The Islas Ballestas, located a few kilometers off-shore from Pisco and Paracas, are sometimes referred to as "the poor man's Galápagos." "Well," I said, "I'm, poor, a man, and have always wanted to go to the Galápagos Islands . . . Let's do it." Numerous tour companies leave out of Pisco for three-hour tours. They seem a bit short, and if you're looking for information about the animals, you might have to read a book or something, but for the pure shock of seeing such a sight, the tour is well worth the 30 soles ($8USD) you'll dish out for it. Starting off, the boat passes by a huge 150-meter tall, 50-meter wide figure called the Candelario drawn into the hillside of the shore. It's origins are unknown, but theories range from indians drawing it to
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