Recollections of my trip to two Continents.

Recollections of my trip to two Continents.

Some memories of  visiting Continents in the Southern Hemisphere , lead by an experience guide from Boston, USA
From Toronto, we flew to Lima, Peru, then continued on to Quito, Ecuador, with final arrival at San Cristobal Galapagos Airport. 
El Junco Lagoon, with its fascinating history as a volcanic crater lake, attracts numerous visitors to San Cristobal.
Regrettably, we spent a total of 5 days on the island. 
At night I looked for the bright planetary nebula in the constellation Centaurus, nicknamed the "Blue Planetary" or "The Southerner". 
It is the brightest of the far southern planetary nebulae.
There are a multitude of fascinating creatures in this area, and unfortunately, our group of tourists is causing disruption to their natural habitat.

Images.

Saying welcome to Galapagos
Galapagos lizard
Galapagos Turtle
Blue Footed Booby

On to Machu Picchu

Traveling from San Cristobal to Quito and then to Lima, Peru. Next, we have Cusco's airport, Alejandro Velazco Astete, which sits at an impressive altitude of 3,416 m (10,415 ft). We had the option of hiking the 26 kilometers up to Machu Picchu or taking a bus. Our group decided to go hiking, and we made sure to have all the necessary amenities carried by porters for our trip. The breathtaking mountain vistas and the enchanting waterfalls captivated me after four days of hiking. On the fifth day, we arrived at the Inca citadel, as our local guides referred to it. The hazy mist in the early morning had a mysterious atmosphere while walking through the Sun Gate. As we gazed upon Machu Picchu, the sun would soon dissipate the clouds, revealing the awe-inspiring archaeological site before us. Being present at this location was a truly remarkable intellectual encounter. The Incas who built this site, the fascinating history of its inhabitants, and the intricate pathways captivated me. We were to stay here for two days to investigate Machu Picchu. It's unfortunate to depart, as there wasn't sufficient time. We were transported back to Aguas Calientes by bus, and the following morning, we made our way from Cusco to Lima.

Images

Climbing up
Resting 
Spell bound at what I am seeing
How did the Inca do this
Amazing Over 13,000 ft
What are they doing visiting
Gave them all apples..
Saying Goodbye


We are now  traveling from Buenos Aires to Antarctica.

We took a direct flight with Aerolineas Argentinas to Ushuaia, which lasted 3.5 hours. 
Regrettably, a wind storm affected our landing. 
It seemed to be the result of the notorious roaring 40's. 
Later that day, we embarked on the vessel Expedition, a vessel that would transport 123 passengers to the mesmerizing landscapes of Antarctica. 
We braved the treacherous Drake Passage, battling against fierce waters and towering waves. 
The haunting sound of the winds echoed through the Roaring 40's, which dominate this region. 
The captain recommended listening to the sound of those winds, which could be heard from over 100 kilometers away, as they would reach us within an hour. 

First encountered in 1525 by Spanish navigator Francisco de Hoces, the Drake Passage has since gained a reputation as an unforgiving and perilous body of water.
The body of water is named after the renowned English explorer, Sir Francis Drake. 
Although Drake himself never personally sailed through the waters that bear his name, one of his ships did come close to that area, uncovering a significant link between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
After a day, we arrived at Half Moon Island and Whalers Bay. Antarctica 
We experienced two landings per day over the course of five days with knowledgeable guides who provided us with insights into the breathtaking landscape and the fascinating creatures that inhabit both the land and the frigid ocean, including seals, penguins and killer whales.
I shall never forget those winds called the sound of the Roaring 40's permanently etched in my memory.

Images.

Antarctica ahead

Our Ship 
Feeding Time
Huts 
Outpost
Post office hut abandoned
Whale Bones
Antarctica whales

In reply to sgtdjones

Some lovely photographs, bro!

Interesting write-up on those places!

