Peru 2015

Travel brings so much to one’s life. It expands your horizons, introduces you to new people and cultures, and opens your mind. I’ve been fortunate enough to have done my fair share, but having started a business in the past few years, my travel excursions have been limited to long weekends and day trips.

But for the first time in a while, this past winter I blocked off a full three weeks to go to Peru. Why Peru? It had everything I wanted. Adventure, mountains, jungle, cities, culture, food, and warmth (which in the middle of a Canadian winter is always welcomed). It also happens to be one of the most visually beautiful places on earth, which for a photographer, is pretty hard to resist.

So, I packed my bag and my camera, fought the anxieties of leaving my business behind for nearly a month, and off I went.

The start of the Inca Trail…four days of walking to Machu Picchu. I had no idea what I was in for. Thousands of steps. There were moments when I cursed my very decision to do this. But then I’d turn around and see views like the following.

Despite the rain making the trek rather uncomfortable, it made for some really interesting, etherial photos. We were literally walking in the clouds.

Bright and early on day four, the group finally arrived at our destination. The clouds parted just enough to allow us a view.

Then it was off to the Amazon.

I spent many hours in those hammocks.

One afternoon it rained hard, I mean hard. When most people think of Peru, the only city that comes to mind is Lima. But the country is spotted with beautiful small cities, filled with a mix of colonial architecture, Incan vestiges and modern South American charm. Cusco, Arequipa and Puno are among them.

A massive festival took place in Puno. Thousands of people and seemingly even more costumes.

In the moment I was taking this very photo, somebody was stealthily reaching into my pocket and taking my iPhone. The things I sacrifice for photography.

The so called “President’s Wife” of the floating islands on Lake Titicaca.

Back into the mountains to see the flight of the condors. You can see how dirty my lens got in this image. Trekking through canyons is a dirty job.

Back in Lima, there was a ceremony honouring the military taking place in the main square. There was a heavy police presence around.

And the sun finally set on this incredible three weeks…looking out over the Pacific from the cliffs of Miraflores.