Blogs from Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru, South America - page 8

Weiter gings nach Huaraz, das von der zweit-hoechsten Bergkette der Welt umgeben wird. Dort kamen wir um 5 Uhr morgens an. Kein Hostel hatte geoeffent und es war unglaublich kalt. Am selben Tag buchten wir den Transport zur Laguna 69, die mitten in der oben genannten Bergkette liegt. Der Aufstieg auf 4600m ging relativ problemlos. Die Luft wird zwar immer duenner, aber mit dem richtigen Tempo und Pausen war es kein Problem. Sowohl der Aufstieg, als auch die Laguna 69 waren faszinierend: Wasserfaelle, Hochebenen, ueber 6000m hohe Berge und Gletscher. Von Huaraz fuhren wir nach Lima um Flo abzuholen. Lima ist so unschoen, dass es keine weiteren Worte oder Bilder verdient haette... Mit Flo und Hanne ging es mit einem Luxusnachtbus nach Cuzco, weiter mit dem Bus nach Ollantaytambo und mit dem unfassbar ueberteuerten Zug nach ... read more

I've been in Peru for a week now and there is so much to tell, be warned this going to a long one. If you just want a summary: Lima is a bit Croydon-like, Arequipa is sunny and much nicer, I've seen some cool wildlife and the people are lovely :) The loooong version… Took my massive bags to Gatwick on the 14th - 18kg and 8kg hand luggage – I really couldn’t carry any more. Dad and Ann saw me off at the airport which was nice and they gave me a travel companion Heamor the bear and some local currency - neuvo soles – also good travel companions :) Other very welcome presents that I have taken with me are socks (some with bananas on for the English eccentric look – thanks mum and ... read more

Have just completed four days in Arequipa and the high Andes - Colca Canyon experience. All great. Arequipa is our favourite city so far. It has a very Spanish influence in architecture and culture. It has been wonderful to walk the narrow cobbled streets that have lane ways and entrances coming off the street often marked by arches and huge wooden heavy doors that lead to more cafes and shops. The main plaza is surrounded by colonades of doubled storied arches on three sides and on the fourth the cathedral with its two spires. Most buildings are white being made from volcanic rock as three major volcanoes surround the city and and give Arequipa the name of the White City. While here we managed to catch up with an ex teaching colleague for Glennie, Vincent Morere, ... read more

We ended up in Arequipa on recommendations from a few people to visit the nearby Colca Canyon. The city itself didn’t really blow us away but the views around it were impressive. All around are looming volcanoes that have shaken and rocked this place many times of the year. Buildings on the main square are made from volcanic ash and sillar (volcanic rock) so the locals have clearly become accustomed to living side by side with Mother Earth. I visited a museum one afternoon (John is DONE with museums) because I had heard some good things about it. I wasn’t allowed to take my camera in so have no photos unfortunately. The museum presents the story of Juanita, the Ice Princess. It seems that the natives here have been living side by side with Mother Earth ... read more

On the bus to Arequipa i was literall sat next to a guy who slept with his arms like wings! He literally took up so much space. Also my spanish is not particularly good but i think he tried to get me to wear a jacket to help him smuggle cocaine..... he may have just been trying to keep me warm but who knows! Again we arrived at like 4am and hit the hay then woke up at about 10 to try and see some culture for a change. Arequipa has a huge monastery, two blocks worth, and has loads of other small ones. So we were gonna go and check some of these out, except they cost a fiver for entry, so we just went and sat on a terrace and had pisco sours. Me ... read more