Huacachina (Peru) to Lima (Peru) via Isla Ballestas (Peru)
19 MAY 2015
The route that we elected to take to Lima was a little odd. Not that it was particularly taxing but just odd in the manner in which it manifested and the 'extent of highlights' it provided on the excursion.
Transfer days or 'transition days' are commonly accepted as being a 'throwaway' day where you get from your destination A to your destination B without much fuss. Lately however we'd been involved in 'touro-transfers', sightseeing whilst in transit. The Isla Ballestas were sold to us as a 'must see' location whilst conducting our transit from Huacachina to the capital Lima.
This guy was probably the highlight of the day, and even then, not THAT impressive
A candelabra left by some bored pirates, apparently - Islas Ballestas - Peru
Islas Ballestas - Peru
There's not many times that I'll call out something as crap immediately - this was one of them however
A couple of seals - Islas Ballestas - Peru
This guy was probably the highlight of the day, and even then, not THAT impressive
The islands just smelled like bird guano - 100mtrs away from the shoreline was positively awful
The 'Cliffsnotes' state that the Ballestas islands are known as the 'Poor Man's Galapogas'. They area rocky group of islands located off the coast of Peru near the the town of Paracas and are home to some 'incredible' wildlife such as penguins, sea lions and dolphins. Getting there was easy enough, a minivan from Huacachina to a port in Paracas and then onto a speedboat and out into the Pacific. Piece of cake. And yes, it was. But under a blanket of greyness and slicing over the equally uninspiring grey waters of the Pacific, we got to these rocky outcrops that in themselves were uninspiring and saw...as you would expect, penguins, sea lions and the occasional dolphin. It was just that after 15 mins that became boring. Additionally, and more pertinently, these islands are covered in bird guano. It has literally become the Pacific toilet to tens of thousands of birds and the associated stench that wafts over you is enough to last in your memory for weeks after the fact.
A far more impressive aspect to the day was a visit to Playa Roja. This beach exists within the Paracas nature reserve and is, as it says, a red sand beach which was formulated by ancient volcanoes situated under the ocean. In actual fact, the entire coastline the park is kind of spectacular and reminded me of the Southern coastline of Australia in that it appeared to be quite dry, rugged, windswept and spectacular to the eye.
Paracas nature reserve - Peru
Paracas nature reserve - Peru
Playa Roja - Paracas nature reserve - Peru
Playa Roja - Paracas nature reserve - Peru
As a quick summary, to any of those that may be reading this and be thinking, 'Oh, that day transfer sounds like a lot of fun', let me save you the hassle. Ditch it, save your money, go and spend it drinking Pisco sours in the town of Pisco which is close by. Other than that, jump a direct bus the Lima, you aren't going to miss a hell of a lot. Let that be the key take away for you.
Now that's how you put a full stop on a day like this one!
