We drove out of Lima through pretty dire squalid suburbs. Even though the centre of the city has some pretty buildings the memory I will take away of Lima is one of squalor and poverty.
An easy drive to Pisco which was dismal, then on to lunch in the Paracas Hotel. The food was very good and we ate with Colin, the Robinsons, Tessa and Fiona who had just arrived. Greg didn't turn up. We were tempted to stay there instead of Las Dunas.
We then drove around Paracas Nature Reserve (lots of sand) and saw dolphins and the Cathedral Rock Formation.
We then drove on to Ica to return to the hotel we stayed in on the way to Lima. Our room was better this time - upstairs and with a balcony.
Tim and I drove into Ica to go to the ATM and get diesel. Colin stayed behind. When we were in the petrol station, Tim filled up with diesel and I went into the shop to see if they had a copy of the newspaper featuring our handing over of the cheque in Lima. They didn't and I came straight back to the car after about 2 or 3 minutes. During that time, 2 bags were stolen from behind our driver's seat, but we didn't realise until we had driven away. It was all our first aid and our bag of maps and travel guides. Thank goodness it wasn't Colin's camera or medication. We were very cross about it, as we are usually very vigilant. We met Guillermo at the hotel. He is a local and connected with La Sendita and Anita Goulden. He suggested we put out an appeal with a reward on local radio, but it was no use. He gave Colin and us a bottle of Pisco, which he manufactures. We had a late dinner - very good. It was Ed Hammond's birthday and we gave him a rock from Paracas.
Our driving distance was 233 miles
