We arrive in Peru - Blogabond

Crossed the border of Peru in a taxi cab that managed to fit six people. Arrived in Arequipa to see ladies dressed in traditional long skirts and shawls loaded with produce and the occasional baby peeping out the top. On arrival we tried the local pick me up: a hot syrupy drink steeped in herbs including coca, mint and dandelion.

The city of Arequipa lies in front of the El Misti volcano which is still active.

From here we trekked the Colca Canyon (the second biggest canyon in the world, the Grand Canyon is the third). The sides of the canyon are made up of ledges which the local communities use as farmland. Huge Condors can be seen in the mornings searching for food. The three day hike was challenging as it was mostly uphill but we were rewarded half way through when we visited an oasis town where we were able to swim and sunbathe. The last morning woke up at 2.30 to trek uphill in the dark but it was worth it when we reached the top of the canyon as the sun was rising.

We then rested our legs in the thermal pools of Chivay.

On our last day in Arequipa we visited the market to sample a local delicacy: a drink made up of egg, evaporated milk, vegetable extract/ tonic, fruit, stout and honey! It filled us up and made us feel slightly woozy.

For pictures - http://picasaweb.google.com/trevallion74/Arequipa

http://picasaweb.google.com/trevallion74/ColcaCanyon

For video - http://www.dailymotion.com/trevallion/video/x5mvn0_Colca-canyon-2_travel

http://www.dailymotion.com/trevallion/video/x5mvj8_Colca-canyon-1_travel

written by

billyandsophie on May 27, 2008 from Arequipa, Peru

from the travel blog: South America

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