A few weeks ago a four head strong WAVES team (Sonia – Enviro teacher, Junior – English teacher, Sylvain – WAVES Swiss and Pim – Vol Coordinator) set out at the crack of dawn to go pick up a great variety of native trees for the to-be native tree garden and to enhance the WAVES terrain next to the school. At the sound of ‘La Bestia’s’ horn, two sleepy heads popped out of the WAVES house and snuggled up for the long ride up North, but not before we picked Sonia up in Primavera.
After a quick breakfast in Punta Sal and a rather LONG detour (all the way to Tumbes and back Thanks to Sly’s racing, Pipe’s confusing directions and the Peruvian road authority for leaving both the new ‘and’ the old kilometer markers stand on the PanAm lol ). So after a longish but scenic drive along the far North of Peru we reached our destination (Plateritos/Punta Mero). Here we were welcomed warmly by the colleagues of Pipe (a befriended Peruvian Biologist) and after some brief introductions and explanations about the greenery we set sail in La Bestia into the private biological reserve.
The ride into the reserve was rocky, adventurous and sometimes scary (according to some), but la Bestia (freely translate as ‘the Beast’) wouldn’t be La Bestia if she didn’t eat up any kind of road that came her way. Ultimately she brought us to the border of the reserve, where we climbed a few hills and enjoyed the view while our guides Edwin and Ilich explained everything we wanted to know and more about the local environment, its biodiversity, things to do and to see, etc. Apparently, there is an amazing waterfall with a mint camping spot at the bottom. I can’t wait to take some of the next WAVES volunteers there on a weekend trip. From one particular hill it was even possible to both see the Pacific ocean and the Andes (Imagine that!?!?). Personally, I was quite delighted to see so much green around me, don’t get me wrong I love living in Lobitos. But seeing this oasis of greenness in front of me after nearly six months in the Peruvian desert gives you a whole new appreciation for the diversity of mother nature. I guess there is a time and a place for both desert and jungle…
I was the designated drive for the return to coast and this is when the real adventure began 😉 At some point I was challenged with on the left side of the car a gaping hole and on the right side a steep slope… Encouraged by Sylvain yelling « Dale La Bestia » I maneuvered the car between the hole and the slope (or so I thought), I pushed the gas and the car moved along, I guess I steered slightly too far to the right up the hill in my attempt to get away from the hole that La Bestia started leading a life of her own and started leaning leftward at an alarming pace… At one point I felt her tipping over and thats when I put the pedal to the medal and saved all of us (with a strike of luck I daresay 🙂 ) After some nervous laughter and accusations by some (read Sonia) we continued our journey at a steady but safer pace…
After the excitement and adrenaline of the trip we were all hungry and, luckily the lovely wife of Edwin had our lunch at the ready when we returned from the bush. After lunch we collected a great variety of plants, cacti and trees and loaded them up in La Bestia. Next stop, Punta Sal where our guide, Ilich, has an ecological beachhouse where we snorkelled, sunbathed and talked the afternoon away. On the way back we treated ourselves to some delicious ceviche and chicarron de camarones at Restaurant Bambu in Punta Velero, Los Organos (If you ever get the chance, go there! Some of the best seafood in Northern Peru!) After eating our bellies round with Peruvian goodness, the final leg of our journey had begun. The day ended as it had began arriving back in Lobitos in the twilight…
A great day on the road for part of the WAVES team, full of adventure, education, nature, relaxation and team spirit
More photos on FB at: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150746467707996.427573.20187082995&type=3&l=baeeb6a1d6
