In my last job, I remember my superiors used to chastise me when I was ever so slightly late. One boss would even put the talking clock on to speaker phone to let everyone know when I was late by even just 1 or 2 minutes, but I think my blogging has far exceeded any previous tardiness as I find myself a month and a half behind...
To bring things up to speed quickly, the next blog will be all of Peru except the Inca Trail and will take on a foody theme... as it was here that I learnt to cook Peruvian style...
Mancora - like a dodgy mutton vindaloo
Just over the border from Ecuador, this dish is like a vindaloo the health inspectors wouldn't need to try to know it was not fit for consumption. Hot, spicy, no taste and will definitely irritate you for a few days. Everyone who's had it brags about it, "if you love surfing you simply have to go to Mancora man, the place is amazing, such a party vibe". But like those who know their curry, I found Mancora to be over hyped. Crowded surf with grumpy locals who say one thing, do another and expect you to stand there and take it doesn't make for a place I want to sample again. Incidentally, Mancora was one of the few places I visited and did not get sick from eating bad food... 8 hours further south was...
Chiclayo - like a Chinese Take-away
A dish you know you shouldn´t request as you can never be sure if the meat will turn out to be dog, opposed to the chicken which you ordered. In Chiclayo, the contents could be far more exotic, ranging from monkey paws, stuffed eagles, snake blood or llama's feet. The reason being is that Chiclayo is famous for its witch's market, where sellers hawk the answer to all your health problems with the most popular products being alternatives to Viagra. Speaking of which Jonny, I got you a present. An otherwise unexciting dish that comes with a side of transvestite hookers. 5 hours further south was...
Trujillo - like a McDonald's Big Mac
As is the case with Macky D's, you're not sure why you ended up in Trujillo. The clever marketing campaign has done a number on you, and the delicious photos of a mouth watering city turn out to be that feeble and squashed burger you see in your greasy mitts. You're also not convinced the place is not going to make you ill as many a fast food jaunt can do, and after witnessing some Trujilo locals getting a touch stabby I'm feel my health is in better shape by leaving promptly.
Huanchaco - like a Chicken Cottage (or poor man's KFC)
Huanchaco is a surfer town that is forever in the shadow of the infamous point break Chicama down the road as the latter is reputedly home to the longest wave in the world. Huachaco is however, far from being a second place destination, as it sports one of the longest waves I've ever surfed and is a great place to relax for a few days. As in the past where I have failed to persuade my shocked work colleagues that Chicken Cottage really is as good as KFC (for post night-out grub that is), Haunchaco is a destination that far too many under estimate and pass by for Chicama. I should concede the point that as with my favourite fast food, the threat of food poisoning is alas very real, which my time in both Tooting and Huanchaco can attest to.
Terrible analogies to food aside, you can guess some of these places were not the best I´ve been to, but the time spent in Huanchaco, despite the umpteenth case of dodgy stomach, was time very well spent. Beautiful Spanish girls I failed to flirt with, long powerful point break waves that I rode, amazing live Peruvian music and fantastic weather all made for a fantastic few days. My last surf on the western seaboard of the Americas was made all the more memorable by the most vivid sunset I have ever seen; the sun set and the sky turned bright pink and with calm water between waves, it was impossible to see where the sky finished and the reflection on the sea began. There may not be any photos, but its one image i will never forget.
It was now time to head down to Lima, to the central highlands where I learnt how to cook, to Huacachina to learn how to sand board, before finally heading to Cusco to meet my brother Nick and my Dad to retrace the steps of the Incas, Condors and Spectacled Bears.
There are a few photos from Peru but my memory card is currently refusing to yield them, so for only a couple of snaps see below:
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