After an exhausting trip to Arequipa, Ilse and I split up… She continuous her flight to Juliaca, to meet Ayme, a friend of her living there. I get off in Arequipa to meet my father and Christine in a local hotel.
When the taxi drops me at the hotel, it is a happy reunion after 6 months. We start the day – it is only 7 am – with a breakfast and a good shower. A necessity after 2 days travelling!

Then we head into the city, to visit some of the well known architecture and museums of Arequipa. The cathedral at the Plaza de Armas is the starting point. Afterwards we dwell a while in the Santa Catalina convent and visit the old inca mummies.
We end the day with a visit to the famous ‘Juanita, the Ice Princess’, exhibited in a nice museum. They tell us about the sacred journey to the volcanoes, the importance to hail the gods living in the volcanoes and the willing sacrifice from children… A unique experience.

The day after we go rafting on the nearby Chili river, ranging from nivel 2 to 4… We challenge small falls, face some rapids and enjoy the experience. In the afternoon we visit the market, look for an optician and have another stroll through the city.
Our full menu that evening is paid with a couple of soles, but we enjoyed it.
Early morning we leave the nice, sunlit city in a huge tour bus, on our way to Puno.
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