Huacas and Huelgas..

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So today we embarked on another educational visit in the north of Perú. We visited the Sun and Moon Temples this morning. Two Pre-Incan temples built by the Moche civilisation over six centuries to AD600. We had an English-speaking guide, which was really useful and saved our "translation times" half way through tours! Only the Temple of the Moon is open as there isnt enough money to excavate The Sun Temple. Nevertheless, the actual complex was huge. The temple is actually five temples, one built on top of the other. The first was buried and then the next built on top. In true Peruvian style and with a rather warped idea of preservation we were allowed to walk all over the buildings. The front façade was still being excavated but most of the inside walls were covered in friezes still with original colours. Absolutley amazing seeing as it is all made out of mud bricks. We walked over to the Temple of the Sun for photos although it was closed and hasn't been fully excavated yet. Still, very impressive as the largest Pre-Colombian structure in Peru allegedly made up of 140 million adobe bricks. Also met a hairless dog..apparently they´re very proud of them here..ahem..!

Made it back to Trujillo for a late lunch and had the best cake we have eaten in 6 months! Seriously, better than Cafecito..I know for those of us that have experienced Cafecito is a hard thing to believe, but its true!

Spent the next day touring the main archaeological sites around Trujillo with the crazy crazy owner of our hostal, Clara, as our guide. Ended up with some interesting photos we were instructed to take! First on the tour was La Huaca Arco Iris (The Rainbow Temple), one of the best preserved Chimu temples in Peru thanks to it being covered in sand until forty years ago. Then onto the Museum of Chan Chan which is full of pots and tools that were found in the various sites around Trujillo. The best part was the ruined city of Chan Chan itself. The whole complex covers 28sq kilometres - we spent 2 hours looking round one!
Its claim to fame is its being the largest Pre-Colombian city in South America and the largest adobe city in the world. Actually having Clara around had its advantages as she used to work there and new which bits are real, and which are restored. All very interesting, although me and Kat are starting to sound like were on "The Geeks Tour of Perú"! At least she has a up and coming history degree to blame it on..! What my excuse is I don´t know..!

So, as we tried to leave the next morning, we well couldn´nt. The teachers are on strike, as the govenment said they could have a pay rise, but had to take a test..the unions then all clubbed together and decided that it wasn´t worth it as they´d all have to take a test, so we are stuck along with the rest of Perú in our lovely cable and internet inclusive hostal..not all so bad. Do hope it clears up soon though as its getting more dangerous as time goes on. Fingers crossed.

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