21/11/12

After a fairly nice breakfast at the hotel we were collected by our tour guide for our trip. We said goodbye to Eli and collected a few others before driving a short way to a little shop where we bought some colca sweets. These are made from coca leaves and help with altitude sickness. I was willing to try anything having woken up with a head ache and tummy ache.

We then drove up through the Andes and stopped at a little cafe for some coca tea to prepare us for the mammouth rise in altitude. The tea was actually quite nice and I enjoyed having a look around the small market too. We then set off again soon passing the highest point at 4910m - we didnt stop at the usual tourist spot but carried on 800m or so to get a better view of the volcanoes. I got out of the van ready to build my pile of rocks (a gift to the gods as it's the highest point!) but I felt dizzy and sick as soon as i started moving and felt like i was going to pass out so i headed back to the van.

Also on the journey to this point we saw lots of llamas, alpacas and vicunas - the smallest of the camelids - so cute! I was pleased when we started our descent into the valley towards Chivay - our town for the night. Surprisingly for an organised tour we had to try 3 different hostals before we got one. We went to a restaurant and stocked up on a highly delicious buffet for 25 soles!!

We headed out into the small town and enjoyed seeing what it had to offer. There was a lovely square and a church as well as a local market also selling tourist stuff. It would be a nice place to spend a day or two - it's a shame we are more rushed.

Back at the hostal we changed into our swimmers and waited for our lift to the hot springs just outside of town. They were in a beautiful setting surrounded by mountains and it was so relaxing in the warm waters. I was happily wrinkled like a prune when i got out - nearest thing I can get to a bath and I really miss my baths! We dressed and got back to town where we went to a local restauant for tea. We had ordered guinea pig earlier with our guide but were disapointed when it arrived already cut up for us to eat. They had tried putting it back together, and we enjoyed tucking into it. Lots of the group didn't like it - I can't describe what it tastes like - just meat I guess. A great experience.

As Neil and I were not too hungry we ordered a set menu between us which was more than enough. The restaurant had a Peruvian band and dancers on, a lot of the group got pulled up to dance but I skipped this as I am still not feeling 100%. It has been a really good day even though I havent felt great! I am now tucked up in bed ready for our 5am start tomorrow.

22/11/12

We were up, packed, eaten breakfast and in the minbus by 6am. After an hour's drive we stopped at a lookout to view the Inca terraces - it was a beautiful but cold view. After a further drive we stopped at a small village called Maca where we saw a beautiful church covered in gold leaf inside. It was stunning with the mountains behind it.

We then got to our main stop of the day - the Colca Cross Mirador over looking the Colca Canyon - one of the biggest canyons in the world. We were very lucky to see lots and lots of huge graceful condors - very rare at this time of year to see so many. We spent an hour watching the scavenger birds and wandering around the mirador.

It was then back into the van a short way before a 30 minute trek along the canyons edge to an amazing view of the canyon. Again we saw a condor soar overhead. We stopped on the way back to Chivay to view some Inca tombs in the side of the mountain as well as to get a better view of the Inca terraces.

Back in Chivay Neil and I got a sandwich on the plaza before having another stroll around the market. We saw the sweetest old lady crouching down eating an ice cream!

Bsck in the van we drove 3 hours back to Arequipa, going over the high pass again which made my ears pop. It's a stunning area with the mountains in the background. Once back in Arequipa we went out for a slice of cake and a drink before relaxing at the hostal.

At 7.15ish we all went to the bus station where were chuffed to be upgraded for our night bus journey to a suite bus. This meant big comfy seats, personal earphones and a meal onboard - it was lovely and I enjoyed watching the Hulk before settling down to sleep.

xxx