Dear All,

Thankfully our bus journey to Arequipa was more spacious and there was less effluent flowing down the bus. Security was tight and every passenger was videoed before getting on the bus in case something happened. Even though we had more room neither of us managed to get much sleep and arrived in Arequipa at 8.30 a little bleary eyed and in need of some shut eye. The hostal we had chosen did not have vacancies until 12 so we left our bags at the hostal and headed into arequipa centre. Both Ruth and I were really looking to seeing arequipa and were not dissapointed. As with most Peruvian cities there is a grand main Plaza where people sit and chat and watch the world go by. The main square in arequipa is very grand, surrounded by an imposing cathedral and arched, colnial buildings. We spent a pleasant morning sitting in the square and chatting to a peruvian guy who was trying to convince us that a 3 day trek was just what the doctor ordered.

Our hostal as it turns out had no rooms but we managed to wangle a room at one round the corner for the same price and with much nicer rooms. We also had breakfast and free internet thrown in, so cant be bad. After a bracing shower, as Ruth used all the hot water, we headed back into Arequipa. A lazy afternoon ensued strolling the streets and absorbing the slightly cosmopolitan atmosphere. We splashed out and had a typical peruvian dish for afternoon tea and enjoyed a tense game of chess, with hot chocolate in the evening, the fun never ends i tell you.

The next day we dressed in our tourist clothing and headed off to book a tour to Colca canyon. We opted for 2 days, taking in most of the main sights. The rest of the day was spent perusing nuns private quarters and where they build up a head of steam in the kitchen. The monastry was in fact a beautiful and tranquil place and for the first 30 minutes was of some interest. The astronomical cost to get in meant we had to get our monnies worth and over 2 hours later we emerged, hoping to kick the habit in the future. Not having experienced enough culture and historical intrigue for one day we sloped off towards one of the huge cathedrals in Arequipa. Again a lovely setting and some breathtaking architecture. A nice steak and chips for 1 pound finished the day off nicely.

An early start and hot shower (Ruth went in after me) and we were on our tourist bus to colca and its canyon that is the 2nd deepest in the world. Our guide Raul kept us entertained on the coach and we were soon stopping for photos of Acunas and llamas along with 100's of other tourists. A lunch stop in Chavay gave us a clue into the type of tour we had booked. It was all tightly controlled and we rarely let out of the guides sight, a little frustrating for us both. A pleasant afternoon trek and some extremely natural photos of local women and kids in traditional costume with baby llamas on a mountainside followed. Some thermal baths were our next point of call. With the weather turning a bit pearl habour we were not sure getting changed outside was a good idea. Some rather pert and shrunken body parts later we were lazying in the warm waters, it was heaven. We didnt emerge until it was dark and the stars were out, a pleasant way to while away a few hours. We opted out of the evening meal, on account of our funds running low and there was due to be some staged local dancing. We had some soup and rice for a change and had a nosy in some of the shops.

After a freezing night, 5am was an unwelcome sight and we boarded the coach with great enthusiasm. A 2hr bus ride and a date with some condors was on the menu. We arrived just in time to catch these magnificent birds take their early morning flight. It was a truly awesome sight, such huge yet graceful birds. We spent an open mouthed hour watching the beautiful creatures. Again back on the bus and a few stops at some local villages for photos and again a lunch that Ruth and I opted out of in favour of a cheese sandwich and some popcorn, Nouvelle cuisine at its best.

Back in Arequipa in time for tea and a rendezvous with another night bus to Cusco. We had plashed out on the premier bus company in Peru and were not dissapointed. Bags were checked in, we went through passport control and into the departure lounge. The stewardesses showed us to our seats and we tucked in to our in flight meal, rice and meat for a change.

We are now in Cusco and are planning some trips out to see some inca ruins before we see the real inca ruins at Machu pichu.

With love and best wishes to you all

Greg and Ruth xxxxxxxxxxxx