Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Peru. Show all posts

Friday 10 June 2016

Puka Pukara; The Red Fort of Inca Ruins in Peru



Puka Pukara is a military ruins site, located in mid-southern Peru, approximately 4 to 5 miles from Cusco on the road to Pisac and near the Antisuyo, Cusco Region. Puka Pukara is also known with “Puca Pucara means in Quechua “red fortress”. This is actually a big fortress, made of large walls, terraces, and staircases an example of military architecture. The fortress purpose to defense of Cusco in particular and the Inca Empire in general. The name likely to be comes from the red color of rocks at dusk. The Fortress was also use for an administrative center, probably placed to give the military extra vision over important parts of the empire. The fortress is also located on high ground a bird eye view of Cusco valley and Tambo Machay, creating a beautiful view. 

 The exact date of construction is not confirmed, however Puka Pukara is a one of Incan ruins, and one theory describes, perhaps constructed during the reign of Pachacutec, who was 9th ruler of the empire. Thus, this is very important strategic location of the ruins, as a overlooking point and one kilometer away from Tambomachay, gives more reason to think that this was a military place. 

The walls stones are in irregular shaped stacked together in kind of a here-and-there style to make walls that are fully functional. As far as architecture the walls are not too beautiful, contrast to a lot of other sites in the region. Probably the walls, and building were built in somewhat hurry, as Puka Pukara military headquarters required urgently. During the construction, the variable sized and shaped stones actually have been a red color due to all the iron in the limestone used in the walls. Other possible explanations: when the Inca would go to Tambomacay, part of the warriors would stay in to keep guard, and since the two places are not that far apart they would communicate through mirrors reflecting light or they could also have used pieces of gold?.

However, the real function of Puka Pukara’s was partially a military based. It was placed on such an important place, as major roads and watch-point to grey areas, also monitor the people causing disturbance. In the modern terms, you could say is a checkpoint on the road, stopping people, investigating, suspicious travelling in/out into the empire. Besides, it may be served as military groups stop travelling nearby. Moreover, may believe it was a place of rest for hunters and weary travelers as well as Incan nobles, due to its entire luxurious baths, canals, plazas, fountains and separate rooms. 

This is Peru’s most prominent archaeological sites in the city of Cusco, and most noteworthy place to observe the Peruvian ruins. So, visitor’s likes to visit this area, due to its magnificent views of surrounding jungle and ruins, and hues that are probably change the color of the walls around sunset. The common thing of people lives here to set up tables selling small souvenirs to take pictures of groups in front of ruins jus for the mere of few sols. Therefore, overall, Puka Pukara is not a main travel attraction in the area, and that is the reason why very few people come to visit it.















Sunday 28 February 2016

The Mysterious Boiling River of Mayantuyacu, Peru

From many centuries Peruvian inhabitants are talking about mysterious boiling river in the Amazon that burns so hot. Even some one can kill in this boiling water. The river flowing deep in the Amazon rainforest, in Mayantuyacu, Peru call it “Shanay-timpishka” translates to “boiled with the heat of the sun.” The locals folks have strong belief that boiling water is releasing by a giant serpent (Yacumama) “Mother of waters” a large serpent head shaped boulder at the river’s headwaters. The boiling river is 6 meter deep and 25 meters wide but only 6.4km long. The water temperature varies from 50 to 90 degree centigrade, and a little portion is touching 100 degree, which is hot enough to cause third degree burns within a seconds. 

Therefore, ill-fated animals have fallen into the river and got killed. Every year, a lot of tourists visit Mayantuyacu to experience the traditional medicinal practices of the Ashaninka people. Many believe, this natural wonder has managed to elude widespread notice for more than 75 years. However, Geologists dismissed the point, and argued that it’d have been take a massive amount of geothermal heat to boil even a small section of river, as the Amazon basin lies only 400 miles from the nearest active volcano. According to Spanish conquistadors were mistakenly ventured into the rainforest in search of gold. They say, man eating snakes and a river that boiled from below. 

Andres Ruzo, a geological scientist is so curious since his childhood. The Peruvian legend has the myth and had fascinated, whether the river could actually be real or not? His unanimous opinion gives the answer “NO”, the boiling river actually associated with hot volcanoes of country. Therefore, in 2011 Ruzo has decided to start his journey to see the boiling river, and he took the chance and hiked into the Amazon rainforest with his aunt, and finally saw the notorious river with his own eyes. Hence, much to his disbelief, the river was steam hot. He took the thermometer to measure the temperature, which was 86 degrees Celsius. The water was not quite boiling but really close enough to boiling. Furthermore, the river was 700km from the closest volcanic system, and temperature didn’t make any sense. 

In fact the river was only such type anywhere in the world. Ruzo, spent 5 years in investigation the river, their surrounding ecosystem, its water in the lab, in order to figure out what’s actually make him boil? Therefore, his dedication, passion and curiosity finally revealing some of its secrets, when it turns out, it are not the Sun that boils the water, but fault fed hot springs. He say, imagine earth like a human body, with fault lines and cracks running through it like arteries. These 'Earth arteries' are filled with hot water, and when they come to the surface, we see geothermal manifestations - like the boiling river.

