Mystery & History, Beaches & Ballestas

The next morning we set out to check off something that was really on my bucket list - and if it's not on yours I recommend adding it! - flightseeing over the Nazca lines. These mysterious figures were formed by the ancient Nazca people (or by aliens, according to some) but no one knows how or why. Living on the plains, and without planes, how could they see what they were drawing into the rock on such a massive scale (hundreds of meters) and with such precision, these figures that can only be seen by air today? It is crazy and seeing it in person makes the mystery even more impressive.

Hummingbird, Las Lineas Nazca

One would think another day of back-to-back jaw-droppers is not possible - think again. Off the plane from Nazca we boarded a boat for Las Islas Ballestas. One of my fellow travel advisors described the adventure as Galapagos Lite. I have never seen so many birds in one concentrated area and had never seen a sea lion or penguin in the wild. We spotted rare cormorants, Ballesta boobies and mommy sea lions giving their babies swimming lessons or taking a tan.

Friday evening marked the time to say Adios to fast friends and fellow Virtuoso advisors. We had such a great group of women with whom to share these unforgettable experiences! Unfortunately for them, they're probably already back in the real world right now... or more likely sitting through their layovers in MIA or JFK... sorry about it... While I'm in flight en route to Cusco and Machu Picchu for 4 more days of my Peruvian adventure!

(Unless of course Julio picks me up from the airport, in which case I'm not coming home.)