Chan Chan Peru

Largest adobe city Trujillo Plaza de Armas

This morning is a learning time. We try to incorporate learning times in our travel, like a field trip I guess. So we take the local bus from Huanchaco Beach toward Trujillo.

We stop off on the road and have no idea how far we have to walk. It is hotter than we anticipated. And my son has a job each day to bring water. A job he forgets to do – a lot. And I forgot to remind him! Added to that, we didn’t bring caps, as it was cold when we set out.

We start yo see areas of walls, and holes. My son runs off to explore.

We finally get to the main area of Chan Chan. Here a Peruvian hairless dog lies in the shade. They are quite ugly. Dry skin and only a turf of hair. To the ancient folk, they were of the same importance as the cat was to the Egyptians.

We buy a ticket. I can’t remember how much, but it was not expensive. Under $10 for the 2 of us. And it gave us entry to 4 places. As there are no bathrooms inside Chan Chan we go to them first.
We meet some lovely university students who give us all sorts of tips of places to see when we head north.

We manage to go the wrong way BEFORE we are even in the temple. There are little fish signs to follow, but until you notice them – well, it is easy to get lost, as we did!

Once inside we notice the detail on the walls. It is a shame, as they have erected an ugly tin roof to protect the walls.

Clay or terracotta tiles would have worked far more nicely, and it takes a while to adjust to how much these detract from the ancient workmanship of the area.

There are few statues remaining. There is only one entrance/exit to the temple area, and this is the largest adobe and Pre-Inca City left.

The walls are decorated in this area with fish. As we are not far from the sea, this would have been their main survival food in this desert region.

Here you can see the thatch walls. These represent fishing nets so we are told.

You can see more of the city detail here. It is a huge area and goes on and on. We get about halfway through and my son has to go to the bathroom again.  So we cut our tour short and head back.

As we do we get the chance to dress up. Explorason has always wanted to be King, so he is happy.
The guy is quite a flirt. He has a great money-making business too and it is 5 Soles a person. I can see why he is so cheery, as just about everyone dresses up!

Back to the bathrooms!

We get a lift back up the dusty roads with two Swiss folks. We then walk up the main road about 500 meters to the Museum.

Seriously – don’t bother unless you have a load of time. Sorry. I know they try hard, but the displays are poor. The models are glued and broken. But the good thing is it is included in the price of your ticket to Chan Chan.

Another local bus sees us back at the Mall. We enjoy lunch there and then walk out to get a minivan to the Plaza de Armas. We meet a lovely local couple who help us and walk us there.

This is a Plaza worth visiting. It is really pretty, and the painted buildings are gorgeous.

If you visit, take a walk around the buildings. The door handles and knockers are very interesting.

Ancient doors – if only they could talk as to who walked through in times past.

Inside this keyhole, my son discovered the most glorious courtyard. Worth peeping in!

We then caught a taxi (we could have walked but Explorason had tired little legs) to the Bus terminal.

Now each bus company has a different terminal base, so you need to ask around for the companies that go to which city.  As this is for 2 days time, we were able to book and get the front two seats – my son’s favorite position on the bus.

Headed back to the Ocean Hostel.  I had a lovely dinner and we relaxed.

Next morning the sky was blue and we headed to the beach. Not warm enough for a swim, but warm enough to look at the local surf/fishing reed boat the area is famous for.

You can just see me hiding in one!

These are like the reed boats of Puno. The interesting thing with the modern version is the center is filled with empty plastic drink bottles, then the reeds are bound around them. Some also use foam.

The locals still use these to fish. They come with a paddle and you sit on your knees.

We feel like it is time to move on. We are glad that this day is our last. I daresay in Summer this place would be awesome, but really it is a dirty sand, and not the white sands we long for and miss.

We walk on up to the playground area.

As much as we are enjoying seeing the culture, we are at the stage where:…
…. A Plaza has become “another square”
…. A ruin has become “another ruin”.

We need to head to something and somewhere different soon. We realize we need a change in culture.

I wonder how much longer we will last in Peru. The dirty road-sides are getting to us. We are missing Western life. My son is really missing malls; western food, and speaking English.

Questions and Comments

• Have you been to Peru?
• How did you find their culture?
• Did you tour Chan chan Peru?
• Do share your comments with us below.