Rolled in Tacna Peru to the hussle and bussle of a packed bus station ready to get on our bus upto Arequipa. However luck was out and there appeared to be a few road blocks around Peru. As Tacna is a s*** hole we wanted out of there and all we could get was a bus at 07:30pm. Chilled for a steady 8 hours in a rubbish bus station. The Uno cards were out and we were not looking forward to the 17 hour bus journey ahead (it should have only been 4). After what seemed a very long day we headed off to the bus. It was a very basic bus, not what we had been used to in Chile and had made a school boy by wearing shorts. Not to fear we set off and before long we were at a police checkpoint. On came Pedro packing an AK47 and collected up the passports. Random. After a brief 20 minutes the passports were back and we carried on. However the paved road soon disappeared and we were on the gravel winding through the mountains. Not it's safe to say after doing bungy jumps and sky diving this was by far the scariest thing we had done. We were up and down mountains, looking out the window at some naughty drops praying for a safe arrival. It was crazy. However after around 5 hours of freezing cold bumpiness we arrived at a change over. This was even more random. In the middle of what looked like a desert we had to change buses. It was freezing cold and the people getting on the bus before we could all get off could have ended in a boxing match. Tempers were frayed and it was a good job they couldn't speak English as we were not saying hello. Finally on the other bus, which was not a half decent coach we just trusted the drivers to make sure the bags were changed over. Then it was back on some tarmac and a much smoother journey onto Puno, shivering like crazy. We would not be making this mistake again. At around 07:30 in the morning we arrived in Puno and to our suprise lake Titicaca. This made us realise just how much of a detour we were on as we weren't supposed to see this until we left Peru for Bolivia! Quick change at the bus station in Puno and then it was off for our 5 hour slog to Arequipa and a local Peru bus. Words can not really describe it.It was pretty awful. Finally however in the early afternoon we arrived. Tied, dirty, more than a little pissed off and ready for a bed. Got our bus booked for Lima straight away (we didn't want anymore surprises) and headed for the Point Hostel. Got ourselves checked in, some food, a DVD and some kip. After one of the worst days we'd had it was time to put the party hats on. We felt we were owed one! That night, along with the people from the hostel we headed out to San Francisco. A great little night. Arequipa was banging and after a range of cocktails the bus journey was all but forgotten. Ended up in a huge club which puts most we've seen to shame. It was not going to be hard to get to sleep that night!

Sunday and after a cheeky rest we were up by mid day. Today was going to be a chilled one. Hit Deja Vu for a lunch and then wondered around town. Caught up on some business then headed back to the hostel. There we had an epic ping pong session that would have put Forest Gumpto shame. With only one small incident of Chris cracking the window we then got some mountain bike based banter booked up. 4800 meters down the side of a volcano. Yikes! That evening we decided to keep it quiet so headed out for a nice roof top meal overlooking the square. Easy!

Next morning we were up early. Mountain bike guys picked us up and we headed off for a 2 and half hour ride up the volcano. On the way up the guide told us how there are mini earthquakes all the time on there. Great!!! Got to the top and got kitted out in the safety gear and headed off. As you can imagine it was all down hill and pretty fast. Really good fun. The guide took us for more thn a few shortcuts but howver by mid day Chris was feeling rubbish. After taking it easy down the volcano it was time for the ultimate bit of off roading. Chris opted to glide down and get some photos whilst James and Luke hit it. Pro's. On the way down, Luke in a bid not to come off got the ride of his life when he mounted a cactus crotch on. Ouch. Not to be outdone James showed just how to go over the handle bars and eat some serious dirt!!! Probably should have stuck to the road. After that Chris retired to the car for a kip and let the lads finish off the ride. After a hairy dog section and some serious speed (over 60kph) we were done. Would seriously recommend it! After that it was back to the hostel where Chris showed the boys how to sleep for 17 hours straight. Luke and James hit the cinema that evening for the worlds biggest popcorn. A quiet night all round!

Next morning and another cheeky lay in and we headed off into town for some shopping. Stocked up on some beauties and chilled. Our bus to Lima was that afternoon. Arequipa was a quality littleparty place! Wish we had some more time there!!!!