Punta Hermosa

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  Punta Hermosa, Peru
Thursday, February 21, 2008

The following day we then set off on our short journey south making our first stop at the seaside town of Punta Hermosa which is a famous surfing spot. Bus travel in Peru is easy and services are frequent. If you were making a long trip by bus you may consider booking a Cruz de Sur service; however while these buses are more comfortable they cost around twice as much and the services are inflexible and less frequent.
Our trip took us from the bus terminal at Mira Flores, down the Av Costa Verde (which translates as 'green coast', most of it is not green at all, though section by section the councils are transforming the sandy desolate cliffs green with gardens and foliage, the problem is not availability of water, just piping it to where it's needed), as we head further south we passed the constantly improving, ocean front district of Chorillos with new apartment buildings springing up and a yacht club and marina soon to be constructed. The beaches along this stretch are polluted, but that doesn't seem to deter people from swimming

Av Costa Verde, Chorillos

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Punta Hermosa translates as 'Beautiful Point' and if you are a surfer you would no doubt agree. The location attracts surfers from all over the world. There are more rideable breaks then there are surfers to ride them. The waves are consistent with ample pauses between, so getting out sort of like paddling across a lake. A good wave caught from out the back will give you about a one and a half minute ride, though I was told about a location 10 hours north where you can get an 8 minute ride. The beach itself is quite attractive though don't expect white sand, it's sort of grey and bringing it back to your accommodation on the bottom of your sandals is not the best idea. This place is popular, we were there midweek and by 10 am the beach was full of people laying under rented beach umbrellas, kids on boogie boards and more kids building sandcastles. If you can catch a glimpse of blue sky here then you're in luck, the sun came out for only 3 hours that day. I'm told that this is due to the cool, moist air descending from the Andes and resting at the ocean as a great stretch of fog.
On the second day of our stay at Punta Hermosa I took a surfing lesson. Lessons are one on one and are offered at the beach on a just rock up basis for only $20 for 2 hours. My lesson started with a warm up jog, balance and stretching session with Carlos the personal trainer. Then I was passed the great long orange beginner's board, which I was told was the lucky board, and headed out across the water with Freddy their number one surf coach

Playa Major, Punta Hemosa

. My first attempt at catching a wave was almost a success, stood up but not out far enough in front of the wave to get a decent ride. The second go I was up for a good 10 second ride which took me as far in as the swimmers near the shore break. Remembering what I'd been told 'cuidado, no choce con la gente' I jumped off but a little late and clipping some boy in the head with the great foam board... 'mi melon' he said... he was fine though. Just as I was manoeuvring the board around another young boy from the surf school swam up, helped me back on the board and sent me on my way out the back with a push... Freddy was impressed 'bien Australia!!' I managed about 8 good rides and was totally exhausted by the end of the 2 hours. A basic level of Spanish would help when taking one of these lessons though I think that you'd soon work out what they were saying if didn't speak any.
That night I ordered Anticuchos again, though this time it wasn't cooked so well and was a bit tough. My friend ordered Chicharrón which was another meat dish and was not too bad, but she also ordered this strange looking white stuff that looked and tasted like a bunch of elastic bands called 'rachi'. I latter discovered that this was the inside lining of the cow's stomach (and like most westerners attempting to be culturally diverse by downing food which in reality they'd rather leave on the plate, I ended up with a crook stomach, though not too bad). Also that night it rained, though for only a couple of minutes which is very rare in this region.

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Hairless Peruvian Dog	Punta Hermosa Surf School	Surfers Punta Hermosa1	Surfers Punta Hermosa2

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