Moreover, chemical analysis has disclosed that the water in the river originally fell as rain. Therefore, Ruzo now assumes that this happens far upstream - maybe as far away as in the Andes - and along its journey seeps down into the ground, where it's heated up by Earth's geothermal energy. It eventually emerges in the Amazon, at the boiling river. The system is part of a massive hydrothermal system, the likes of which haven't been seen anywhere else on the planet. He has also discovered some new species that are able to survive in the boiling water. 

The animals can no longer swim, and water fills their mouths and lungs, causing them to be cooked from the inside out. However, people do actually swim in the river, but only after heavy rainfalls when it's diluted with cold water. More often, the water is used to make tea and for cooking. So, he strongly believes the river is a natural wonder, and he released a book name “The Boiling River on his Adventure”. 

Wednesday 15 April 2015

Machu Picchu, A Walk Through The Clouds.



This movie is made by Nu Parnupong Plus on a preview of my work from South America trip.The magical moment of watching Machu Picchu appear amongst the fog and cloud on the sunrise. It's remarkable moment in my life. Perhaps a million photographs of Machu Picchu have been taken but to see this magical moment with your own eyes it's speechless. I was standing there more than three hours to watch this moment while it's raining and cold to shoot the time-lapse shot of this moment is the memorable moment. 

Shooting with Panasonic GH4 + Lumix 7-14mm
I use the time-lapse mode and convert to 4K footage in camera.
Editing and downscale to 1080p by Final Cut Pro X


Machu Picchu,A walk through the clouds. from Nu Parnupong on Vimeo.

Friday 16 January 2015

The Nevado Chachani Peru

The Nevado Chachani is the highest of the mountains near the city of Arequipa in southern Peru. Due to low precipitation in the area, the Chachani does not have permanent ice cap or glaciers. Therefore; climbing this mountain is extremely popular and several tourist agencies offers guidance trips to the summit. However the altitude is considered challenging for those folks who are not fully acclimatized. Most of the climbers take northern side route. As the trek is at a top off point and can reached in two and half hours by four wheel drive vehicle driving west around Chachani and turning off from the main highway near Pampas Cañahuas, or heading north from Arequipa between Misti and Chachani. The average total climb time from base camp ranges from six to nine hours, with a two-to four-hour descent.

Moreover base camp is at approximately 5,200 metres and there is another higher camp often called “Camp Azulfrera” located at about 5,400 metres. The route begins with the ascent to the Angel Col before traversing the El Angel Mountain itself. At that point climbers ascend the face of Fatima Mountain in a Zig-Zag pattern before making another traverse on the Fatima Mountain. Thus only then can the summit of Mount Chachani be seen. From there, climbers need to make the final ascent on the face of Chachani all the way to the top of the mountain.

Although standard route needs crampons and an ice axe, but does not need roping up, as there’re no large crevasses on Chachani. Two traverses over relatively steep terrain constitute the foremost challenges on the way to the summit. The final push to the summit is a very steep scree slope, which runs for a fast descent back to the first traverse. In the recent years, the amount of snow on Chachani has reduced radically, so for several months of the year there may be slight snow on the mountain in October and November 2010, there was no snow at all, and the ascent could be made without crampons or ice axes. Climbers must to check on the snow conditions beforehand.

Saturday 1 November 2014

Alpamayo Mountain Peru



Alpamayo is one of the most conspicuous peaks in the Cordillera Blanca of the Peruvian Andes. It is named after the river Allpamayu which originates. Alpamayo is remotely located than most other peak sin C. Blanca. It is one of most stunning ice faces of the Andes as the hike to the BC requires two to three days. The Cordillera Blanca comprises over 300 major summits and more than 20 of these rise over 6000 meters. The peak is considered by several to be the world’s most striking mountain, an ascent of Alpamayo is an achievement valued and recognized by mountaineers the world over. 

The beautiful peak is eventually climbed first time in 1957 by a German expedition via the N ridge. However the peak was not in the map of Cordillera Blanca from 1932. But these days, Alpamayo is most famous peak and even elected one of most beautiful mountain in the world. It is not difficult as that inspires the climbers, but it is wonderful setting among the everlasting snowcaps of the Cordilliera Blanca, 6000 meters above sea level. Unluckily, this makes the peak very widespread and sometime overfull. It can transform a beautiful five hours climb, when alone, into a nightmare of 15 hours with all the traffic when crowded.

 It is not infrequent to find 10 to 15 parties’ camping at the col, waiting in line for a chance to scratch the face. Alpamayo is sited in the NE part of the Cordillera Blanca, which means that clouds come up from the Amazonas Basin more regularly. Believe 1-2 days - week with less impeccable conditions fog and snowfall during the climbing season. To be honest, if you want to get to this point, then you require little hard work and solid mountaineering and ice climbing abilities. Before reaching the well-known summit face you must approach over 25 kilometers, place two lower camps, and carry heavy packs filled with climbing equipment and food over 4,000 feet of moraine, scree, and steep glaciated terrain. 

Though there’re number of climbing routes on the Southwest Face, but the most common is recognized as the Ferrari or Italian Route. It was well opened in 1975 by a group of Italian alpinists led by Casimiro Ferrari. It begins at the top of the highest point of the snow slope where the bergschrund separates the upper face on the left and then ascends a steep runnel to the summit ridge.