A 600km drive to Huanchaco

I had set the alarm for 5am so that we could get the tent down and packed away ready for 5.45am breakfast and 6.30am departure.  I needn't have worried!  Our neighbour, Theresa, was up and about at 3.40am!  I was wide awake then!  I laid there for a while longer, but we were both up at 4.20am.

Breakfast was fried eggs, bread, cereal, fruit, and coffee.  It got light just as we were leaving, and our hosts came out to wave us off.  We knew we had a very long driving day ahead of us, but we were remaining at sea level (no mountains to climb), and Ritchie told us the roads were generally good all along our route.

Shortly after setting off, we were stopped at a routine police checkpoint.  We had been warned that we might be asked for our passports.  As Ritchie presented the paperwork for the truck, it was a nervous moment.  We could clearly see a Dragoman truck impounded by the authorities at the same checkpoint a few years ago!  Fortunately, on this occasion, they let us through!

Back on our way, most of the group, including Mark, were soon asleep.  I suffer from chronic FOMO, so I can never sleep on the truck!  We did briefly climb some hills before descending again and driving through acres of lush green paddy fields.  Later in the morning, we drove through mile after mile of desert-like scenery.Read more