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Published: December 9th 2006
Home for the night
Oasis in the desertHola
We left Pisco on a local Bus (3.50 soles instead of 30) and arrived in Ica some 1.5 hrs later; jumped straight into a taxi heading for Huachachina...
After booking into a hostal we inquired about dune buggy rides and sandboarding...before we knew what was going on we were speeding around sandunes in a buggy with some other people and a loco driver... (I´m pretty sure the travel insurance covers us for this!)
Nic picked up sandboarding like a natural, but got sick of standing up and decided to go head first down a fifty foot dune instead... not to be outdone I had to follow....
The buggy driver took us to higher and higher dunes until we were speeding down dunes head first, doing what seemed like 30-40mph, holding on to a plank of wood with wax on the bottom of it...hmm sensible....and on a work day!
The hostal had a BBQ in the evening and we both dined like royalty especially since the Cube Libre and Pisco Sour was free and freeflowing.
This morning we decided to get up at 0430 and catch the 0600 bus (local bus again) to Nasca (little
Buggy
Eats dunes for breakfast! bit of a hangover after the Cube Libre). The reason behind the madness of the early start was that if we get an early flight over the Nasca lines we avoid much of the turbulance that makes most people sick in the afternoons... (local Tip).
Arrived in Nasca and made our way to the airport. The Nasca lines were great... the flight was crap.... neither of us were sick but it took about 30mins to recover afterwards...I always thought I wanted to learn to fly someday but after the 45min flight in a 6 seater Cesnar, i´ve changed my mind...
No-one really knows what the Nasca lines are about, some people say astralogical chart, some say space aliens. Personally I think that they were used for irrigation of the land and the different shapes represent different communities....but what do I know?
Finished our flight over the Nasca lines (1000hrs) to learn that the bus to Ariquipa leaves at 2145, so have been wandering around Nasca for the day.
My watch broke about 2 days ago, so have aquired a new one... top of the range Casio with blue light and alarm... about a fiver...bargin. I got
Nic sand boarding.
Couldn´t get a photo of her going head first, she was too quick... the battery of my 100quid watch replaced in HS Samuel in Brighton before I left and they decided, in ther infinate wisdom, not to put all the bits back into the watch along with the new battery. Thanks HS Samuel Churchill Sq Brighton.... You were only suppose to replace the battery. I will be coming to see you when I get back..... be warned!
Anyway, my made in Japan Casio will have to do for now.
Really enjoying Peru now that we have settled in a little and have picked up a small amout of the lingo.... The guide books paint a bit of a doom a gloom picture and from reading them you expect to be robbed at every turn.... Not the case, the Peruvian people are warm, friendly and eager to help you in a fix.....
Only 3hrs 30 mins till we catch our next bus.
Tomorrow we will arrive in Arequipa, we only have another week in Peru and as I type, Nic is trying to find a nice hotel in Bolivia for us for Christmas day.
Lots of love to you all.....
P and Nic
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Angela, Jon & Boys
non-member comment
What an adventure
Its great to read about your adventures and the photos are great, takes us away from the realiity of everyday life for a while! Onwards to your next instalment, much love.