The fishing village of Huanchaco was just 15 minutes from the city of Trujillo, a major city and an important regional center for the Incas, then later the Spanish, and its ancient ruins, allowing us to take little excursions. Jon and I first visited the massive Chan Chan complex which is still being excavated. This is the ruined capital city of the Chimu Empire which ruled for centuries before the Incas conquered them. Interesting that the Incas only ruled for about 60 years before the Spanish came. Chan Chan is the largest pre-Columbian ruins in all of South America. There are 10 “palaces” in the city many little more than mud walls. We visited the Nik An temple complex with is the 9th oldest and an astounding 9 hectors. The largest was 20 hectors!
From top left: Me inside the complex, Jon and I in front of what was once their well and the kings burial site which was surround by the burial site of 20 young women.
Towards the end of the week Jon who is large and massive on the outside, has a delicate rose stomach and got “travelers” sickness again so I ventured off to the Huacas del Moche on my own. The Chimu Empire built their temples near the beach while the Mochica built theirs in a barren desert landscape. I visited the Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the moon) which was a sacrificial center that is still, thanks to the mounds of sand that covered it, colorfully frescoed. From here you can see the Huaca del Sol and in between the remains of a town still being excavated.
From top left: Desert site of the temple of the moon, beautiful frescoed walls, me in front of the walls and view of the ruined city that was being excavated and the temple of the sun in the background.
After the tour, the guide politely let me know the tour was continuing to a part I had not purchased so I could either sit in car until the end of the day then they would take me back to Huanchaco or take a cab back from Trujillo. One thing I had not mentioned is that bus/cab drives are pretty frightening. They drive at excessive speeds and pass on the left even if they are on a blind corner or don’t really have enough time. Just as my guide was telling me this the driver moved to the left to pass and ended up hitting the truck on the right trying to get back over. I opted to get out and move over to a cab.
Spotting a cab right away I happily jumped in. The man sped off and then I saw his hand reach into the back to lock the back door. Ok, was he being helpful so no one could rob me or trying to lock me in. Should I be nervous that we are in an area where he thought I might be robbed. Damn, why did Jon have such a delicate stomach. As I was pondering these questions I noticed that we were driving in speeds I did not think possible, swerving around cars buses and whatever else got in the way. As soon as I saw a familiar site I asked to be let out and walked the rest of the way.
Journey with Christina 