Established in 1965, the Pampa Galeras-Barbara D’Achille National Reserve comprises 16,000 acres of habitat for the species. From here, vicunas have been moved back into other areas of their previous range. This first of Peru’s vicuna reserves is located fifty miles east of Nazca, a popular destination for visitors who include Peru tours here to see the mysterious lines etched on the hillsides.

Pablo Neruda loved many times in his life, emotions and experiences he poured into his poetry. Early on, after some years of learning about love, but mostly lust, he met Laura who married his friend while Neruda was serving as a diplomat in the Far East. Then there was Albertina who married another of Neruda’s friends and with whom Neruda unsuccessfully attempted to rekindle a relationship as his first marriage was disintegrating.

Though no accurate records exist, it is estimated that as many as 22,000 workers perished between 1881 when the project got underway and when it ended in defeat eight years later. Lucky were the few who drowned or died in a machinery accident. Most of the French workers, recruited primarily from the West Indies, succumbed to a much more excruciating fate, yellow fever or malaria.

Air travel

Concern is growing that the desire for more predictable and profitable yields will result in the destruction of habitat and the degradation of the quality of Ecuador’s cacao in the long run. To address the problem, environmental organizations are working with government and industry to promote sustainable practices that will provide farmers the incentive to continue growing shade-grown native varieties instead of turning to hybrids.