Tag Archives: South America

Peru Rail Train to Machu Picchu

Posted on September 21st, 2015 by

Hotel Train

We woke up early the morning we went to visit Machu Picchu. We had a wonderful breakfast at the Tambo del Inka hotel in Urubamba. The thing was, it wasn’t THAT early because the hotel has it’s own Peru Rail train station to Aguas Calientes, the town that rests at the foot of Machu Picchu. We honestly felt a bit spoiled, but at the same time, Machu Picchu is a journey. Be sure to plan your rest stops and departures carefully. Tambo del Inka and their private train station made everything super easy!

Peru Rail Train to Machu Picchu
Peru Rail Train to Machu Picchu

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/4
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 4 September, 2015
  • Focal length: 17mm
  • ISO: 2500
  • Shutter speed: 1/160s
  • Title: Peru Rail Train to Machu Picchu

A Survey of the Peruvian Countryside

Posted on September 17th, 2015 by

Please Spay and Neuter Your Pets

I would say more photos of the people of Peru, but I thought today I would talk about the DOGS of Peru. I have never seen so many free roaming dogs in all my time on this Earth as during our visit to Peru. Since they seem to all be free roaming, they appear to also be free to mate. It brings me to an important public service announcement. Please spay and neuter your pets!

A Good Hard Look

This man was looking out over the field on the outskirts of Cusco. I only caught two of the three or four dogs that were following him around. It wasn’t that cold in Peru, but it was winter and we were at 11,000+ feet so it seemed like everyone local was bundled up WAY more then the 65 degree temperature mandated. Can I just say…I love all the hats in Peru!

A Survey of the Peruvian Countryside
A Survey of the Peruvian Countryside

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 3 September, 2015
  • Focal length: 16mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Shutter speed: 1/1600s
  • Title: A Survey of the Peruvian Countryside

Peruvian Woman on the Streets of Cusco

Posted on September 14th, 2015 by

Photographing People

I don’t photograph people. When I do it seems forced, but while driving through Peru from Cusco to our hotel in Urubabma I was shooting out the car widow. I was trying to get a feel for this poor part of Cusco we were driving through. I had my camera up, we stopped and this woman looked right at me…Click.

I don’t photograph people, but this accidental photograph feels like much of my time in Peru. I see a lifetime in her glance. Every time I look, I seem to get lost in my own feelings. It’s hard to say how I feel about the very different places in the world that we occupy, but I know the perspective I have found in travel makes me grateful for the things I have.

I don’t photograph people. What do those eyes say to you?

Peruvian Woman on the Streets of Cusco
Peruvian Woman on the Streets of Cusco

Photo Technical Info

  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
  • Taken: 3 September, 2015
  • Focal length: 24mm
  • ISO: 400
  • Shutter speed: 1/1000s
  • Title: Purvian Woman on the Streets of Cusco

The Flavor of Buenos Aires

Posted on January 12th, 2015 by

Pick Me Up in BA

I had spent the morning scouring the San Telmo Sunday Fair. I had expected much less then I got. The fair goes on and on, almost without end and as much as I love looking for deals, I also don’t leave much room for anything in my travel backpack other than the essentials. By the time I made one massive loop around San Telmo, I was hungry and this cafe had just what I was after.

Local Fare

It was still morning and I was justified in ordering a cappuccino (no self respecting person would drink coffee with milk in the afternoon)! I also ordered the local staple, medialunas. These sweet crescent shaped rolls are magic. One of my greatest joys in traveling is experiencing new food or new takes on familiar treats. This inexpensive indulgence fortified me and soon I was off to explore an entire different part of the Sen Telmo Sunday Fair I had previously missed. Seriously, it’s a day long event.

The Flavor of Buenos Aires
The Flavor of Buenos Aires

Photo Technical Info

The Grand Staircase of Teatro Colon

Posted on May 29th, 2014 by

Eclectic Styling

Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, Argentina is one eclectic place. It took many years and many architects to complete. Honestly from the stories I heard, either the BA of those times was very bohemian or the building levied some sort of curse on the architects responsible for its design. From this entrance, to the golden room to the exterior to the theater itself, you can see many different styles at work.

