The next morning, we left the city of Arequipa for the long drive northwest to the town of Nazca. As we left the city center and the northern suburbs, the landscape changed quickly—to small farms and ranches, to high desert.
Horse ranch and farm not far north of ArequipaAs we went further and further from the city, the scenery became more arid.Despite my long familiarity with Argentinian and Chilean wines, I was unaware of the extent of Peruvian wines—both reds and whites. Some of them were truly excellent.An agricultural oasis along a river flowing amid dry hills.It became increasingly desolate—except where water flowed from the distant mountains.
Along the route, we passed through the northern reaches of the famously dry Atacama Desert.
Finally, the highway emerged onto the Pacific coast somewhere near Playa Puyenca.
As the drive began to drag on, our lunch stop finally came into view.
The seaside town of ChalaOur lunch stop at the beachfront Hotel Turistas de Chala A variety of fresh seafood—breaded fried fish served over steak fries, shrimp over rice, and ceviche with a salad garnish
And, finally, Nazca—and our beautiful little hotel for the night.
A Finis Terrae 