Today was a travel day - we left Nazca at 8 ish and headed south in beautiful sunshine albeit I could see a big cloud bank off to the west and it was not long before we were cooled down and driving along the desert highway to Arequipa in the midst of it. After about 90 minutes we passed a great gash in the earths surface which is the fault line which links with the one in the ocean and is an indicator of the unstable nature of the earths crust in this area and reminds you why there is so much seismic activity.
Our first stop was in an olive growing area to avail ourselves of the clean loo block and then try the honey and olives - I can't say I was partial to either - but others bought a variety of things from the ramshackle stalls.
We continued under the depressing coastal cloud along the highway adjacent to the sea - the highlights were some interesting rocks eroded by the sand and wind and watching the numerous black headed vultures patrolling the sands looking for things to scavenge. The soporific motion of the coach meant many us relieved the boredom by snoozing while John finished his novel. One more toilet stop this time in a cold market - with little I fancied buying albeit some bought cans of drink and fresh fruit. As we left the sign said Arequipa 265km and not half a mile down the road another said 260km - which to trust - I plumped for the latter - then to my dismay realised that was just to the turnoff - as we turned inland there was still 176km to go.
Lunch was in a lovely restaurant up a sandy road and quite out of place with its surroundings - it must have grown up for tourists as I couldn't see a strong local trade. It was a buffet - great salad, stir fry, beans and rice dishes then rice pudding and apple with a little chocolate blancmange on the side - yummy - and all finished off with my first coca tea ( which tasted like any herbal tea.)
Back on the road, we ditched the clag half an hours drive from the coast so yippee we had a couple of hours of sunshine before it set. We finally arrived in Arequipa at 8.30pm, and yes, it was now dark. Once checked in to the hotel John and I went for a quick walk to get a coffee and stumbled across a really nice creperie - no crepes today for us - instead I had an exotic fruit salad with green cheese and treacle (it was delicious and it was a definite first for me) - John had apple pie and Brazil nuts - a gap filled we returned to the hotel and went to bed.
(Today's photo is Peruvian grey footed boobys from yesterday's trip)