Click here for a video recap of our week in Arequipa.
Much writing, photo-editing, video-compiling and artisanal-beer-enjoying later, we made it to the Cathedral for a visit. I love organs and this one, imported from Belgium and one of the largest in South America, was certainly a show-stopper.
A French-carved pulpit, supported by a serpent-tailed devil
A big earthquake in 2001 destroyed the left bell tower, badly damaging the pipes of the organ, but all has been replaced, and the organ is up and running.
Views from upstairs
Panoramic views from the cathedral rooftop.
Big bells
The fish-eye lens of the GoPro warps the bell-tower in a way it was not; dormant Volcán Misti in the background.
Coffee and work
At our most frequented cafe/beer-supplier, there was an opportunity to take a chocolate-making class. Julien happily attended, and the two-hour lesson started with explanations from the bean.
12 opportunities to add fun ingredients to the chocolates such as toasted quinoa, almonds, raisins, and even sea salt.
Finished product.
Our last day in Arequipa we booked one of those multi-destination day-tours, main attraction: the Colca Canyon, the world’s deepest a more than 4km (2.5 miles) from cliff-top to river bottom.
First stop, Maca; Julien in his element with an eagle perched on his head.
I preferred the more docile four-week old alpaca, Florsita.
Next stop, Mirador Cruz del Condor. This part of the canyon is around1600m (nearly a mile).
On the lookout for condors.
Andean Condors can reach a 10-foot wingspan.
Enjoying flying in the morning sun and winds
To try to grasp the enormity of the canyon, try to make out the crowds of tourists at the lookout to the lower right of the photo.
Colca Valley
Mirador de los Andes; desolate and freezing at 4910m (16,110 feet), just higher than Europe!
This Framerican Life 
Est ce que vous pourriez ramener un petit alpaga ? Ils sont trop mignons !
Quels beaux paysages encore ! Juju, tu n’as pas eu peur avec l’aigle sur la tête ?
Bisous.
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Un bébé alpaca de compagnie serait adorable. Et leur fourrure est incroyablement douce. On vera ce qu’on peut ajouter dans le sac à dos, mais pas sûr que la douane laisse passer sans broncher une telle boule de poil 🙂 Bisous
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L’aigle était super serein, c’était déconcertant. A ce moment là on ne sait plus trop qui est au top de la chaine alimentaire.
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Then it wasn’t a photoshop picture? Dad is more suspicious than me… and said that an eagle wouldn’t be so tame!!!
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You two continue to amaze me with all you are experiencing, and are able to tell about it. Too sad to hear that the earthquake destroyed the organ, luckily it was restored. I had a good laugh to see Julien under the bells… dad commented that if someone rang the bell as he is standing below, that would be tragic. Did you hear the bells being tolled?
The center of the colonial cities are so similar. It shows the great influence of the Spanish conquerors in all of those countries, as well as the Church having had such a power.
We still have some cacao seeds in the pantry downstairs. In Guate, cacao was a means of commerce when it was the currency to pay for goods and services.
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We don’t remember hearing the bells in Arequipa; Julien said he thinks they try to avoid ringing them while tourists are up there playing around. Julien is also questioning your keeping the cacao seeds in the basement. He said we learned about the Incas using cacao and salt as currency and is worried you’re stuck in that era!
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I LOVED the pictures of you with the 4 week old alpaca and Julien with an eagle on his head. The Colca Canyon is beautiful – the colors are incredible.
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Thank you Terri ! I’m convinced that the eagle had the time of his life perched on my head. I could feel the happiness through his claws. We we lucky to discover this unique and picturesque Colca Canyon. Abrazos !
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