Lunahuana in the Sun

We have done a lot of traveling on our own around Peru, so it is a nice change when people from the family can actually go with us. Since Rocio and Jhonny were on vacation, they wanted to go out. They opted for a day trip to Lunahuana. Since it was supposed to be pretty close with good roads, Wilfredo drove. 

Unfortunately, the roads ended up being awful and what was supposed to be a 2-2 1/2 hour long trip, became a 4 hour trip, but so it goes. We got stuck in morning traffic leaving Lima, then it was smooth sailing, until we hit the only road to Lunahuana that is currently getting paved. One thing that is interesting about the roads there is the billboards. They are HUGE! Some of them are full on cut out scenes too, not just rectangular boards. Otherwise, the drive down is pretty boring as it is just hills of dirt on either side of the road for MILES. 

Once we got into town, per usual, we were rushed by tour agencies. We got to talking to one woman about our possibilities and opted for rafting (canotaje) and a tour of the city to visit the bodegas and see the sites. 

Rafting was such a great time! At first, it seemed like the river was really low and wouldn't be too exciting, but I was wrong. I think it was actually pretty perfect for our group. We had Wilfredo, who had to buy a swimsuit because he didn't think to bring a change of clothes even though the plan was to go rafting. Then there is Jhonny who doesn't understand what it means "you will be soaked" and had to make so many trips back to the car to leave something else behind that wasn't waterproof or that he didn't want to lose. Finally, Rocio forgot to bring a change of clothes and also had to buy something to wear. I'm not sure any of them "know" how to swim either. Wilfredo can handle the water, but doesn't know any strokes per se. So, it ended up being good that the water level was lower, but still enough for some excitement. The water was so clear and fresh and it was sunny - beautiful day for rafting. 

Santa Maria

After the rafting, we went out to lunch. The same foods were popular in this region as in Ica. Everyone got "chupe de camarones" which is a soup with shrimp in it. Some had sopa seca and others carapulcra. I had fried trout. Hard to go wrong. The shrimp in this area were small with really long legs or something at the back end of it, not really sure and there was some weird black stuff inside that was either some sort of body excrement or sand, couldn't tell. They weren't my favorite. 

Then, we went on our tour of the city. We visited the Santa Maria Bodega first. We got to try some more Borgona and a Tinto. The white Borgona was just like drinking white Welch's grape juice. I still haven't found a favorite wine at the Bodegas we've visited. I liked the wine we tried from Tacama, but unfortunately, didn't make it to the winery. Shucks. 

Graffiti Art

Next, we visited La Casa Encantada, which I didn't realize, is some sort of haunted house. I didn't understand all of the story, but it seemed the occupants were murdered during the war with Chile and the spirits haunted the house. Maybe as a game or something, as is fairly common across cultures, it sounds like people used to go and hang out at this house and when spooked would flee the house. Unfortunately, this led to some deaths as people would run straight off the hill right onto the main road. Now, there is a wall to prevent that from happening. The place is covered with graffiti inside, but otherwise it is still in pretty good shape. A beautiful place for a house though, overlooking the river and the Lunahuana valley and out onto the hills. 

Pretty View..Unfortunate History

Last stop, Puente Colgante. I'm not sure why the hanging bridge is so popular, since 8 years ago they completely tore out the latest original structure and put in something more friendly for more traffic, but whatever. We walked across the famous bridge. On the other side, Rocio went horseback riding and I bought some honey made from bees that pollinate the avocado plant. It is good stuff. I especially like that the honey is sold in reused glass juice bottles. Very Peru. 

Puente Colgante

Due to tiredness and Jhonny complaining about needing to get back, we cut our trip short after that and headed back through the road work, big billboards, and traffic to Quilca. All in all, the trip was a success! Always good to hang out with the family doing new things. 

~nos vemos~