There are amazing pre Colombian ruins to see in the North. Chan Chan at Huanchaco which is close to the sea which was important to the people of that time. They are adobe cities, and pyramids made so high as to boggle the mind. Huaca de Sol and Huaca de la Luna, pyramids to the sun and moon. Layers upon layers of building. When it was time for a new ruler, another layer was put upon the previous one, painting, carvings and huge plazas.
Cochineal is a red dye that comes from an insect the lives on the prickly pear cacti. The Spanish monopolized the dye to create the " Fiery Latin Red" as described by the English. It was excluded in England. Too hot. It was used in the Cardinals cloaks because it is so rich. It is so vibrant that is is now used in Campari, and lipsticks.
Pre-Colombian civilizations are so removed from Western concepts of empires and literacy that they are the nearest we can get to an alien mind set.
Punta Sal-there we camped on the beach, I do mean on the sand. Hot in the tent, should have just slept on the sand with the bugs.
Mancora is the nearest town and known for the reed fishing boats the locals use today. Not so prosperous except that is is now a holiday beach place. The boats are similar to the ones seen on Lake Titikaka.
I was so taken with the pyramids, what small humans can do, amazes me constantly.
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