Well after yet another bus ride (this time 11 hours) we have made our way from the sand city of Ica to Arequipa. First impressions of the last few days-desert..f***ing hot, sand, and oasis, I never thought Peru had this and what do you do in the desert apart from scoarching in the heat...sandboarding at Huacachina (8km from Ica). Shaz and Rowan you will be happy to note that I gave it a try, not too succesfully as there are no chairlifts so it is a matter of walking up the bloody hill. For my first attempt I burnt my feet and fell staright into my face. After that I learnt the only way to get any speed was to place the board straight down the hill and go for it. And where was Bronwyn when this was going on...sipping "Agua" (water) overlooking the locals swiming in the oasis and not even cheering on her "stud muffin". Previous to arriving Ica we checked out the only National Park along the coast of Peru - Parracas. This Park is a major tourist attraction due to the huge amount of bird life (mostly migratory birds) it holds on it islands. The reason why the birds come here is for the huge amount of food due to the mixing of warmer waters in the north and colder waters in the south. After arriving on a speedboat we circled the various islands viewing pengiuns, boobies, inc turns, gulls, pink flamingos. It was reminicent of Antarica however no ice just sand. Wish you were here....Aidan & Bron xx