I've had a lovely couple of days in Arequipa, which is the 2nd biggest city in Peru, after Lima. The majority of buildings have been built with sillar, a white volcanic material and behind the cathedral and Plaza de Armas are some beautiful mountains and also a volcano. Today, we actually experienced a minor earthquake which is a new experience for me.

Once everyone had finished their morning Nazca flights we were taken to a demonstration of how the Nazca population traditionally made pottery. Then to a demonstration of how miners extract minerals from the ground to find a tiny bit of gold. It is a long and tedious job, that after they pull the minerals from the ground, they bring them to town and then have to do all these things to it, one of them being to put it in this water and then standing on a piece of wood on a big ball and going up and down to make the ball work. It all sounds very confusing and I really didn't understand it all either. All this work and they end up with this tiny piece of gold worth US$30.

From here out to Chauchilla Cemetary. Here are mommies that have been found with cloth and tapestries that have been preserved due to the very dry climate. The ones with long dreadlock hair they think were shamans. All bodies were put in the foetal position and facing east due to the beliefs of the time. One mummy that has been put in a glass container was so well preserved, we could see her eyebrows and toenails. Freaky.

We continued our drive to our campsite for the night at Puerto Inca. This town was created back in the time of the Inca's because the King who lived in Cuzco liked fish. So they would catch it here, and then a relay of runners would run it to Cuzco, 240kms away in one day. Now, it is just basically one hotel with a bar and we camped. Beautiful little bay and great sunset.

Then back on the road for the drive to Arequipa. We stopped to make lunch at a town called Camana. Back in 2001, there was a strong earthquake followed by a tsunami. They say the residents witnessed the ocean drawing back and had 20mins to flea to higher grounds. I guess they had witnessed them before. Apparently waves as high as 8m came in 4 surges, reaching 1.2km inland. Only about 140 people died but it is almost a ghost town now. While we were making lunch, these 2 young girls came and watched us. I went and had a chat with them and made them some sandwiches. We then gave them the leftover food to take to their family.

Arriving in Arequpia, Kylie, Nikki, Aoife & I got dressed up a little and went out for a lovely dinner. It had been recommended to me and it was fantastic. I had the trilogy plate which was 200gms each of beef, alpaca and ostrich. It came out medium on a sizzling plate so it could be cooked a little more. We were given bibs as it spits at you while still cooking. The meat was divine and so tender. Nice little splurge as bit more expensive than normal but so worth it. Afterwards we met up with some others at a bar and I had a few drinks. Since I haven't drunk for a while and again being at altitude for the first time in a while, it hit me harder than normal.

Yesterday, after eventually getting ready we visited Santa Catalina Convent. It is like a miniature walled city and just beautiful. When it was founded, it only took ladies from wealthy families and they apparently kept up their lifestyle afterwards. The individual cells were quit large and most had their own kitchen and some even a sitting room. They also had servants. What a life.

Afterwards we went for lunch but all of a sudden I wasn't feeling too well so got a taxi to the hotel and slept for a few hours. I think it was the sun and dehydration and maybe a little of the alcohol as well.....Last night, everyone on the truck had put in some money and our leader and driver bought a whole heap of meat and seafood for a BBQ and made a huge pot of Sangria.

Today we visited the Museum which houses the Ice Princess Juanita. She was an Inca sacrifice to the gods 500 years ago and was found in 1995 after the ice on top of the volcano melted. She isn't a mummy because her internal organs weren't removed but is in such good condition because she has been frozen. The museum contained different artefacts found with her and other child sacrifices since been found. The cloths and potteries are so well preserved. It was here when we felt the earthquake.

For lunch we had crepes and then spent the afternoon wandering around the markets. Bought myself a beautiful grey alpaca jacket. Have also bought Christmas decorations for the truck after everyone put some money it. Felt like Christmas buying tinsel and decorations. Great fun.

Tonight we are leaving at 3am as we are heading for the Colcan Canyon in the hopes of seeing the Condors in flight and since they use the morning thermals to fly we need to be there at a decent hour. Should be an interesting night as apparently it is a 6hr drive and the last 3hrs the road is absolutely awful. Will let you know how it goes.