Nov 2007

Being accompanied by our friends Dave and Michelle, we met our group of trekkers and boarded the full local bus at six-thirty and headed for the Colca Canyon, although not too excited by the hundred mile bus journey! As we left Arequipa we realised that the bus was not direct and the thirty seater bus had soon got an additional twenty people standing in the isle, as the bus driver seemed to stop for anyone every five minutes. With Panpipes being played by a beggar, the thought of a quick powernap was quickly eliminated.

After two and a half hours we stopped for a "five" minute toilet break, in Chivay. An hour later we set off again and finally arrived to sit down for lunch in Cabanaconde. At this point any excitment of treking the deppest canyon in the world was lost on Sam, who was not too happy after the unconmfortable trip. E-J as usual was full of conversation with the group and sat down indulging in conversation with everyone.

After lunch we put are backpacks on and started to descend two thousand four hundred metres down the Canyon. As we started to descend down we soon embraced the landscape. With the hot sun on our backs we saw an Andrean Condor swop down the valley. We would regularly stop and take in the amazing surroundings, however this was not to everyones liking and our guide soon got tired of waiting for us!

After a few little trips from E-J down the steep paths we finally arrived at our camp, San Juan de Chuccho. Where we were shown to our beds carved out of oak wood. We skipped the cold showers and all opted for a well deserved beer instead. After an enjoyable meal washed down with a few beers and plently of games of cards it was time to give our feet a rest and go to sleep, ready for an early start the next day.

The second day was a two and half walk to the camp of Sangalle and after a few more slips from E-J we arrived all ready to jump in to the oasis pool, and after a long lunch we had the luxury of resting in the Sun at the bottom of the Canyon drinking a few cool beers and resting in the hammocks, watching a beautiful sunset.

After another 3 course evening meal we all knew that an early night was required as the two thirty morning start was not going to be pleasant. We therefore all set off to our bamboo huts to get ready for bed. With the basic toilet facilities requiring you to pin down the outside with a sheet of tarpoling Sam decided to water the vegetation. Suddenly, an uproar of screams and shouts could be heard and Sam thought he had been caught watering the flowers only to discover a bush fire fifteen metres away. With the locals in complete panic Sam and Dave started filling up pans of water to help reduce the fire. Despite the girls attempts to help, they were told to not get involved, much to all of their frustration. After fourty minutes we all managed to control the fire and extinguish the flames.

At two forty five and very little sleep we started to climb three thousand two hundread and thirty metres to the top. With steep narrow paths it became hard work in the dark and Sam started to regret only letting E-J buy one head torch for the trip! As the sun rose over the mountains the views became even more impressive and the thought of breakfast eased the pain in our aching legs.

The feeling of arriving at the top was fantastic although some where more worn out than others! After breakfast we headed in the direction of the Cruz del Condor to view the local wildlife. At this point fatigue was setting in and any interest in the wildlife along with the surroundings was starting to diminish. A trip to the hot springs of Calera was next to replinish the body followed by a painful two and half bus journey back to Arequipa.

Sams Comments: No fireman sam jokes!

E-J Comments: It suddenly dawned on me just how unfit I am and I am going to seriously struggle on the Inca Trail. Though I am relieved to have Fireman Sam with me!

Having all been reunited, (the boys clearly with their tails between their legs) we set about finding accommodation. After viewing four Hostels which resembled something similar to a prison cell, we finally found a good place in the city centre.

After a two hour power nap, we made our way to another hostel, which Sam had located to watch the Rugby World Cup final.

Disappointed with the result, we headed back into town to drown our sorrows. By the end of the evening it is safe to say that Michelle and E-J were over refreshed, the boys took comfort in finding the best Kebab house in Peru!

The next day was a national censos, the whole city was completely shut down. The streets of Arequipa were desolate apart from the occassional tourist and this enabled us to really explore the city and take in the beauty of the architecture. Arequipa is known as the White City, due to the colour of its buildings.

The only place open to the public was the Santa Catalina Monastery, so E-J decided to explore it. Sam, thought at five pounds this was too expensive, so set off for a walk!

It is the size of a whole block and is like a city within a city. It has the most vibrantly coloured walls in bright blues, reds, oranges and white. It is also full of religious murals which have been restored. It was an amazing place to visit with all it´s small rooms and secret gardens.

After this we spent the rest of the day walking around Arequipa, taking in the sites. Then in the evening we booked our three day trek to the Colca Canyon and had an early night.

Sam´s Comments: E-J eating a kabab was a great sight after singing down the streets of Arequipa in the early hours of the morning!

E-J´s Comments: I loved Arequipa. It has definitely been my favourite city so far. The place has the most amazing architecture and I felt it had a much safer feel to it than any of the previous cities we have visited so far. I loved the monastery as well, it was a place so full of vibrance.