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Monday, March 14, 2011

Historic Lima


The site of modern day Lima Peru was founded January 18, 1535 by conquistador Francisco Pizzaro naming it The City of Kings. Yet the area's original name endured and it continued as Lima. The city became the capital of the Viceroyalty of Peru and the Real Audiencia in 1543. The Americas were divided into two Viceroyalties - New Spain (based in Mexico City, Mexico) and Peru (based in Lima). It was from Lima that the Spanish oversaw and governed South America.
It was during these early years that the historic Center of Lima was built including the Plaza Major, The Basilica Cathedral of Lima (1535-1540), Governmental Palace-House of Pizzaro (1535), Archbishops Palace, House of Aligia (1535), House of Pilatos, the University of San Marco and Convent of Santo Domingo and the Court of Santo Oficio (1569).

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Huaca Pucllana



Huaca Pucllana located in the Miraflores is one of many adobe pyramids found in Lima, Peru.  Built nearly 2000 years ago by the Lima Culture these pyramids were ignored for years, it has only been recently that these archaeological gems are being restored.
The Restaurant Huaca Pucllana offers traditional Peruvian Cuisine with an incredible panoramic vista of the ruins.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Plaza de Toros de Acho



The Plaza de Toros de Acho is the old bullfighting ring in the Americas and the 2nd oldest in the wold after La Maestranza in Spain.  Built of adobe and wood and located in Lima it is the largest of the 56 official bullrings in Peru.  Constructed in 1766, today the ring is used during the bullfighting fair to honor Senor de los Milagros - Sundays October through November.

Swimming with Sea Lions


March is the warmest time of year in the Galapagos Islands.  There is no better way to cool off during your Galapagos Cruise than to go swimming with sea lions. Galapagos Sea Lions are fun loving animals enjoy a came of underwater tag with passing swimmers.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Sistene Chapel of the Andes - The Church at Andahuaylillas



The small town of Andahuaylillas is on the main road that connects Cusco with Lake Titicaca.  What may first appear just as a typical town is well worth the visit.  There town has a main square with a modest church that appears as many others throughout the region it was built from adobe on the site of a former Incan palace a scenario seen elsewhere in Peru.

Yet as you walk through the church's doors you will discover at once why the San Pedro Church is called the ‘Sistine Chapel of the Andes’, the church's interior is an artistic masterpiece of carved woods, paintings, and frescos.

As you enter the church there are incredible contrasting frescos on either side of the main door on one side is the road to heaven and on the other the road to hell.  As your eyes rise up to the ceiling you will see the ceiling is decorated in a floral patterns accented by gold leaf.    The church's walls are blanketed with inspiring paintings from the bible framed in gold creating a pathway to the front of the church and the 24 karat gold leaf alter.     

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Choquequirao


Choquequirao name in Quechua is the Cradle of God, located above the Apurimac River a two day hike outside of Cusco. The ruins at are often considered the Sacred Sister to Machu Picchu like Machu Picchu it was first rediscovered by Hiram Bingham as well as its similar architecture and layout. The citadel has a temple, terraces, main plaza, and administrative buildings, living quarters for the aristocrats, water channels, aqueducts and springs. However unlike Machu Picchu, Choquequirao was largely forgotten again by the outside world until 1993 when the Peruvian Government began clearing the site. Choquequirao is substantially larger than Machu Picchu but to date only about 1/3 of it has been uncovered the rest remains covered by the dense jungle.The most recognizable feature at Choquequirao are the llama terraces where more than two dozen llamas are set into the stone terraces.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Galapagos Dove

Galapagos Doves are endemic to the Galapagos Islands. These tame birds can be found throughout the archipelago in the arid lowlands of the islands. Early March is when the majority of Galapagos Doves are born in the islands.