Paracas and the Ballesteros Islands
I have realized in traveling to Peru that several awesome places and sites get overshadowed by Machu Picchu. One of those places is, without a doubt, Paracas. While Paracas may seem like a sleepy beach town, the mornings are filled with tourists waiting to go to the Ballesteros Islands.
The guidebook I used referred to it as the “poor man’s Galapagos Islands” which I think is unfair…although in full disclosure, I have not been to the Galapagos Islands yet…
I had super low expectations–but the trip was well worth the stop. These islands are the home to (probably) thousands of birds, seals, starfish, penguins, and sea lions–all of which I viewed with my own eyes. I had never seen a penguin before so I was more than excited to burst my notion that I had to be in Anartica or someplace super cold to see one.
* Penguins!
* I think these are seals? or Sea lions?
The only real “disappointment” is that I got pooped on…a lot… by the birds. If you have a fear of birds or have seen the Hitchcock movie of the same name too many times, this place may not be for you…but if you have a good rain jacket and hood…you should be ok. Besides, they say getting pooped on is good luck ;).
Upon returning to the mainland, I culd not help but take a picture with the pelicans. It was a great idea at the time, but in hindsight I realized that I really don’t like getting that up close and personal with wild life LOL.
