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Mancora, an 18 bus journey from Lima is a beach destination close to the Ecuadorian border famed for it's surfing and chilled atmosphere. We booked in for 4 days and it was a welcome break from the past few weeks of cold and altitude.
Getting off the bus a bit groggy and disorientated we were greeted/harassed by numerous Peruvians offering tuc-tuc transportation across the town. We duly obliged and arrived at Hostel La Quebrade. In truth it was more hotel than hostel with our own balcony, fresh strawberry juice and only a 5 minute walk to the beach.
Our time in Mancorra was pretty chilled, consisting of lying on the beach most days which was long overdue since Brazil. It was off-season and therefore everywhere was pretty quite, which meant amazingly fresh and cheap seafood and ceviche. One favourite was green ham and eggs which had a set lunch for only £3 and a view over the beach. Another restaurant was La Sierra D'Juan, which was top-rated and for good reason with fantastic quality food at a fraction of the cost of back home.
Food and relaxing aside we did manage to take surfing lessons. After a brief introduction on how to surf we were off into the waves. Anyone who knows me knows I have little to no balance, which proved to be my downfall, standing up on the board for a short lived 5 seconds. Alice faired better, a lot better. Maybe life as a surfer and beach bum awaits.
And with that our time in Peru was over and onto Ecuador. Here are a few things we learnt about Peru in our month there:
They love a bit of guinea pig or as they call it here cuy. Although more of a celebratory dish in households, it's in most restaurants and served complete with head. Apparently that's to prove it's not a rat, yum. And yes we tried it but only a tiny bit as I kept getting flashbacks to nutmeg our pet guinea pig from childhood.
They also love pisco sours. Although Chile claim they are Chilean, the Peruvians are devout in their belief that they're Peruvian. We don't mind either way as we can't get enough of then. Made using pisco, a grape liquor similar to grappa, it is mixed with lime, sugar and egg whites. Simple, but very tasty.
The Incan empire made a huge impression. Although a relatively short existence from 1200 until 1500, you can't escape their legacy everywhere. Be it their forward thinking town planning or the ruins, they are everywhere.
The food scene in Peru is massive. Whether it be fresh seafood along the coast or innovative fusion food in Cusco and Lima. Peru is taking the food world by storm.
You want vegetables with your food? Do chips count? Nothing optimises the Peruvians love of carbs like lomo soltado. A Chinese influenced stir fried beef served with rice and yep, chips.
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