Archive for February, 2008
National Geographic reported last week of a mysterious pyramid complex discovered near the city of Piura, in Peru’s northern coast. The discovery –several truncated pyramids and a large adobe platform– was made by construction crews at the beggining of January. It is supposed to be a vast ceremonial site belonging to the Vicús, a pre-Hispanic civilization that flourished in Peru’s northern coastal desert from 200 B.C to 300 A.D. and is known for its decorated ceramics.
Officials from Peru’s National Institute of Culture (INC) who inspected the discovery announced that the complex, which is 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) long and 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) wide, was likely either a religious center or a cemetery for nobility.
February 28th, 2008
The 48-hour strike to protest against a tourism draft law has cut off Cusco from the rest of the country. Main roads have been blocked by the protesters, as well as the railroad to Machu Picchu. The authorities, in order to prevent major damages, have closed the airport until Saturday morning, when it will be operative again (according to Carlos Puga, the vice minister of transportation and communication).
February 22nd, 2008
A completely new section on ThePeruGuide regarding Puno and Lake Titicaca, one of the most exciting destinations in Peru.
There is something undeniably mystical in the profound-blue waters of Lake Titicaca. According to the Incas, the Sun, Moon, and stars rose from the depths of the world’s highest navigable lake to originate the universe. Today, the mythical dimension grasps more earthly grounds: the intense colours of the lake, the pureness of the Andean highlands’ air, the man-made floating islands, and the colourful festivals that cheer-up Puno, the city at the shores of Lake Titicaca.
Enjoy!
February 22nd, 2008
Peru Negro, probably the longest-standing exponent of Afro-Peruvian culture and music, will perform next Saturday, February 23rd at the Arsht Center, Miami.
Their high-energy show, a dazzling combo of celebratory dances and vibrant live music, bring to life the folkloric history of their ancestors (Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts).
The show starts at 8pm and tickets go from $15 to $48. More information on the Arsht Center website.
Complementing the live show by Perú Negro, there will be a free Afro-Peruvian Dance Workshop for ages 16 and up (Thursday 21st, 7-8 p.m., at Peacock Education Center, Knight Concert Hall, Arsht Center) and a Peruvian Cuisine Cooking Workshop (Friday 22nd, 7-10 p.m, at Johnson & Wales University).
February 21st, 2008
The New 7 Wonders of the World was a huge event during 2007, in particular the final ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal, that saw Machu Picchu elected as one of the New 7 Wonders. During 2008, a new set of 7 wonders will be elected, this time regarding Nature only. As couldn’t be otherwise in a country with a spectacular nature of sheer diversity, Peru is presenting many candidates. The complete list (up to now) is the following:
- Rock Forest of Huayllay
- Machu Picchu, Mountain Peak
- Alpamayo, Mountain Peak
- Amazon River, River/Forest
- Apurimac, River
- Ballestas Islands, Archipelago
- Colca Canyon, Canyon
- Cotahuasi Canyon, Canyon
- Gocta Waterfall, Waterfall
- Huacachina, Oasis
- Huascaran, National Park
- Lake Titicaca, Lake
- Llanganuco, Lagoon
- Lomas de Lachay, National Park
- Manglares de Tumbes, National Park
- Manu National Park, National Park
- Pacaya Samiria, National Park
- Paracas, Beach
Currently, 4 Peruvian wonders make it to the top77: Amazon River (7), Lake Titicaca (14), Colca Canyon (67), and Alpamayo Mountain Peak (70). Only the top 77 nominees will be considerated by a panel of experts for inclusion in the group of 21 finalist candidates. Personally, I’d also like to see the Manu National Park in there.
You can vote here, if you wish to.
February 17th, 2008
A very interesting article appeared yesterday in The Economist magazine: Killing the tourism goose. It warns that the uncontrolled, frequently chaotic growth of the tourism industry in Peru could irreversibly damage both Peru’s nature and cultural heritage. The Economist’s admonition is clear:
INCA ruins, splendours from even-older cultures, Spanish colonial towns, pristine jungles and good food: Peru has much to offer the tourists who are flocking there in ever-greater numbers. But if it is not careful, its tourist industry risks becoming its own worst enemy.
February 15th, 2008
According to Aussie newspaper The Age, Machu Picchu ranks among the World’s Top10 most romantic destinations. Particularly romantic, watching the dawn break over the old Inca ruins.
February 14th, 2008
The Amazon River is being proposed as one of the Natural Wonders of the World. The candidature of the World’s largest river in terms of water volume will be endorsed by Peru’s Loreto region, through its Department of Foreign Trade, Tourism and Handicrafts.
