We went on a tour of Plaza Island. This is the dry season so it looks like a desert. We saw more iguanas, sea lions and birds. It was a long boat ride and a few people got sea sick. We had the acupressure wrist bands and took pills so we were OK. There was a Chinese doctor on board who was into photographing birds. He said he didn't believe in acupuncture or herbs because there have not been any scientific studies that prove it works. There was also a British family of four. Still no Americans.
None of the animals are afraid of people. They are all protected and you are not supposed to feed them.
Mom is standing next to our guide Valentin. He looks like Richard Gere.
August 28
We went to the Charles Darwin Research Station. They breed tortoises and iguanas here since the introduced species will get the eggs and kill the young. When they are big enough they are released. We saw where Lonesome George lived. He was the last of his species because he wasn't interested in breeding. they tried to do it artificially, but that didn't work either. We then flew to Lima.
They look like potato bugs. The tortoises are numbered in different colors so they can go back to the island where they came from. Incubation temperature determines the sex of the tortoise.
August 29
Our hotel was across the street from the airport. In the morning we flew to Cusco and then took a van to Pisac. We are at elevation 9,000 ft. It's cold and there is no heat in the inn. Mom had to buy a sweater. They said it was alpaca, but I don't think so. It was only $20.
Pisac valley.
Our inn is in the background. These people wanted money to take a picture. I held the camera at waist level so it wasn't obvious. I gave them a little anyway.
Coca tea is supposed to help you get used to the altitude.
Chicken soup for 6 sole, about $2.
We ate with the locals. Our dinner cost $20 soles (sun) which is about $7.
