Ok, 2am, 2nd attempt. Flying dog to Colca canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world.

It was another night of loud music and getting up at 2am was torture. The pick-up was due between 03:00 & 03:30 and as I had already packed, I decided to put my head on the pillow for another 30 mins.

There was a knock at the door, pick up had arrived!!! OMG I was still in my P,J’s. I’ll be 10 mins I said, 10 mins madam – too long!! Ok 2 I said. It was 03:00 yesterday and I assumed (wrongly) it would be the same this morning. Thankfully I’d packed the night before. Sitting in the minibus in 2 mins flat. Phew!

Not a luxury coach – a minibus on and off for 15hrs 😱. Being a solo traveller who likes to choose my moments to socialise, I opted to sit in a single seat. I was knackered after only 2 hrs sleep and I wanted to rest my head against the window for a few hrs or at least till we got out of Arequipa. There were so many people and cars on the streets, going to work? getting home from work? just wandering around? This city never sleeps – and those horns never stop blaring!

Unlike everyone else I had worn shorts but then again no one else is from Scotland and maybe don’t tolerate the cold as well. At least I had my fleece, my blanket, should it be cold at 4,600mtrs

Arequipa is around 2,600 mtrs and I’ve been nauseous and had a thumping headache since I arrived. I found out in Borneo, as I was vomiting while hiking up Mt Kinabalou (4,100mtrs) that my body doesn’t cope too well to high altitudes. I know it’s not always the case, hopefully this will be different.

And I have my smelling salts, paracetamol, ibuprofen and sorojchi capsules from the chemist if not.

My multipurpose fleece was rolled into a ball, put on the window to absorb the vibration of the bus and I drifted off to sleep for around an hour or so.

Breakfast stop in a wee village, roll’n’ scrambled egg, cactus juice 🤮 and some jam

So many stops to see traditional dress, llamas, alpacas and the opportunity to buy Peruvian merchandise.

Every photo incurred a small cost – so touristy, and I’m not sure what was the real authentic tradition.

The little churches were quaint and beautiful and certainly didn’t mind putting a donation into their little box at the entrance. I have no idea what theady said but she sounded so appreciative.

We carried on through the canyon past the little villages and the agrecultural land in the valley.

We contined our journey up to the Andean Condor view point. This was to be the highlight of my trip and I had brought along my new Fuji camera to catch the magnificent birds in flight.

We contined our journey up to the Andean Condor view point. This was to be the highlight of my trip and I had brought along my new Fuji camera to catch the magnificent birds in flight.

We didn’t have to wait long before they appeared and silently glided not more than 20 ft above my heads. My camera went into overdrive and I felt so priveledged to have had this unique opportunity and the fantastic shots I would have.

Once they had gone, I excitedly reviewed my images on the back of the camera.

I couldn’t believe it, not one of my images were even close to being sharp. I checked my settings and it was perfect, the focal point was spot on the bird and I had set a shutter speed of 2000/sec.

My heart sank as I watched them glide off into the distance.

I sat for another hour but they didn’t return close enough for a shot! 😭😭😭

Back into the van and off to the hot springs and zip wire – I fancied none of these events so I took a wee walk down to explore the surrounding area and little a stream in the valley.

The scenery was beautiful and I spent some time photographing the river.

For me the trip was becoming stretched and I would have gladly finished the trip and head back to Arequipa but maybe the disaster of the Condors clouded my judgement.

We visited a few more villages that, in my opinion, we could have past by but I had the feeling that we stopped in these places to bring tourist in to spend money which would financially support the locals.

Oh grief I’m getting grumpy for sure

Heading home we passed through some beautiful landscspe.

Eventually I was dropped off around 17:30 exhausted and needing to rest. The bed look so inviting but I was being picked up at 05:00 tomorrow to travel to Puno and I still.had to squash all my clothes etc into my rucksack.

So made myself a cup-a-soup and started the gruelling task.

I finished at 8pm’ish and I could hear the fireworks exploding outside to celebrate Halloween but I couldn’t go out on my own at night so I showered and headed to bed and played my music to relax me before I turned over and settled in.

OMG – the tranquility didn’t last long. Around 9pm it felt as though the whole of Arequipa had come through the doors of the hostel, they were having a Halloween party and I could hear them ordering pizzas.

I wanted to cry.

Nite

😩