Well, that was an experience!
We´ve just endured a 9 hour bus trip which included 4 stops for various Immigration and Customs functions ' oh joy´´! Travelling down from Cuenca we went through acres and acres of banana plantations, plus some sugar cane. Landscape became much flatter as we moved towards the coast and away from the Andes - a very different side of Ecuador. We hopped off one bus and began the queueing process for Ecuadorian immigration - standing outside a building in the blazing heat while one official chatted to another casually - obviously no quota system happening here! Then into taxi´s and onto the bus depot for the next part of the journey to Mancora via Peru Customs and Immigration. At the immigration section a couple of our group got ripped off by guys saying that they had to refill they´re immigration forms properly - cost $15US. We can´t believe they fell for it!
Anyway, through the formalities and into Peru and the first thing that hit us was the rubbish - lining the Pan American highway all the way! A guy on our bus even chucked a couple of plastic containers out the window as we were travelling - no wonder there´s rubbish everywhere! Got to Mancora after several hours and it´s not bad. A little surf spot which has actually hosted some of the world surf championship series. It´s a bit like Bali 20 years ago! Hotel has a prime spot right on the beach opposite the break but could do itself a favour and lose the ants and cockroaches. Hired a board for 20 soles ($7) and a fun day surfing and swimming. Lovely temperature - around 25 degrees and balmly at night. Found a sensational tuna restaurant (El Tuno) with the freshest tuna steaks. Fabulous! Next stop Huanchaco - get yourself a beer if you pronounce it right! Buenos dias folks nic & Pam
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