After a cracking sleep a little sunbathe and recuperation was on the cards with Paca the tortoise. A diet of plain boiled rice and bread had lost it's appeal and the lure of a south american steak restaurant prevailed. The steaks were unbelievable, furthermore Charlie demolished half a cow all for the princely sum of £4!! Back to the hotel with cow onboard to lie in garden and feel full and content. At 4pm we had a stroll to the museum which houses 'juanita' the...

6.30 this morning I had enough, called the local doctor and duly went to the Arequipa hospital to have tests done (fainted during the blood test, not my most manly achievement) it turns out I have bacterial infection from some Peruvian 'delicacy'. Furthermore Charlie has exactly the same infection only in earlier stages - thus pointing the finger at the Ica burger we both munched through a couple of days ago. So stocked up with antibiotics and a load of Peruvian ...

Just a quick entry today. Woke up really early today feeling good but tired. But unfortunately it seems the Peruvian traditional meal we enjoyed yesterday has taken it's toll on me. We tried to head into town but I made it as far as the street. Been in bed since, drinking water and rehydration powder like it's going out of fashion. Plan at the moment is to fully recover before heading off elsewhere. Fingers crossed it shouldn't be too long.

Wow what a day or so. An early start yesterday morning, a rush hour taxi ride across Lima to the Cruz del Sur bus station ready for our bus to Ica, only Charlie had to have an 'I'm depth' chat with the security guard. 4 hours on the bus to Ica followed by a quick taxi to hauchachina - an oasis in the middle of the dunes. A stroll around this strange little town, a speedy 15 soles burger and it was time to meet our group for the 'dune buggy and sand boarding tour'...

Well, back from Lima after a busy day. Firstly, booked a whole host of bits and bobs. Namely a 4 hour bus to Ica, then a sand boarding experience followed by a beastly 10 hour bus to Arequipa. This morning to beat the jet lag we packed up our day bags and hopped in a taxi to Lima centre. Starving we hit the first restaurant in sight, asked for the waiters favourite and, somehow, it turned out an amazing feast (helped by Peruvian beer). Then to boost the culture...