Pacasmayo - Peru

, originally uploaded by m_hagen.

We had some pretty good waves in Pacasmayo. Unfortunately it didn´t get big, and I think for this wave to really show it's true potential you need some size. That said Darrin and I had a few small fun days off the top of the point before the Devil winds really started to howl. The wind was incessant but a slightly better direction in the early morning. Our last day it picked up and was a slightly lumpy but still good 2 feet overhead. The current was ripping around the point on the lower tide, but the waves were really good and reeled off for hundreds of yards. Otto, the owner of Duke's Surf Hotel showed some true Aloha.

Caballito de Totora - Huanchaco

, originally uploaded by ladyhedda.

One afternoon in Huanchaco, Darrin and I took out a couple of the reed rafts called Caballito de Totora by the locals. The fishermen here have been using these same rafts built in the same traditional way for over 1,000 years. The Moche people left pottery remains with drawings depicting the same style raft being ridden back to shore on waves. The nearby Temple of Chan Chan has incredible decorative carvings of waves covering walls. The ocean had a massive impact on these people´s lives. We thought we'd try to tap into that millenium old tradition. We made it out the back without to much trouble, but actually catching and riding waves back in without either burying the nose or swinging to one side or the other and getting slammed was not easy. As usual the locals made it all look too easy. It was amazing to see a 1,000 year old tradtional method of fishing unchanged and thriving today.

Machu Pichu - Peru

, originally uploaded by m_hagen.

Hedda has written about our trek along the Salkantay route so I´ll direct you there to hear her account about the dumping snow storm we enjoyed while crossing the pass, the 2 hour soccer match I stumbled through with our guide and cooks at 12,000 feet, Hedda´s attempt to dance with a horse train, and the 70 km´s we´ve added to our total treks these past two yerars. We eventually made it to Machu Pichu. The ruins aren´t bad, it´s the Andes that are stunning.

Isla del Sol - Lake Titicaca, Bolivia

, originally uploaded by m_hagen.

Isla del Sol is believed by many to be the birthplace of the Inka's. Wouldn't you want to believe your people originated from here? The island is beautiful and the grilled trout excellent, but as I looked down towards these many bays, I couldn´t help but imagine a clean stacked groundswell pulsing into the bay and lighting up the points. It´s been too long away from the ocean and I´m drying out!!!!

Leaf Cutting Ants - Chalalan, Amazon basin, Bolivia

In the Madidi National Park we saw these tiny bits of leaves walking across the path. We looked a little closer and saw that these tiny ants were carrying these bits of leaf for miles. Well, maybe not miles but for a long way.

Mercado de Hechicería - La Paz, Bolivia

, originally uploaded by m_hagen.

We´ve been cruising through Bolivia the past month enjoying the sights, sounds and scents the place has to offer. On this day we wandered over to the Witche's Market to see what was on special for the day. Apparently it was Llama fetus's. All different sizes and colors. Dried out and ready to place on your mantle to bring good luck to your home. They also had beautiful tapir, puma and, ocelot skins that I don't believe would be legal to sell anywhere else in the world. Endangered species maybe???? The shops were interesting and the ladies selling their wares were really sweet. We ended up with some tiny Puma carving´s to protect our home.