In reply to XDFIX

The pictures and my writing failed to capture the true essence of these extraordinary places on Earth.
They are gradually being negatively impacted by visitors like myself, unfortunately.
Governments are gradually implementing restrictions on visitors to ensure preservation.

Never been that impressed by Machu Picchu. Maybe pictures don't do it justice, but it doesn't seem that big. What was its population thought to be?

In reply to KTom

One need to visit Machu Picchu before commenting, here is the history; documents gathered during my visit.

Machu Picchu has gained worldwide recognition for its remarkable preservation, stunning architecture, and awe-inspiring mountain backdrop. It is a well-known archaeological site that attracts visitors from all over the world. The site spans an impressive 80,000 acres (32,500 hectares).

Based on the evidence from skeletal and material remains, it appears that Machu Picchu was constructed with the intention of being a luxurious getaway for royalty, although the exact reason behind its creation remains a mystery. The cause of the site's abandonment remains a mystery, although the scarcity of water could have played a role. No definite conclusions exists just hypothesis



Machu Picchu is renowned for its remarkable architectural prowess, showcasing approximately 200 structures. The buildings were constructed using meticulously carved gray granite stones that seamlessly interlocked with one another. Typical Inca structures were constructed using rectangular stones that boasted 8 corners and 6 sides.


We were informed. Machu Picchu was home to approximately 1,000 people at its peak population.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, an Incan ruler who ruled the empire from approximately 1438 to 1471, likely constructed it as a royal residence or getaway. The entire creation of the Machu Picchu site required meticulous craftsmanship. Situated in the heart of a fault line, the Incas meticulously manipulated stone and earth to fashion this remarkably level terrain. However, one of the most intriguing enigmas surrounding Machu Picchu is the fact that its true construction took place underground. The construction of Machu Picchu spanned 90 years, from 1450 to 1540. It is situated on the crest of the Peruvian Andes and was built by a civilization that had no access to metal tools or the wheel.


About a century after its creation, the Spanish invasion of the powerful pre-Columbian civilization in the 1530s likely led to its abandonment. The Spanish spared Machu Picchu from destruction because they were unaware of its existence. The construction of the structure at a lofty elevation in the Andes Mountains (over 13,000 ft) rendered it invisible to those situated below. They did not inform the Spanish of its existence, thereby preventing them from causing any harm.


Historians commonly accept the spread of diseases like smallpox, measles, and syphilis as the cause of Machu Picchu's decline. The Spanish, who introduced these diseases to Latin America, were nearby in Cusco. One hypothesis suggests that the Spanish Conquest of Peru in the 16th century led to the abandonment of the city. Under Spanish rule, the Incas, who built Machu Picchu, may have evacuated the city to avoid capture or enslavement.


Historians unveil its authentic designation. According to historical documents and maps, the original name of Machu Picchu was Huayna Picchu.
Huayna Picchu, also known as New Mountain or Young Mountain in its translation from Quechua into Spanish

In reply to sgtdjones



Are you sure that Cusco is below Machu Picchu?

In reply to KTom



Its in a circular footpath going up to approx. 8,000 ft....not vertical

Cusco is located in the Peruvian Andes at an altitude of 3,399 meters / 11,152 feet above sea level. A high altitude destination for travelers.
The mountain saddle, where the majority of the ruins are situated, sits at an elevation of approximately 7,900 feet above sea level.
This is around 3,300 feet lower than Cusco and 1,600 feet below the Sacred Valley. Machu Picchu is not considered a high-altitude destination.
This airport is located around 70 km or 43 miles from Machu Picchu.

Some more about the continents you traversed.

The Siddis: India's Forgotten Africans

I would love to hear Fuzzy's opinion on this....

In reply to Drapsey

Droopsey

India is not a continent, unfortunately

India is called a subcontinent because it has clear physical borders, unique landforms, a lot of different cultures, and a long history that runs through it all.
Combining these things make it different from Asia as a whole and give it its own character as a subcontinental region.

In reply to sgtdjones

I learned recently India has the fourth strongest military globally!