The Amazon river bathes the largest rainforest on Earth, the Amazon Rainforest, which accounts for more than half of the planet’s remaining tropical forests, and shelters more than 1/3 of all species in the world, including 1.300 species of birds, 10% of Earth’s mammals, and 15% of land-based plant species.
February 12th, 2008
An article by Kelly Hearn, appeared today in National Geographic News, reports about the descovery of a 2,000-year-old mine in the Peruvian Andes. This, according to archaeologists, offers proof that pre-Inca cultures mined hematite iron ore centuries before the Inca Empire. Hearn points out:
The discovery, reported by a U.S. archaeologist, was made in southern Peru in the region once inhabited by the ancient Nasca (often spelled “Nazca”) culture. The rare find adds to a slim body of evidence about New World mining practices, said Kevin J. Vaughn, an anthropologist at Purdue University who reported the find. The discovery sheds light specifically on how hematite was used by the Nasca, who flourished along the Pacific coast from about 100 B.C. to around A.D. 600. The culture is known for etching giant drawings in the Nasca desert [the Nazca Lines, ndr], as well as making textiles, designing irrigation systems, and creating colorful pottery adorned with images of plants, animals, and complex religious symbols. “Our hypothesis is that the Nasca people used the red-pigmented mineral primarily for ceramic paints,” Vaughn said.
February 12th, 2008
Timesonline’s Jeremy Lazell travels the World in search for remote hotels and finds one of the farthest in Lake Titicaca. Managed by Casa Andina, Suasi Island hotel is a beautiful adobe-and-reed hotel located in the small 106-acre island of Suasi, one of the most charming within the whole Lake Titicaca. Here’s what Lazell says:
More than 12,500ft above sea level, surrounded by Lake Titicaca, in the Altiplano of Peru, Suasi Island hotel doesn’t make much noise about being on what must be the highest island in the world, but then shouting’s not really its style. The country’s only entirely solar-powered hotel, Suasi Island is all about the peace: so remote, it is reached only after a 3½hour crossing from Puno town (or a bone-rearranging drive around the lake’s northern shores), this is a seriously mind-clearing refuge. Especially if you book yourself the hotel’s Andean Cottage, a two-bedroom stone and adobe lakeside shack with mighty views across the lake. I say shack, but this is no Scottish bothy: instead, it has its own pier, a butler, a wood-burning stove and enough colonial touches to thrill a conquistador.
February 11th, 2008
According to El Comercio, a demostration in Cusco that draw some 25.000 protesters ended without consequences. The protest was called after knowledge of a draft Law that would make it easier for private investors to build near famous ancient sites in Cusco.
Roads were blocked and the train service from Cusco to Machu Picchu was suspended, as had been previously announced by Peru Rail, the company managing the railway. Flights in and out of Cusco, though, continued to operate normally.
The proposed law, number 20167, will make it easier for private investors to be awarded concessions for building hotels near Cusco’s historic centre and in areas adjacent to archaeological sites. But Cusqueños –including the regional authority– fear that the law would just make it easier for foreign investors to grow rich from the old Inca Capital’s cultural heritage.
The controversy, though, is far from coming to an end. One of the leaders of the protest announced they will call for a new demonstration if the central government in Lima didn’t revoke the law.
February 8th, 2008
According to Mexican newspaper El Universal, filming for next James Bond film, Quantum of Solace, will include scenes in Machu Picchu. Allegedly, filming will occur during the first half of March, while the film is expected for November 2008.
The report says that the production crew will consist of approximately 250 people, though it is not yet known if Daniel Craig will be present for filming.
The film poster, that illustrates this post, is available for download as a desktop wallpaper at the James Bond official site.
February 7th, 2008
PromPeru, Peru’s Tourism Promotion Agency, has launched a nice advertising campaign in London. More than 300 taxis on the British capital will carry distinctive images of Peru, promoting the country as a choice vacation destination.
According to PromPerú, the UK is Peru’s second largest incoming tourist market in Europe. In 2006, more than 65,000 British visitors arrived to Peru (photo: PromoPerú).
February 7th, 2008
New on The Peru Guide, a complete section about Peru’s Amazon Rainforest.
Though images of the Andes come readily to mind when thinking about Peru, as much as 2/3 of its territory is taken by the Amazon Rainforest. The Selva (jungle, in Spanish) covers every corner east of the Andes, from the Equator to the southern borders with Brazil and Bolivia. Scarcely populated, Peru’s Amazon rainforest probably sustains the World’s richest biodiversity. More so within its many parks and reserves –Manu, Pacaya Samiria, Tambopata–, both wildlife paradises and natural sanctuaries.
Fresh content on the main natural parks and reserves, plus Iquitos and facts regarding th Amazon river and the rainforest.
February 7th, 2008
