We arrived in Ica at around 8.30 am and got in a taxi to Huacachina, a teeny tiny town around a desert oasis. The town in itself is so cute and absolutely bizarre seeing huge towering sand dunes either side - literally in the middle of hills of sand! We checked in at our hostel, Bananas Adventure, and spent the morning relaxing outside. The hostel is so nice with a swimming pool, bar, hammocks and other outdoor seating areas with a view of the dunes.

Just before midday the sun came out and so we relocated to a spot in the sunshine, and sat reading our books and sunbathing for the rest of the afternoon. We went to explore the tiny town, the entity of which can be walked around in a matter of minutes. We got some lunch right by the oasis and had some Pisco Sours which were strong and tasty! With a handful of restaurants, bars and shops, Huacachina is a place usually visited for no more than a night or two at most, famous for the sand dunes and the activities that they offer.

The afternoon was SO much fun. We signed up to a two hour experience on the sand dunes - by dune buggies! I had no idea what it was going to be like as we climbed into the back row of these massive dune buggies, strapped ourselves in and went zooming off into the desert for what can only be described as a rollercoaster ride! We were absolutely flying around going up and down the hugggggeeee almost vertical dunes at high speed and I loved every second (If I am ever so lucky to do it again I will make sure I wear a bra!!).

The views from the dunes were stunning and it felt so bizarre suddenly being in the desert having been in big cities for so long, cities that could be seen from the peaks of the dunes. Another part of the experience was to attempt sand boarding - pretty much the same as snowboarding but on sand dunes in the heat of the desert! It was hilarious and one of the best afternoons I've had since I've been travelling. The first few I went down sat on the board (so basically sledging) and it was so much fun! It was funny watching people who had tried to go down standing falling and rolling all in the sand. The next few dunes we went down lying in our stomaches and oh my god I was slightly terrified before hand, but it was so exhilarating and I loved it! We went so fast down suchhhhh high and steep sand dunes it was ridiculous looking back up once you reached the bottom. On the final slope both Liv and I decided we had to try going down standing at least once, and to my surprise I made it the whole way down on my feet without falling! Victorious! We hopped back in the buggies for another rollercoaster ride back to Huacachina and saw the sun setting over the endless sand dunes which was beautiful. We also stopped to see Huacahina from above - just a tiny town centred around an oasis literally in there middle of infinite desert land; such a special place.

Back at the hostel we had some dinner and drank sangria whilst chatting to lovely people we had met that day. This was definitely going to be a day I remembered; I hadn't laughed like that in a long time.