Two Backpackers

Photo of the Day: Sillustani Ruins in Peru

| Taken by Aracely | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

Sillustani is a pre-Incan burial ground on the shores of Lake Umayo near Puno in Peru.  The tombs, which are built above ground in tower-like structures called chullpas, are the vestiges of the Colla people, Aymara who were conquered by the Inca in the 15th century.  The structures housed the remains of complete family groups, although they were probably limited to nobility.  Many of the tombs have been dynamited by grave robbers, while others were left unfinished. – Wikipedia

Sillustani Ruins (Pre-Columbian Funeral Towers)

Photo of the Day: San Francisco Church & Convent, Lima

| Taken by Jason | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

Convento de San Francisco is the Spanish name for Saint Francis Monastery located in Lima, Peru. The church was completed in 1774 and is noted for its architecture, a high example of Spanish Neoclassicism. The convent’s library is world-renowned. Catacombs below the monastery contain an ossuary and are said to connect to other catacombs beneath the cathedral and other area churches.

The church and convent are part of the Historic Centre of Lima, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991.

In this church, Jude the Apostle is venerated. – Wikipedia

Convento de San Francisco

Photo of the Day: Miraflores Locks Panama Canal

| Taken by Aracely | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

Miraflores is the name of one of the three locks that form part of the Panama Canal and the name of the small lake that separates these locks from the Pedro Miguel locks upstream. In the Miraflores locks, vessels are lifted (or lowered) in three stages totalling 8 m, allowing them to transit to or from the Pacific Ocean port of Balboa (near Panama City). Ships cross below the Puente de las Américas (Bridge of the Americas) which connects North and South America. – Wikipedia

Miraflores Locks, Panama Canal

Photo of the Day: Vincente Leon Plaza in Latacunga

| Taken by Aracely | 2 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Latacunga is a plateau town of Ecuador, capital of the Cotopaxi Province, 89 km (55 miles) south of Quito. It is 9,055 ft (2,760 m). above sea level. Its climate is cold and windy, due to the neighboring snowclad heights, and the barren, pumice-covered tableland on which it stands. The active volcano Cotopaxi is only 25 km. away, and the town has suffered repeatedly from eruptions. – Wikipedia

Read “There is More to Ecuador than the Galapagos Islands”

Parque Vicente León in Latacunga, Ecuador

Photo of the Day: Salt Flats In Black And White

| Taken by Aracely | 9 Comments » | Photo of the Day

During our exploration of Northern Argentina we visited Salinas Grandes.  These are the largest Salt Flats in Argentina.  After driving out into the middle of the flats you get an amazing panoramic view of the area.  The contrast in colors between the blinding white salt and the rich blue sky is incredible and best captured in this black and white photo.

Black & White Photo of Salinas Grandes in Argentina

Photo of the Day: Religious Cross Atop Isla del Sol

| Taken by Jason | 9 Comments » | Photo of the Day

Situated on the Bolivian side of the lake with regular boat links to the Bolivian town of Copacabana, Isla del Sol (“Island of the sun”) is one of the lake’s largest islands.  Geographically, the terrain is harsh; it is a rocky, hilly island.  There are no motor vehicles or paved roads on the island.  The main economic activity of the approximately 800 families on the island is farming, with fishing and tourism augmenting the subsistence economy.  There are over 180 ruins on the island. Most of these date to the Inca period circa the 15th century AD. – Wikipedia

We walked across the island in 3 hours capturing some of the most beautiful ocean island views we have ever seen.  We went off trail and climbed to the top of nearby hill to get a close up glimpse of this religious cross.

A Religious Cross Rests High on Isla del Sol in Lake Titicaca

Photo of the Day: Mountains in Jujuy Province of Argentina

| Taken by Aracely | No Comments » | Photo of the Day

These colorful mountains rest in the Jujuy province of Northwest Argentina which borders Chile and Bolivia. As part of our tour from Salta, we visited several towns in Jujuy, including Purmamarca. Purmamarca is most famous for it’s Hill of Seven Colors (Cerro de los Siete Colores), which describes the mountains surrounding the town that glow in many colors. A small trail, about 40 minutes long allows you to walk around the town on a elevated route for some spectacular photos.

Colorful Mountain Range During Drive in Jujuy Province of Argentina