June 17, 2014
Ica, Peru
Our next adventure brought us to Soy Peru but our taxi was in shambles: broken side mirrors and driving on empty...
Belgium defeated Algeria 2-1 in Group H round robin.
Also owned by Backus and Johnston Brewery, Cristal. This taste more like Coors.
This is a very good complimentary BBQ at our hostel. Lots of food but we had to leave early for our overnight bus ride.
Our next adventure brought us to Soy Peru but our taxi was in shambles: broken side mirrors and driving on empty...
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| Calle Salaverry 329, Ica, Peru |
This dish is a family size ceviche dish (raw fish with citrus juice). We shared the mixed seafood dish, containing raw fish, shrimps, mussels, accompanied by Choclito shelled (corn) and glazed sweet potato.
For those who don't like sour food, you won't enjoy it as much as the citrus packs a powerful punch. The fish is soaked in citrus juice and eat chew gushes out sour taste.
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| 60 soles = $24 CDN (split with 3 people) |
We got back to Huacachina for more photo ops of the sand dunes.
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| Thirst quencher - agua sin gas |
Also owned by Backus and Johnston Brewery, Cristal. This taste more like Coors.
This is a very good complimentary BBQ at our hostel. Lots of food but we had to leave early for our overnight bus ride.
We hailed a cab for 5 people and this small one came by. The driver said it can fit all of us, including our backpacks. He started tying our packs to the roof but we felt uncomfortable and decided to get two taxis.
For less than $10 USD, you can upgrade to the VIP seats on the Cruz del Sur coach bus. It's located at the bottom section of the bus and is limited to about 12 people. Each seat can recline up to 160 degrees and is equipped with a Internet enabled tablet. The Internet speed is not the fastest but it does kill time. There are movies (pirated?) loaded on the tablet (cheap headphones are provided). There is also a panel displaying the speed and temperature of the cabin.
Dinner part two consisted of chicken with rice served with churro and some cake with ham. I never expected food on the bus ride so this always blows my expectations.
June 18, 2014
Arequipa, PeruAfter our 11 hr 10 min bus ride, we finally arrived in Arequipa. It's a definite change in scenery. Surrounded by mountains and the air is indeed cleaner.
We got to our next hostel at Arequpay backpackers (rated #2 on TripAdvisor).
We then found a city tour and took a stroll around this beautiful place. It's a booming city and lots of construction can be seen in the suburbs.
We ended our tour at this restaurant, Deja Vu, how convenient. We decided to stay as you can catch the Netherlands vs Australia (3-2) game.
I forgot what this cocktail was, but I believe it's some sort of pisco cocktail.
Coca Tea: contains cocaine. Also helps with altitude sickness.
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| 3 soles = $1.20 CDN |
Cuy chactado: Arequipa style guinea pig. They used stones to crush it flat and cook it. Guinea pig taste like a very fatty chicken. There was not much meat though. It's the most expensive item on the menu at 37 soles ($14.80 CDN).
Tequeños de queso: deep fried cheese dough (Venezuelan dish)
Chupe de camarones: another Arequipa dish. This is a crayfish stew.
Lomo Saltado
Arequipa dish: Rocotto relleno, a locally grown pepper stuffed with ground beef with melted cheese.
This was my main course, grilled chicken with rice and vegetables. This meal was free (valued at 17 soles = $6.80 CDN) since I won a game. This is the second reason why we stayed here.
After settling in our hostels, my stomach started to feel woozy. This was my first case of traveller's diarrhea. My other friend had the same issue. We nailed it down to the guinea pig we had during lunch. I started to abuse Dukoral and Imodium, this was not recommended per the warning label. I mustered some courage to go to the convenient store to purchase some over-priced and over-riped bananas. I found out that I paid 3 times the price, but who cares, I needed my BRAT diet. Pepto-bismol helped me as well.That was the worst night ever and a traveller's worst nightmare!
June 19, 2014
The next adventure includes condor watching and hiking down to another oasis in the Colca Canyon.
Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation, Peru
Alejandro was our extremely skilled driver.
Vicuñas, national animal of Peru, were spotted at the Salinas and Aguada Blanca National Reservation. An active volcano can be seen in the background as well.
We stopped at a rest area to get some tea to help with the altitude sickness and caught a glimpse of Ivory Coast vs Colombia (1-2) game.
Sitting in a car and driving from an elevation of 2,335 m to 4,910 m was the worst thing to do. I immediately got altitude sickness. I feel very light headed and tired; it's like having a hangover. Popping an Advil did alleviate the symptoms.
The next part of the tour was a Peruvian buffet and being serenaded by a local band.
Chivay, Peru
Dinner was at El Horno
Papaya juice
Tomate soup
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| 4 soles = $1.60 CDN |
I believe that this is chocolate mousse.
June 20, 2014
We kept driving to reach the Colca Canyon and made many stops along the way. Including taking pictures of a llama.
Mirador Cruz del Cóndor, Peru
Condor watching. Condor is the largest bird in the Western Hemisphere. Second in the world, after the wandering albatross.
This fast bird was spotted closeby, the hummingbird.
Cabanaconde District, Peru
Our 2D/1N hike began at Cabanaconde district at the main square. It seems like every single city in Peru has a main square called Plaza d'Armas. This hike down the Colca Canyon served as an acclimatization for the Inca Trail. The Colca Canyon is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. The views are absolutely stunning and a must go to destination.
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| I still get people asking me where I'm from when I wear this hat. I don't think it's obvious enough. |
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| Almost there, we can see the oasis. |
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| Baby food helped me survive this hike. |
We earned our night's stay at Paradise Lodge.
We caught the France vs Switzerland game (5-2) with a group of French.
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| A trip is no trip without catching the season final of Game of Thrones. |
June 21, 2014
The hike up started at 4 am and was pretty fun. Hiking in the dark with headlamp is a unique experience.
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| This hike was brought to you by Laive naranja (orange) flavour |
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| "I made it!" |
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| Harley, our amazing guide, acting like a condor |
Breakfast consisted of some healthy cereal with quinoa and some other healthy ingredients.
Alejandro left us and we took another bus to get back to Arequipa, stopping along for more pictures and food.
We ate two types of cactus: one was sweet and the other was sour, choose wisely.
My friend got sick after drinking this cactus juice.
This is one of my favourite moment. Catching alpacas and llamas on the side of a mountain, just grazing.
Another overnight bus, taking us from Arequipa to Cusco. This journey lasted for 10 hours but was a terrible experience. The heater was turned on to 27 degree! I was almost cooked like an over easy egg.
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