In the sacred valley of the Incas are these salt ponds. Traditionally, the salt mines have been available to any person of the community wishing to harvest salt. The size of the salt pond assigned to a family depends on the family's size.

The Islas Ballestas are a group of small islands. They are part of a nature reserve and home to numerous animal species. It was cool and a bit foggy, which are the best prepositions to see all the animals. For example, sea lions! When it gets hot during the day, they disappear in the ocean.

It absolutely paid off to take the first tour of the day. Foggy jungle ruins are definitely an experience. At noon everything was clear.

The Sumatran tiger is the only surviving tiger population in the Sunda Islands, where the Bali and Javan tigers already extinct. The species is listed as "Critical Endangered" on the Red List. Zoos like the Frankfurt Zoological Garden try to breed them. The success is very important for the preservation. Since 2017, there is a new male. But he doesn't harmonize with the female. Therefore, it's necessary to exchange with other zoos to preserve this rare animal.

I haven't seen many animals on my way from Hidroeléctrica to Aguas Calientes. It already was dusk when I almost reached my destination. That's the time of owl butterflies! They are pretty large (65 - 200 mm). The name comes from those eye spots on their wings. Do you know the purpose of those spots?

This photo was taken on my way from the airport to my hostel in Miraflores. Steep cliffs dominate the entire coastline. The beach is only pebbles. Above the cliffs you can already see a little bit of Miraflores.

Chinchero is located in the Sacred Valley of the Incas, northwest of Cusco in Peru.
In the church, which was built on Inca ruins, the Mass is held today in Quechua.

I've just dug up these photos of the Tower of Pisa. Ground sloths dig a lot. Ground sloths dig deep. They are from 2003. Maybe you can spot a difference between now and then?

The brown pelican of Paracas! In Paracas you can eat very fresh and tasty fish. This pelican knows exactly what I'm talking about.

I've been there in the beginning of the wet season. And always had luck. These clouds are my friends. Maybe, some of them followed me to Germany. And I can see them hanging around our mountains now. And even if not, I'll come back!