Huacachina (Peru)
18 MAY - 19 MAY 2015
When I found out that there was a Saharan style oasis set amongst rolling dunes ride in the middle of Peru, well, nothing was going to hold me back from getting there. Just the idea of it conjured up images of South American sheiks tripping out on ayahuasca, getting into their arbo-latino-trip-hop mixes as they lay on the banks of lake Huacachina contemplating the existence of minature chihuaha's.
....So most of what I imagined didn't exist but hell, it didn't have to, it was still the appearance of the totally unexpected that made our visit a little surreal. I mean even though we knew about Huacachina before our arrival, the marvel of just jumping into a cab, in what seemed to be a typically South American town and then all of a sudden having vast sand dunes appear from virtually nowhere, giving way to a lush oasis, all seemed implausible. But of course there it was, 'Freakin Huacachina' as Inga and I termed it, presented itself like the fabled mirage, appearing on the periphery of our consciousness after a bit of a slog out of Nazca. Quite the show my friends, quite the show.
Apart from being a hub for well heeled Peruvians to delve into their inner Arab, Huacachina presents itself as somewhat of a hive for adrenaline related activities, specifically sand boarding, dune buggy bashing, sledging, partying, etc.
On our first full day there Inga & I had a great time blasting across the dunes in a pimped up buggy, boarding down the sand slopes and watching the sun drop out of sight. A hell of a lot of fun and somewhat of a 'fresh' experience. I say that because of the 'unexpected' element. Perhaps not so odd in that this part of the world formulates some of the driest regions on earth. Indeed, only 250kms north you have Lima which is the second driest capital city on earth after Cairo - aridity, lack of rain and sand should be understood to be common here. For some reason, in my head, the sand dunes didn't make sense, but geography should convince me otherwise.
Huacachine provides for a great experience all round. Well worth the stop and more than recommended if you are passing through the area. So don't miss it!
Huacachina - Peru
Huacachina - Peru
....So most of what I imagined didn't exist but hell, it didn't have to, it was still the appearance of the totally unexpected that made our visit a little surreal. I mean even though we knew about Huacachina before our arrival, the marvel of just jumping into a cab, in what seemed to be a typically South American town and then all of a sudden having vast sand dunes appear from virtually nowhere, giving way to a lush oasis, all seemed implausible. But of course there it was, 'Freakin Huacachina' as Inga and I termed it, presented itself like the fabled mirage, appearing on the periphery of our consciousness after a bit of a slog out of Nazca. Quite the show my friends, quite the show.
Dune bashing & Sandboarding - Huacachina - Peru
Dune bashing & Sand boarding - Huacachina - Peru
The coolest Latvian in Huacachina - oh yeah!!
Out on the dunes - getting into some dune bashing
Huacachina selfie
Apart from being a hub for well heeled Peruvians to delve into their inner Arab, Huacachina presents itself as somewhat of a hive for adrenaline related activities, specifically sand boarding, dune buggy bashing, sledging, partying, etc.
This is me trying to pull of some Kanye West moves - it looks moronic when he does it, and yeah, it looks moronic when I do it too!
That makes sense....
Rock 'n Roll sandboarding - Huaca-freakin'-China
Huacachina - Peru
Huacachina - Peru
Huacachina at night
On our first full day there Inga & I had a great time blasting across the dunes in a pimped up buggy, boarding down the sand slopes and watching the sun drop out of sight. A hell of a lot of fun and somewhat of a 'fresh' experience. I say that because of the 'unexpected' element. Perhaps not so odd in that this part of the world formulates some of the driest regions on earth. Indeed, only 250kms north you have Lima which is the second driest capital city on earth after Cairo - aridity, lack of rain and sand should be understood to be common here. For some reason, in my head, the sand dunes didn't make sense, but geography should convince me otherwise.
Huacachine provides for a great experience all round. Well worth the stop and more than recommended if you are passing through the area. So don't miss it!
