Mancora, Peru

Second real beach time...done! Hardest thing: Having to decide between shrimp pasta and a teriyaki tuna salad!

So...
Left Ecuador on the 9th March (wow...I cant believe that time has flown so quickly!!!) by way of a fair few horrendous, long bus journeys. Crossed the Ecuadorian-Peruvian border by land, which was fairly easy, though when you have to jump out on either side to get your passport stamped, you are savagely attacked by swarms of mosquitos!!

Travelled about 5 hours South from the border to a beach town called Mancora. Was fantastic to set up camp and chill, chill and chill just a little bit more by the sea!!

Stayed in a fantastic hostal called El Pirata, where we were the only ones and the owner was a narcotics dealer who was fairly well armed...interesting!! But we made ourselves at home, were able to have full use of the kitchen...not that we actually used it to cook in, but rather to play music, drink and dance around!!

Mancora is said to be one of Peru´s best surfing spots, (never actually got round to putting that theory to the test for myself) but was fairly quiet at the best of times, (I think we went out of season) however, with the arrival of me and 3 other equally loud and hyperactive girls, we managed to liven up the place significantly...

Had to make a few fairly tricky decisions throughout the week: whether to lie in the hammocks or venture to the beach for a swim. Whether to eat immediately or wait for an hour. Whether to put on factor 25 sunscreen or factor 35.....need i say more!! So it was certainly a testing time!

Had a brilliant time though, got to know a few of the local surfers and body boarders...though didnt take advantage of their offer of free surf lessons! Had some fantastically, fresh and tasty seafood...actually lots of fantastically fresh and tasty seafood. Hung out at a couple of bars, but one in particular where I was able to smoke shisha until my heart (and lungs) were content!!

Highlights:
Having a wonderful dinner, then heading to Iguanas for a couple of drinks (of the banana smoothie variety) and shisha...started to feel fairly woozy and lightheaded...decided I needed some air, so got up and walked out into the street, got up a bit too quickly and before I knew it had blacked out for a few short moments. Had def been a combination of too much sun and not enough water...had people rush to my side, got bundled into a little tuk tuk taxi and within 5 mins felt right as rain again...the drama!!

Hitting the town on Saturday night and tearing up the dancefloor and generally wreaking havoc...Rebekah (my partner in crime) and I, were the last ones still standing by 5.30am...!! The next day as we walked through the town, we got heckled left, right and centre about when we were leaving town etc...did we overstay our welcome?!

Just generally making the most of the great weather, amazing beach and super comfy hammocks!!

Think i shall leave off there.....xxx