We arrived in Lima the afternoon we left Nasca and headed to one of the oldest hotels in the city that has been maintained nicely. It was a bit of a step up from the hostals we’ve been staying at. It’s this point in the trip where we just felt like a bit of luxury! We booked a bus for the next day to take a 17 hour bus trip (not luxury) up to Mancora where we had booked a bit of a fancy place to chill at for a few days! So the next morning was checking out the surrounding area of our hotel in Lima… It was like all the other cities so not much interesting to tell really!
So a day and a night later we arrived in Mancora!! The town is a tiny stretch of road along the coastal highway of Peru that runs up into Ecuador and then through to Columbia. The town itself was nothing to look at, artisan markets line a patch of the road, and there’s about 3 blocks of sandy road to the beach. All the restaurants are little wooden huts or concrete buildings, and there a people walking around selling sunnies, and jewellery and clothes (I like this because you could shop while sitting on the beach having a beer!) The beach itself was pretty but hey, we are from Australia!! However, we loved the place! The people were really friendly and relaxed, you could sit at plastic table and chairs on the beach and order a 1/2 litre beer for $2. There was a point at the main part of the beach where the waves break nicely and they were perfect to learn on. Or if you didn’t feel like it you could sit on the beach, take in the sun and watch the surfers… learners and experts!
Matt got some kite-boarding lessons on day 2 and he’s fallen in love!! The first day was learning and practicing with the kite, how to control it and how to get it to take you where you want. Then he went back 2 days later to learn a little more, practise a bit in the water without the board, and then get in the water with the board. It’s basically like wake-boarding, but you control the boat while you’re boarding!! So lucky for me!! He’s found his island and summer sport! So if we get sick of the cold he’s sorted!! 🙂
The day in between the kite-boarding we both took a surfing lesson which was heaps of fun! The guys put flippers on and come out into the surf with you. Then they paddle with you and help you catch a wave and the first few times they steady the board so you can get up! Cheating really! But it really helped! It helps you get a feel for it and each wave I got a bit steadier and steadier! It also was a great help being SOOO unfit getting them to help you paddle!! hehe. My arms were killing me the next day! Every time I looked at Matt he was standing up on the board and surfing well but his arms were sore too!!
We originally booked 4 nights but loved the place so much we extended it to 6. Our hotel was about 2km from the main town and really quiet and relaxed so we could go into town, or stay at the hotel and chill out. They served beautiful 2 course meals for $10 and the best Pisco Sours too! So it was easy to stay in! We found another restaurant on the main street that did 2 course dinners for $1o as well and they were fancy and delicious!!
So after a week in Mancora we didn’t want to leave. But we had booked to head to Canada from Ecuador, so felt like we SHOULD go check it out with the 2 weeks left.
Timeframe: 24th October – 31st October 2013
HAPPY 16th ANNIVERSARY for the 25th Brett and Donna!!!
Leave a Reply