Nazca

Nazca (elev. 588m/1,929ft)

The third day of our honeymoon, we traveled from Pisco/Paracas to Nazca to see the famous Nazca Lines.

We took a colectivo with two Brits from Pisco to Ica. After looking over the desert transportation options from Ica to Nazca (one bus with rust over its entire surface and a couple 30 yr old colectivos), we decided to take a taxi 135km (84mi) through the desert. It only cost $30US.

The scenery was...a bit bleak at times.

Here's the taxi driver's decorations with our approach to the Rio Grande ahead. There was no water in the rio. June is almost winter in Peru thus the "cool" temps around 30C (86F) in Nazca. But it is also the dry season (~May-Sept).

We finally reached Nazca and a hotel across from the airport where we waited for our flight. We were told there would be a two hour delay "due to turbulence." But fifteen minutes later, after a wealthy French tourist showed up with a trilingual guide, the flight was suddenly cleared for take-off!

The flight was a 35 min total roller-coaster ride. The pilot would circle each of the sand drawings banking at times up to 60 degrees! If you are planning on taking one of these flights, you may well be advised to take Dramamine. Masami almost became sick on the flight. The pilot spent most of the time from this parking spot out to the runway helping the French tourist put on his seat belt while he held the wheel between his legs.

Here's one of the few pictures we have of the pilot actually monitoring his gauges and looking ahead. Most of the time, he was turned around pointing out the patterns to us (half the time Will had no clue where the pattern was but would shake his head up and down indicating he did).

The whale, with tail on top and open mouth at bottom.

The hummingbird.

The monkey (difficult to see).

The condor.

The spider.

Some of the lines in the desert correlate with astronomical observations. Most of the designs, if you look closely you will notice, are made with one continuous line. For example, none of the lines in the hummingbird cross. There are theories that the Nazca people formed long lines of people and traced out the lines during ceremonies. Another strong theory is that the lines held water during the wet season and were part of water worship.

Another view of the whale.

One of the large trapezoids. Obviously, a few believe that these lines had a relationship to extraterrestrial visitors.

Another view of the monkey.

Another view of the spider.

Archeologists believe this was the Nazca people's representation of an "Owl Man" but it has been given the unofficial name of Astronaut Man by many others.

The parrot(?)

The observation tower along the Pan American Highway overlooks the hands (on the right) and the tree.

We were so happy when the roller-coaster ride ended.

We felt even better when we were back over Nazca...

...approaching the runway and...

...finally back on land! Masami felt dizzy so rather than wait for a 10PM bus that night, we checked into the hotel Hostal Maison Suisse right across the street.

A display at the Nazca Lines Hotel. We went here later at night to visit the Maria Reiche Planetarium and attend a discussion of the Nazca lines by Belgian astronomer Barthelemy d'Ans.

We also ate at the El Porton restaurant that had fabulous Italian cuisine as well as Peruvian. We actually had lunch here the next day as well. Masami insisted on eating at one of the lower quality restaurants the second night, one of those restaurants that has young men running around with menus outside trying to get people inside (very common in Peru). They convinced her outside they had the Arequipan dish, Ocopa, which they really didn't. After much discussions with our waiter, Will conviced him to get the cook to "fake" something approaching Ocopa for Masami.

Masami found this picture of one of our taxis humorous. Will actually had more space inside than it would appear.

That afternoon, we visited the Ormeño bus station to check on a 3:00PM bus to Arequipa. It had been cancelled leading to its passengers filling up the 10:00PM and 12:30AM Ormeño buses out of Nazca. That afternoon, a travel agent convinced us we should go to Cusco next. The following week was Inti Raymi or the Festival of the Sun and all the Cusco hotels would be filled to capacity. This would lead to our fateful decision to take the fateful "Bus Ride from Hell" on the Flores bus out of Nazca at 9:30PM.

A picture of Will in front of the Plaza Bolognesi and El Porton restaurant.

This site was last updated 07/13/05