It’s only 200km from Cusco to Arequipa, but it’s a tortuous route through the mountains and it’s still raining. The journey takes 10 uncomfortable hours. And boy is there a big difference between traveling first class and second. At some god-forsaken hour during the middle of the night, I wander downstairs and sneak an envious peak into the luxurious first class cabin, but I'm quickly ushered … [Read more...]
Spanish language woes, Arequipa, Day 36
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Yesterday was as close as it gets to a relaxing day for us, but before we embark upon another adventure we have some chores to complete. My hiking boots suffered more than I did on the Inca trail and we have to find a cobbler to get them repaired. And do you think Christi and I know the Spanish word for cobbler? Of course not (Note, it’s zapatero) so the only way to find one is to keep showing … [Read more...]
Santa Catalina monastery, Arequipa, Day 37
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Today we enjoy the tourist delights of Arequipa. First is the vast Santa Catalina monastery (actually a convent), which covers a whole city block. It was founded in 1580 and mainly attracted girls from the richest families in Spain (admittance to the convent required considerable dowries). But not all the girls went willingly. Not surprisingly, they were loath to give up their opulent lifestyle … [Read more...]
Peruvian altiplano, Day 38
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We leave Arequipa on our Colca Canyon tour at 9 am. Our route takes us up onto the barren Peruvian altiplano (an area of high plateau and vast plains lying between 11,000 and 13,000 feet) which, litter aside, is starkly beautiful. The grass is golden brown with stunted bushes and rolling hills that culminate in the massive snow-capped mountains of Ampato (of Juanita, the Ice Princess, fame) and … [Read more...]
Colca Canyon, Day 39
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I forgot to mention yesterday that Colca Canyon (where colca translates as store room or granary) is South America’s equivalent of the Grand Canyon (and the Fish River Canyon in Namibia – rather obvious name-dropping there). Colca Canyon is, depending on who you speak to, either the deepest canyon in the world or the second deepest. Cotahuasi appears to compete with Colca Canyon for bragging … [Read more...]
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