Arequipa and the Colca Canyon

After a pretty comfy night bus ride we arrive in Arequipa at about lunchtime, only one mishap with the bus as it broke down about 20mins from town - hmmmm but another bus did follow on and we got to the hotel - still pretty impressed with them all as quite nice and all pretty clean!!

So today is a free day in Arequipa and Dave and I head to town there is not a huge amount to see but lots of markets - bought a few more pressies - I think Mia dn Ellie will be taking my backpack home hee hee!!! I got Dave and I alpaca socks - soo soft and warm - perfect for the upcoming Inca trail!!

It was Jack 23rd b´day today - man I am feeling a tad old on this trip hee hee!! We do all go for a pretty nice meal though and I did try Alpaca- yes i prob shouldn´t have but would have been been rude not too!!! Was actually pretty good so I am pleased i did ;-> So tonight we all then head out for drinka dn happy hour 3 vodkas for 10 soles (their money) that is about 2 quid and the drinking games start - no it was not my fault this time - I know none of you believe me!!! We then headed to a Karoke bar/disco but passed on the Karoke as too long to wait and they were all singing in Spainish!!!! Was def a fun night for all and not too late as another early start tmw!!!

So another day andother bus (22/12). We head off about 8.15 and go to the Colca Canyon......should be there about 3!!! There are a few stops along the way to make it easier and the first one is oh only about 3500m above sea level..........hmmmm and we saw Vicunas (there are a relation to Alpacas and Llamas) all was cool and had a few pics........then as we set off I realise that I get altitude sickness as was not feeling too hot but was not sick so far so good!!! Next stop was to see the Alpacas - Dave took pics for me - I thought i was best staying on the bus but got to see them through the windows!!! Next stop was for Colca coffee - this helps with altitude sickness - it made me feel worse so got Coca Toffees - we will see!!! Then we head up to the highest point - 4825m from sea level...........OK this just did it for me i was pretty sick - but hey did feel soo much better after for it!!! hee hee!!! We did head down - lucky yht hostel is is only 3600m above - so much more at ease!!! There was a 2hr hike planned for the a´noon it was reccommended i rest up for the day ahead and i have to say i did feel better for it!! Lots of local grub for dinner which was fab as not really seen a lot of it.........another early start tmw - 5am!!!

So tday is gonna be real full on off to the Colca Canyon!!! Had a few stops along the way to see a few more tombs - seriously how many more of these can we see!!! But was interesting to find out how they were buried and the importance of them and all that...........We then get to teh colca canyon which is the 2nd deepest in the world - it was truly breath taking - the pics will not do it justice at all.........and we did get to see some condours but will have to wait for daves pics for that!!! Then went on a hike for about 40mins around the canyon which was good - still think the Inca Trail will kill me!!! We all headed bac to the hostal and the optional activity was to go to the hot springs but we had only brought a few bits here so no swimmers - Dave and I decided to round up the rest of the group for beers by the open fire - was def a good idea i think!! hee hee!!! Had dinner a chat and headed to bed as off tmw at 9ish to head back to Arequipa for Xmas Dinner!!!

OK pics will not load here so to follow..........

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