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Booked a bus, only 2 hours to Ica and decided to stay at a
place called Haucachina, which we had read was a place with some lake known
for its healing.  It is an oasis, a real oasis in a real desert
with real sand dunes surrounding it! Could not believe it. Pretty amazing
again. Gonna stay 3 nights we think as there are lots of things to do here.
 Our cab driver infact, Walter, it seems is going to show us all the sights
and if we were not leaving Peru in a few days think we could have done the
rest of the country through him ...he has lots of mates it seems! We
climbed a sand dune which was quite a challenge as with every footstep you
slid down when you wanted to go up and think we are gonna do some dune
buggying. Tried the local dish which is fish in lime and chilli (raw fish Raj!) and it was
lovely! Woke up the other morning, no idea which day as really lost track of time
out here and thought we had a nice peaceful day ahead. Little boat ride to
see some birds followed by a stroll through a National park. Lovely. Just
the ticket. All we needed was vest, sandals and a camera. Not so!
Walter, our new friend, arrived nice and early to take us to the harbour at
Pisco. He certainly is the perfect host. When we got to the boats, he
escorted us through the crowds like royalty and shouted at anyone who dared
to sit in the best seats of the boat which he was guarding for us as we
tried to get on the boat with a little dignity. Sat down and life jacket
on, Walter went in search of a better life saving garment for me as he was
not happy, he then ordered us off the boat as he had spotted a better one!Â
And wanted us to be the first on. Why, no idea! Anyway, on the boat we
noticed everyone had waterproofs on. They obviously knew something we did
not and yes we got wet and cold again! But great fun as the boat went at
some speed, bouncing on top of the water a bit like a skimming stone.Â
Anyway, was worth it to see the Ballestas Islands which had hundreds of birds on them, penguins and sealions and looked beautifully white as they were caked in bird s***. The sound of all the roaring sealions was quite amazing.
Back at the harbour, Walter introduced us to Hubert, an old bloke from the
West Indies who had lived in Peru for about 25 years. He was to be our
guide around the National Park of Paracas. This is basically a coastal
desert area. Their aim was to give us the best tour ever and def not a walk
in the park. Infact, it was more like rock climbing, and we had sandals on
so not easy. Hubert proudly informed us that no other guide would take us
on this route ...no s*** Sherlock ...and he had not done it for years!Â
Walter certainly did become our Sir Walter Raleigh though as he spread his
body below us incase we fell ...he would have made some cushion. Very
thankful however when they came to the conclusion, after much discussion,
not to take us through the water filled cave! And the high point of our
hard work, seeing two Inca birds and being told that all a male needs to woo
an Inca female is two anchovies ...whatever happened to playing hard to
get?!
Was a great day, very funny and felt we had earned our beers. Felt sorry
for Walter though as whenever he suggested stopping to point something out
to us, Hubert would turn round and say 'He is not a guide, only a driver and
he knows nothing' thank goodeness he can not speak English!
Next day we went to a couple of vineyards for some wine and pisco tasting.Â
Janine is adicted to Pisco sours. Basically it is a spirit 38% proof.Â
Seeing Walter down a glassful felt quite alarmed as he was drinving us round
but told us not to worry as it is good for cholestrol!
Last night in Huacachina was amazing as we went dune buggying and sand
boarding. We laughed and screamed and came off quite sore but well worth
it. Basically you ride the dunes in a buggy, get dangled at the top of some
very steep ones and think no way is he gonna drive down that then off you
go. Brilliant. Boarding was really good fun too ...could not believe the
speed. Quite alarmed though when I got to the bottom to find my jeans had
come down but hey, part of the fun. Also, the instructor dangled me over
the edge ready to go when he panicked and said to come back. No chance as I
was practically vertical and he was pulling on my feet but off I went. I
could hear him shouting "open your legs" which slows you down but liked the
speed so ignored him and just went for it. Loved it and want to do it all
again.
Off to Lima now, which is sad as means the Peruvian part of our trip nearly
over!
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