Arequipa - `Canyon Country´

Hola Peeps,

This blog comes to you from the shortest of our long distance bus journeys so far... 5 hours from Arequipa to Puno.

A quick word on the buses as they will make up the vast majority of our travels through South America. As far as comfort goes the Peruvian long distance buses are about as good as they come. We are of course travelling on the 'tourist' buses as oppose to the 'chicken buses', but they are always full with a large majority of locals. At an average cost of less than $2 USD an hour they provide a great way to get around the country. A good level of comfort includes reclining seats, hot meals, onboard films, and blanket & pillow on the overnight journeys.  During the day they also provide a great way to see the local landscape from the height of the second floor of the bus (oh yes double deckers).

So the is bus is taking us out of Arequipa and onwards to Puno and Lake Titicaca (recognised as the largest high altitude lake in the world).

Arequipa on the other hand makes up the arid desert like terrain of Peru. Claiming to be the capital of Southern Peru, Arequipa is Peru's second most populous city. It is also a city of outstanding beauty, located at the foot of three (approx) 6,000m high volcanoes the views from every street are stunning. A city heavily influenced by the Spanish Jesuists the centre of the city has a very colonial feel and is centred around a communal 'plaza del armas' which houses the grand cathedral and offers a place for daily Peruvian fiestas!  The centre itself is actually a UNESCO world heritage site  due to the architecture surrounding the plaza.  Also known as  La Ciudad Blanca ('The White City') the majority of buildings are constructed of white volcanic rock that glistens in the sunlight. At an altitude of 2,350m we've spent 3 days baking in unbroken sunshine without ever a cloud in sight!

 

A short but fun visit to Arequipa which has seen us being dragged into a dance off in the plaza with school children and clowns (!), to relaxing by a swimming pool in the scorching desert sun whilst admiring the snow capped mountains on the horizon. A city thats seen us eating gourmet food and visiting a Citadel within a City (the Santa Catalina Monastery) covering over 20,000 sq meters! A city to remember...

Ciao for now.

A&G