Peru Day 3 - Oasis Huacachina

On our way to Huacachina

It was still dark when Tina and I checked out of our hotel in Miraflores. We had to wake up the receptionist to call a taxi to take us to the Cruz del Zur bus station. The ride took us about 15 minutes and $5. I booked our bus reservation online via Go2Peru Travel leaving at 7:00 AM arriving at Ica around noon. From Ica we were going to take a taxi to Huacachina. The process is pretty smooth and the terminal is pretty decent. If I may say, it is nice and clean. As I checked-in in at the desk counter, Tina went out looking for coffee. She came back with a small paper cup with black coffee from a street vendor which she thought overcharged her. 

Meanwhile, I was taking some videos and photos as I tried to document our travel. We are both amateurish in filming but I say Tina is ready to jump in doing commentary. I don't really care if we are doing it right. I just want to document our travel adventure in Peru. I am feeling very excited about it. There is no feeling of fear in my surroundings. We are still careful and always scanning for any suspicious person around us but in general, I am getting a good vibe from this country. The transportation system is very organized. As we lined up to the bus, our bags went through the security scanner and they took pictures of each of us.

We were told that the bus is equipped with security detection that if it stopped longer than it should or gets diverted from the route, it will activate the alarm system. The trip is about five hours. There is a bus steward that gives out coffee, a bottle of water, and a snack. It is a double-decker and we are in the top compartment seated on the right-hand side so we had a full view of the Pacific ocean.

Lima City is overcast. I heard it is always overcast, but as we drove away from the city, the sky becomes clearer and brighter. As we left the city, the poor side of Peru became apparent. None of the rich city life that we just left behind is present. I see small buildings or houses, mostly square with the unfinished rooftop. I wonder why is that. Did they build it that way with the intention of building another floor on top? I never found out. I heard that those dilapidated houses are abandoned. Most of the people who used to live there moved to the city trying to survive with any kind of job.

Oasis Huacachina

Our second destination is Huacachina, a tiny village just west of the city of Ica. Huacachina is built around a small oasis surrounded by sand dunes and it's 406 m above sea level. We are gaining 252 m elevation from Lima (154 m). I strategically built our itinerary to stop at different cities to gain elevation gradually before Cusco which is 3,399 m. I take altitude sickness seriously since we live at 76 m asl and are not used to this high altitude.

From the Ica bus station, we took a taxi to Huacachina. It is only about a 10-15 minutes drive on a congested road. I didn't even feel that we traveled in a deserted place. It is pretty much connected to the busy town of Ica. We stayed in Banana Adventures Hostel in one of the private rooms. This place is a party place and a hub for backpackers. Our room was not ready when we arrived so we had lunch at the bar and had our Pisco Sour while waiting.

We were signed up for the buggy ride and sandboarding at 3 pm. so I was so excited. Somehow I pictured this place to be deserted being in the desert, but the place is full of people, some were sitting at the bar, some in the hammocks and by the tiny pool. There are constructions around the hotel and too many buggy rides. Nevertheless, it was exciting and alive. The buggy ride is loud and we go up and down the dunes. By the time we went back to the hotel, it was dusk. After the buffet dinner, we signed up for a massage with one of the service people who does massage on the side, however, we were so tired and already asleep when he came and knocked at our room so I turned him down. We slept soundly that night.
   

Huacachina Sand Dunes

Banana Adventure pool

Banana Adventure 

Banana Adventure