Blogs from Arequipa, Peru, South America - page 14

Arequipa – ‘The White City’ is called so because of the distinctive white volcanic rock that makes up the majority of its buildings around the Plaza de Armas (City Square). It’s a really attractive city surrounded by three volcanoes lying 3500 meters above sea level in southern Peru and as we bump along the cobbled streets I’m looking forward to making this place my home for the next couple of days. Some time off from camping and a chance to get some clothes cleaned – the joy of the simple things! Accommodation came in the form of a sprawling hostel (La Casa de Mi Abuela) ten minutes’ walk from the Plaza de Armas, behind high walls lay beautifully manicured gardens, a pool and huge colonial quarters to spread out in. Arriving early evening we headed out ... read more

Soooo... I was in Arequipa for 5 days... 4 nights. It is a beautiful city, I dont even know where to start... I stayed at a hostel the first two nights. Arequipay backpackers (great place). But then I went couchsurfing with Percy, who hosted another girl from Germany at the same time and two more girls from Argentina the following day. Arequipa is beautiful, the sun shines 360 days per year and thats already a reason to love this place :) What I found quite weird is how the relation of certain prices work... I mean, a 3 course lunch with drink costs 7 soles (About 2 euro) just as much as sending a postcard to europe... ?!?! On Sunday I went to the Colca Canyon, its said to be twice as deep as the Gran ... read more

Arequipa ist die zweitgroesste Stadt Perus und fuehrt deutlich vor Lima und Cusco was die architekturelle Schoenheit und Lage angeht. Uebertuermt wird sie vom Chachani (6.075m), der Bergkette des Picchu Picchu (5.664m) und dem El Misti (5.822m), einem schlafenden Vulkan. Da letzterer keine Schneekuppe hat und ueberhaupt einer der einfachsten Berge dieser Hoehe der Welt ist wollten wir hoch. Deswegen der Abstecher nach Arequipa. Wir checkten ins Wayra River Hotel ein, wo wir freundlich von Guillaume, einem Franzosen, der mit einer Peruanerin seit einem Monat ein Kind hat aufgenommen wurden. Nach einer Tour durch die Stadt und einem Besuch des Klosters Santa Catalina verglichen wir die Angebote fuer Ausruestungsverleih. Eigentlich wollten wir die Besteigung ohne Guide und Gruppe allein versuchen. Wir brauchten dazu Schalfsaecke, Isomatten, ein Zelt, Gamaschen und Handschuhe und ansonste... read more

Yesterday I arrived here in Arequipa, Peru, which is the second largest city in Peru and is surrounded by 3 huge volcanoes. I took a bus from Cusco yestersay morning which should have been a 9 hour trip. However, about halfway to Arequipa one of the tires exploded and started burning and the bus started rocking. We pulled over and it took them almost 2 hours to put on the spare, then we had to drive slowly. So the 9 hour bus trip turned into an 11 hour bus trip. While in Cusco, I did a 5 day trek called the Salkantay Trek, (because it is a trek around the Slakantay mountain) with the final destination at Machu Picchu. The trek was beautiful and quite a workout but was definitely worth it. We left on monday ... 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