Today was a free day - but we would rather be in the Amazon now - it was more of the same and we needed animals and wildlife not shops and buildings!
After breakfast, followed by packing and a much deserved Starbucks Caramel Macchiato we wandered around a 'more local' rather than touristy shopping area and had lunch overlooking a square. As we were ground level we had lots of people trying to sell us things from llama key rings to Peruvian hats all of which we declined.
At 2.30pm I met with Jo,Amanda, Lainey and Lesley as I had booked for us all to have a massage at a shop which specialized in oils and retreats. It wasn't your plush 5 star indeed it was barely one star but it wasn't in a back street!
Last night I had booked for 5@3pm and paid 100 soles and received a kiss which we all had again when we arrived! It did not mean however that they were ready for us.
When we arrived they rallied around for masseurs and then said they would do 3 now and 2 later - so Lesley and I settled down to look at books written in Kechwa or Spanish about plants and their medicinal qualities while the others ventured up a rickety stair case for their foray into the unknown - the massages started about half an hour late with Lesley an I finally going in at 4.45pm. That said the massage itself wasn't bad - we were laid on mattresses on the ground - I had a man and Lesley a lady -the man huffed and puffed but gave a good massage, the lady was more technical and sorted out Lesley's stiff neck with a quick chiropractic twist. The burning twigs were a tad worrying as they filled the room with smoke and required taming - the house had old wooden floors and walls making the flames definitely counter health and safety ( if Peru had such a thing!)
We returned to the hotel at 6 ish and I quickly showered as we were going to Uchos a lovely Peruvian restaurant where we tried stuffed then fried mashed potato with a peach and courgette salad.....most of the others had meat/fish cooking on hot stones contained in big wooden boards with all the accompaniments on.
The only criticism was the service was a tad slow but it was a great last supper and sadly for some not a guinea pig in sight! ( today's photo - the ones that got away!)
Sleep came quickly but we have a small lie in as we don't leave until 9.30 tomorrow for the flight to the jungle.