I woke up about 10 minutes before my alarm went off, at 5:30. The sun was just coming up and I hadn't slept well as I could feel the wooden slats through the mattress. My stuff was all gathered and ready to take a shower so I went into the bathroom and turned on the hot water in the shower and waited. Checked again. Still cold. Well that could be because we are at the very top room at the top of the hill, maybe it takes awhile. Waited a few minutes more. Checked again. Not hot. Ok, maybe I turned the wrong one. Tried the other knob and waited. Nope, now freezing water. Ok, maybe I have to turn the red plastic knob under the sink. It's red, it could mean hot. I do that and test again and still not even close to warm. Turn the red knob the other way. Nope, that doesn't work either. Meanwhile, I am cold and naked and have tracked water across the slippery black tile floor because there is no other towel to use on the floor. Great. That's not the word I'm thinking but I can't get redressed and go hunt down someone down at the bottom of the hill. Sooooo.....I get in and stand to one side and give myself a very cold one-handed shower. Not fun. After I was done I was pretty sure I could have pierced any part of my body because I was numb. Ug. I told Kimberly about the water problem and she opted out of taking a shower. Anyway, we both got ready and went downstairs to meet Julio and some of the group for a morning hike to see some Incan ruins. Found out that some had hot water, some only cold and some no water. Not a happy morning group and Julio complained and all they could say was sorry.
The area was beautiful. I got on the swings and swung while looking at the ocean waves. That was a highlight.
The hike to the ruins was great. Again, a lot of skeletal remains and Incan ruins. Amazing that it was by the beach. After the ruins we had to get back for breakfast at 8:00 am as the bus was due to leave at 8:30. A little complaining here: Breakfast was a hard roll, butter (which didn't taste as good as any of the other butter we had come across) and orange marmalade. All the other places had great breakfast choices but this place just plain sucked. Even the water in the bathrooms had a funky smell. I definitely used my water purification tablets at this place. Luckily I had a few snack items from the day before so that helped with the lack of breakfast. I think we were glad to leave this hotel but not looking forward to the 8+ hour bus ride to Arequipa.
Bus ride wasn't that bad. Kimberly and I had the back row so we were able to stretch out. We has a lot of hill driving through sand dunes as most of the area that we were in was desert. We saw a big rig truck on it's side. It was a beer truck and beer was everywhere. It looked like everyone involved was ok as they were sitting there drinking beer, making the best of the situation.
Lunch was splendid. In a town called Mahana I believe. I had the shrimp and rice. It had a wonderful spicy sauce and one of the best dishes I have had here.
Back on the road after lunch and another 4 hours to go. We finally make it to Arequipa after our driver having problems finding the hotel. It is a really big city. Anyway, we get settled, have a nice, long, hot shower and relax. We have Wifi and cable tv and the hotel is cute. Can't wait to check everything out tomorrow.
It is 11:02 pm and Kimberly is out like a light and I am clean, content and tired. Bed NOW!
Goodnight!
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