On the 3rd of June, it`s been exactly 3 months ago when I left holland! Yes I am now more than three months away and it`s still going good. It`s really a great feeling being so far away from home and doing so many beautiful things, meeting new people all the time and of course seeing new countries while heading up north.

It`s been a crazy journey from Rio de Janiero all the way down to Ushuaia and now going all the way up again towards central America. Crossing the south of Brasil, Argentina, Chile, Bolivia and now Peru. But before I will arrive there it will be a long long journey.

Right now I am in Peru, in a city called Arequipa, which is the second most populous city of the country. Arequipa lies in the Andes mountains, at an altitude of 2300 meters. From any place in the city, but espesily from from the roof terrace of my hostel I can see the snow-capped volcano El Misti (5822 meters) with is not very far away.

Why Arequipa?

Many reasons! After being on the travel for 3 months I am sick of being on the move. Sounds strange for someone that loves to travel I know. But it`s nice to stay at one place for some time; I don`t need to unpak, I don`t need to search for a hostal, bustickets, good restaurants, or a shop to buy something I need. It`s also nice to have a place to go to where you know the people, where they welcome you everything like your part of the family :) Second reason is that Arequipa is a really nice city. After being in Brasil, Argentina, Chile and Bolivia I have not seen a city so big but peaceful, clean, full of historical buildings, descent restaurants and shops.. It`s almost like Haarlem :)
And the third reason is that I wanted to take Spanish lessons. So I decided to stay here for a while :) First we went to the Colca Canon and after that I started my Spanish course at a spanish school called EDEAQ (Escuela de Espanol Ari Quipa). Every day (monday - friday) from 9 till 13. I have two teachers which I have 2 hours each. And taking the classes in Arequipa is also cheap. Right now I pay 6 US dollar an hour.

So these are the reasons :) I already uploaded some photo`s of the city but will make much more during the next week. Because I take one week more lessons. Hopefully I remember everything and can speak some Spanish next week.

Some facts!

- So far I have travelled about 11.000 km`s..
- Visited 5 countries already..
- I`ve taken more than 30 long bus rides..
- Slept in more than 50 different beds..
- Stayed in more than 30 different hostels..
- Met more than 40 people which I travelled more than 2 days with..
- Reached the top of 6088 meters..
- Had more than 10.000 mosquito bites already..
- Got sun-burned 5 times..
- Been sick 1 time..
- Got mugged 1 time..

Plans

After Arequipa it`s time to head north again. From here I will take the bus to Cusco where I also will stay at least two weeks for some more Spanish lessons. From Cusco I will properly go to Nasca, Ica, towards Lima and than up north. But much planning has not been made.. :)

Hasta luego!

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After comming back from the Pampas I stayed in Rurrenabaque. It`s such a nice little town, almost like paradise! I had a return flight to La Paz for friday, so I had no worries for taking the shity bus. But unfortunatly the gods weren`t really nice and begon trowing down tons of water. So due of the heavy rain no airplane could land or depart :( leaving me with only one option, taking the bus back to La Paz. For 80 bolivianos I got the most shitty place on the bus. All the way in the back with a window that couldn`t be closed. Very nice. Luckely the bus ride only took 20 hours, covering 0 km on afvalt. Very nice.

Anyways, after I arrived in La Paz I got on a bus to Copacobana, only 3,5 hours away. This time the bus was a normal bus and the way to Copacobana was perfect! And the views I got on Lake Titicaca were absolutly amazing. On the bus I met two people from Israel - Ido and Noga - and the three of us took from Copacobana the ferry to Isla del Sol.

Lake Titicaca

Did you know that lake titicaca is 8370 km2 big? That the maximun depth is 280 meter? And its the highest commercially navigable lakes in the world? 3,812 m above sealevel.. well now you know :)

Isla del Sol

When we arrived on the Island, we had to walk up the hill on an old Inca path. From 3812 meters above sea level, we had to climb another 200 to get to the first hostel were we seattled in. A nice quite hostel with amazing views! The next day we started our hike to the other side of the Island which took about 3 hours only. It was a nice and easy walk with nice views on the lake. On the south side we visited some Inca ruins which weren`t really impressive. We took a private boat back (which was cheaper than the ferry) and for a special price he took us even to Isla de la Luna!

Isla de la luna

This island isn`t reachable by ferry, only by private boat. And on this little island is only one hotspot, the Temple of the Sun. A nice preserved ruim from the Inca. Now that ruin was impressive to see. After half an hour of walking around we took the boat back.

We spent one more night on Isla del Sol and than we headed off back to Copacobana.

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And than I hit me.. after the climb I was sick for two days :( Two days I couldn`t do anything except running to the toilet and sleeping. Ah well that happens to everyone here in Bolivia. But than the third day I felt better, and instead of hanging arround in La Paz again I booked the plane to Rurrenabaque!
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It`s unbeleavable but true.. I was on the top of Huayna Potosi, 6088 meters above sea level! Wauw was an experience was that. Together with my Israelian friend Noam and our guide we reached the top arround six in the morning after a very hard 4 hour hike.

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