In 2009 I decided to do some travel. If you’ve been reading along, you knew I went to Egypt and Jordan in early April. Peru was next…so after being home for 10 days, I flew into Lima, Peru by myself and arrived at my hotel about 11:00pm. For the next three weeks I would be exploring with 10 other travelers through GAP Adventures.
To avoid paying the single supplement, GAP will pair you up with a roommate. My roommate was still awake when I arrived. She was a college student from the Northeast area of the U.S. The next morning I met the rest of my fellow travelers…a diverse group from New Zealand, Australia, Morocco, Gibraltar, Germany and two women from California.
We only had a few hours to explore in Lima, so my roommate and I walked around, and got some street food. After the culture shock from Egypt…I was prepared, so Peru seemed tame. Like Egypt, many of the restrooms were simply a hole in the ground, with no toilet paper available, and you had the privilege of paying to use them! Please don’t think I’m complaining. I’m not your “prissy…pampered” type of woman. I love to camp and rough it! I’m just stating the facts.
I loved this bicycle/wagon filled with fruit!
Here is a map of our journey…
Our first stop was the town of Pisco…famous for the “yummy” Pisco Sours.
Unfortunately, I was pretty relaxed on this trip…drinking beverages with ice, eating salads, not being vigilant with my hand sanitizer; therefore, I got an intestinal bug twice. Luckily I had a prescription from my Doctor for Cipro…a broad spectrum antibiotic and that cleared it up quickly each time!
Anyway, we took a boat out to the “Ballestas Islands”…kind of like a mini “Galapagos”…
We had a blast jeep riding in the desert…this is the group minus two of the ladies that didn’t want to take the overnight bus to Arequipa, so they decided to fly and meet us there! (Good thinking!)
We went sand surfing down three hills…progressively steeper each time!
Desert oasis or…a mirage!
After the grueling overnight bus trip…on twisting, winding roads…we arrived in Arequipa.
A few of us walked to the beautiful Santa Catalina Convent. It was built in the 16th century and currently houses about 20 nuns. At its height, there were 450 living there.
This was the laundry area for the Nuns…
More of Peru next time…
Related articles
- Peru Vacations (orbitz.com)
- Arrival – Lima, Peru (travelpod.com)
Sherry Lachelle Travels 
Okay, we need to do the trading places thing for 6 months. I get to travel to unbelievably exotic places and look fabulous doing it like you do, and you get to stay home with a 16 year teenager…..
Just kidding!! Well not about the traveling part..
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Well…it won’t be long and you’ll be free! And you look fabulous!
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Ah, that`s on my list. I made it to the beautiful Arequipa but from the South (north of Argentina, north of Chile and Peru through Tacna. I was so close to Machu Pichu !! but I had to be back in 4 days!!!! so I had to come back through Bolivia and till today I don`t know how I managed to be back home in time!!!
I know you don`t complain and truth to be told, there are no creature comforts in Peru or Bolivia and customs are very different. Travelers have to be aware of it. I always say the same thing, I don`t complain but it`s something you have to mention.
Beautiful pictures!!!
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Ahh…but it sounds like you had quite an adventure! Thanks for the compliment and see you tomorrow!
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Oh how I want to go to Machu Picchu. (Repeat this sentence 10 times)
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I hope you get to go!!
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Love this post! I’m so ready to go to Peru. Right now. 🙂 thanks for liking my post today! Always get nervous with real personal posts, so I really appreciate it.
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You write really well Laura (I read the whole thing)! When you’re open about what you’re feeling and thinking…I believe that is when you can help the most people…including yourself. Anyway, you’re welcome!
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I am living vicariously through your travels 🙂
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If you’re not able to travel at the moment…it’s the next best thing! I’m glad I can entertain. Thanks for reading!
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Hi,
Lovely photos, had a bit of a smile when I saw the Jeep, so open for spinning around the desert, I imagine a bit of sand went here there and everywhere. 😀
Loved the oasis, they do look out of place in a strange way in the desert.
I noticed on your Itinerary that you also went to some ancient ruins, can’t wait to see those. The ancient ruins in South America have been on my bucket list for ages, a long way from OZ. 😀
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Actually, I don’t remember the sand being everywhere. You’ll be happy when I post about my hike to Machu Picchu (lots of ancient ruins)!
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Peru is quite a destination. I have been there a couple of times. To the places you mention here and also to the place you seem to have travel to later on – on the other side of the Andes. Looks like you had a great trip. It’s going to be fun to read about the continuation to Titicaca, Cuzco and Machu Picchu. The photographs are great, I particularly like the last one, I believe taken in the Santa Catalina Convent.
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Thanks Otto! It’s always nice to read about and see photos of a place you’ve also been to.
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Oh, can’t wait to read more! We were in Cusco all of October 2011 and LOVED the little weekend trips we took in Peru.
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That sounds like a great time…for a whole month!
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Great images, nice trip!
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Thanks so much!
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Good read, look fwd to the rest. I keep a journal on every trip I do, but, they just sit on the shelf, really must air them somehow.
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You should write about your travels…you write really well!
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Mmmm perhaps I sd add another chapter on my blog and have a go! Thank you 🙂
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You’re welcome!
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and of course, the fruit cart. I want to have each one of them..:-)
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Thanks Vic…I know what you mean!
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Nice, love the colorful old buildings.
Thanks.
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Except for the Montezuma bug, it sounds like a great trip. So glad you took lots of pictures.
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Me too!
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I love reading about your travels, great stuff!
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Thanks Martyn…It’s my passion!
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Wow! I am looking forward to the rest!
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Thanks for following along…it was another wonderful trip!
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