We had a leisurely morning today, with time for some to take walks,
while others caught up on much needed sleep or time to sit over a cup of coffee and breakfast. As today was Ursula’s birthday, she was greeted with a rousing version of Happy Birthday, and presented with a CD by the hotel staff.
At 9:15 we met in the lobby for our very short trip to the harbour where we caught our boat for our tour of the Candelabra and the Ballestas Islands.
Our new guide Barbara
was with us the whole time which made the transactions, and iinterpretations on the boat much better for all of us.
Once in the boat
we were all set up with life jackets,
and made the slow approach to see the Candelabra which is a geoglyph set on the northern face of the Paracas Peninsula at Pisco Bay on the side of the hill facing the ocean. It has been carbon dated back to 200 BCE. 
The figure is 595 feet tall, large enough to be seen 12 miles at sea.
From this point we went out to the
Ballestas Islands where we observed more birds of a variety
of species than many of us have seen in a lifetime.
The islands were literally 
covered with 
birds,
and not just a few sea lions.
Often different
species were seen together, for example, terns in with penguins and pelicans. Pictures tell the story best, so here are a few.
After about ¾ hour touring around the islands we were headed back to the bay when we
encountered a pod of playful
dolphins – an extra bonus for us all.
Then, back on land, some took the opportunity to go directly back to the relaxing atmosphere
of the resort, while still others decided to stay, shop and have a bite to eat
in the market. The walk back to the hotel which was estimated at 15 minutes was in fact 45 minutes to an hour, but a very pleasant walk just the same.
The balance of the afternoon was spent around the pool,
or for some more adventuresome types – an opportunity to go dune buggy riding 
on the sand dunes,
and sliding down the dunes 
on sand surf boards. Everyone had a fabulous time with whatever activity they chose.
This evening wrapped up with a delightful dinner and a poem created by Harry for Ursula, and
another opportunity for a birthday greeting.
while others caught up on much needed sleep or time to sit over a cup of coffee and breakfast. As today was Ursula’s birthday, she was greeted with a rousing version of Happy Birthday, and presented with a CD by the hotel staff.At 9:15 we met in the lobby for our very short trip to the harbour where we caught our boat for our tour of the Candelabra and the Ballestas Islands.
Our new guide Barbara
was with us the whole time which made the transactions, and iinterpretations on the boat much better for all of us.Once in the boat
we were all set up with life jackets,
and made the slow approach to see the Candelabra which is a geoglyph set on the northern face of the Paracas Peninsula at Pisco Bay on the side of the hill facing the ocean. It has been carbon dated back to 200 BCE. 
The figure is 595 feet tall, large enough to be seen 12 miles at sea.From this point we went out to the
Ballestas Islands where we observed more birds of a varietyof species than many of us have seen in a lifetime.
The islands were literally 
covered with 
birds,
and not just a few sea lions.
Often different
species were seen together, for example, terns in with penguins and pelicans. Pictures tell the story best, so here are a few.After about ¾ hour touring around the islands we were headed back to the bay when we
encountered a pod of playful
dolphins – an extra bonus for us all.
Then, back on land, some took the opportunity to go directly back to the relaxing atmosphere
of the resort, while still others decided to stay, shop and have a bite to eat
in the market. The walk back to the hotel which was estimated at 15 minutes was in fact 45 minutes to an hour, but a very pleasant walk just the same.
The balance of the afternoon was spent around the pool,
or for some more adventuresome types – an opportunity to go dune buggy riding 
on the sand dunes,
and sliding down the dunes 
on sand surf boards. Everyone had a fabulous time with whatever activity they chose.
This evening wrapped up with a delightful dinner and a poem created by Harry for Ursula, and
another opportunity for a birthday greeting.
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