Wild Rover Hostel Huacachina, Ica, Peru
Okay! Booya! Check it off the list...on the way to Huacachina, Peru baby! OMG!
Found amongst the rolling sand dunes of Peru is the little settlement of Huacachina, which is centred around an oasis and towering palm trees. An honest-to-goodness oasis in the middle of the desert. Can’t believe we are doing this! (...insert fist pump here)!
Back in the 1960s, it was thought that bathing in the water had healing powers, and it became a very popular destination with rich Peruvians, with houses and hotels springing up all around it.
As legend has it, a young maiden named Huacay China fell in love with a warrior and on hearing of his death, started to weep. She went to their place of meeting and while looking in the mirror, saw her lover. She was terrified and started to run, but dropped the mirror. The mirror then took the form of this lagoon, and Huacay dived in and became a mermaid.
While our guide shared with us this wee bit of Huacachina’s historical folklore, I didn’t think twice about it as I threw my shoes off and around my shoulder and hiked along the edge of the sand dune and upward, slowly upward to its summit.
To call theses towering mounds, “dunes” is the understatement of the century. These things are massive, rising to meet the sky 360 degrees around the entire town.
Like two little inchworms, we made our way to the summit, one little step at a time. Paul of course, dodged on past me, enjoying the challenge of hiking in sand, calling it a great workout.
Pfth!
Me? Not so much. Never mind that hiking in sand is like going two steps forward and one step back but hiking the bitter edge of a dune, which drops off dramatically on either side of you is challenging to say the least. Paul is blessed with great spatial awareness and can stop and look about. I however, do not possess the equilibrium for this. On the edge of a cliff I can only look at my feet or I will topple over. There is something about height and depth perception that throws my balance off completely. It wasn’t until I inched my way to the summit that I could enjoy the spectacular scenery stretching out before me.
After some 45 minutes, naked feet and sweaty brow, I reached the tippy top of the sandy hills surrounding the lagoon. I collapsed in a heap, refusing to talk to Paul until I regained my composure. It wasn’t pretty and already I’m wondering how I will ever manage the Machu Picchu Trail. FFS!
Employing the powers of yoga breathing, I managed to pull myself together and enjoy the site of these enormous sand dunes, rolling and peaking as far as the eye could see, until sand met the horizon.
After 20 minutes of silence, me still catching my breath, Paul commenting on the engines of the dune buggies buzzing around everywhere on the horizon, we started our descent as the sun set in the distance. With darkness quickly filling the sky we headed back to the base with a stride that was more foot sliding than walking. Nearly 7 pm we headed toward “home”.
With due warnings, multiple times, by guides, fellow passengers and our trusty lonely planet, we checked into Wild Rover HOSTEL.
Let me explain...the mid range hotels were booked up. The Peruhop average age is 30 which means it’s a 20 something bus with a few geezers like us to bring up the average. The meeting place for all local activities is at this hostel so we said ‘frig it’ and booked.
Upon checkin, a lovely 20-something once again warned us of being a “loud” accommodation and offered us EARPLUGS! We also met a familiar set of Canadian faces, checking out as we checked in. They quietly said “...they played music until 2am.
.”
Secretly, Paul and I howled! Not sure if we are up to it, but this place is certainly worth entertaining.
The 20/30 + club rolled out as darkness set in. Paul and I sat squirrelled away in the corner, sipping a few cold ones, catching up on the news at home as the young ones began gyrating to 80’s and 90’s music...”Vintage” we were informed!
One darling soul invited us to play ‘Beer Pong’, a loosely flavoured rendition of ‘caps’. Dear Jesus, they didn’t know what hit them. They thought they were being kind inviting ‘Nanny and Poppy’ to the table and we...well, we slaughtered them! We didn’t mean to, it just happened! Fist pump to the old folks!
There’s people dancing on the bar now and I’m thinking of joining them. Best we leave things here. đŸ˜‚
Jill
2019-09-23
Poor youngsters didn’t know that they were dealing with seasoned Newfie drinkers...lol. Love it. Enjoy!
Holly
2019-09-23
Aunt Theresa and UncleJohn
2019-09-23
WOW and LOL! Love reading about your travels, Dina and Paul! Absolutely amazing! I can see the excitement and total enjoyment in your faces. LOVE IT! Looking forward to reading about your next adventure. Enjoy and travel safely.
Pam Seath
2019-09-23
Go girl.
Lee Anne
2019-09-23
What an adventure, "old timers". Haha
Linda
2019-09-23
I can only imagine lol,love your pictures old timer,glad your having the time of you life.
TJH
2019-09-24
Hello I have been reading your latest blog ,and looking at your pitchers.Its nice to know you and Paul are enjoying yourselves....TJH.
Jenny
2019-09-24
Yeah, don't mess with Newfies. All sounds wonderful.
Stephanie
2019-09-27
Love it!!! They must have been quite shocked to see "old folks" kicking their butts!!! So awesome! Your pictures are incredible! Keep 'em coming! Xo
Susan
2019-09-28
Love the beer pong story! And the pics are amazing.