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(Mum and Dad if you read this, yes I am getting your replies to my blogs, I only just figured out how to read them.)
So much has happened in the last few days. The last time I updated I was heading off to Colca Canyon for two days.
4th Jan: Got up earlyish and got onto our private bus to head out to Colca Canyon, (the deepest canyon in the world, deeper then the grand canyon because of the giant mountains around the sides). We had a private guide and Driver aswell as our tour leader. We picked up some supplies for the four hour bus trip out there from Arequipa. Coca leaves (you chew on them and they relieve altitude sickness, which we were likely to get because we were travelling up to 5000m above sea level), and water. The reason I mention the water is, they have a brand of mineral water over here in Peru called ¨SOGAY¨haha.
So we headed out thru the slums of Arequipa into the highlands. We stopped for a toilet stop in this cute wee place that required about an hour of gravel road driving. Horrible! (and most of us in the group had some sort of tummy problems). But I bout some cute mittens here for s./10 (about NZ$4). Which is not as stupid as you may think, considering it is summer here, but at the altitude we are travelling at it can get quite cold.
Then we headed on to the town of Chivay. A beautiful wee place, so out of the way here. Infact they only got power here in 1995!!!! Our hotel was about a 20 min drive (gravel again) out of the town and was the most gorgeous place I have ever seen! all of the staff dress in traditional dress, there is an alpaca in the front yard and beautiful views and lovely dining room! We had a great buffet lunch here (despite being told not too eat to much to prevent altitude sickness, we all stuffed our faces), they had the best soup, cream of corn, so tasty!
We rested for the afternoon before heading out to the thermal baths for an hour and a half, which was lovely and relaxing. We went for tea after that at a traditional restaurant with a band and dancers.
Back to the hotel for an early night as the wakeup call was at 5 am the next morning.
5th jan: up at 5am, yummy buffet breakfast again and then got on our bus and headed out to where you can see condors (2nd largest bird in the world after the NZ albatross!). We got to the area at 8am and waited untill about 9:20 before we finally spotted one (not a good season to see them, they are mostly nesting). Amazing bird, doesnt fly, it glides. Satisfied with seeing one we all piled back into bus and headed further down the canyon to where you can see the Pre-inca terracing at its best. The landscape is amazing there. Could have looked for hours except it was cold.
We then headed back the way we had come the previous day and up to the highest point 5000m above sea level. We stopped there this day (since we had aclimatised) and all of us noticed the shortness of our breathing and how hard it was to do almost anything!
Then heading back into Arequipa it was snowing! Talk about climate extremes! (was around 25-30degrees in Arequipa about 2 hours away). Got back around 3pm and I had really bad tummy problems. Stayed and rested until about 6pm when I got some pills for my tummy and got dressed up to go out to dinner for our tour leader, Manuels 31st Birthday. (before this some people had cake and Pisco shots-grape liquer- and Manuel had 31 whippings with his belt, which is tradition) We then went out for dinner at a creperie. I had one with yoghurt and honey and then had a salmon one that someone else couldnt finish. Was so yummy. I wish I was feeling better so I could eat more!
After tea went for a drink at an Irish bar (cocktails NZ$3!!!). Then headed home with 3 others at 10pm. The others partied on with some not even getting any sleep since we had to get up at 4am the next morning for a flight.
6th jan (today): up at 4am and headed with the others to the airport to catch a 6am flight to Cusco. Slept most of the way on the plane (this has become a habit now, whenever I get on any form of transport for more than 30mins, at any time of the day, I sleep.) Arrived into cusco at 8am and got to hotel around 9 and dumped bags.
Went for brunch at a restaurant called Jacks. Manuel has been talking about this place since Nasca! Owned by an Australian and has the yummiest breakfasts. Had a breakfast burrito with beans, cheese and egg. Makes a difference from white bread and jam! Havent had to eat again yet and its 3pm!
Headed abck to the hotel after trying (in vain) to find (for cheap) waterproof pants, socks and an inca cola t-shirt. Had a lab lady come take some samples from me to make sure I am OK and that tummy probs will go away. (talked to Dr on phone last night and he suggested I get checked out). Dr is coming with results at 5:30 pm tonight and to do a checkup. I think they are quite conerned I have picked up an infection in my gut and want to make sure the pills they prescribed are working ok. I feel fine today.
Next I headed out with a mission to find supplies for Inca trail and I got everything for under s./100 (NZ$40ish). Pleased. Tempted to get something to eat from the fist McDonalds I have seen since Argentina! Going out for tea tonight then early to bed and getting ready for Sacred valley tour tomorrow and Inca trail the next four days after that.
Hope all is well back home xoxoxo
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