Nasca Lines

Had another early start today! We went into Nasca and visited the Chauchilla which is a pre-Inca desert cemetry. They have bodies there that are 1500 years old and perfectly preserved, even with long hair!! We then went to Toto´s Pottery Place, where we were shown how they made their pottery and then went to a place that takes the Gold out of the minerals in the rocks and had a demonstration from an ex miner about the traditional ways, using mercury and rolling logs by standing on them to separate the gold from the mercury. It was a lot of hard work for very little gold!

We then went in 6 people cessner planes to fly over the Nasca Lines - an archeological mystery as to why they were created. There have been theories from agricultural calenders, to ceremonial uses to extra-terrestrial landing points!! They have animals drawn into the sand and lines that are perfectly straight, stretching for up to 30 miles! Half way through the flight, the turbulance got to my stomach & I threw up!! It is obvioulsy a regular occurance as they had bags ready!! Was glad to be back on land!

That night, we had a traditional dinner - pacha manca - where the food is cooked under ground. It was really good!

Tonight we are getting a night bus to Arequipa, which should take about 9 hours. It is currently ruuning on Peruvian time and is 2 hours late!!