Chan Chan, Peru

From Pacasmayo, I headed down the coast to the town of Trujillo and, much more interestingly, the pre-Colombian ruins at Chan Chan, on the edge of Trujillo. Chan Chan was the largest city in South America, founded in the year 900, then conquered by the Incas in 1470. It’s made of mud but it barely rains in that desert so it’s still standing. Super cool.

Chan Chan. (My camera lens got scratched so sorry for the occasional hazy bit in the middle of the photos).

Chan Chan. (My camera lens got scratched so sorry for the occasional hazy bit in the middle of the photos).

Walking in.

Walking in.

The walls.

The walls.

Walls.

Walls.

Carvings like this edge many of the constructions.

Carvings like this edge many of the constructions.

A central space.

A central space.

Designs around the edge.

Designs around the edge.

Details.

Details.

More patterns.

More patterns.

Recesses.

Recesses.

Covered over for protection.

Covered over for protection.

3D animal patterns.

3D animal patterns.

Slightly smushed patterns.

Slightly smushed patterns.

8-bit patterns.

8-bit patterns.

Walkways.

Walkways.

Random patch of greenery.

Random patch of greenery.

Mountains way off in the distance.

Mountains way off in the distance.

This path would not get past Health and Safety back home. Two feet wide over a ten foot drop.

This path would not get past Health and Safety back home. Two feet wide over a ten foot drop.

Safer paths.

Safer paths.

And more.

And more.

The fish point the way.

The fish point the way.

The bins are equally idiosyncratic.

The bins are equally idiosyncratic.

Then in Trujillo I stayed in this wonderful establishment.

Then in Trujillo I stayed in this wonderful establishment.

And that’s all you’re getting.

Total distance hitchhiked: 64,223 km.
Total number of rides: 463.

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