January 17 - The Archeological Sites

Overcast, but warm and humid, Singapore Julianna and I plan a full day tour of the local archeological sites. Trujillo is situated among the ruins of several ancient pre-Inka and pre-colonial civilizations and is rich with the many architectural treasures left by the Moche and Chimu people. For the unbelievable price of 30 soles ($10) each, we board a tour bus in the Plaza de Armas. In the morning, we visit the Huaca de Arco Iris (Rainbow Temple), Huaca de la Luna (Temple of the Moon) and the Huaca del Sol (Temple of the Sun), the Moche civilization sites from about 100-800 A.D. After a lunch break, we visit the vast Chan Chan site and view the remains of the once-thriving Chimu civilization, alive until the Inka conquest around 1100 A.D. 

The day ends at Huanchaco Beach where, coincidentally, we meet our roommates Sarah and Julianna, who convince us to abandon the tour bus and join them for a beer as the sun sets on the horizon and the fishermen hawk their catch along the promenade. It didn't take much cajoling.