here comes the rain again...

At China Camp State Park with the little one.  Beautiful skies right before the rain. 

© Anna Johnson, 2013.  All Rights Reserved. 

marin insta-love...

A few new instagram shots from around Marin.  I love this place so much.

© Anna Johnson, 2013.  All Rights Reserved.

machu picchu...

The amazing views of the ancient city at Machu Picchu, Peru.  

© Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

a floral touch...

Pretty flower garden in the town of Ollantaytambo, Peru.

© Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

the ancient disc...

Ollantaytambo, Peru

Even with the flu Mark managed to climb the ruins and take out the Frisbee.

© Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

together again...

Colca Canyon, Peru.  The deepest canyon in the world, twice as deep as the Grand Canyon.  This view looks down on the Colca River and the step-terrace cultivation the local still use, just as the pre-Inca.

This photo is dedicated to one of the most inspirational men I've ever known, John Johnson.  My grandfather lived a truly extraordinary life.  Everything I do and strive for is because of him and my grandmother.  They were enthusiastic travelers and I was lucky enough to show him my own journey through these photos.  To see my experiences in Peru brought such a look of joy to his face.  We said goodbye to GG last year and now we say goodbye to JJ.  I miss him so much already but the hope of the universe bringing them back to together puts a smile on my face.  Thank you for everything JJ.  Love forever...

© Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

puno sunrise...

There is nothing better than being greeted by a magnificent sunrise such as this after enduring a long overnight bus ride in the pouring rain.  The trip from Cusco to Puno was anything but enjoyable on the two story charter bus packed full with tired travelers.  Our hopes to sleep on the bus for a few hours after the 4am arrival were diminished when the told everyone to unload and quickly sped away.  The only saving grace of the morning was this beautiful site over Lake Titicaca on the boarder of Bolivia and Peru.

© Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

tambombachay temple...

Tambombachay Temple is an Incan bathing site situated on top of a natural spring in the Saqsaywaman National Park of Cusco.  Tambombachay is a very small temple with intricate aqueducts and several Incan made waterfalls.  It's main use was for bathing, the reason why it's so small, but the spring and surrounding areas had ample wildlife which were also major hunting grounds.  

© Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

the ridge...

© Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved

old mountain...

Sneak Peak of our most incredible day in Peru at Machu Picchu.

© Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved. 

saqsaywaman...

Sexy Woman you say?

Saqsaywaman is located 2km from the city. Together with the city of Cusco, this monumental complex is considered the first of the new seven wonders of the world. This huge construction was planned and built by Andean Man. The Incas called it the House of the Sun and the Spaniards called it a fortress because of its zig-zag shape and the 1536 revolution. The construction, which is made up of three platforms one on top of the other, was one of the most important religious complexes of its time.

The mixed-blood historian Garcilaso Vega described in his book "The Royal Commentaries" every detail of this sacred spot, its walls, rooms, towers, doors and canals, which have sparked great interest and admiration from visitors and residents alike. The enormous boulders that form part of the construction were put together perfectly without using mortar. The heaviest weighs up to 125 tons. Archaeologists are currently excavating and have discovered water fountains, canals and rooms. In a nearby flat area, every June 24 local inhabitants hold the Festival of the Sun, or Ind Raymi. Saqsaywaman witnessed important historic events

Text Source: Cusco Info

© Images by Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

instagram...

Now on instagram.  Follow me @amanitascosmos

lake titicaca...

Lake Titicaca, Peru.

© Anna Johnson, 2012.  All Rights Reserved.

flying high...

Photos from the sky always feel so mesmerizing... but not as much as the actual experience of being up in the plane, 32,000 feet above the Earth, looking down realizing the magnificence of life on this planet.  We are living at a time when commercial flying is so normal that we forget many of our recent, and ancient, ancestors were never able to venture the same altitudes.

Here is the first photo taken on our journey to Peru.  It was an incredible journey with many exciting stories, which I have so many photos and can't wait to share.