Mancora - Cheeky Beach Trip

After leaving the All Hands project, I was sorely (very sorely) in need of a break before I restarted my travels in earnest. What better way to relax that by hitting one of Peru's best beach resorts?

I arrived in town and quickly got disoriented, which was quite an achievement as there are only about 5 streets. I was going to go to what looked like a party hostel, but stumbled instead upon a sandy campground. I had acquired a crappy tent from someone at All Hands so I was ready to take advantage, and for $4 per night how could I not?

I think the town would be best described as Byron Bay without the hippies. It's warm day and night, with a thriving party scene and that delightful griminess that beach resorts inevitably have. The water was warm, and there was a nice point break to catch some waves on. Oddly these nice waves ran over the only rocky patch on the beach which was only waist deep below the surface at points, so you had to watch where you wiped out! 

Unfortunately the volunteer work had left me with strains in both wrists, so I couldn't surf for long. For most of the rest of the time I just vegged out, lying on the lovely sand in the warm afternoon, working on turning my pasty white belly a shade or two darker and catching up on some books. In the evening, lots of places opened up on the waterfront with grilled seafood, ceviche and other marine delights on offer. 

I didn't take any photos because I couldn't charge my phone from the tent, but rest assured it was very picturesque. I didn't experience any trouble, but I talked to a few people who had been robbed or seen nasty things happen to other tourists, so care is advised to any potential visitors. 

After this it's time to say Adios to Peru at last, onward to Ecuador!

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