SURF ADVENTURE: Peru part 2

 

              After all the supplies were loaded in the back of the truck and the trailer was packed with building supplies, cans of gas, drinking water and whatever else did not fit in the truck bed we headed off for the first part of our expedition to Punta Tur.

              Due to the fact that my Spanish is only O.K., I was never sure what was going to happen next. I got more and more comfortable in the unknown and just relaxing into the moment. From what I had understood we would be sleeping on the beach out in the elements and only have snacks to eat due to having nothing to cook food on.  I also thought we would be driving through the desert for several hours to end up on some secluded beach in the middle of nowhere. After stopping in one of the neighboring towns and picking up a few more passengers, one in the cab with us and two in the back, we headed down to the beach.

              In fact we drove right down on to the sand and after weaving between the crowds of people and squeezing between the pilings of the pier we opened it up and drove right along the waters edge at about 60 mph (or however many kilometers that is) racing the tide, for this area is only accessible by driving along the beach and you sure as hell better know your tides well or you will end up like some of the abandoned cars we saw along the way that were half buried in the surf and sand.

              Well this was such a thrill, I love driving in the sand along the beach, but the better surprise was that one of the guys we picked up, nick named Cucharo, which means spoon, ended up being the chef. Wow, hear I thought we would be living on snacks and come to find out we have our own personal chef!

              Squeezed between two guys in the back seat with nothing to hold on to while bouncing down the beach was quite a challenge but the drive was so amazing I soon relaxed and just took in the sights. With the ocean on one side and desolate desert as far as you can see on the other, this is like straight out of the movies. Lots of dead sea wolfs (Sea lions) and dolphins at different stages of decomposition are strewn across the beach along with bones in the sand everywhere. Apparently the fisherman out in the sea harpoon or shoot them because they eat the fish out of their nets then the swim or wash to shore and die. This is very sad and I ask the guys what can be done to prevent this from happening anymore. They said there are laws and regulations but the problem is enforcing them. We see several shipwrecks, some in the water at the shores edge and some up on the beach half buried in the sand. People live right on the beach in little hovels they have constructed out of the natural materials they have found along the shore. Where so they get fresh water? They are in the middle of nowhere?

              There are fisherman that some how have driven these big open trucks filled with people up the beach or from somewhere so far away through a desert road to the coast. Some of the fishermen are on their way home but many are still on the beach or in the water. At times there would be whole families or villages, pulling in their nets, having to quickly scramble out of the way as we barreled down the beach honking warning any innocent bystanders that may be hidden from view behind one of the trucks and not see us coming. This is all in a friendly matter with everyone waving hello to each other. This is the Peruvian way.

              We stopped and the chef and boys bought some bait and fish from some of the locals pulling in their nets so that we would have dinner that night since we would not arrive until after dark. Of course I knew none of this at the time. I was more interested in the Whale vertebrate up the beach that was bigger that a Volkswagen Bug! When they called me back to the truck to get going they introduced me to the local fisherman as a world champion surfer. This brought smiles to their faces. We posed for a photo and what brought a smile to my face was that I was taller than most of them! Being only a little over 5’ tall this is not common for me.             

              We hurried back into the truck and started racing up the beach for not only are we racing the tide the sun is just about down too. At one point the there was a ship that looked like it sailed itself right up to the shoreline and parked. Most of the native men were clothed in only little loin clothes like many of the other ones we saw driving up the beach but then there were some with nothing on at all. The guys stopped the truck and jumped out. I thought they were going to help these guys get the boat back into the water but instead they start yelling at them. This only lasted a moment then they got back in the truck and raced off. They seemed mad and I was confused so I asked them what was up. They said these guys were pirates and fishing with illegal nets raping the ocean of fish. I wonder if all the big machetes the pirates were yielding had anything to so with them getting back in the truck so fast?

