A night bus takes me from Arequipa to Nasca and after a couple of hours sleep in the hotel I'm ready to fly over the famous Nasca lines. 22km north of Nasca large numbers of lines measuring up to 10km (32 miles), geometrical figures, and depictions of birds, insects and animals have been cut into the stony desert.
No one really knows what they mean. Interpretations include a complex pre-Inca agricultural calendar while other theories include tracks of running contests, weaving patterns and offerings dedicated to the worship of water and fertility. Flying in a small rickety plane with five seats is a nerve-racking experience. The plane rises and dips as we circle the lines and figures. Although the lines are best seen from the air, again it's difficult to gain a perspective of scale from such a height.
(Photo - astronaut, Nasca Lines)
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