trip

Vicuñas, wild relatives of alpacas and llamas, are abundant in the Paramo (high grassland) reserve on the way to Colca Canyon