17 to 26 March 2016

Having completed the mandatory cultural tour of Peru, Lena and I went to the surfer town Mancora in the North of Peru. We got there by taking two flights and one coach: Cusco to Lima, Lima to Chiclayo, Chiclayo to Mancora. I have never missed a flight in my life, so I was very disappointed when Lena and I missed our connection in Lima. In our defence though, it was not our fault because, a) the first leg was delayed and b) we booked the trip through a dodgy website and it was impossible to make the connection anyway (there was no transfer within Lima airport and instead we had to instead go through departure and re-enter via arrivals). It was a bit upsetting, but at least the flight company booked us onto another flight the following day without extra cost.

We found quite a nice guesthouse in the Miraflores neighbourhood in Lima centre, not the main tourist area, but more affordable and close to the Huaca Pucllana ruins, a pre-Incan pyramid. We got a chance to visit them the next morning before our flight and after a nice breakfast in the guesthouse. It was hot even at the relatively early hour in the day and there was no shade. We walked around the pyramids learning some facts from the info tablets. Apparently, the site was a ceremonial and administrative centre of the Lima Culture, which dominated the area around 200 AD to 700 AD and was governed by elite clergyman.

Later that day, we made our flight and arrived safely in Chiclayo, the capital city of northwest Peru’s Lambayeque region. We were welcomed by large crowds at arrival cheering at us, which turned out were really there to greet a politician that arrived at the same time. It was election time in Peru, just a month before the population got to vote for their next president, the main candidates being Pedro Pablo Kuczynski and Keiko Fujimori, daughter of controversial ex-president Alberto Fujimori. In the end, Kuczynski won with 51% of the vote, but did not last very long and resigned in 2018.

We spent the few hours we had before our coach to Mancora departed walking through the city and having dinner. I think the journey was overnight, but I don’t remember much of it.

I do remember though that our hotel in Mancora Kimbas Bungalows was a little paradise, with lots of green vegetation and a little pool with deckchairs next to it. The yummy breakfast was served in the palapa next to it. We felt so comfortable that we decided to stay there for the whole week. Initially we had just booked four days.

Our days were spent at the pool and the beach. I had this idea of learning how to surf and dedicating the week in Mancora to it. However, I realised after a few lessons that I would never get to a level where I would enjoy it within a week. I think that to properly learn it you need to live close to a surf beach or at least spend a few holidays at one, unless of course you are a very talented. Something I did not see myself doing and being. So I happily gave up and instead chilled at the beach without a worry in the world, but with lots of fresh ceviche, coconut water, a good book and the occasional swim. And of course checking out the surfers…

In the evenings, we watched the glorious sunset over the sea with a cool beer before heading to dinner in one of the little restaurants serving more delicious Peruvian food (and also Sushi and Pizza). We went to bed early and rose early to go for a run before the sun became too hot. The locals told us it was dangerous to run too far out at the beach, so we made sure to go no further than the last houses.

The only time we left Mancora during the entire week was to take a collective taxi to a neighbouring prettier beach at Punta Sal. We hired some beach chairs, enjoyed fresh juices and a lovely lunch.

Another highlight that week was a call from Deloitte in London, whilst I was having my tropical breakfast in my tropical surrounding, offering me a position as senior manager. I was so happy. It had worked out so well.  To go travelling and return with a promotion to a job I really like (and that pays off the debts from my travels). It was heaven.

After a relaxed week, Lena and I took the overnight coach back to Lima. It was a comfortable journey apart from being woken up at 5.30am to the unbearable Andean flute versions of Celine Dion and Brian Adams’ classics.

Back in Lima, we checked back into the Miraflores guesthouse for our last two days together. We wanted to visit the city centre, buy some artesanias and go for a nice meal. People had told us that Lima was not worth vising, but Lena and I quite liked it. It has a very nice promenade at the cliffs overlooking the sea, where we watched another wonderful sunset. Plus the ice cream was fantastic, almost as nice as the one in La Paz, Bolivia. The grand finale however was the tasting menu we enjoyed at IK, one of the fine dining restaurants in Lima, kindly sponsored by dad (thank you!). You can see from the pictures that Lena and I dressed up for the occasion as much as we could with our limited wardrobe. You can also see the various dishes that were designed to take you through a journey of Peru, its history and culture. At the end, the Inca spirit appeared again to bid us farewell.

Lenchen, Schwesterherz, I am so grateful that you came to visit me in Peru and spend two wonderful weeks together in this special time for you. Love you always.