Well I actually made it! After so many years of thinking about it I have successfully completed the 4 day inca trek. Was quite the journey of emotions; awe at the constant breathtaking scenery, anger at the Incas for building things on top of bloody mountains, massive respect for the amazing porters and frustration at my crappy knees. All that was forgotten when we finally reached the sun gate and peered down at machu pichu, magical. The four day journey star...

So it did escape my attention that Arequipa was located at altitude. My first dalliance with it this trip. I really don't like it, hopefully my body adjusts so the headache, lethargy and nausea b***** off. Panadol is always a girls best friend. Happily Arequipa is a lovely city nestled amongst snow capped mountains/volcanos. As usual the city centres around a colonial square surrounded by beautiful old buildings complete with the intricate wooden balconies a...

To be honest my favorite type of traveling is the independent type; I'm more built for small groups of people (inherited off my Mum?) and doing what I want when I want. That said there is definitely some big pros to group travel, one that we had really been looking forward to was putting our brains on low. We have someone to do the bulk of the thinking/organizing/worrying for us for 21 days. Terrific. Plus the last trip I was on in Africa sorted me out with a...