Peru Trip

---

October 29, 2009 - Arequipa

Following breakfast at the hotel, we board a mini-bus that will take us to Chivay, with a few stops along the way.

Deviating off the main road, we drive along a track that leads us into the mountains. We de-board at a small town called Sumbay which is nestled in a valley bordered by landscape resembling that of the Grand Canyon.

Needing to use the bano (loo) due to the volume of water i was drinking to prevent altitude headaches, I entered, did what I needed and left promptly when Kim just happened to be approaching and seeing where I had come from, offered me anti-bacterial gel - I found out the ladies were in a similar state...

Following our brief stop, sampñing the coca tea that also aides altitude adjustment, we head back on the road catching sight of llamas grazing in the rare green patches, dissected by vein like streams, in this very arid place.

Stopping off at the highest point of the trip, 4,900 metres, a high concentration of stacked stones dots the landscape. Pepe, our guide for this part of the trip, tells us that they are wishing stones, created by travellers such as me. Before I make one of my own, I need to once again, use the loo - it had been about an hour at least!

Foolishly, I run to the little hut uphill, which in the thinner air, caused me to lose my breath quickly and soon bring on a headache.

Nonetheless, I make my little stone tower and set off to buy a trinket or article of clothing from the stalls situated by the side of the road - I accidentally knock a tower down in my hasty exit from the area...

We arrive at Chivay at 2:30pm and awaiting us is a buffet at a local restaurant with a sampling of a few local dishes. One of the items cooked especially for us, is Guinea Pig. Sticking to the less adventurous items, I overhear that Stephen is going to try the GP. Telling us all that it does actually taste like chicken, I decide to try small piece, leaving the hair laden skin for the local strays. Chicken is my favourite meat and this does taste like it, but I won´t be rushing to have another serve!

After checking in, we are told of a natural thermal spring that is close by so we all decide to venture there by road or by foot (I chose foot to try and acclimatise) and the walk was worth it.

The locals have constructed swimming pools that are fed the water from a nearby thermal spring and my muscles relaxed after entering the slightly sulphuric smelling water - though not as strong as Roturua, N.Z.

Feeling relaxed after my warm swim, I chose to stay at the hotel as the effects of altitude sickness were starting to appear and with an early start tomorrow morning for our trip to Colca Canyon, I wanted to be well rested.

---