Finally, i am flying to Peru. It clearly was a country i wanted to see for a couple of years, for its reputed sceneries & culture, but also beacause i have Geneva friends who moved to Lima. So a good opportunity to mix few good things ;-).
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| Plane view North of Lima |
A surprise from the plane: the coast North of Lima looks very dry, rocky and desert-like! Not sure why, always thought Peru would be very green… may be the images of Machu Pichu seen over the years. Well, now I know… most of the coast is like this, up to 100km inside the country.
Welcomed by my friend Renzo, we spend a good evening catching up before to leave the day after, for Ica. I had never heard about it, but he had a business trip there… and it sounds there is some things to see around, let’s check them!
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| Driving out of Lima rain... |
Exiting Lima and its crappy weather (which took a good hour in this 10 millions inhabitants city!), we drive South through the desert, to reach Ica after a good 3h.
Then going through the city, we arrive at
Huacachina, and discover this surprising oasis, hidden just behind the corner of the city (5mn away!), where yellow dunes meet green water and palm trees.
The village is charming, with few houses and restaurant, and the views around the oasis are great.
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| View from the highway... the coast desert |
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| Huacachina 1st streets, with the dunes behind |
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| Huacachina 1st street, with the dunes behind |
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| Renzo & me in front of the Huacachina oasis |
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| Huacachina oasis lake |
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| Huacachina oasis lake |
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| Huacachina oasis lake |
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| Huacachina oasis lake |
After a good lunch surrounded by this great scenery, I find a hostel, then decide to have 2 afternoon activities: wine tasting and dunes-buggy riding with a bit of sand-boarding! I will be busy ;)
The
visit of the winery is nice, and though the wines weren’t the best ever tasted (ahhh those French!), seeing how they make the pisco and tasting it was quite good ;).
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| The bodegas Vista Alegre |
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| View on the dunes from the winery garden |
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| Pisco distillation cuves ;-) |
Later, back to the oasis, and start of the
buggy-ride, going fast and jumping on the dunes… super fun! Mixed with great views on the desert again (after Namibia some months ago) that I am enjoying so much, and a bit of basic sandboarding, the day goes fast until the sun set in another amazing set of colors.
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| Riding dunes in buggy |
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| Dunes view |
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| It feels good being here! :) |
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| View of the dunes, with behind the Ica valley the Andes |
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| Another desert sunset |
Dinning with Renzo, I get to have my 1st “
lomo saltado” dinner (a Peruvian classic dish, consisting of strips of sirloin-beef marinated in vinegar, soy sauce and spices, then stir fried with red onions, parsley and tomatoes then served over white rice and French fries... light, I know!)
Followed by few Pisco-sauers and some fun time in the local club, this was definitely a great 1st day in Peru!
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| Lomo saltado dinner |
Finally, i am flying to Peru. It clearly was a country i wanted to see for a couple of years, for its reputed sceneries & culture, but also beacause i have Geneva friends who moved to Lima. So a good opportunity to mix few good things ;-).
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