Update

A quick update

After leaving cusco we took an overnight bus to Ica, more precisely huacachina, a beautiful desert oasis. here we thought we should try our hand at sand boarding, one attempt to try it standing up was enough, so the next best option, lying head first on the board, was used. As part of the Sand boarding trip we had an hour of unbelievable rollercoaster rides, in the back of a sand buggy. Alton towers wishes it could emulate the thrills, speed and obliquity of the dunes, and I doubt many of the rides would make Katie scream half as much!



The Desert Oasis



From Ica we headed north to Pisco, home to the Isla Ballestas or more famously known as "the poor mans galapagos". after two attempts to visit the islands; day one large waves because of the full moon 4 days prior, and day 2 large waves because of a tremor, closed the port and ended our hopes of a visit to the island. We did visit the nearby national park, and saw the Peruvian salt road, which proudly features in national geographic, and the cathedral rock formation, although it no longer looks like a cathedral, as part of it was destroyed by an earthquake!

The Cathedral

From Pisco we travelled to Lima, a bustling city on a cliff above the pacific. we walked lots, and saw lots but little of note, parque Kennedy was a highlight, along with the fountain park, home to the worlds most fountains, some interactive meaning you get wet through, others set to music and light shows!

Trujillo was our next port of call, here we visited the Chimu palace of Chan Chan, an impressively large structure, with decorative stone walls, and multiple sacrificial altars. A short bus ride from Trujillo put us on the beach for the first time in what felt like months.

Our final stop in Peru was surf central Mancora! Our hostel put us right on the beach, and allowed us some amazing sunsets.

Mancora Beach

After what seemed like the most unorganised Border crossing ever we headed first to Guayaquil, the biggest ecuadorian city all be it not the capital, here we experienced ridiculously hot and humid days, without a lick of wind. Also in the central square there was huge iguanas roaming freely!

After a short bus ride we were back on the coast in the uneventful Playas, a small fishing town with a small tourist presence!

Next came montanita a small, surfers paradise, constant waves,long clear beaches, glowing sun, and a daily 4pm down pour which led to our retreat into one of numerous bars. In the evening you could place the town in any number of Brit summer getaways, magaluf, tenerife, etc except with the street made cocktails from any number of fruits, most noticeably passion fruit mojitos!!!

Currently we find ourselves in the tune capital of the world, Manta, a big fishing port without much else going for it. Although a visit to the original home of the panama hat is only a short bus ride away!