Hostal La Pascana del Inka Chivay

... some Condors. We were really lucky to see 5 condors although we weren´t sure any of them were fully developed adults. They certainly are impressive birds. Unfortunately the thermals weren´t great and they didn´t fly that close to the look outs. However I managed to get some shots of one of them flying. We then had a 6 hour journed back to Arequipa, stopping off at various points to enjoy the Canyon vista. Methinks we only scratched the surface...<br><br>

... I've wanted to try since deciding to travel to South America.<br> AlPaca is delicious meat. It is moist and has a hearty taste. It is cooked in a variety of ways and is available at most places in the high lands.<br> Guinea Pig has an unusual taste, by no means bad, just unusual.<br><br>Hearing it squeal as it is killed (it is killed before it is eaten to ensure freshness) isn't as off putting as you might ...

... quite sweet... we were just marvelling at this, when the alpaca decided to collapse itself on top of the cat... not just sit on it, but literally drop itselfstraight onto its belly ontop of the cat... me and the couple turned away and squealed in horror... and this little boy (of about 6 or 7) came out of th house and kicked the alpaca to get it off the cat-... the car hobbled away, looked even more wonky than before, and then the ...

The Cat, daintily pondering in the afternoon sun, stretched its furry paws and lazily sought haven from the heat. It was a hot afternoon and it´s fur was beginning to cause nasty repurcussions in the under leg department. <br><br>Alpaca stood tall and proud, munching on his leafy tree branch noisily, not put off by the blistering heat despite of the abundance of hair on its back and head. It was at this time that ...

... guitar. They were actually pretty good but things got a bit weird when a couple of dancers came out in traditional dress. They performed some dances including their "love making dance". It involved a girl hoping around a ringing a bell before they both poisoned each other with fruit and took it in turn to try and revive each other by dubious means. <br> After more dancing, music and clapping it was time ...

... to spot the great birds. I felt like a David Attenborough cameraman waiting for the excitement but when the great giant winged creatures finally swooped around from behind the rocky Canyon, my mouth hung wide.<br><br>Their giant wings rode the warm air like graceful angels, floating through thermoclines and circling for their pray.The sun shone through the 2000ft canyon like the first rays of morning in the desert and I was once ...

... not many people about...we jumped on a bus back at about 10ish... stopped in everty village collecting and dropping locals off... and we had a relaxing afternoon - evening... wandering around and exploring! We had an early night after another really ncie dinner... as we had been up since 3.30am and there had been some parade with drums and a band going past at midnight the ngiht before!!!!!<br><br>Back to ARequipa early the next morning...

... ravenous! We tracked down a local pizzeria and treated ourselves to a large pizza each which we practically inhaled! Then it was bed time, I was actually asleep by 20:00!<br> Waking up the next morning, I discovered the after effects, incrediably sore calves and still a ravenous hunger. So once we'd had breakfast we stocked ourselves up on snacks for the bus back to Arequipe, where we then picked up the nightbus to Cusco - a long couple of days!

... is not as easy as it may seem, it isn't like a chewing gum, and you must learn the secret technique unless you want to get injured. Coca leaves themselves are not sharp, but a strange grey object that you put into your mouth together with the leaves is sharp and may do a considerable damage to your gums. <br><br>Anyway, the road goes up and up. I'm already at about 4000 metres above the sea level when I reach for ...