Two Backpackers

Neolithic Presence in Jersey, Channel Islands

| by Ana | 9 Comments » | Guest Post, Photo Essays, United Kingdom, Western Europe

Jersey (Channel Islands) is a small island off the coast of Normandy in the English Channel.  It has been inhabited since prehistoric times.  Nowadays, one can see traces of those first dwellers almost anywhere.  One of the things I loved doing the most during my time there was to put on my walking boots, grab a map and explore the island in search of ancient monuments.  Let me share my discoveries with you.

Ville-ès-Nouaux

Ville-ès-Nouaux

(more…)

Photo of the Day: Religious Cross Atop Isla del Sol

| 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: Gamez Islands in Panama’s Pacific Coast

| by Aracely | 3 Comments » | Photo of the Day

The Gulf of Chiriquí is a part of Panama that encompasses Coiba National Park and Golfo de Chiriquí National Park.  There are dozens of islands in this Gulf.  We visited Gamez Island for a day in our own personal paradise of snorkeling, climbing and swimming.

Gamez Island in Gulf of Chiriquí National Park, Panama

Photo of the Day: Isla Del Sol, Lake Titicaca

| by Jason | 1 Comment » | Photo of the Day

Isla del Sol (Island of the Sun) is an island in the southern part of Lake Titicaca.  It is part of the modern Plurinational State of Bolivia.  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.  Of the several villages, Yumani and Cha’llapampa are the largest.  There are over 80 ruins on the island. – Wikipedia

Isla del Sol on Lake Titicaca

Photo of the Day: Kuna Tribe Huts on San Blas Island

| by Aracely | 5 Comments » | Photo of the Day

During our sailing trip from Panama to Colombia, we spent 2 days exploring the San Blas islands in Panama’s Caribbean. The indigenous Kuna tribe inhabits the islands. Amazingly, they build huts such as these on the tiniest of islands. They navigate between each island in dugout canoes.

A Tiny San Blas Island Covered in Kuna Tribe Huts

Photo of the Day: Sailboat In San Blas Islands

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

This was one of the boats near us during our visit to the island of Chichime in San Blas Islands, Panama during our sail trip from Panama to Colombia

Sailboat In San Blas Islands Panama

Photo of the Day: Cactus Tree on Isla de La Plata

| by Aracely | 1 Comment » | Photo of the Day

We saw this beautiful cactus tree during our hike on Isla de La Plata in Ecuador. Isla de La Plata is often considered the poor man’s Galapagos, but we assure you it’s nothing near Galapagos. Although you can find tons of Blue Footed Boobies and Red Footed Boobies nesting on the island during breeding season.

Cactus Tree On Isla de La Plata, Ecuador