Hola Amigos,
Not well. Picked up a stomach bug yesterday and was quite unwell for the day. Seems that 4 or 5 of us all came down with something but it doesnt seem to be related. Didnt eat for most of the day and started feeling better late afternoon. Unfortunately before that was a 4hr bus ride and 2hr boat ride out to ballesteros islands, the mini galapagos...not, which had a large population of grey footed boobies and a few fur seals. The islands were pretty enough rising dramatically out of the ocean, 27km out from the port, and capped with an icing of guana (bird poo). Stinky. In some places it is reportedly 50m deep. Probably the largest number of birds we have ever seen in one place but Vanessa and I werent overly impressed. Think we will have to go back to the Galapagos islands before leaving South America. Oh. There was a symbol on the hill supposedly made by the tribe that made the nazca lines but we think that is probably bull.
Staying in the desert near ica at Huacachina. Massively high sanddune surrounding a green oasis. Green water that is. Still it is quite a sight. The sand dunes are at least 100m tall in places. We climbed the steep dune behind the campsite as a start of our training for the inca trail and enjoyed the sunset while the others in the group enjoyed drinks below by the swiming pool or rowing in the oasis.
Most of the new group havent added much to the intellectual content of the group. Guess we miss the intellectual input of the independent traveller and are looking forward to getting back in full control of our travel. Climbed one on the other side of the oasis today while the others were off on a dune buggy ride and sandboarding.
Went pisco tasting. 7 plus driver in the taxi. Region is known for its pisco. Got the tour and some tasting ranging from nice pisco sour to firewater which was greater than 50 percent so calliente (hot). Purchased a few bottles.
There is a parrot in the campsite that continuously bleats like a sheep and a rooster nearby that may not live much longer. 4am is not sunrise.
PS Vanessa didnt get sick as usual. Both of us are robust enough to not eat for a few days (weeks).
Adios,
David and Vanessa
