Nov. 2, 2011 - General San Martin

We docked ahead of schedule this morning and were able to catch an early bus to a small town called Paracas that is near the town of Pisco. This town was wiped out by an earthquake several years ago and now is in the process of rebuilding. However the shopping stores and restaurants had reopened and were doing a lively business with the passengers from the ship. Dorothy went shopping and I took a 2 hour trip on a small launch to Peru's Galapagos - the Ballestas Islands. Here I saw hundreds of thousands of birds on 2 rocky islands that have no vegetation. The birds must live on the fish in the surrounding sea. The islands are protected so no people are allowed on the islands. We also saw many seals on the islands. The weather was warm and was much pleasanter than the cooler weather we had in Lima although this place is further south of Lima. The area was very sandy and looked more like the Sahara Desert. We enjoyed our short visit to Paracas.

Con has a life jacket on and is seated in a launch waiting to go to Islas Ballestas to see the birds

The launch passes the Veendam at the port of General San Martin.

Con is impressed at seeing one of the land markers of the alleged space travelers from outer space

Small penguins are among the birds.

Thousands of birds cover the rocky islands.

More pictures of birds

More birds on the islands.

As well there were a number of seals.

More seals

Restaurant and shop area of Paracas