Jun 24, 2010 - Casma via Pato Canyon

Trying to get Bon's pack back has become a very stressful ordeal. We called fJuan (he was not willing to talk - tired from arr late last nite), Isabella said they'd expect us tonite around 8:30. Bus to Chimbote thru the Pato Canyon left at 11:15 and entered the canyon about 3. This was truely a fantasmagorical ride with stupendigerous views the whole way!!!!!!!! The road was rough gravel, single lane with 2-3' betw side of bus and drop off 3-400' down into canyon and River Santa most of the way. Every once in awhile the road was washed out...

Jun 19, 2010 - Casma

6/19 Up and out by 6:45, colectivo waiting for 2 more passengers til 7:30. Only 6s. for the hr drive up a river valley full of irrig agric - sugar cane, potatoes, asparagus,, onions, peppers, etc. From a walking bridge over dry river bed we hiked another 15 min. to the site. see pics. Both of us agree - restoration is a bit misleading, not really what was orig built...lacked the thick stucco walls which we think were more likely there 5,000 yrs ago. Mostly a facsimilie and in addition, they would not let us wolk the grounds w/o a guide!...