We're not sure exactly why, maybe it was the seats, the driver, the roads or just the chance alignment of some far off planets but we arrive into Arequipa on an overnight bus having endured the worst nights sleep ever. We are tried and grumpy. Me more than usual (hard to imagine huh?). We take the first hostel we're offered and get a taxi. We don't care if we're robbed we just want to sleep.

It turns out the hostel is in a nice neighbourhood run by a lovelly bloke called Raoul. We catch a few hours rest and head into the town centre.

The Plaza de Armas and surrounding buildings are made from local white stone which gives them a rather unique and spectacular look. Coupled with the, hard to tire of, volcano and mountain back drop, Arequipa is certainly a beautiful city indeed.

The main plaza is full of flying vermin and to rule there is an old lady selling seeds. Great. Helena buys two bags of seeds to treat the probably already over treated winged rats. Well at least she enjoyed herself.

We took in the local markets and also watched a political rally of sorts. A dumper truck slowly driving around the plaza with music, middle-aged hula dancers, a man on the bonnet handing out high visibility orange bibs and a traditionally dressed Inca warrior waving a giant Peru flag from the top of the truck. There are two distinct groups following the truck round. Those who seem desperate for a bib and those who are throwing garbage and in one instance half a brick.

The presidential candidate in question, Keiko clearly has her haters. We meet by chance one of her candidates for congress and although we don't fully understand what they are telling us we get a card and wish them luck. Next one of the haters turns up and starts berating us in rapid Spanish. We have no clue what he's saying but pick out the word "mafia" right at the end. Turns out Keiko's family have been accused and convicted of human rights and corruption offences. We hope they don't get in.