Peru: Day 7 - Ica & Huacachina

 Another instance where we didn't look at the itinerary closely: we had a 5 hour journey to Huacachina. I think Max and I really both were dreading this long day-trip. We were informed that we'd make a stop for lunch and then a stop in a town called Ica to see yet another museum. We were getting quite tired at this point -- all the early mornings, hectic day-trips, transportation, and late evenings. If Max had said 'let's cancel it', I probably would have said 'sure.' 

Our first stop was a Pisco Tasting Tour. It was a pretty small establishment and we had about 8 other people on our tour. We tasted several piscos and learned for the first time how to drink high-proof alcohol without the burn. The method is about swishing the liquid, swallowing, breathing in through your nose, and then our through your mouth... all very slowly and deliberately. It's the sting of oxygen that hits the alcohol that makes the burning sensation that actually detracts from the tasting of the spirit. A very interesting technique that Max and I both took from Peru and still use when doing tastings!

Maybe it was because we went in with such low expectations, but Ica was truly a diamond in the rough. We went into what appeared to be a quaint museum ended up being one of the highlights of our trip! Our guide was from Ica and had extensive knowledge about the culture and history of the Ica tribe. Max was engaged from the beginning and our guide could answer every question Max threw his way. It was amazing to see so many intact artifacts, from textiles to pottery, to human mummies, that had all been delicately preserved by the dryness of the land. I am so glad we were able to see this museum that we would have otherwise skipped over. 

Now time for the sand dunes. We entered into the oasis in the desert. A watering hole, you could say, that's been pretty commercialized. No one really lives in Huacachina but there are many shops and restaurants that surround the lake that's in the middle of the drylands of Southwest Peru. We got into a dune buggy where a professional drove us over endless mountains of sand and eventually, we got to slide down a few with sandboards. The hot sun, sand, and speed kept me smiling the entire time! 

Five hours back, we dozed off when we could. Max was exhausted; I was hungry. I ordered pizza which Max sort of scoffed at (pizza in Peru?) but it turned out to be delicious 😆 Thank goodness we could sleep in tomorrow because it had been a VERY long day. We went to bed happy and bellies full. Last day is tomorrow ..