Little Lolly's Small Adventures: Port of Matarani, Arequipa, Peru. Excursion: Jewels of South America: Galapagos & Machu Picchu

Our wake-up call was very early - at 3:30 am. We had pre-packed our luggage before heading to bed and it was collected from outside our rooms late last night/early this morning, transported to airport ahead of us and tagged.

At an unearthly hour of around 4:15 am we hit the road to Cusco Airport. I think most of us slept during the journey to the airport. Juan said his goodbyes to us at the security gate but Manning continued with us on the flight. Again I think that most of us dozed during the 2 hour flight to Arequipa, too tired to even think. It didn't help, either, that our lovely tour was coming slowly to an end.

Julia, our next additional guide, joined us at Arequipa Airport and was to be our local guide for the day; along with Manning (poor chap - he wasn't let off the hook just yet!). As we drove towards Arequipa we managed to wake up and Julia talked about the history of the city, what to see and do. She also briefed us on our day’s itinerary.

Our first stop was at Mundo Alpaca to see alpacas and to feed them, including a baby alpaca. We were given some insight into rearing of alpacas, shearing, cleaning the wool, making it into wool skeins, the dyeing process using natural plant products; and the various uses for the wool. There was a woman on the site doing some weaving by hand. It's quite an arduous process but that is the life of many woman here.

We spent a bit of time walking around Arequipa: stopping at Saint Francis Plaza with its surrounding buildings, cathedral, church and museum. The square itself was a nice place to relax with its fountain and palm trees. We also went to Pozo House to see the art gallery where there were lots of photographs reflecting life in Arequipa, past and present.

Our last stop for the packed morning was at the Jesuits Church (Iglesia de La Compañía Church). It was very pretty inside with its artwork on remnants of plaster that covered the church walls before it fell off during an earthquake. The paintings and plaster have not been restored.

Lunch at Sol de Mayo Restaurant was a delicious 2 course lunch with various options, including a local delicacy: guinea pig (yes, you read correctly, a guinea pig - see a photographs as proof!). Some of us were brave enough to try it. Admittedly the small portion we had was delicious. Street musicians came in and played Peruvian music for us (with panpipes, guitar & other instruments), the aim of which was to promote their CD. I ended up getting one of their CDs to support their efforts.

There was one more place to visit before we headed back to the ship. This was the Yanahura Plaza a short enough walk through the streets with a stop for photographs at the plaza and to see the views.

Sadly the time came to start heading back to the ship. I wanted to stay awake during the journey but I was so tired that I nodded off, waking up about an hour before reaching the port of Matarani. By then the scenery was very different from where we had been. The area was dry and barren, desert-like, but yet people still lived in the region.

I updated Paul and let him know how far we were from the ship and when we would be arriving, more or less, according to the satnav app on my mobile phone. Not everything went to plan.

When we arrived at the port Julia did the paperwork and a dog came to sniff our luggage in the bus' hold. Then we were told that we had to enter the port via a different gate. so... we went around to the other gate. No problem. Yes, a problem. We had to get off the bus, collect our luggage and go through port security. In the meantime our now empty bus would have to go all the way BACK to the first gate we had stopped at, go through the port and collect us at the entrance that we had been dropped off at. A few bags were inspected by the port authorities without many hiccups and by the time we had all been scrutinised and checked, our bus had arrived. So we had to re-load our baggage into the bus hold and re-board the bus for a short drive inside the port to the ship.

By this time Paul and various heads of departments had been waiting on the pier for over an hour; champagne glasses full and getting warm by the minute. I had tried to keep him updated with text messages throughout this time but it was still a matter of .... "are they ever going to get here???". We had a very warm "welcome home" reception committee from the staff who lined up on the pier to greet us. Paul, who had missed me tremendously (and I him) swung me into a big hug, much to the delight of the staff and watching passengers.

I was tired and glad to be back 'home from home' but yet elated from such a wonderful time with a delightful group of people. I couldn't have wished for anything better. Our guides, themselves, had become friends by the end; and it was a bit sad to say goodbye to them.

The memories of that trip are the most important thing. If you have an opportunity to explore - grab it with both hands and don't look back. Life is short, it is a journey. Savour it.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Mundo Alpaca