The Grand Staircase of Teatro Colon
The Grand Staircase of Teatro Colon

Photo Technical Info

Invitation to Palacio Duhau

Posted on July 1st, 2013 by

Spoiled

Ok…I admit it. Sometimes, in this crazy world of world travel I have engineered for myself, I get TOTALLY spoiled. Some people frequent hostels. Others couch surf. I stay in mansions. Truthfully I tend to stay in Hyatt’s and THIS particular Hyatt was formally a mansion. I sadly didn’t get to stay in the Mansion portion of the Palacio Duhau in Buenos Aires, Argentina (I was in the awesome tower). Honestly when I was encouraged to visit the Palacio by the impeccable staff of the Park Hyatt Buenos Aires I felt a bit out of place. Not out of place because anyone treated me so…in fact BA was one of the most camera accommodating places I have ever visited. I just felt under dressed (who is that jeans wearing American?). This is the upstairs hall leading to one of the dining location and the library. I am sure more of the Palace will show up on the blog at a future time.

HDR Photography
Invitation to Palacio Duhau by W. Brian Duncan

Teatro Colón

Posted on June 24th, 2013 by

Opera

I tend to gravitate to these sorts of places. Places of cultural significant that hold a solid place in the history of a city. This is the wonderful Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires Argentina. Some of the greatest opera singers the world has known have graced this stage. This is a view from the lower orchestra pit looking back at the magnificent house. I also sort of love the oldness of places like this. There is a charm…a nuance to places with age. They have seen so much and continue to thrive. I sadly ran out of time to attend a performance I had tickets to…one of the hazards of only spending a few days in a place.

HDR Photography
Teatro Colón by W. Brian Duncan

Floralis Generica

Posted on June 17th, 2013 by

Big Robots

This was a treat for me. One of the main reasons I went to Buenos Aires was to see the sculpture Floralis Genérica. That sounds a bit odd and it wasn’t the ONLY reason I went. When you see the photos of where I stayed you will see some of the other reasons. It was, well, a mansion! That is a subject for another post. I saw a photo of Floralis Genérica and knew I wanted to see it in person as soon as someone explained it moved with the sun. Yes, it is a massive robot, that opens and closes like a real flower. It follows the sun during the day a and opens and closes its petals. AMAZING!

End of an Era

Last Thrusday Pamela and I had to say goodbye to our beloved cat Kennedy. He was a character. Among other things Mr. Kennedy T. Cat was CCO (Chief Cat Officer) in our businesses, a position that will be nearly impossible to replace. Pamela and I have been doing ok with now only sporadic bouts of sadness. We have both really appreciated everyone’s thoughts and prayers. I think Pamela told Kennedy’s last story better than I ever could. Kennedy would have wanted to either eat or poop on the flower below…perhaps both.

HDR Photography
Floralis Generica by W. Brian Duncan

Puente de la Mujer

Posted on June 6th, 2013 by

Bridges

Today’s images is a bit on the abstract side. Some wires and a big white thing on a brilliant blue sky. This is the Puente de la Mujer (Women’s Bridge) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I still haven’t figured out what this structure has to do with women, but it was a neat site. I will leave it there. Enjoy.

Travel Photography
Puente de la Mujer by W. Brian Duncan

El Ateneo Grand Splendid

Posted on June 3rd, 2013 by

New Views

I recently returned from South America. It still strikes me funny when I say that as it’s amazing to me that I can say something like that at all…who just GOES to South America. Buenos Aries, Argentina is a very strange place and I have a bunch of mixed feelings about my time there. Not because I didn’t like it…its a wonderful city full of interesting things to see and do. The people I encountered were amazingly polite and helpful. I think, however, this is the first time i had to confront the reality that the western world is not the rest of the world. The closest was a trip I took long ago to Jamaica, but then I spent all my time on a resort. I don’t think I have yet wrapped my head around all of this, but I am sure this education is one of the core reasons I am called to travel.

New Purpose

Today’s photo is of a book store in Buenos Aires called El Ateneo Grand Splendid. It is…hands down…the coolest bookstore I have EVER seen. It is built in an old theater, the stage is the cafe. The boxes are for reading. The seating areas hold the books. Under the stage has been converted to the children’s books area. I wish this would happen everywhere! I hate to see old marvelous structures falling to ruin. Isn’t it much better to breath new life into them, to redefine their purpose.

HDR Photography
El Ateneo Grand Splendid by W. Brian Duncan