Well my first overnight bus ride in many years went OK - nothing like the journey on the magic bus from Athens all those year ago that put me off forever, well till now! We were even fed too. Arequipa is a beautiful colonial town with the volcanic Mt Misti presiding over all. Visited the most famous monument in the town, the Santa Catalina convent where the nuns lived quite splendidly. Both the mountain and the convent which is described as a city within a city, are in the picture here.

Strolled down the street from the convent into the middle of a big street parade for Arequipa's foundation day. There were fireworks all night and many still heading home when I set out this morning.

Today I went to see something fabulous, the mummy Juanita, a young girl sacrificed by the Incas high on Mt Ampato. She was found by chance when a volcano on a neighbouring mountain erupted and melted the ice that had preserved her for 5 centuries. It is remarkable to see her still intact in the same clothes and same foetal position as when she was sacrificed.

Tomorrow I´m off for 3 days trekking in the Golca Canyon which is deeper than the Grand Canyon. Along the way, we´ll be seeing giant condors as they fly off on their morning search for food. And yes, to put all your minds at rest, I will be with a group!