Exploring on a budget.

"I'm pretty sure my neck is going to fall off."

My travel partner looks at me and laughs, water droplets bouncing off his face, his hair flying in 10 different directions.

Using all of the muscles in my neck, I steady my head to look around me.

The sun shines directly overhead as I stare, beyond belief, at my horizons. Straight ahead I can see craggy rock formations and little spots of movement: The Islas Ballestas, also known as the Poor Man's Galapagos.
..........

Earlier that morning, we had groggily awoken on the island of Paracas in Peru. Stumbling out of our crowded, sweaty hostel, my travel partner and I grabbed the traditional Peruvian breakfast: rolls, jam and the strongest coffee.

Paracas is a funny, little resort town. There is a small boardwalk, souvenir stands and more pelicans than people. The shore line is crowded with fishing boats, but the ceviche is to die for and if you have a hammock and a beer, there is nothing more in life you need.

Most people stay in Paracas to jump aboard the many speed boats headed to the Islas Ballestas.

As I handed over my 37 soles ($13) I did some math and realized this was .05% of the cost of visiting the Galapagos. Budget traveler? Check.

..........

Our first stop was Candelabra Geoglyph, an illustration seen on every tourist poster found in Peru. There are many rumors of how the figure got there but most assume it was mystical creatures, which I was okay about getting behind.

Thirty minutes later, we approached the Islas. Peering at them, the formations appeared to be vibrating. I thought I had gone crazy - the speedboat had officially done me in.

"Man, those penguins have good balance," I mumbled.

Later, I make out a fraction of the tour guides discurso. The formations are just covered in animal life; they are not, in fact moving. Phew.

The speedboat takes us around the islands slowly, allowing us to gaze at pelicans, boobies, sea lions and penguins.

Tourists aren't allowed to leave the boat, even though every fiber in my body wanted just one high-five from a sea lion.

As we looped back around the formations, and the sound of cameras clicking began to die, a sensation of satisfaction shivered up my spine.

The sun was shining, the ocean air was circulating through my system, and my face was wet with fresh ocean water. As I began to feel the rev of the engine, I steadied myself and smiled; this was what feeling content was like.

I couldn't wait to ride it the whole way home.