Ica

After my nice and long bus ride from Máncora to Lima, I immediately got another bus, around 5 hours, to Ica.

On the road..

A different perspective of the sunset (due to me sitting on the other side of the bus, but hey it gave me a more interesting photo)

I didn't know if this graffiti was meant to be or not at first. And also when I first took the photo I didn't like the reflection from the window, but it actually carries the angles perfectly and adds some interesting contrast and context

From Ica, I took a cab to Huacachina, a little oasis tourist town surrounding a lagoon in the middle of sand dunes. I had a hostel in mind but the cab driver didn't know it, so he dropped me off and I went to asking around (it's so small, you could walk around the whole town/lagoon in 20 minutes). I came across a travel agency where I was kindly directed, but he also offered me what he had. Winery tour and sand boarding for less than $20?! Count me in!! I also was able to get my bus ticket for the next night to Cuzco (second to last seat).

Found my hostel fine, ate some fried wings which I have been craving while listening to Sublime. Not exactly Peruvian but a nice taste of home.

The next day I hung out in the morning, did some yoga on the little beach and then hit up the tours.  

The wine tour started out with a bus tour where we visited various churches and witch sites. What you see below is apparently the product of witchcraft and is the only 7-headed palm tree in the world!!

Witch park. Interesting they are portrayed as beautiful naked women!

Cool palm tree bench at the park

The winery where 90% of what's made is pisco, which is like moonshine from grapes. Their "wine" is pisco mixed with grape juice

The 3 step process from juicing them by walking, then the press which is 150 years old and still working, then filtration

Wooden threads!

Pisco pots

The way the pots are carried

Distillation over wood fire

Pisco coming out

The bar where we did the tasting

Now onto sand boarding! The tour was around 2 hours where we hit up 4 different hills and did some solid freeriding in this buggy

Heading straight down the longest hill. I unfortunately watched someone break their arm standing like this (most people lie on their bellies). Luckily I walked away with just a sore bum. 

Huacachina from above