A quiet day in Arica

The Cathedral de San Marcos de Arica by Gustave Eiffel reflected in the pond on the Plaza Colon

After the stress of the heights of the Colca Canyon we had a day off in Arica (Chile) before we went on to San Pedro de Atacama. It was good to be at sea level again. It would be the last low stop on our trip. 

Arica serves as a "free port" for Bolivia that is "land locked".  In the center (Plaza Colon) near the sea fornt stands the Cathedral of San Marcos. It was built by Gustave Eiffel. 

Plaza Colon with the Catedral de San Marcos de Arica

Arica is situated at the foot of a large rocky outcrop. From there you have a good view of the city, but I didn't fancy climbing anything his day. So we looked at what is left of the Arica - La Paz Railway. A derelict station.... The line went bankrupt in 2005. This station is also by Eiffel.

Arica station (Arica - La Paz railway) by Eiffel

This old customs office - also by Eiffel- is next to the station and the port. Now it is used as a kind of cultural centre.

The Customs office and the Morro

Near the foot of the Morro we found a small very modern (educational) museum from the Tarapaca University. Although it was still under construction it was obvious it would be very nice when finished. It had a glass floor over a burial place with mummies. On the wall was explained what you could see under the floor.

The top floor of the museum surprised us with a splendid view of the city and the harbour. 

The weather was nice and warm, something we came to appreciate very much in the next days. We walked back to the city center to have dinner. I love the public telephones in Chile with the small roof. It reminded me of  my experiments of taking a picture of the phone in Puerto Natales The best way is from under up.

We sat down in a small restaurant in the main street. That night we would travel by bus to San Pedro de Atacama.

Going further south on the Panam

Many people lost their lives along the Panamericana

 Our next stretch on the Panam is from Arequipa to Arica, crossing the border into Chili. It takes a whole day. Our bus has to stay in Peru. We will cross the border on foot. On the other side we take taxis to the center of Arica.

Leaving Arequipa 

A glimpse of a fertile valley

Even a river

This mountain looks almost like silk

Moonlike landscapes

Going down to Tacna (Peru)

Of course we couldn't take pictures during the crossing of the border between Peru and Chile. Everything went fine at the border. We were happy to be in the taxi on our way to Arica. So nice to be at sealevel again. But it would be the last time during this trip....

Between Tacna and Arica

Where condors fly.....

Going down from the high pass between Arequipa and Chivay we arrive at the Colca Valley. This is the place to see the condors of the Andes.

The road down makes large curves. It is high, but to me it never feels dangerous. We "only" have to go down 1210 meters. The landscape is breathtaking.

Llama "corrals".

We stop at a viewpoint above the Colca Valley. Down in the valley lies Chivay (3650 m).

This is another of the tourist traps on our trip. In all these places Peruvian ladies, dressed in lavishly embroidered dresses, sell us their handcrafts. While they guard their stalls they keep spinning or knitting.

   

The Colca Valley has terraces dating back to pre-Inca times.

Normal walking was for us already difficult (3600 m!!) Imagine carrying loads like this. 

A good way to keep animals in our out a piece of land is to grow cactus on top of the walls.

 

This Llama is called "Spot". He (or she?) belonged to our hotel. Sometimes he could walk free.... and got very naughty, trying to spray snot over anybody who wanted to get past him.

  

The Colca valley with all its terraces.

Here the canyon gets more visible. At its deepest point it is twice the depth of Grand Canyon.

    

Another photo opportunity.... 

   

Waiting for condors.... I saw this beautiful bird. Compared to the huge condors this is just a very small bird. Yet, he is the giant of his family; a "Giant Colibri". 

On our way to "Cruz del Condor", where we hope to see the condors, there are ancient burial chambers hanging high against the mountains.

Yes, this is obvious a large canyon. The depth here is around 1500 meters.

Our first condor.

   
   
   

 

 And then more and more. 

 
 
 

 
 
   

This really is the place where condors fly.....