              The tide is getting higher and the sun is getting lower. We can see islands in the distance hiding in the haze along the horizon as the pink, gold and orange hues of the sunset reflect the last light of the day off the low hanging clouds.               Suddenly the beach narrows and there is no more sand left to drive on, for the waves are splashing right up on to the rock cliffs. We stop, throw the truck into 4-wheel drive, reverse to get a little more speed built up and then rush forward and fly over the sand berm and rocks into the dunes until we find two small tire tracks hopefully leading us to the right road, if you can call it that. We are now heading inland into the desert with very little light left and barely a path to follow. Just before dark and after bouncing through the winding desert road we head back towards the coast to a view of a beautiful bay with a left hand point that breaks easily a half mile long. I am stoked and think this is our destination but they tell me this wave although very good, is much better for long boarding. Looks great to me. After passing the bay in the last of the light we head back inland. It is quite ominous heading into a darkening desert as we pass ten crosses on a hill overlooking the beach. There were five large crosses and five small. What is the story? What has happen to these people? Are the small ones representing children? Makes you kind of wonder especially after seen miles of beach with bones scattered everywhere and dead animals? I am told that we have another forty-five kilometers to go. I really do not have a concept of how long this is but I do know at 10 mph or less this will be at least another hour or so.

              After stopping several times and readjusting the trailer to make sure it stays on the hitch we finally arrive at our destination, Punta Tur.

              It is about eight or nine o’clock at night and there is what looks like just a few shanty like structures, more of wind blocks, made with grass mats. Greeted happily by Sol, the camp dog, and Pedro the current care taker, who looks to be in about his mid to late 60’s, we make quick introductions and start unpacking. Well I didn’t because I didn’t know where to put anything. Anxious to stretch and move around a bit, remember I was crammed in the back seat for the last several hours, I walk instantly over to the top of a little sand dune to get a view of the ocean and even though it is dark I can see the outline of the waves and the effervescent glow of the white water exploding in magical green and blue glowing bliss! Wow! Look at this surf! Even at night you can see what a perfect set up for surfing this is. The waves have to be hollow and they look so fast! This is a goofy footers dream for it is a perfect left hand point. Now I see why they said the other place was a longboarding spot, it looked mushy and slow compared to this place! This is an expert only, grinding, fast hollow-barrels type of break!

              The next surprise is that there is a trailer with two sets of bunks for us to sleep in! This is a good thing because it is very windy out here and the sand is blowing off the tops of the dunes at about 2 feet high. I see Pedro and Jose, one of the men who came with us, walk down towards the ocean with a couple of big white buckets so I follow them to see what they are up to. They set the buckets down next to the rocks and start cleaning fish. One is expertly scaling the fish while the other is just as efficiently gutting them. I held a flashlight for them to make it easier and watched in amazement at how easy they made this look but know it has taken years of experience.

              By now the boys have set up the generator and lights so that they would have power to review all the videos and photos taken that day, to charge the batteries and down load the images. Although this was a necessity, I really preferred it dark because the stars were so brilliant.

              The next great gift was the fisherman served us up huge portions of delicious ceviche Peruvian style! I thought this was dinner but then they served up a plate of fried fish and yucca! I was so full but then they brought out this rice pudding like dessert and hot tea that was irresistible!

              After dinner we were watching more videos that Miguel shot that day when I noticed it was 11:08. I excused myself and quickly walked out into the dark desert far away from the glaring lights. It was a moonless sky being that it was a new moon and the stars were extra bright. The date today is 11-11-2009 (11) and I wanted to be out looking at the stars at 11:11:11. When I felt the time was close, I laid down in the sand next to a big pile of bones (Hard not to when they are everywhere). Just as I looked up into the sky I saw a huge shooting star! This is such a magical trip and this is only the beginning. I take the star as a sign that this excursion is blessed and going to progressively keep getting better and better. Which was proven to me in the upcoming weeks.

              The energy out in this desert is super special and not like anywhere I have ever been. It has a beauty all of its own that makes you feel alive. With the night sky shinning so brightly, the glow of the waves on a perfect point, the pair of foxes that were seen running off into the distance, a full belly of fresh fish and the anticipation of a good surf session in the morning I am a very happy woman and am grateful for my good fortune!