Category Archives: vacation

Santo Domingo Convent and Basilica


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

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

Near the historic city center of Lima, Peru, is a magnificent structure with an incredible outdoor courtyard.  This is the Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary and the Convent of Santo Domingo.  That’s quite a mouthful, so most just call it Santo Domingo.  The exterior façade, impressive as it may be, doesn’t really hint at the wonders you’ll find inside.

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

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

I’m going to spend most of today’s blog post on the exterior and the outdoor courtyard contained within the structure’s walls.  Wednesday we’ll spend some time inside.

But to get to the courtyard you must first pass beneath this rather impressive wood-ceiling”

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

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

After passing through here you come into the courtyard with its detailed tile walls and columns:

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 in great detail some of the tiles that surround the courtyard:

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

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

The courtyard itself is home to the lovely cloister garden:

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

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

Towering above the cloister courtyard is the convent belfry:

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

Fun Photo Friday — Museo Larco Favorites


Museo Larco

Museo Larco

Hope you enjoy our recent tour of Museo Larco in Lima, Peru.  Here are some more of my favorite images from this stop:

Museo Larco

Museo Larco

Museo Larco

Museo Larco

Museo Larco

Museo Larco

Museo Larco

Museo Larco

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Filed under Fun Photo Friday, Photography, R. Doug Wicker, travel, vacation

Museo Larco Gold, Grounds, Grub, Gifts, and Groans


Museo Larco Gold

Museo Larco Gold

Advanced, well-armed Spain wanted gold.  Primative South and Central American indigenous people had gold.  And for the next couple of hundred years following Columbus this dynamic drove the conflict between these two groups resulting in the decimation of the latter.

Museo Larco Gold

Museo Larco Gold

Lustrous, luxurious, glistening, gleaming gold.  Gobs and gobs of glorious gold.  Enough gold to drive an empire.  And that’s just in this museum.

Museo Larco Gold

Museo Larco Gold

No wonder Portugal wanted in on the action, but all they got was Brazil.  And parts of Africa, the Indian subcontinent, some of the Maluku Islands, the Azores, Cape Verde, Madeira, and the non-Trump casino properties in Macau (you know, casinos that actually make money).

Museo Larco Gold

Museo Larco Gold

Not all that is photo-worthy resides inside the museum.  Make sure to tour the grounds for some great photo opportunities.

There’s also a very delectable restaurant located on the grounds.  Go there for a taste of Peruvian food and a comfortable, outdoor dining experience.

The Museo Larco restaurant

The Museo Larco restaurant

Would you believe that the ancient Peruvians were a bit on the risqué and bawdy side?  Located inside a separate gallery at Museo Larco is an exhibit of Peruvian erotica dating back thousands of years.

Museo Larco Erotic Pottery Collection

Museo Larco Erotic Pottery Collection

I promised on Monday a very brief look at what’s inside this particular gallery.  After scanning some of my shots you’ll find one of the less graphic images posted below.  On the left is what appears to be some sort of smoking implement, perhaps a pipe.  To the right is a selfless and caring individual obviously performing the Heimlich Maneuver on a poor choking victim.  That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.

Museo Larco Erotic Pottery Collection

Museo Larco Erotic Pottery Collection

Finally, as you leave the museum you’ll find the gift shop where you can purchase ancient Peruvian artifacts.  Well, not really.  They’re museum-quality reproductions.

Museo Larco Gift Shop

Museo Larco Gift Shop

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