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Published: December 11th 2006
La Catedral
This is "La Catedral" in Paracas.FINALLY!! This is the first time I have traveled for quite a while. To give you all an example, the last time I left Lima was before my mid-term exams, and I just finished up my final exams on Thursday of last week. Needless to say, I was as happy as a clam to get out for only a weekend. Zach and I decided to set out for the city of Pisco (which is also a hard Peruvian liquor) and from there we went to La Reserva Nacional de Paracas. Paracas is a beautiful spot if you want to feel a bit secluded from people. Even if there a lot of people visiting there, it's quite a large strip of beach so I'm sure you and a certain special someone could find a nice spot to enjoy alone. I really dug this place. The beach is overshadowed by some very large cliffs, and behind cliffs are sand dunes. Some of the sand dunes contain iron oxide, making them boast a reddish hue and giving it a Martian appearance. Then we ate a "lupper" or "dunch", if you will, at a small tourist restaurant overlooking the beach Lagunillas. I ordered a ceviche
(semi-raw fish soaked in lemon juice, cilantro, tons of onions, a pepper called rocoto, and served with sweet potatos and/or corn) of Toyo (a small shark) and a dark beer, Cusqueña Malta. I always love ceviche, and this one was not an exception.
We then returned to the city of Pisco only to set out for the "City of Eternal Sun", Ica at about 6:30 pm. We got in Ica at about 8ish, and we went straight to "La Huacachina". This oasis is believed to have healing powers, and used to be a popular honey moon spot. I'm sure it still is to an extent, but it seemed to me more of a spot for people, mostly foreigners, to relax. I think I heard more English being spoken there than Spanish. La Huacachina is really just a small lake surrounded by sand dunes and palm trees, but it does have a certain majesty and unique beauty. Another ideal spot to take a certain someone. We merely stayed there one night and set out early in the morning to visit two popular wineries in Ica. One was called Tacama and is an industrial winery. They also produce pisco. It was
El Colibri
The hummingbird at the Nazca Lines. Check it homes! free, and we got to try numerous types of wines and piscos for free. I made a few purchases, and we then we were off to the second winery. This winery, El Catador (The Taster), is managed by artisans. It is done the old-fashioned way, and it was interesting to learn how they make the wine and pisco there. Then, we went to taste more wine and pisco, again, free. I must say, there was a distinct difference in taste between the traditionally made wine and the industrial stuff. Yeah, so I made more purchases and returned to the city of Ica. There isn't much there, but we were actually in the city for a short time.
From Ica, we got a bus to Nazca to see the famous Nazca lines. These are enormous figures etched into the land thousands of years ago. Some of the figures are a hummingbird, condor, monkey, whale, dog, amongst shapes like trapezoids and triangles. What is interesting and unique about this phenomenon is that these figures are spread over a large territory and are geometrically precise. The only way to really see these lines is in a small airplane. So we went up
Dunes of La Huacachina
There's a dude climbing the dune. He didn't fall. to see them and although our stomachs were twisted, bounced around, turned upside down, and wringed out like a wet towel, it was a cool experience.
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Sarita
non-member comment
magnifico
magnifico un otra vez jacobo! so glad you got out and travelled again. what amazing experiences you have had. it is almost time for you to come home--can you believe it? i know when i first went to spain time seemed so slow when i was all lonely...but now i bet for you it has seemed so fast! you have made so many awesome memories and friendships that will last a lifetime! so proud of ya hun!! can't wait to see you. have a safe trip home. my only advice--rock out on your last night there! te echo de menos. hasta pronto!!!!