Tacna’s double independence celebrations

For Peru’s southern-most region of Tacna, independence celebrations last twice as long as in the rest of the country. For it was this region that gained its freedom twice, the first time from the Spanish, and the second time from Chilean oppression.

September 1, 2009 | Culture & History, Tacna & Moquegua Guide

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Unlocking the secrets of the Quipus

Gary Urton. The investigator from Harvard University reveals the latest results of his investigations of the meaning of the quipu.

As I explained in this previous post, the quipu (or khipu) is a fascinating communication device used in the pre-Columbian world for everything from accounting and record keeping to, it is believed, recording detailed text… names, words, a full written language not in symbols but in lengths of string and knots tied at points along them.

June 30, 2009 | Archaeology, News, Opinion

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The historic Yavarí sails again

The Yavarí Project have signed a 10 year concession to Yavarí Voyages that will see the old ship finally do what it was meant to – ferry passengers around Lake Titicaca.
Built in England in 1862, the Yavarí comprises of 2,766 pieces that arrived in Arica – then in southern Peru – to begin the long journey by hundreds of mules to Lake Titicaca to be reassembled. More than a century later, it was discovered in a state of disrepair by a British woman named Meriel Larken.

March 25, 2009 | News

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The Yavarí

The oldest ship on the highest navigable lake in the world, the Yavarí floats on the waters of Titicaca as it has done for nearly 150 years.

Built in England in 1862, it comprises of 2,766 pieces that arrive in Arica – then southern Peru – to begin the long journey by hundreds of mules to Lake Titicaca to be reassembled.

The Yavarí was discovered in a state of disrepair over a decade ago by a British woman from a family with a maritime background named Meriel Larken. On learning the ship’s history she founded The YAVARI Project and charity to restore it. Work is still under way but progressing.

October 26, 2006 | Culture & History, Puno & Titicaca Guide

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Chile to Peru, the journey home

We had taken a bus to Santiago from Lima which made crossing the border simple. On the return however, there was no such bus, at least for a few days anyway.

We were able to take a bus from Iquique to Arica easily and had a good journey. The 4 hours on the bus were interesting as we spent them watching hundreds of tornadoes sweeping through the distant desert. I tried to get them on camera but they just wouldn’t turn out. The two photos attached to this entry are the best I could do, and I needed to turn up the contrast to get to see anything, but they still don’t give a feeling for how it really looked.

September 20, 2006 | Beyond Peru, Opinion

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Chile: 2 days 6 hours in a bus

We arrived in Santiago de Chile after spending a length of time on a bus that I had never before imagined was possible and be honest – it was fine. I spent probably half the time staring out of the window at the bleak desert half asleep and the other half watching the dozen onboard movies.

Caracol turned out to be more of an agency than a bus service and we ended up travelling with the excellent Chilean company Tas-Choapa – it seems all the buses in Chile are excellent.

September 5, 2006 | Beyond Peru

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