Peru - Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Inca - Part2

Ollantaytambo is the starting point for the 4 day 3 night hike to Machu Picchu known as the Inca Trail. Today, it is an archeological site and the first major Inca city before hikers reach Machu Picchu.  Ollantaytambo is located 2,792 meters or 9,160 feet above sea level and surrounded by mountains. The Inca's were architects by mere appearance of their stone walls for fortification, terraces for agriculture, and stone quarters for living.  Even more intriguing is the fact that like many of the other Inca sites, they built there cities in the deep mountainous regions.

Peru - Cusco - Ollantaytambo - Inca - Part1

Cusco is the historical capital of Peru which was the Inca Empire capital from 13th century - 1532.  Today, Cusco is a tourist mecca where travelers from all parts of the globe come to explore the Inca world.  The disappearance of the Inca civilization was attributed by the Spanish colonization.  As you will see, Cusco has been remarkably well preserved combining the influences of both worlds.  Until you get to Ollantaytambo, you begin to sense the deep rooting of a culture and people, before it was unionized.






Layers of Inca culture has been buried by Spanish influence as you see from the above picture of a Spanish cathedral.





Cusco at night.



From Cusco to Ollantaytambo, the first major Inca ruin before the start of the Inca trail to Machu Picchu.

Chile - San Pedro De Atacama - Landscape - Part2

Imagine being the first settlers in this world, a territory cherished for its astonishing landscape.  At around 2,000 meters  or 7,000 feet above sea level, this region is one of the driest on the planet.  The surface rock formation resembles that of the moon, and thus referred to as "Valley of the Moon".  This is San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.









These sand dunes are a popular destination for sandboarding.








Rich texture and colors makes this a photogenic landscape.



More sand dunes.



A world of wonder made rich on its own.

Chile - San Pedro De Atacama - Landscape - Part1

In Chile, steep mountain slopes and rigid land forms are plentiful.  One evening gaze into the sunset at San Pedro de Atacama, Chile is worth a 100 hundred years.  For my first visit to Chile, I was forever impressed.



View of Licancabur Volcano from Valley of the Moon.



Chile has such unique geographical topography.  It is a long and narrow coastal country on the west side of the Andes Mountains.

Iguazu Falls - Part 2

This is where my South America tour started.  Iguazu Falls are water falls of the Iguazu River on the border of Argentina and Brazil.  The Brazilian side consists of just 20% while the Argentinian has 80% of the total falls.



All these photos were taken from the Argentinian side.

Standing at the observation point nearby Devil's Throat.



Nature as a source of power.



Everyone needs to see Iguazu Falls at least once in their lifetime



A steele walkway gives tourist the opportunity to get up close to the falls.  There are a multitude of viewpoints to see Iguazu and excellent coverage throughout the park.



275 total drops, 60-82 meters high.  Total width of 2.7 kilometers or 1.7 miles.



275 total drops, 60-82 meters high.  Total width of 2.7 kilometers or 1.7 miles.



It take about half a day to see the Falls.



The rising mist, lush fauna, and the falls make up this famous natural water park.



Devil's Throat is the the pivotal section of the falls in the shape of a J.



In opinion, the sound of the Falls is what resonates the most.  After you see the falls, it is the sound that sound that reminds me of its sheer force.



There really isn't a bad view of Iguazu Falls.

Iguazu Falls - Part 1

Seeing Iguazu Falls is about half the experience, while the other half is hearing the roaring sound of nature's beast, you can feel its power.  There's more water here than anywhere else!

One of the New Seven Natural Wonders of Nature.



Words can't describe the feeling you get when you are there in the midst of the massive pouring..



More to come.. I have a dozen more perspectives of this falls to show!

Laguna Colorada y Laguna Verde, Altiplano

This is a repost, to illustrate a side by side comparison between the two lakes in the Altiplano region of Bolivia.



Laguna Colorada (Red Lagoon) contains algae and other minerals that gives it a reddish color


Laguna Verde (Green Lagoon) contain copper that gives it a greenish color.  These lakes are in close proximity of each other and located 4,300 meters or 13,000 feet above sea level.

Print and Pricing options

As many of you all know I am offering to sell prints.  When you go to my gallery and select a specific image, you have the option to add the image to a cart (Add to Cart).  The "custom" option are sell-fulfilled by me, meaning that I see through the process from print to framing and final delivery.  The other options are all direct to print, meaning your select image gets sent to a designated print vendor, and then shipped at to you directly from the print vendor, and you receive just the print.

So as you can tell there is a large pricing gap between custom prints and direct to print.  Custom prints are printed at my choice print vender here in Los Angeles, where I can easily pick up the prints and inspect the quality right there at the print shop.  Custom prints are printed on Kodak Endura Premium Luster paper,  which i believe it gives my landscape the blend of photoreal touch and painterly color saturation that is deserves.  Custom prints will also have 1 inch white borders with my autograph, and custom framed with plexiglass,  2 inch white matte, and 1 inch black finished wood outer frame.  And finally it will be shipped to customers after I've ensured the quality that I feel each print deserves in its finished form.

Train Cemetery

The famous train cemetery nearby by Uyuni.  The rail construction started in 1888 and ended in 1892 and was used for the mining industry.




Today the Train Cemetery is a museum that attract tourists from all over the world who visit this region in Bolivia.

Salt Flats - Fun pics