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After the 10 minute taxi ride to Huacachina i checked into Bananas hostel and here met Ben and Luke (Irish) and Bryony (English). Huacachina is a tiny collection of very tourist based buildings all surrounding a lagoon tucked away between giant sand dunes. It is an awesome place and is the desert oasis picture you imagine! We killed a few hours drinking incredibly super amazing fruit shakes and hanging out at the pool before the fun started - DUNEBUGGYING!!!
The dune buggies are basically roll cages, with some seats in all placed on top of a giant engine. Then an 82 year old man called Julio - easily the coolest 82 year old man in the world gets in and acts as your driver! The dune buggying is great fun as you speed along the desert sands taking in giant dunes on the way. After our roller coaster esque ride we rocked up at the top of a couple of giant sand dunes. The first few runs i stood up for, as i was a seasoned pro after my sand dune experience in San Pedro de Atacama but when the dunes started getting really big and it becomes necessary to slow down to prevent death i opted for the slightly safer, and faster method of lying on the board. The last sand dune was easily over 100m in height allowing some serious speed along the way! On returning to Huacachina we went to Huacaf***ingchina, in a nearby bar for some bad food and awful service, which was only just manageable because the waiter was hilarious.
Next day was spent largely playing water volleyball and drinking incredible juices. After a while Luke and I tried to tackle the smallest sand dune on foot to take a photo of the oasis town. However, we failed as the sand was too hot, so armed with trainers (which basically just kept the hot sand in your shoes) we tried again to take on the dune - and with a lot of determination and perspiration we just about managed it. In the afternoon a crowd of us went on a wine and pisco tour and visited 2 vineyards where they make the posion. Having sampled a fair few types we returned to the hostel for more dirnks amongst the dunes.
I also discovered in the morning that my swim shorts had been eaten by the pet dog the night before. So having arrived in south america with 2 pairs of swim shorts (as many commented was excessive) I was no swim short less - take that doubters!
Next morning we were up bright and early ready for a tour of the Ballestas Islands (the cheap mans Galapagos).
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