I return from two days of traipsing through nature. Just like the salt flats in Bolivia, Colca Canyon did not disappoint.

The only thing that slightly marred the trip was the overly helpful tour guide, who insisted on speaking into the bus microphone for every possible minute, never allowing me a minute or two to absorb all the beauty and wonder that I was seeing.

On day one the bus slowly climbed altitude until we reached Coyllama, the highest possible point to reach by car in Peru. Just a slight 4910m above sea level! Thankfully I was not afflicted with altitude sickness, which really puts my mind at ease in reference to the upcoming Machu Picchu trek.

The rest of the day was spent seeing mountains and learning of the pre-Inca history of the region.

In the late afternoon after checking in at our hotels, (private room with my own bathroom, score!) and the chance for me to stroll through Chivay, a colonial town, we went to the thermal baths. The water comes out of the mountain an almost boiling 85 degrees but by the time it reaches the pool, it's a comfortable 30 degrees! Set outside in view of the mountains of the Colca Valley, it made for a spectacular view and leisurely afternoon.

To finish the day we took dinner at an overpriced tourist restaurant. I didn't eat having stuffed myself at lunch and mildly annoyed at the prices (20 soles when you can easily eat a two course meal for 5 soles). I did however enjoy the entertainment, which was traditional Peruvian music, featuring the panpipes, and traditional dancers attired in the most spectacular costumes.

Day two had a 5am wake up. Not my favourite. After breakfast at the hotel - bread and jam again, we were off to the condor cross view point. There were some condors off in the distance but none came all that close.

The actual Colca Canyon is stunning. Sorry that I can't articulate it more than that, but that's all I can say. I highly recommend a visit should you ever find yourself in Peru.

Then it was off to another overpriced tourist restaurant for lunch. I tried a traditional soup - alpaca meat, angel hair and egg, it was a touch salty but nice nevertheless. Plus an 'Inca Kola' a soft drink that is all the rage in Bolivia and Peru. It smells like bubblegum and is yellow in colour. It's not too bad actually.

Then it was the long drive back to Arequipa, during which I managed to devour a whole book.

I arrived back in Arequipa with just enough time to repack, (having taken only my daypack with me - seriously Anna, this backpack rocks) recharge my phone, make a new friend and have dinner together. I got a little to caught up talking - shocking I know, and had to hot foot it back to the hostel. Literally I ran the whole way back and never in my life have I been honked, whistled, catcalled at as I was during those five minutes.

Thankfully there are an abundance of taxis in Arequipa and I secured one and made it to the bus terminal in plenty of time. In South America normally you take your backpack to the luggage compartment, receive a copy of the numbered ticket that has been attached to your bag and watch them load it onto the bus. The custom in Peru is to check your baggage at the ticket counter and have them load it on to the bus for you. Never have I been so nervous that my bag will not be meeting me at my destination (it did make it).

Traditional Peruvian foods I'm yet to try...
1 Ceviche.
2 Guinea pig.