09.09.09 – 10.09.09 Huaraz, in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range

Stepping off the night bus into the cold mountain air of Huaraz at 6am was quite a shock to the system, having journeyed from the coast. But by 11am the sun was scorching and we had to peel off the layers of winter clothing we thought we’d need at this high altitude. Huaraz is surrounded by the ice-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca, the highest of which, Huascaran, stands at 6,798m. Huaraz is an authentically Peruvian mountain town with local markets and the epitomous Quechua indigenous peoples of the area trading their produce. (It was severely devastated a major earthquake in 1970 and the streets and buildings are still being re-built.)

We are touched by the thoughtfulness of our tour companions- they chip in to buy us strawberries and champagne in aid of our third anniversary. This date is said to have mystical value, we’ve heard that gatherings of ‘spiritual’ peoples are taking place- needless to say we didn’t attend any! Instead, choosing to enjoy a pretty tasty Italian meal and an early night.