Puerto Inca - Peru

Heading south from Nazca again through barren desert we reach Puerto Inca set in a beautiful bay. This area was only discovered in the 1950's and was misunderstood and neglected. Now it is recognised as an important archaeological site being the main Inca port that served Cuzco. It is in excellent condition and drying and storing houses can be seen as holes in the ground, there's a cemetery revealing human bones and ancient Inca steps along the craggy coast. The Inca road from the coast to Cuzco is clearly visible, was 240 km long and had a staging post every 7 km, with change of runner at every post, thereby fish for the Incas table and messages could be sent to Cuzco in 24 hrs.
It's a beautiful site and what's more the little hotel here has lovely rooms built into the side of the hill with verandas overlooking the bay. It's a no brainier Geoff and I upgrade for a few dollars and have some comfort. There's two beaches right next to each other split by a rocky outcrop, one a golden yellow and the other totally black. The pacific rolling in, seabirds diving for fish, the sun low over the hills Geoff and I go off exploring the Inca ruins. After a rummage around we head over the cliffs to he next bay. Amazing scenery greets us in the form of what looks like icebergs in the sea. It is infact rocky outcrops covered in white bird droppings. There are some very tall peaks which we thought could serve as Inca lookout points so we decided to climb them. A challenging climb we find some very old steps carved and built into the peak side. Scary stuff we make the top much to the disgust of the seabirds who come ever closer. Having completed this we decide to run, scramble and rock hop our way back to the main bay where we decided to swim in the rough seas. We arrive thoroughly warmed up so it's straight into the Pacific Ocean. My god it was cold, dived straight through a big wave and out to deeper water, Geoff following. We've gotten used to showering and swimming in cold waters wether in the sea, waterfalls, tap or otherwise but this was numbing and you could feel yourself starting to weaken so back to shore dodging massive waves and powerful currents as the tide pushed and pulled. Totally exhilarated it was back for a shower, a beer on the beach front, start a fire, sausage stew with mash,a few more beers, a chat and back to the room to watch a video we've been trying to finish for a couple of weeks. All set up we lasted about 3 minutes........snoring. Suppose well have to finish it another night.

Buenos noches mes amigos

Tony x

1-2. The beautiful bay where some of us camped.
3-8. Scenes of and around the Inca ruined port, some human remains are still there.
9-11. Coastal views, rocky outcrops covered in bird excrement.
12-17. Geoff and I climbing the outcrops
18. We got some close inspections, thought there may have been a nest but no joy
19. The amazing landscape around the bay.