Category Archives: vacation

The Huaca Pucllana Pyramid of Lima


Huaca Pucllana Panorama

Huaca Pucllana Panorama

March 19 was a busy day in Lima but, then, so was the next day as you’ll see in a couple of weeks.  Our next stop this day was the Huaca Pucllana pyramid, where we arrived late that afternoon.  Huaca Pucllana is located in the Miraflores District, which is the upscale area of Lima.

Right in the middle of the upscale Miraflores District

Right in the middle of the upscale Miraflores District

Huaca Pucllana was constructed of intricately layered adobe and clay bricks set in seven large terraces.  The structure was built around 1,500 years ago, and it served as the administrative and religious center for the Lima Culture.

Huaca Pucllana

Huaca Pucllana

One amazing aspect of the construction method is that it made the pyramid very resilient to earthquakes.  Here’s a closeup of how the adobe bricks fit together, thus allowing for sway:

Adobe construction closeup

Adobe construction closeup

By the way, in the above picture you see original bricks on the left and new bricks used in restoration to the right.  In addition to restoration, the site is being excavated as well:

The view from above

The view from above

While the climb to the top may look a bit daunting, it’s actually very manageable.  Once you get to the top you’ll see vistas such as this:

Panoramic View

Panoramic View

I’ll present more on Huaca Pucllana on Wednesday and this week’s Fun Photo Friday.  Until then, click on any image below to enlarge and bring up today’s slide show:

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Fun Photo Friday — Santo Domingo Favorites


Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo

And here is today’s Fun Photo Friday favorites of Santo Domingo:

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Inside Santo Domingo


Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo

On Monday we took a look at the exterior of Santo Domingo and toured the cloister courtyard.  Today we meander around the inside, including this stunning library:

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo

Here you can see Ursula along with other members of our tour group:

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo

Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and Convent of Santo Domingo

Here is today’s gallery.  Click on any image below to enlarge and bring up today’s slide show:

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Filed under Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation