Arequipa

Arequipa is Peru's 2nd biggest city whose horizon is dominated by El Misti volcano.  It's nicknamed the "white city" because most of the buildings are made from a local white volcanic stone.  The centre is really nice to wander around, taking in the sights of the ornate cathedral and all the colonial buildings with grand archway entrances.

From Arequipa we set off on a 3 day trekking trip into the Colca Canyon - one of the deepest canyons in the world and home to many Andean condors.  It was just me, Gemma, Steph and our own personal guide - Rafael - a native of the canyon.  We did however have a surprise addition to our group, a little dog we named Bingo who followed us through the canyon from the town of Cabanaconde and became our trekking companion for 3 days!  On the 1st day we had a 5 hour hike down through the canyon, to the valley base, past a geyser and to our 1st night's stop of Llahuar.  After a tough day's hike it was bliss to find out that the place we were staying in had a hot spring pool for us to relax in - the perfect cure for all those aching muscles! - relaxing in the hot water, star-gazing and watching the full moon illuminate the mountains of the canyon - beautiful.  The following day we set off early to trek along the canyon and to our lunch spot at the Oasis Paraiso - a beautiful little spot with a swimming pool (a refreshing dip is just what's needed in the middle of a day's hike - if only we'd had this on the Inca Trail!) and garden where we could soak up some of the rays of the semi-tropical climate of the canyon.  After our relaxing lunch it was time to face the allmighty climb back up the canyon to Cabanaconde again.  Steph went up on a mule and me and Gemma battled with the tough 3 hour subida in the blazing hot sun.  It wasn't easy but well worth it for the addrenaline rush you get when you finally reach the top!

Back in Arequipa we hit the town to bid farewell to Steph before she set off for Costa Rica.  Trying out the local cocktails and many variations on a Pisco Sour.