Day 7

And they get better and better but for some 7 poor people the altitude is beginning to tell. They missed the monastery this morning which was fascinating and had spent really bad nights. Even on the bus here some had to be given oxygen and a nurse has been in attendance since we arrived here.

We left Arrequipa around ten and climbed the Chachani extinct volcano. There are 90 altogether in Peru but only half a dozen are active.

What a trip of ice, birds, llamas, alpacas and at one wonderful stretch we saw many beautiful vicuñas: they are so very elegant. Experience of a lifetime.

We had a "comfort" stop late morning and bought granny´s biscuits.

Lunch was very good vegetable soup with maize, trout and pancakes with elderberries.

Some poor souls could not face it.

The cafe was within Colca canyon and not too far from our hotel.

After we were settled in the room we headed for the thermal baths`(that is thermal and not terminal as Margaret read it!) They were at 37 degrees and stupendous. We shared a cool beer and it was good to stand up in the cool and sink back into the warm.

Now off for our evening meal. Watch this space and feel free to comment!

PS we hope Chris and Jenny you are settled down.