In fact, I thought China had more fire power than Russia, but not so!

I was surprised to see India in the top 5!

In reply to KTom

I didn't want to start a thread for this item, so I chose to utilize Sarge's (sorry Sarge).

This is the black inventor I was talking about on a thread a few months back.

Frederick McKinley Jones: mobile refrigeration, 1938

In reply to Drapsey

Droopsey

Congratulations to Frederick McKinley Jones...notice us Jones boys ...

In reply to XDFIX

In my line of work, which is chemical engineering, we don't typically focus on military development.
However, during my time in India, I came across an interesting article about Biden's efforts to persuade Modi to shift away from Russian military
hardware and instead invest in Western technology, given the proximity to China.
Biden asked India to demonstrate a strong military presence in the Indian Ocean rather than remaining passive. 
Their special forces have received training in England. 
Over the past twenty years, it has engaged in conflicts with China in the Himalayas and constructed a tunnel to expedite reinforcement deployment. 

I am engaged in the process, design, and material balance of approximately 50 chemical plants that will be constructed in the coming decades, utilizing resources from India.
With a vast market of 800 million individuals under the age of 35, there is immense potential for growth in the coming decade.

Will be going back in 6 months .

In reply to sgtdjones



That's a lot of green bucks in the making!

I put India and Guyana's economies under watch these days - the potential is huge!

In reply to XDFIX

The world is on the cusp of what’s likely to be the last big refining boom as India embarks on a capacity expansion to accommodate the country’s rising thirst for fossil fuels.
The South Asian nation has set in motion a building blitz at its oil refineries to raise production of traditional transport fuels such as gasoline and diesel, which could lift capacity by more than 20% over the next five years. Rystad Energy puts the cost of additions at around $160 billion.“India has been a laggard in adding new refinery capacity in the past, which requires some catch up if it wants to be more self-sufficient,” said Sushant Gupta, an oil analyst at Wood Mackenzie. The consultant sees the nation’s demand growing 1.3 million barrels a day by 2030.India’s planned additions include petrochemical complexes, but most of the capacity will be for transport fuels. The nation’s overall refining capacity was almost 254 million tons as of April 1, 2023, according to government data.

The biggest is at Indian Oil Corp.’s Panipat plant in Haryana state, which is adding 10 million tons and is due to be commissioned at the end of next year. Hindustan Petroleum Corp.’s new Barmer refinery in the northwestern state of Rajasthan is the next largest at 9 million tons. Development is expected to be completed in 2024, with the facility to run at full capacity by 2025. Smaller expansions are being conducted at the Visakhapatnam and Gujarat refineries, and the Barauni plant at Begusarai city in Bihar state.
Still, Vitol’s Serio says 56 million tons is not an absurd number. “Having said that, I think from our standpoint, when we look at the probability of these projects, we see roughly half of that more likely right now.”

NY TIMES

Reliance Industries Jamnagar Complex

Reliance Industries Jamnagar Complex is an upcoming petrochemical complex, located in Gujarat, India. The capacity additions of 47.53mtpa are expected to start operations by 2026. The complex will use naphtha as its key feedstock. Key products that will be produced in this complex are xylenes, propylene oxide (PO), propylene glycol (PG), acetic anhydride etc. The complex is operated by Reliance

Haldia Petrochemicals Kakinada Complex

Haldia Petrochemicals Kakinada Complex is an upcoming petrochemical complex located in Andhra Pradesh, India. The complex will use naphtha as its key feedstock. Key products that will be produced in this complex are ethylene, propylene, xylenes, polypropylene etc. The complex is operated by Haldia Petrochemicals.

Nayara Energy Vadinar Complex

Nayara Energy Vadinar Complex is an upcoming petrochemical complex located in Gujarat, India. The complex will use naphtha as its key feedstock. Key products that will be produced in this complex are purified terephthalic Acid (PTA), ethylene, ethylene glycol (EG), polypropylene etc. The complex is operated by Nayara Energy.