Wednesday 1st October 2014
All coaches from Nasca to Arequipa leave late in the day and drive through the night. That’s pretty inconsiderate to the tourists who want to see the beauty of Peru. So we decide to travel by colectivo and try to get as far as possible in daylight.
Leaving Nasca
Our first minivan to Chala
Driving in South America is often chaotic; we get the impression that signals, speed limits and solid lines are regarded as mere recommendations…
The Panamericana is straight…
… and the landscape rather arid
Woo hoo – the Pacific Ocean!
Risk of sand drifts – which can lead to road closures
After 170 kilometres we’re arriving at our first milestone Chala
Our second means of transport is a taxi to Atico, 90 kilometres further south.
To make his journey worthwhile, the driver crams four passengers into the back…
Sometimes it goes horribly wrong
It doesn’t get any greener…
The highway follows the shoreline
Safe in Atico!
Here we have to wait an hour for the next connection
We don’t get bored though – there is plenty to see
Our next shuttle is a 16-seater minibus, however, the ‘chofer’ manages to get 20 people in – sitting on stools and their own luggage…
After another 133 kilometres we reach Camaná, where we stay the night
Thursday 2nd October 2014
We have a nice room and a good breakfast in the Hotel San Diego
.. right on the main square of Camaná
Peruvian Police Patrol
Our last colectivo that should bring us to Arequipa, 176 kilometres further on
Johannes is impressed by the landscape – I think he didn’t believe me when I said that there would be nothing but sand for the next few weeks…
Ok, I may have exaggerated a bit
Here they grow vines for the famous Pisco
Arequipa’s house volcano Misti, 5,822 metres / 19,101 feet high
We’ve made it – 579 kilometres with four vehicles and all during daylight hours!
A taxi brings us to the Plaza de Armas
Then we walk to the Hostal ‘La Casa de Melgar’, a beautiful colonial building, which was recommended by friends and where we are given a fantastic room on the first floor.
With view of the Misti!
We explore the sights of the city centre
… and learn the differences between the South American camelids (zoom in if you want to know them as well)
The traffic baffles us every day anew
Each to their own…
The icing on the cake of a wonderful day is having dinner in a little restaurant above the rooftops of Arequipa.
Ponchos are provided against the chill
Lovely food…
… and great views
Buenas noches – we’ll stay another day in this amazing city to appreciate what it has to offer.
Pumpernickel on Tour 
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