14.09.09

The following day we have an early start for our boat trip to the Ballestas Islands off the coast of Paracas, 50km from Ica. It seems this also is a favourite tourist pastime as crowds of gringos fill the motorboats for the 2 hour cruise. The Islas Ballestas are granite protrusions which have been eroded into tunnels and arches. They have been colonised by seabirds- pelicans, gulls, boobies and penguins, whose guana is collected and used as a fertiliser. This is, believe it or not, one of Peru's main exports hence the islands are protected and manned by live in guards. The smell of ammonia is overpowering to say the least. Aside from this rotten distraction we are able to witness hundreds of sealions basking and playing on the rocks and in the caves and, on the way into shore, we are treated to a display of dolphins.