Arequipa to Lima. Adios South America!

Volcano backdrop to Arequipa

White stone buildings

Chillin' by the pool!

Well, Arequipa was everything we had hoped for. Beautiful architecture, relaxed, lower altitude and warm! We stayed in a great hostel with a pool, awesome buffet breakfast and a great little restaurant.

The city itself is set against 3 Volcanoes, one of which is active. The buildings are made from white volcanic stone, which looks and fells very similar to pumice. We did the usual wander around town and visited a museum containing the mummified body of Juanita, an Inca girl sacrificed to the volcano (volcanos were believed to be Gods) some 500 years ago and perfectly preserved in the permafrost until volcanic ash melted it in the 1990s, really interesting insight in to the ritualistic aspect of the Incas lives.

This was the extent of our culture in Arequipa as we wanted to make the most of the relaxed atmos before heading to Lima, which we knew was going to be quite the opposite!
It was! After a 15hr delayed bus journey thanks to hydraulics, we made it to Lima. Busy, bustling, slightly chaotic slum surrounded city, with contrasting flash hotels and shopping malls in the centre, set on high cliffs above the sea with a permanent fog!! Doesn’t it sound nice!!! Mmmmmm. We stayed in the Mirraflores area, which, to be fair was OK. Our main reason for visiting was our flight left from there to Costa Rica! We had a wander round, ate dinner then prepared for our flight the next day!

I (Jimmyg) was quite please to have avoided any illness in South America, but it got me! On the day of the flight I woke feeling sick, and then proceeded to try and find Huey down the plane toilet for the majority of the flight! Possibly the worst day of my life, made worse by a last minute aborted landing due to bad weather resulting in and extra 40 mins in the air! We did however make it safely, met MummyG and have proceeded to have an amazing time in Cost Rica.

South America is incredible. Our travels were hard work at times, but soooooo rewarding. It was above and beyond our expectations. Out of this world scenery and proud and friendly people. Possibly the highlight personally has been learning the Language, we can converse, understand and even chat a little which has multiplied the experience. Spanish lessons for sure when we return!!!

Well, love to all and time is ticking away!!!

Xxj&jxx