Paracas

The Paracas National Reserve lies near the city of Pisco.

The highlight of the reserve is the Isla Ballesta, but not the one that Madonna sang about. This one is covered in bird droppings, hundreds of feet deep in some places.

Those places? Probably where you parked your car.

Exporting these droppings for use as fertilizer was an important part of Peru´s economy for many years. Remnants of this industry can still be seen on the island though the sea lions and penguins are the real drawing card.

The trip to the island passes the Candelabra, a six-hundred foot long figure etched into the hillside by the bay. The Candelabra could be seen from a distance of twelve miles if anyone was interested.