Mar 7, 2013 - Day two in Peru

Hello everyone, Today I went to Arequipa and it is pretty cold here. After breakfast, very early in the morning, I drove to the Condor's Cross, natural observation point from where the magnitude of the Colca Canyon and the spectacular flight of the majestic condor is appreciated.For lunch I had Escribano it was potato salad with rocoto, vinegar, olive oil, tomato, and parsley. It was the best thing I have ever tasted in my entire life. Did you know Colca Canyon is the second deepest canyons on earth? Arequipa was so much fun and so...

Mar 6, 2013 - Colca Canyon and Shivay

This is the first time where we actually did not organize a trip ourselves, but rather bought a two day package to see Colca Canyon and Shivay. There was just too many places to see, too many stops and the price was right. We found out that sometimes it just takes too much time to organize trips ourselves and chances are that you are missing out on some fantastic spots. A number of people we met complained that Peru has gotten too commercial. For the most part these were people who visited the country 10 or 15 years ago. We did not object...

Mar 5, 2013 - Day 2 in Peru

Hi everyone! I'm in Arequipa! I can't believe how exhausted I was! First I went on a trip to the Colca Canyon, visiting on the way Pampas Cañahuas, the Mirador of the Andes, the crater of Chucura, the Mirador of Chivay, where pre-inca andens may be appreciated. At the town of Yanque, I visited its beautiful church. It was majestic! I was starving after that! I had Chupe de camarones for lunch! I visited the Santa Catalina Monastery! People would have t re-build it over and over again from earthquakes! I visited the Mirador of Chinina where...

Mar 3, 2013 - Arequipa, Ciudad Blanca (White City)

Since our vacation goal was really never to spend too much time in cities, we decided to head towards Maccu Pichcu as soon as possible. However a reality check redirected us along the coast to Arequipa. The bus ride from Lima to Cusco/ Macchu Piccu is over 30 hours long. Cusco lies at 3400 meters or so. Altitude sickness was definitely a fact to consider, so we decided to take the LONG way and make several stops to get adjusted slowly. Arequipa lies at 2335 meters, 900 km or 500 miles from Lima. Arequipa is called the white city was...

Jan 1, 2013 - Arequipa

Many times in my travels I arrive in a city I have never previously heard of only to discover that it plays a significant role in the country I’m visiting. Arequipa is just such a city. It is not only the second largest city in Peru but it is well known for its history and for its picturesque town square. Arequipa is called the “White City” because most of its significant buildings and churches are constructed with a soft white rock quarried from the surrounding mountains and volcanoes. There are two unique attractions in Arequipa that I...

Jan 1, 2013 - On The Road Again

The highlight of my stay in Lima wasn’t the architecture, culture or history but something much simpler. I most enjoyed watching the sunset each evening from a small park on the bluffs overlooking the Pacific. While the view was pretty, the attraction for me was the gathering of the neighbors on this small green space (about the size of a large suburban lot) to enjoy the end of the day. Families gathered here and, while the children played, friends and neighbors visited. The palpable feel of a close-knit community enjoying one another’s...

Sep 16, 2012 - Libertad

There's nothing better than seeing your love with a clean bill of health and a smile. I arrived at the clinic where the two nurses greeted me with words of encouragement ... "Se siente mejor" which translates to "He's much better." The doctor came in at 10 to report that his oxygen level, without extra oxygen was 92%, so he'll be ok to head to Cusco. But, the poor guy is on a bland diet. What a place to be restricted to broths, rice, chicken and bread for the next 5 days. No vegetables or fruits, no fried food, no Pisco Sours. By the time...

Sep 15, 2012 - Arequipa and great medical care

September 15  ... the morning ...  He's had lots of IV fluids, oxygen and antibiotics, and is feeling much better. He will be here another night to continue the IV antibiotics and also to be sure there will be no return of symptoms before we head to Cusco.  The doctor assures us he'll be 100% tomorrow. He's already got his sense of humour back.  We will fly out from Arequipa to Cuzco on Monday morning (Taca flight at 7:30 am ... arrgghh) and rejoin our group. So today is a day of banking, buying airline tickets, extending our stay at the...

Sep 14, 2012 - Arequipa ...

It's been a whirlwind trip and one that is too long on the buses and not enough time exploring ... lots of 12-14 hour days.  Arequipa is the first city we have two nights in a the same hotel, so that will be fabulous. This morning, a local guide named Eber took us on a tour around the city to vistas showing the three volcanos in the area.  Misti is the most often on postcards about Arequipa and today is gloriously sunny.  Across the valley are Inca aqueducts and terraces still in use today.  We also went for a walk...

Sep 13, 2012 - Arequipa

Our hotel, the Hotel Puerto Inka, has only salt water for showers and washing, so none of us opts  for a shower...and I'm glad we brought baby wipes to wash faces.  Breakfast is instant coffee, buns, jam and juice (papaya and pineapple ... excellent).  We are on the road at 7:30 with no planned activities except driving for 7 hours to Arequipa. The road to Arequipa is still the terrain one would imagine on Mars ... rocks, hills and more rocks.  I think a night bus would be a preferred way to do this and not waste a day...

Sep 12, 2012 - Nazca to Puerto Inca

Today was another very, very long day.  Perhaps it would have been better to fly this leg of the trip.  We drove many miles through a landscape that one of our group called "Mars" ... and we all agreed.  What surprises me about this country is how absolutely desolate it can be.  For miles and miles (hour upon hour) there is nothing green, no sign of life, no animals, few birds and not a plant to be seen.   The start of our day is to pick up Carlos, our local guide who speaks very good English.  One of the first things he explains that in...

Aug 27, 2012 - Arequipa - The White City

29hours after leaving home we finally flew into Arequipa -The White city. Nick was shocked to realise that the hundreds of small livestock houses he'd seen on the way in were actually peoples homes. Tumbling down the old fashioned aircraft steps onto a runway marked out for basketball, the quality of the light was astounding. All the colours were brighter, the whites whiter, like an advert for Persil! Looking around us in the sunshine we looked up in awe at the volcano El Misti which towers over the city. Litle did we know that it is almost...