Today we set our pretty early for a tour of the Balesta island in Paracas,which is famous for its birds and sealife. We were all squeezed onto a pretty tiny boat (though we did have lifejackets) and warned to wear something on our heads nearer the island as there are lots of birds,and birds like to do what birds like to do...so we bought hari a hat for $1(i had a hood) and set off. The island was packed with birds,and really smelt of their droppings (apparently the worlds best fertiliser!). We also saw loads of cute sealions,pelicans and penguins!lots of fun,and really good to see them in their natural environment. We learnt a lot too from our very amusing tour guide. After the boat trip we were taken by the sea to sample one of south peru's favourite dishes-cabiche. This is a dish made with seafood and a yummy sauce and was delicious. From here we were driven to a vineyard where they make most famously the national drink of pisco. We were shown around the vineyard and all the processes they go through to get from the grapes to what's sold in the bottles,and then we got to try some of the juices and jams they make from fruits they grow,and some of the varieties of pisco they make-yum! Next stop,Huacachina to go see the oasis and go SANDBOARDING!!! We were the only two in our group brave enough to give it a go and so were loaded into a little sandbuggy ready to drive over the dunes. The dunes were absolutely incredible-huge and expansive-and our buggy driver was a nutter!!We wnt charging up and down dunes at stupid speeds-very exciting,but terrifying,dropping down some near vertical dunes..our driver stopped a couple of times so we could take pictures,and to see another oasis,but also to go sandboarding. We couldn't believe it when we saw how steep the first slope was. Hari went flying down first time,and only fell when he breaked at the end.I took it more slowly,breaking most the way,but made it down...the second time we were more adventurous. Our second stop was even more ridiculously long and steep and this time we went down head first lying on our bellies. We went flying stupidly quickly down the slope and could have gone again and again all day-very exciting end to a very exciting day. We went from the dunes straight to Nazca,arriving early evening,and after a yummy meal went straight to bed. Lots of love xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx