Trujillo, Huanchaco and the pre-Incan Ruins nearby

After the hard trek in the Cordilleras, the beach seemed a great idea - so came to Trujillo then headed north to Huanchaco beach - once a sleepy fishing village with dark sand, but plenty of sun, surf and peace.....
Although large parts of the boardwalk had been washed away by large tides and unrelenting waves - it was still charming, (except for the large number of street dogs...)
Recent news announced that there had been huge numbers of dead animals, fish and birds washed up and they were still investigating the reasons for the deaths so for me, swimming was out, as was cerviche......
But the amazing high-ended, cigar-shaped reed fishing boats (caballitos or little horses) didn't disappoint and I was surprised to see them still used as fishing boats today.

Fisherman still use these boats.

Karen at beach in Huanchaco

We made a great hostel overlooking the beach our base - Nayland - and ventured to see the ruins of the ancient pre-Inca cultures of the Moche (~AD100-700 they built pyramids near Trujillo at Huaca de la Luna and Huaca del Sol), the Sipan Tombs and the Chimu (who built the city of Chan Chan ~1300AD).  So interesting seeing these ancient skeletons in their tombs buried with either a guard, a wife, mistress (or both but the mistress has her face covered with a metal plate, sometimes a child and llama or dog)  Some of the amazing artefacts are in the museum along with the jewelry, pottery, swords, face masks and robes.

Beautiful original tiles in the Huaca de la Luna

Markings in the adobe (mud) bricks

Huaca del Sol still being re-discovered

Magnificent Mural seen above with many of their myths depicted

Chan Chan Palace and the designs were amazing

Karen with a model of a very short guard

Then to a museum which housed many of the artefacts and some skeletons and representations of how the royalty were buried.

Beautiful detailed pottery piece

Then to see the real thing - tombs dug up and left on display......

He was buried wit a few people and an animal and many artefacts

Buried with guards, woman (upside down) and a child and animals 

Site of  more excavations