Leaving Ica
It was slow leaving Ica. Built up for quite a distance and just a single track road with many trucks. An accident held us up too. Once out into the countryside, the scenery became boring. Very flat desert. It looks as if it has never rained. It is just so dry. The rivers we cross no longer flow, there may be the odd puddle or two.
Eventually the scenery improved with rugged mountains. We descended into a valley with greenery. It seemed to be mainly grape vines. Climbing up the other side of the valley was very slow. It was a long climb and we were in a procession of trucks.
We stopped for lunch beside a strange edifice with a statue of a large prawn and a soldier on a horse. There were a number of placards regarding a battle and the history of the place. However, neither of our two guide books mentioned it.
Nasca
Carrying on we came to a viewing platform overlooking the Nasca Lines. After buying tickets, we climbed to the top, there are drawings on both sides of the road. However, they are apparently a tiny part of the overall display.
Driving towards the town of Nasca, we turned off to the Nasca Lodge, our camping place for the night. I had booked us there earlier in the morning. I was warned that it would be busy with locals on a Sunday and that there would be loud music playing around the swimming pool/bar area. I was advised it would finish between 7 and 8pm, when all the locals go home, though.
Nasca Lodge is expensive for camping. We’re camped under ‘runner bean’ trees. I think they are flamboyants? We’re paying for all the facilities, pool, bar, restaurant. It was a warm afternoon so we thought a swim would be a good idea. We finished up playing ball in the pool with two young sisters, then sat in the sun to dry off.
Our camp for tonight.
We returned to Poki and by about 6.30 most of the locals had gone home. The music stopped soon after, which was a relief. After dinner we decided to book a flight for tomorrow morning. A bit extravagant but we won’t have another opportunity. We should be picked up from here at 11 tomorrow morning. I’m not sure what sort of plane it will be. Something small like a Cessna, I suspect. We will advise tomorrow.
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