Hostal Karla Chiclayo

... take money out from your bank, in your bank with all the relevant ID unless it is with a credit card...from any back in the world but not HSBC. Again we are baffled.

On our second day in Chiclayo we all decide to head to the beach. A short taxi ride and we find a long stretch of sand, mixed with rubble, and a fairly rough looking sea. We swop the idea of surfing for a bar and settle down with a few beers and a game of cards (which i won ...

... floors and balconies overlooking the central courtyard. I'm sure it's only a matter of time before Lonely Planet picks up on it.

I was keen to put as much distance between myself and Chiclayo so after yet more faffage with Barclays we embarked on a painfully slow eight hour bus journey inland to the town of Cajamarca. Originally it was not on my route but I have heard a couple of good things about it and so determined that it must at least be better than Chiclayo...

... supposed to guard you from envy, jealousy, and all that is evil. The patchwork dolls are the once you curse and beat to a pulp.

We walked around the market for a while and tried to quietly take pictures. One nice talkative vendor was kind enough to explain everything-his sheep head skulls and all. He happily showed us all his merchandise and held things up so we could take pictures.

After the witch market we headed to the ruins of the Tucumbe ...

... last two before we drew the line.

Sipan is interesting because of its recent history, which could be taken straight out of an Indiana Jones movie script. Huaqueros (grave robbers) uncovered previously unknown tombs from the Moche culture in 1987, and a local archaeologist began to hear priceless artifacts being whispered about and items being traded on the black market. He knew they had hit ...

... 250, and has been re-introduced to the reserve. You´d never know they were endangered though as the best place to find them was often on the roofs of the buildings or on the dinner table (not as the main course mind you, which is partially why they´re so endangered).

Turns out this was a common trend. We had foxes begging for dinner scraps, horneros (a rufousy thrush-like bird) trying to steal our breakfast, and usually everybody ...

... by the morning. Oh, this bus is one of the most expensive (and should be comfortable) buses on my trip. Only two sofa type seats per row (they say) and the 12 hour bus ride from Chiclayo to Lima cost me 100 soles (about 30 or 33 USD). Yes, there are much cheaper ones, for about 60 soles or so, but I figured a little pampering for the long trip home was ok. Still way way cheaper than flying. See you back in Lima.

Today was a pretty special day, since it was the first time I've ever surfed (with a longer type surfboard, and not just a bodyboard). It was loads of fun, and was due thanks to my couchsurfing host, Ricardo, who loves to host, and was able to hook me up with a board and a wetsuit. I stayed an extra night so we can go surfing again tomorrow. :p We ...

Long journey (19hrs). Staying longer than expected because museum in nearby town of Lambayeque is closed today (an oversight on my part) - and that museum is the main reason for our stop here. Hopefully will head down to Trujillo tomorrow afternoon, after visiting the museum.

... moins connu que le sud, c'est là que l'on trouve le plus de ruines de civilisations pré-Inca, alors je voulais vraiment les voir. Et j'ai été servi! Nous avons commencé par Túcume, qui est un ensemble de 26 pyramides, construites en terre séchée il y a plus de 1000 ans par les Sicán (ou Lambayeque). Elles ont pas mal souffert du temps (et des pluies de El Niño!), mais ça reste absolument impressionnant. Après ça nous sommes allés du côté du Museo Tumbas Reales de Sipán ...

... Chili) à Cartagena (Colombie), en passant par Lima (Pérou) et Guayaquil (Ecuador).

J'arrive à Chiclayo 3 heures plus tard. Je trouve que cette ville ressemble fort à Trujillo, avec le voile de poussière et les barreaux aux fenêtres.
Il y a très peu de touristes étrangers par ici, pas d'auberges de jeunesse. La compagnie des autres backpackers commence déjà à me manquer sérieusement... Je m'installe dans le petit hostal Mauri tout près du centre. Il est ...