A Day Off for Volunteers in Peru

After a long, seven-day week of clinics in San Clemente and Tupac Amaru, the day out was a welcome break, and a chance to get to see another part of the country.

Volunteers Peru

The Project HOPE medical team joined their New Horizons Air Force counterparts for a much deserved morale day to nearby Paracas and the Ballestas Islands, otherwise known as the “Galapagos of Peru.” After a long, seven-day week of clinics in San Clemente and Tupac Amaru, the day out was a welcome break, and a chance to get to see another part of the country. 

Wildlife Peru

Peru is a dynamic and beautiful country, with no shortage of natural and manmade wonders, like Machu Picchu, the Nazca Lines, and the majestic Andes and Amazon rainforest. Paracas is on the southern coast, about an hour from the team’s base in Chincha, and is a sanctuary for many animals like the blue-footed booby, sea lions and Humboldt Penguins. 

The team boarded an open air speed boat and toured the islands for almost two hours, getting a close up view of the wildlife and enjoying the fresh ocean air.

Paracas Candelabra Peru

Also along the tour, the boat passed the Paracas Candelabra, a 595 foot carving in the side of the hill, which is thought to be one of the famous Nazca lines. Archeologists date it around 200BC and many theories abound as to its purpose.  

After the boat trip, the team enjoyed some shopping and lunch in Paracas before boarding the bus back to home base to gear up for another week at the medical site in Tupac Amaru.  The trip definitely boosted morale and allowed the team to get a sense of the region and history of Peru where they have been working.