Barranca to Huacachina, Peru, 320 miles
Even though I was still exhausted when the alarm went off, I was in go-mode as I knew the sooner we got out of this town, the better chance we won’t run into anymore corrupt cops. Alarm went off at 6:45 and we hit the road by 7:30. It was a good call, as when we passed the town’s police station you could see them just barely awake and climbing into their vehicles. We cruised through the next few dingy towns clenching each other at the site of anyone on the side of the road. It was as if we expected another incidence and we rode scared through each town. We did pass a few cops, but fortunately we slowly and carefully passed through w/out much notice.
The towns were more of the same, sand and dinginess. I can’t believe how much of Peru is desert. I know we are on the coast, and not inland, but still, it’s insane. The most crazy part is how many people actually live out here in the sand! We passed through some ‘towns’ that literally consisted of bathroom size ‘houses’ all scattered across a giant dune. NOTHING in between, no roads, no fences, no livestock, no vegetation…and no people; sand people. One of the towns like this was right before we entered into Lima.
We expected worse from Lima as it is a really big and ugly city which isn’t the safest. Fortunately, we were able to stay on a large main road through the entire city, and skipping the downtown area, so passing through it was fairly painless. Just on the other side we stopped at a gas station to grab a snack for lunch, and then headed out for even more dunes and sand.
Dunes and sand, nothing really more to describe except for one incidence which blew our minds. As we were zooming along, not expecting to see anything but more sand, a dark cloud was quickly approaching. Before we knew what it was, a million bees splattered across Yoshita and Mike. Mike quickly pulled over, thankfully hadn’t been stung, and I carefully pulled bee-body-parts from his helmet, jacket, and pants. There was more bee carnage than I’ve seen in my life. Knowing bees get angry, we made the process quick before getting back on the road. It was quite a sight; I’m just glad Mike made it through safe. Have African killer bees arrived in Peru?
The only other thing we noticed in the desert were chicken coups. You know you’re getting fresh chicken. We passed by so many chicken houses…all of them packed together in these large elongated shacks along the coast; it was quite sad actually.
As we neared our destination which is a little oasis in the middle of the dunes, there started to be more greenery and crops, something you wouldn’t know you’d miss so much. The oasis where we are at is quite a gem. Considering the surroundings into the picture, it’s a absolutely fantastic gem. It’s amongst giant dunes and has an oasis lake right in the center of the lovely little town--of course, there are plenty of tourist to go with it. We haven’t seen this many since Costa Rica, but I’m guessing it is because this is on the way to Cuzco (Machu Picchu) from Lima which all tourists must fly into. We found a jewel of a hotel, with a pool, dune right out back and a nice, clean and trendy room. $25 was a splurge, but after the last couple days we needed a refresher. We jumped in our swim suits and took a swim to remind ourselves that we are truly on ‘vacation’. Mike rented a ‘sandboard’ and hiked up the dune… I think the build-up of the whole experience was much greater than the experience itself…but it was still quite fun to watch.
It feels good to have that nasty stretch of Peru in the past. Tomorrow will be sleeping in, checking out as late as possible in this resort establishment and taking a 75 mile drive to the lines in Nasca. From there it’s east into the mountains and out of the land of the ‘sand people’.
We are both tired so hopefully tomorrow’s relaxing day will give us the much needed break.
The towns were more of the same, sand and dinginess. I can’t believe how much of Peru is desert. I know we are on the coast, and not inland, but still, it’s insane. The most crazy part is how many people actually live out here in the sand! We passed through some ‘towns’ that literally consisted of bathroom size ‘houses’ all scattered across a giant dune. NOTHING in between, no roads, no fences, no livestock, no vegetation…and no people; sand people. One of the towns like this was right before we entered into Lima.
We expected worse from Lima as it is a really big and ugly city which isn’t the safest. Fortunately, we were able to stay on a large main road through the entire city, and skipping the downtown area, so passing through it was fairly painless. Just on the other side we stopped at a gas station to grab a snack for lunch, and then headed out for even more dunes and sand.
Dunes and sand, nothing really more to describe except for one incidence which blew our minds. As we were zooming along, not expecting to see anything but more sand, a dark cloud was quickly approaching. Before we knew what it was, a million bees splattered across Yoshita and Mike. Mike quickly pulled over, thankfully hadn’t been stung, and I carefully pulled bee-body-parts from his helmet, jacket, and pants. There was more bee carnage than I’ve seen in my life. Knowing bees get angry, we made the process quick before getting back on the road. It was quite a sight; I’m just glad Mike made it through safe. Have African killer bees arrived in Peru?
The only other thing we noticed in the desert were chicken coups. You know you’re getting fresh chicken. We passed by so many chicken houses…all of them packed together in these large elongated shacks along the coast; it was quite sad actually.
As we neared our destination which is a little oasis in the middle of the dunes, there started to be more greenery and crops, something you wouldn’t know you’d miss so much. The oasis where we are at is quite a gem. Considering the surroundings into the picture, it’s a absolutely fantastic gem. It’s amongst giant dunes and has an oasis lake right in the center of the lovely little town--of course, there are plenty of tourist to go with it. We haven’t seen this many since Costa Rica, but I’m guessing it is because this is on the way to Cuzco (Machu Picchu) from Lima which all tourists must fly into. We found a jewel of a hotel, with a pool, dune right out back and a nice, clean and trendy room. $25 was a splurge, but after the last couple days we needed a refresher. We jumped in our swim suits and took a swim to remind ourselves that we are truly on ‘vacation’. Mike rented a ‘sandboard’ and hiked up the dune… I think the build-up of the whole experience was much greater than the experience itself…but it was still quite fun to watch.
It feels good to have that nasty stretch of Peru in the past. Tomorrow will be sleeping in, checking out as late as possible in this resort establishment and taking a 75 mile drive to the lines in Nasca. From there it’s east into the mountains and out of the land of the ‘sand people’.
We are both tired so hopefully tomorrow’s relaxing day will give us the much needed break.
Sand People city
Do people really live here???
Favelas of Lima
Yes please! Just what the doctor ordered
Sweet outfit pinche
Mike, tearing up the sand
A real oasis
Small block Chevy dunebuggy? Yes please! Maybe we should stay another night...
posted by Pedro and Maria at 2:42 PM
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