Was so good to sleep in and at lunch time we set off for Puerto Inka.
Along the way we stopped at Chauchilla Cemetery where you can see some Inca mummy's in their tombs. They had their organs, eyes and tongues removed before burial to help with the mummification process then buried in a seated position facing the sun along with other offerings such as pottery. It was very interesting to see them and a little creepy too as they still had hair and there was a couple of babies. Next stop was Olive Village to get some olives.

Puerto Inka is such a beautiful beach and we were camping right on the beach (as you can see in the picture). Laura and I decided to camp together so we didn't infect Jessie-Mae and Katherine. Our first attempt at putting up the tent was dismal as our tent was on top of some rock that we couldn't see from the surface but we were too ill to care that it looked like it was going to fall down. Rachel the tour leader said we would have to move it as it might rain and you don't want the tent to collapse in the rain. We moved the tent to the other end and Alex one of the English guys could see us struggle so he helped us put it up and ropped in a couple of other guys too. It was about half up when one of the girls pointed out we were on a slant and would end up sleeping on top of each other. Laura and I didn't care but Alex just took down the tent and moved it. Third time lucky and we were so thankful to the boys and an erect tent to sleep in.

We went for a walk around the beach and to where some inca ruins were discovered. Amazing that they're still in tact. Watched the sunset then hurried back to camp before it got really dark. The boys had cooked a BBQ and I was so relieved to be feeling well enough to eat again. Was great falling asleep listening to the waves crashing.

In the morning we attempted showers but only trickles of cold salt water came out so it was more like a bird bath.

We headed off to Arequipa which was about a 9hr drive. We were starting to learn that when you've got to go you'll go anywhere, we pulled up near this deserted area and just as I started to pee a man yelled out hola to me from a construction site across the road and continued to watch me. Very creepy!

In Arequipa we were camping at this boutique French style hotel in their courtyard garden out the back. Very cute property. Arequipa was our first city in altitude of 2300m, didn't really affect me except when walking up hills a bit out of breath.
It was one of the girls birthdays so we went in to town for dinner at a Turkish restaurant. The main square and cathedral is by far the prettiest I've seen so far in Peru.

Next morning some of us took the optional overnight tour of Colca Canyon which is the deepest canyon in the world and famous for spotting Andean condors. We spotted our first llamas and alpacas on the side of the road so we stopped for photos.
The drive was about 4hrs but we had to go over mountains to get to Chivay which were at a maximum height of 4931m. We all started to get headaches and fall asleep as it was a big ascent on such a short time period. The guide gave us cocoa leaves to chew on to help get oxygen to the brain. I got really bad altitude sickness worst nausea, sweating and shaking and kept passing out. Once we got to Chivay (3300m) I was a little better but still really off. Instead of the buffet lunch I had a sandwich and went to bed when we got to the hotel. Unfortunately I couldn't go to the hot springs and stayed in bed. I slept for about 6hrs and drank over 4lts of water then had a hot shower and felt so much better. Altitude is just one thing you don't know how your body will react to.

Next morning we set off very early and drove for 2hrs to get to the canyon. Along the way we saw lots of terraces over the valleys which made for great photos especially panoramic.

The canyon was very impressive and after waiting just over an hour we spotted a condor!! It's still in their hibernation period so we were unsure if we would see one.
Stopped for more photos on the way back and some people bought beanies, hats, jumpers and socks from the local ladies selling them on the side of the road. They all have marching llamas on them as Rach (tour leader) hates them. By the end of Cuzco we will all have marching llamas.
On the way back to Arequipa just a slight headache not the severe altitude sickness like the previous day.
Went to explore Arequipa when we got back and went to the museum to see Juanita, the most famous mummy as she was buried at the summit of the mountain and due to the ice is the best preserved body even after over 500yrs. She still has all her organs, eyes, hair and some skin. Kinda creepy to see her body in a frozen glass case but well worth the visit. Off to Cuzco in the morning.
Having such an amazing time, have met so many cool people and can't wait to see what else is in store in the coming months.