After a lengthy evening bus ride to Arequipa from Nazca which took around 8 hours, we all had a free day to wonder around this beautiful city. Arequipa is called the white city due to many of the buildings being carved out of lava and soil from a volcanic erruption that happened in the past. It´s one of the most beautiful cities we´ve seen so far and the atmosphere is a buzz here.
The following day we made our journey to Colca Canyon, our local tour guide Fernando was great and very knowledgable about the area. We stopped at many vantage points along the way to Colca Canyon. The mountain terraces (flat planes in the mountain side used for farming) are incredible, although these days aren´t widely used. Mining is the main source of income for a lot of the people. We went to the highest point in the region which was 4971m (or there abouts), there we found many small rock towers that people had constructed as an offering to the mountains to let them have a safe journey. Quite spectacular! Altitude sickness was kicking in but sucking on the coca leaves helped quite a bit. :)
We went for a late afternoon walk after we reached another wonderful hotel, this time in the Colca Canyon! The view was incredible! On our walk up the mountain close to the hotel we passed many local children who were hanging out in the mountains. They were very friendly and really liked us taking pictures of them :) it made them very happy. The most joy we had though was when we all purchased some simple girts; pencils, books, bread, stickers from a local store to give to the children in this poor village. It was so nice to see how happy it made them and the gratitude they gave afterwards was unlike any other. Extremely overwhelming it did bring a tear to my eye.
Later that night, most of us made our way to the local hot spring. Another new experience for me. It was a great way to relax in the warmth whilst watching the moon creep over the mountains.
After the relaxation at the Spring, we made our way to a local Peruvian restaurant where we witnessed a fantastic live Peruvian music and dance performance by a young traditionally dressed Peruvian couple (about 20 years old). At different points it looked quite violent where the couple we picking each other up and dropping each other. :) Maybe that was a mistake! Later on they chose some poeple from the audience to dance with them. That was quite entertaining also. How I wish I brought my camera with me.
That night I was quite ill from wearing my wet swimmers the whole night but the following day I was fine.
The next day we travelled to the Colca Canyon but specifically the Condor Pass where many tourist come to see the magnificent condors! After some time at the local look out we saw one souring right above us not to high in the sky! :) Rob, one of the people in our group managed to take a great shot that filled the screen on his digital camera. I wish I´d used digital zoom too.
After the Condor Pass we made our way back to Arequipa to relax. Tomorrow we head out early again 6:45 to make our way to the airport for our flight to Cuzco. There we will go to the Sacred Valley and then start our four day Inca trail, so you may not hear from me until afterwards.
Till next time.
The following day we made our journey to Colca Canyon, our local tour guide Fernando was great and very knowledgable about the area. We stopped at many vantage points along the way to Colca Canyon. The mountain terraces (flat planes in the mountain side used for farming) are incredible, although these days aren´t widely used. Mining is the main source of income for a lot of the people. We went to the highest point in the region which was 4971m (or there abouts), there we found many small rock towers that people had constructed as an offering to the mountains to let them have a safe journey. Quite spectacular! Altitude sickness was kicking in but sucking on the coca leaves helped quite a bit. :)
We went for a late afternoon walk after we reached another wonderful hotel, this time in the Colca Canyon! The view was incredible! On our walk up the mountain close to the hotel we passed many local children who were hanging out in the mountains. They were very friendly and really liked us taking pictures of them :) it made them very happy. The most joy we had though was when we all purchased some simple girts; pencils, books, bread, stickers from a local store to give to the children in this poor village. It was so nice to see how happy it made them and the gratitude they gave afterwards was unlike any other. Extremely overwhelming it did bring a tear to my eye.
Later that night, most of us made our way to the local hot spring. Another new experience for me. It was a great way to relax in the warmth whilst watching the moon creep over the mountains.
After the relaxation at the Spring, we made our way to a local Peruvian restaurant where we witnessed a fantastic live Peruvian music and dance performance by a young traditionally dressed Peruvian couple (about 20 years old). At different points it looked quite violent where the couple we picking each other up and dropping each other. :) Maybe that was a mistake! Later on they chose some poeple from the audience to dance with them. That was quite entertaining also. How I wish I brought my camera with me.
That night I was quite ill from wearing my wet swimmers the whole night but the following day I was fine.
The next day we travelled to the Colca Canyon but specifically the Condor Pass where many tourist come to see the magnificent condors! After some time at the local look out we saw one souring right above us not to high in the sky! :) Rob, one of the people in our group managed to take a great shot that filled the screen on his digital camera. I wish I´d used digital zoom too.
After the Condor Pass we made our way back to Arequipa to relax. Tomorrow we head out early again 6:45 to make our way to the airport for our flight to Cuzco. There we will go to the Sacred Valley and then start our four day Inca trail, so you may not hear from me until afterwards.
Till next time.
Comments
Take it easy on the big hike. Inch by inch, life's a cinch, and such. Lots of love from me and Hank xx