Out to the Ballestas Islands

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Yesterday we travelled to the Ballestas Islands from a little port called Paracas. The Ballestas Islands can only be reached by boat and visitors are not allowed on the Islands. The boat that took as out can best be described as a high powered open speed boat with 2 very powerful engines at the rear. We sped off from the port on a very calm sea (thankfully) and after about 40 minutes we approached the Islands. They were teeming with wild life and I never seen so much in one spot. There was so much it was surreal and David Attenborough would be in his element.
Apparently there are over 160 species of marine birds including penguins, boobies, Inca terns and pelicans all of which we saw. On top of that there were hundreds of sea lions basking on the rocks and in the coves. The boat got close up to the rocks and presented us with some excellent photo opportunities
In the 19th century guano (mineral rich bird droppings) was exported from the area as a fertilizer and provided a vital source of revenue for the country. We saw evidence of the old factories from the boat
We cruised slowly round parts of the Islands and admired the wildlife at close quarter and then after that we sped back to Paracas. After that we did a tour of part of the Paracan National Reseve. This is where the desert meets the sea in a dramatic fashion. It reminded me of my time in the desert of Kuwait and especially that part of the desert that ran into the sea. But here there is evidence of damage caused by recent earthquakes such as that caused to a rock formation known as the ''Cathedral'' This feature of the landscape by the sea was badly damaged by the 2007 earhquake and is a shadow of its former glory.
After our hectic morning back to Paracan for lunch and after that the 4 hour coach trip to Lima

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Photos

Sea Lion at Ballestas
A very friendly sea lion basking on the rocks and pleased with its attention

Pelicans on Ballestas
A collection of pelicans enjoying themselves on the rocks. What is the proper name for such a collection? Answeres in the comment column

The Group
Sue and Margaret from Shrewsbury, Ann and Tony from Co. Durham, Fred from Cheltenham and me at the remains of the ''Cathedral''

Comments

[Lynne]

Who will be first?
Who will be the first to ask how many boobies you saw on the islands? x (Sorry about that; someone had to do it.)