Today was day one of our big hike down to the bottom of Colca Canyon and an overnight stay at the Oasis. I was up at 4am full of excitement and raring to go - unfortunately breakfast wasn't until 6am so I did my exercises and waking for the time to come around. Everyone in the hostel was up by 6 ready for a day of hiking and Ofcourse the free breakfast which turned out to be awsome: 2 buns, a pancake, scrambled egg, jam and warm tea. Our walking buddies for the day would be Tash from Australia, a girl from Wales and a young Belgium couple. At about 7am we headed off stopping at the market to buy a few last minute supplies which included some fresh vegetables and a huge avocado - that unfortunately a huge dog come along and stole right out of my hand, I managed to pry it out of his jaws but it was to late a gigantic bite hole in it. We walked a little way out of town to the viewpoint and wow what an incredible sight - snowcapped mountains in the background followed by a 1000 meter drop into the most impressive canyon I have ever seen - the contrast indescribable. We started the hike with our group of 6 passing only 4 others on the way down the mountain - I hung right at the back and decided to really take my time and enjoy the tranquility (something I usually can't do). Chris and I walked together and had a great time just chatting about anything - I realize she is a very good friend I can talk to about anything. Within 2 hours we had reached the basin of the canyon and stopped for a rest at the drawbridge. We met a lovely lady called Gloria who had a Little hostel, incredibly helpful and told us about the different trails we could take. The others decided it was very early and we should go to Tapay (some ruins) which would add another 3 hours hiking mostly uphill to the day - after another 10 minutes of steep climbing Chris and I decided that we didn't want to kill ourselfs today and we would head for the oasis (still another 3.5 hours away). We continued hiking along some beautiful paths and I found an avocado tres that gifted me one big avocado - in return for the one I had purchased earlier in the day and the dog had taken. At this point we were feeling good knowing the track would be easy until the oasis - unfortunately it was short lived and it wasn't long before we were climbing uphill again. The next hour it was straight uphill and very difficult and both Chris and I suffered - we made it to the town at the top and rested. We strolled through the next two towns at 2500 meters altitude enjoying the ambience before making our decent into the canyon. We found a really nice spot to have lunch and sat ate and reflected. The next 1.5 hours was the most difficult for me as it was all downhill and my knee pain (an old injury) soon came back and made the walk uncomfortable. We arrived at the bottom of the oasis and crossed the drawbridge - the view from the bridge incredible and the water ever so green. Our two Belgium friends then came down the hill and it had turned out they had also given up the idea to do the extra hike just 10 minutes after us. All the hostels down the bottom had swimming pools - exactly what we needed after the walk. I went and checked them all out while the others rested and picked the best one which we got for a super cheap price. We headed straight for the pool and the temperature perfect, we were so happy actually everyone there was so happy. Because we were so deep in the valley the sun left us by 3pm and then it was time to rug up again. Chris and I wondered around got a nice view of the bottom of the oasis and checked out the other hostels. There were loads of people and nearlly all the hostels were full - mainly with tourist groups. We went back and mingled with a group of English girls and had an amazing night just chatting and working out my travel plans. It's obvious my travels have been missing something very important - the opportunity to meet and mix with other like-minded travellers, it's time for me to get back on the hostel trail and meet more people like me. Chris and I were the last in the bar and it was only 9:30pm - most people were planning a 4am start. So once again we headed off for an early nights sleep and thankfully I had extra blankets so I didn't freeze to death.