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Published: January 5th 2010
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Colca Canyon and Condors, Arequipa and Guinea Pigs!
Wednesday 9th December - Day 94 We had to be up at 4am for 11 hours of travelling to the Arequipa region of Peru.
Once we arrived in Chivay, a small town where we would be staying, our driver took us through the centre however the width of roads were narrow and our bus was struggling to get round. We finally reached a corner where he couldn't get round and as he was reversing you suddenly heard this awful loud noise. We realised afterwards it was what was left of a taxi as the bus crushed it against a wall! For us, cooped up in this bus for 10 hours or so this was the most excitment we'd had all day.
There was then a big commotion as the bus was wedged between this wall and the taxi, diagonally across a road with the main plaza right next to us! To make matters worse, crowds were gathering to see what a mess the gringos were in and down the road a marching band/dance procession was heading towards us. In the end the driver had to do about a 30 point turn
to get round. They left one of the drivers behind to sort out the mess with the taxi while we got taken to our hotel.
When we finally arrived we were impressed with the hotel, it was called Hotel Mamayacchi and looked like a quaint English cottage but it was surrounded by snow peaked mountains. Also in the gardens they had their own resident llama.
We didn't have much time to appreciate our new room as we were off to the hot springs nearby. We met our new local guide for the next couple of days, Arnie, who came with us to the hot springs.
The hot springs looked like a basic swimming pool apart from the temperature! It was perfect for our still aching muscles from the Inca Trail. Alexis and I ordered a Pisco Sour as we relaxed and Rick got a beer in!
We went for dinner near the main plaza at a local peruvian place. We had the set menu which is what most people do as it is usually the best value. They had music and 'entertainment' on while we ate and a couple of the group got dragged up again.
We
then looked round the plaza as there was a huge dance festival on. Apparently people stay out all night drinking and dancing, including the old ladies. There were various arches around which meant different things if you were to dance around them, Rick kept Lizzy well clear of the 'Fertility Arch'!
Thursday 10th December - Day 95 Today we visited the Colca Canyon but we went early to catch a sighting of the condors. After waiting for about an hour we finally saw some from a distance. Arnie took us on a 45 minute hike along the canyon and we took a couple of group photos on the way.
For lunch we went to an all you can eat buffet.
We then drove the remaining 5 hours to Arequipa, the city where Vanessa was born. She'd talked so much about how nice Arequipa was we all had high expectations!
By the time we got there we went straight to the hotel, got some food in and got an early night.
Friday 11th December - Day 96 Up early, had breakfast in the hotel and we set off on our own to explore Arequipa. Today was classed
as a 'free day' so we could do whatever we wanted. We'd arranged within the group to do a 'secret santa' so we had to buy our presents.
The plaza of Arequipa was beautiful, heavily influenced by the Spanish. There was a huge fountain in the middle in front of the cathedral. This was the first modern city in Peru we'd seen by this point.
There was a museum where you could see the 'Ice Maiden' but we decided against it. Back in Inca Times this little girl was sacrificed in the volcano, over the years if froze over then in 1974 the volcano erupted melting the ice. Explorers went up to the volcano and found the remains of the girl who is now on display.
We weren't in the mood for any museums and decided to just wonder round, Rick still unsuccessful in finding trainers, Peruvians have little feet!
For dinner we went to a restaurant where the plan was that people had the opportunity to try the local delicacy "Cuy" (guinea pig) if they wish. Of course, we weren't going to pass up on this opportunity so we both ordered the deep fried guinea pig! You had the
option to have it without the head or legs but we decided to go for it!
At first Lizzy didn't think she was going to be able to eat it, especially when Rick got her to turn it over to see all the organs and intestines and in the process the head fell off!!
During the trip we've had a little competition about who can eat the most disgusting thing...so far we were level but Rick saw this as an opportunity to get ahead! First of all he challanged Lizzy to eat the little kidney, which she did...(the rest of the group found this entertaining and wanted to see what else Rick could get Lizzy to eat!)...so he moved onto the ear! There was no way Lizzy was going to even attempt it when Jack ripped the ear off her guinea pig, handed it to her and said "It's just a crisp", without thinking twice Lizzy ate it! Next Rick ripped the nose off the creature and promptly ate it. Lizzy stopped there. Rick then ripped a leg off the beast complete with claws. It was a bit crunchy but it was chewed and swallowed. Rick then thought...I'm gonna step
this up and with that, he picked up his knife and cut out the eye ball....and ate it! Even the guide Vanessa was laughing telling him not to eat it....but, of course he did. So now, Rick is 3 up on Lizzy.
Saturday 12th December - Day 97 Today we had 7 hours of travelling to Puerto Inka, a small beach where we would be camping. It was practically deserted when we got there, apart from a few people who worked there, we were the only ones. Once we set our tents up the girls sat around talking while the boys went off the play football. They were so hot afterwards that they all jumped in the sea...a few of the girls followed.
A few of the group then started preparing dinner...Vanessa had bought plenty of meat and we were having a BBQ!
After dinner we had a camp fire and we had bought marshmellows for the group so we all sat round the fire and pollished off 2 bags!
By this point we were all getting to know each other and everyone got on really well, having been strangers 2 weeks ago.
We didn't have sleeping bags
which was a sore point amongst the group as when you booked it you were told you didn't them as we could hire them and our guide Vanessa took herself off to the hotel claiming 'she can't camp'... Thankfully the nights didn't get too cold.
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mortimer19@btinternet.com
non-member comment
The hot springs look wonderful, you all look like youre having a great time... not sure about the 'cuy'!!! how did you eat it??? love the campfire photo... love mum xxxxxxxxxxxx