The city itself is very flat in the sense that there are no high rise buildings and most of the streets still retain their cobblestone origin. Highlights for me here in the city were maybe the volcanoes on the edge of the city, Santa Catalina Monastery and The Ice Maiden.Of the last two mentioned I was not allowed to take pictures inside, so here are links to them and more info.
the Ice Maiden
Picture of the volcano. There are three, but this one is more prominent.
The view from the hostel I was staying.
The view from a bridge further down.
Oh yes, and the Plaza de Armas.Remember every town and city has one. While strolling around the Plaza taking pictures of pigeons in the fountain,this flock of birds arrived. So I poked my lens in there too.Nice, heh?
In case you do not believe me about the pigeons....
However, the real tourist attraction ( can't believe I am saying that) lies a further 4 hours drive away - called Colca Canyons, it is the second deepest in Peru and deeper than the Grand Canyons in the United States.It is also the nesting place of the Condor, of which there are an estimated 600 left.Yeah, I wanna see Condors!
So Wednesday,21st July hit the road with a little tour group.The next lot of photos are a short record of the trip.
Called vicunas,they are smaller than the llama and alpaca. Not domesticated, they are physically herded into a kraal where they are sheared.
They reminded me of our Springbok.
Next we met the Alpaca's in their natural environment. Although these were confined, the area is big and they can freely roam around. Also used for their coat and meat, these are domesticated like the Llama.
Two pictures below to show the arid and desert like terrain of Southern Peru
Then came across this place,above where people stop and stack stones on top of each other.You make a wish while stacking them stones and then travel forth, wishing your wish will come true.
We finally arrived in a small village where we were going to overnight and enjoy some local dinner and folkilore dancing.It was cold when we got there. And then the guide mentioned the warm water springs. Changed clothes and went down there. It was great - water temperature 35 degrees - outside 17 degrees.
Then 2 hours later dinner and tourist entertainment.
Next morning up at 6am for trip to Condor Tower to view the Condors and scenery of the Colca Canyon.Trip was on gravel road and I nearly choked on all the dust About two hours later we reached the viewing spot.
A small section of hopeful Condor watchers.
Alas, only saw one Condor and I also was not able to get a good shot and to make it worse, out of focus. So I had to do some Photoshop, but you will get the idea of a Condor gliding below you.
We could only stay for about an hour and a half (you know, tour group schedules) , so whether there were more later I would not know.But it really was a great seeing this big bird.
A view of the canyon.
And then another stop for a group photo
and then the long drive back to Arequipa.Arrived there dirty and dusty and decided it is time to leave Peru.
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