16 Sept 2002- Arequipa

We have just downloaded our camera, so photos finally for those that dont know what our bike looks like!!

Well the Nasca lines were amazing. We went to a few museums to find out what they are and no-one knows for sure- its a mystery- drawings in the Peruvian Desert so large they are only visible by air!! There were also thousands of three thousand year old mummies burried and lots of grave robbing going on. See photo of Pat 'playing' with some skulls we found on the ground!

Arequipa is one of the prettiest cities in Peru and probably our favourite. It has cobblestone streets and fine Spanish buildings made out of a pearly white volcanic material similar to sandstone. Arequipa also has clear skys with the average temperature at 25C. There are heaps of museums, churches and a massive convent that had hundreds of nuns living isolated in it for 400 years before they opened it up to the public.

Close up shot of our bike.

We met up again with John and Annette from England travelling on 2 BMW motorbikes. We all went for a ride with a lovely local family we met - 5 motorcycles in all - it was a top day, see photo.

Tomorrow, we are off to Colca Canyon, which is twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. It is a great place to see condors, which is Peru's national symbol. Then off to Bolivia via Lake Titicaca.

The honeymooners in front of our beachfront cabin in Equador with the bike nearby.