Monday, August 22, 2022

Day 14 - The Magic of Immersion in Sand Dunes

The ride from Lima to Huacachina along the coast was interesting and mostly cold and foggy. 

Long stretches of desert and sand with the ocean on the right.  Lots of beach developments that were either half-built and abandoned or hadn't even been started.  Every once in a while there was a nice development with some nice beach houses.

Stopped in Pisco for a coffee and to see what the city center looked like.  The Plaza de Armas is definitely the heart of the city. 

Today, we had an eventful day - our chase vehicle broke down and had to be towed to Lima from the mountains, Carl had a stomach bug that kept him from riding, Guy had a tire disintegrate half way to Huacachina. 

We all eventually made it to Huacachina at different times throughout the day all in one piece.  

Hucachina is an oasis town in the middle of a sea of sand dunes, many very steep and as tall as mountains.  A very interesting and nice town.  Very Moroccan.

After some Chaufa for lunch at a terrace restaurant overlooking the town's small lake in the middle, we went for a ride in the sand dunes in a powerful hand-built V-8 powered dune buggy.  A lot like a rollercoaster going up and down steep and tall dunes.  A lot of fun.  

We also did some fast downhill sand dune surfing and saw the sunset in the perfect spot deep in the dunes and surrounded by nothing but a sea of sand all the way to the horizon.  A very unique experience indeed.

It is always interesting to me how you can feel the mood of a place within the first few minutes after arriving by simply talking to a few people.  At the end of the day, like anything, a place is the sum of its people and how they feel.  Huacachina is a happy and prosperous place because of tourism, full of smiling and engaging people.  

We had dinner at the Italian restaurant in front of our hotel and called it a day.

Tomorrow we are going to Nazca to see the Nazca Lines from the air.

Our chase vehicle had to be rescued and brought down from the mountains to Lima

The Plaza de Armas in Pisco on the way to Huacachina

Colorful taxis in Pisco

A good cup of coffee in Pisco looking at the plaza after a long foggy ride from Lima

Our hotel in Huacachina right next to a massive dune

Climbing the massive dune behind our hotel

Getting ready to board down a steep sand dune

The ride down the dune

We rode this custom made V-8 powered dune buggy

Just relaxing waiting for the sun to set

Chuck and I exploring Huacachina

Riding to the dunes

In the middle of nowhere

Wow!

So peaceful

With love to everybody

The Huacachina oasis after sunset

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