Lake Titicaca to Arequipa

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Well after leaving from Puno and Lake Titicaca we arrived in the city of Arequipa - the second biggest in Peru and we were all pleasantly surprised at how nice the city was!

So after arriving we we decided to do a two day tour to the Colca Canyon the second deepest Canyon in the world (disputed to be the deepest by some Polish students) and second only to a Canyon just down the road from it and deeper than the Grande Canyon.

Anyhow after setting out at about 7.30am in the morning we stopped along the way to see some Vicuna a type of deer thing but related to the alpaca and llama. We also saw more massive mountains and volcanos and crossed to 4910m !! After a bit of Coca Tea we were on our way and arrived in Chivay early afternoon were we headed out for a hike - we werent sure what we were suppose to be seeing - our guide was english speaking but she hadnt said so we just thought we were going to be cruising around the countryside - that was until she showed us up this little side track to some tombs. Im like oh yeah big deal a whole in the wall - yeah yeah another tomb until I stuck my head and nearly knocked myself out by jumping out when I say two skulls and a spine with ribs sticking out!!! Their were about 8 tombs in all!!! Was bizarre!!! She reckons they are from about 400 years ago - the tombs were raided and the goodies inside taken - other than the bodies that is!!!

So the next day of the tour was to the Canyon of the Condor - about an hour drive and then a 30-45minute walk. We had been told it can be hit and miss lucky for us it was a home run!! We got to see two Condors - one sat on a ledge just down from us and then flew right over us - we got great footage on the digi which I will send seperately later!! Was just awesome we got to watch them for about an hour - they only fly between 8.30 and 9.30am when the winds warm up as they weigh about 12kgs and stand about 1.2m tall. Was just wicked!

Anyhow the tour included a few other stops but those two were by far the most memorable!

So that night we got back to Arequipa and spent one more day and now we are back in dirty dirty old Lima!

We fly out tomorrow for Santiago - a week earlier than anticipated but we are stoked to have not rushed Bolivia as Arequipa was worth going to and spending the time rather than missing it on the way back!

So this is the last blog from Peru - we are off to feast on steak and fine wines - we cant wait!!!!

Anyhow be good all and hope all is well with everyone - Adios from Peru and well be in touch when we hit Mendoza - that is if we can get our butts out of the wineries and restaurants!! Hehe

Love lots
Shonelle and Mike xxxx

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Photos

1
On Lake Titicaca on the floating island of Uros looking across the lake to other floating islands and reed boats

2
A reed boat - similar to one that we rode across from one island to another

6
Gary eating some of the reed that the floating island is made out of - they use it for everything, their houses, their beds, their boats and dinner - very versatile - but it didnt taste like anything other than reed!

7
One of the reed houses on the reed island with reed beds!

3
Volcano ´El Misti´ by Arequipa - the city is surrounded by 3 volcanoes - 2 of which are active. The region is renouned for earthquakes and the volcano that just erupted here in Peru early last week is 50kms away.

4
On the way to Colca Canyon we came to the highest point of teh trip 4910m! Here the ground is covered with rock towers built by the locals as an offering to the gods - they went for as far as the eye could see...

5
And so we decided to build one too....didnt want to miss out....lifting the rocks was a mission as you can imagine teh air was pretty thin !

8
On the way to Colca Canyon - the kids all dressed up in their traditional dress and walk around with baby llamas or alpacas!

9
After an hours walk upon arriving in Chivay we were shown to some family Tombs

10
....and in those tombs were bones of the families from 400 years ago....hmmm wasnt too much of a shock looking in and see skulls and spines!

11
....Valley of the Condors on day two of our tour and what we came for - Condors!!! We saw two - an old male - wing span about 3 metres and a female about 2 metre wingspan!!! Was awesome!

12
Back in Arequipa at the Plaza de Armas - it is known as the white city given how is looks at night lighten up

Comments

[POPPA!]

looks like you are all having a ball ive finally worked most of this travel blog crap out so expect more replies luv u all take care

[Marianne]

Wow!
The imagery in your last two blogs looks fantastic. What a wonderful experience and so many colourful memories. Rob and I have just taken the kids to Singapore for a week (had a lovely time) but maybe one day we'll work up to this. Love Marianne.

[Gabes]

Kiaora
Hey you guys. Well I am back on e-mail and Susan is forwarding me your bloggs from the old e-mail. If you get the chance to change it my new address is [e-mail]. It's so awesome seeing what you are up to but have to say makes me miss you more seeing all the photo's. So wish I was there! Take care - Luv you all heaps! PS: Gary tried to catch up with you for drinks but couldn;t get through in Poppas phone. See you when you get back here.

[Nadine]

Wow, sounds like you are having a wicked time and the photos look amazing!! I am so jealous. Take Care. x

[Rodney]

Hey Guys the photos and stories are all good - sort of like the Uncle Travelling Mac from the Fraggles. Any way its taken some a little longer than others to reply and work their way around this blog but i know what to do now so will keep in touch more. To gary: Sandra is missing u heaps and is going to save herself for you just like u asked her too. However when u get back i will kick her out because i cant handle listening to u beg for it. Sweet as guys not much has been happening out of the ordinary and poppa is still the town idiot when we go fishing. Sweet guys love to all and hear from u soon