Peru and a fine how do you do.

We are definitely behind in our blogging. The pace of travelling in Peru has been fanatical. Buses and more buses. Luckily they have been larger and more comfortable than in Ecuador.

Here´s a picture of Petr in the district of Barranco in Lima.

We spent a couple of days in Lima touring the city then it was off to the town of Nasca and a flight over the Nasca lines. Enroute we went past the town of Pisco which was devastated by the recent earthquake. It was horrible to see the damage caused by an earthquake in a third world country - people were living in tents along the roadside.

In Nasca we took a flight in a single engine 4 seater airplane over the lines. Petr and Krista had differing opinions of the flight. Petr loved it Krista hated it both for the same reason - small airplane banking at almost 90 degrees and very bumpy. Sorry no pictures.

Petr went dune buggy riding and sandboarding on the dunes near Pisco and had a lot of fun. (Krista was still sick from the plane.)

Then we went on the mother of all groteque bus rides - the stinky night bus to Arequipa took 10 hours and even though it was a ¨luxury¨ bus it was still uncomfortable to sleep in. Arrived in Arequipa in the morning and went to bed for a couple of hours of real sleep. Arequipa is the ¨white city¨ and is surrounded by volcanoes. Must mention that so far all of Peru that we´ve seen is a desert.

Krista and Petr in the White City

Next day we took a side trip to the Colca Canyon and reach our highest altitude so far of 4,900M (about 15,000 feet). Many of our group were feeling the effects of altitude, but luckily the effect on us was minimal. Petr tried the coca leaves which tasted awful but made him buzz like extra strong coffee. We arrived at a tiny farming village mostly made of mud and brick and spend the night in a beautiful adobe style hotel. The town was surrounded by ancient pre Inca terraces still being used today.

Petr near the Colca Canyon

The next morning we went to the Colca Canyon which is the deepest canyon on Earth which is over 3kms deep in some parts. We came to see the rare Peruvian Condor. . . and before we left 6 condor soared and circled overhead.

Slowly we made our way back to Arequipa where we are now. Tomorrow we board the plane to Cuzco and the next day start our three days of trekking in the Andes on the Lares trail to Machu Piccu.