Blogs from Arequipa, Arequipa, Peru, South America - page 2

Floating islands and Puno Crossing the border into Peru was really straightforward, once we finally left a busy Copacabana in Bolivia. We headed for Puno, maybe not the most attractive of cities but great food and of course has the Uros islands, floating islands. Which we headed straight out to the following day. The floating islands are made with blocks of soil which are tied together with rope and held down with sticks. The top of the islands are layered with reeds which are from the island and have to be replaced every two weeks. Standing on the islands is interesting as they are pretty bouncy, with the reeds having to be around 2m in thickness. We were shown round 2 of the islands and visited people's homes, they even showed us how to eat the ... read more

Spent the morning catching up on stuff and doing running repairs such as seeing the rip in Hat's yoga pants and a button back on one of my shirts. Then we packed up all our stuff and placed it in left luggage for collection before this evening's overnight bus back to Nazca. We strolled down to the main plaza, popping into trinket and souvenir shops along the way. Inevitably, some small pan pipes found their way into our day sack, along with a Peruvian costumed 'barbie' to replace the one Hat gave to the little girl in Uros. Initially it was named Bonita, but has subsequently become Jessica. I bought a hat as Ed's hat is really too small for my noggin. We hoofed across town to find a traditional Peruvian restaurant that had been recommended. ... read more

There has been a big Hat swap around. Cas' cowboy hat has gone to Ed, Ed's baseball cap has come to me and Cas has bought a blue and cream hat. Hat already has a girly sombrero affair with lots of ribbon and material. At Nazca bus station last night, Hat was so tired that she crashed out on top of her bags and we lifted her into the bus when it was all loaded. The overnight bus journey has the most comfortable chairs of any bus we've been on. Poor Ed woke up in the night and didn't know where he was and was quite upset and said he wasn't enjoying it; it took a lot of hair stroking to get him back off and then he slept very well and he was back to ... read more

After 4 nights of bus travel we finally reached Arequipa. Tired and exhausted this desert town was an oasis of white coloured buildings, churches, monastry´s and a truly spectacular central plaza. As we explored the cobbled streets we felt a growing sense of ease and familiarity. After days of constant onward travelling, finally being still in such a beautiful place felt like luxury. We made the culinary discovery of Tommy´s lifetime in the form of Queso Helado (cheese ice cream) topped with cinnamon. This of course isn´t Tasty chedder cheese, this is South American cheese which has a similar texture to Halloumi without the squeak and a taste more like a soft mozzarella crossed with riccotta or marscapone. After each day that followed Tommy sought out this delicious delicacy. For Tuppence the best discovery in Arequipa ... read more

We had Christmas with our son Simon in Canada...a road trip through Utah & Arizona during a polar vortex ending staying with Home & Away in Colorado...another road trip down the Blues Highway from Memphis BB King's Blues Club to New Orleans juke joints...schmoozing, bluesing & cruising the Caribbean with those darn Binkleys. It's time for our South American leg that we only added to meet Tara Cloud. Peru, Bolivia & Nthn Chile. Nil planning...dreaming of soaring with condors. Arrive in Arequipa...Tara there to meet us. Loaded up with her new camera and various gear we'd collected from Home & Away for her. "Did you get me a window seat on the flight to Cusco?" "No. They only let us book three together." "I'll change the seats," she says...jumping for joy when she has done so. ... read more