26 August 2002 - PERU Well, we crossed the Equador border, which is spread out over 8km. We got to the Peruvian end and Belindas passport hadnt been stamped out of Equador. So, back 8km of which 1km was markets and huge traffic jams. We finally got the stamp and 3 hours later we were on our way. We had heard that the beaches in Northern Peru were good, so we stopped off at Punta Sal Beach, north of Mancora. One hotel was advertising every 5km for the past 20km, so we checked it out. It was absolutely stunning , right on the beach front and run by a lovely young couple. One look at it and we thought it was way over our budget. We negotiated a price down into our budget range and checked out how the rich live. We moved into our gorgeous beachfront apartment, which even had feather pillows and great mattresses. We had the best sleeps of our lives with the rythmic lull of the waves sending us into slumberland!! The pool overlooked the beach and we swam in this ideal setting every morning, walked along the beach, partied with the really friendly owners and guests and had the time of our lives. Every morning we would say to the owners "Una mos noche!!" and they would laugh. Five blissful days later we resumed our journey. The place is called Hotel Caballito de Mar Beach Resort and its one of the best places we have stayed in our lives. Its website is www.hotelcaballito.com.pe We are now in Puira, heading quickly towards Lima, with a stop in Trijillio to see our friends there. The countryside is extremely dry- similar to Kenya in Africa, the people very poor & the houses very basic. Many roads and bridges were washed out a few years ago from the effects of El Niño and have been replaced, with the damaged roads and bridges still in view.