Itinerary  

Fri 8
	Breakfast
	Morning departure to "Condor's Cross".  Observation point from where these great Andean birds may be spotted.  Impressive panorama of the Colca Canyon, one of the deepest in the world (3000 meters/9800 feet).  In the afternoon return to Arequipa and the Hotel Libertador.

Day two of the BUS RIDE FROM HELL plus, yes you guessed it - I got Altitude Sickness.  I woke up at 03:00 with a very bad case of diarrhea.  And it went downhill from there.  The Colca Valley Lodge is great but I had to let the hot water run a good 15 minutes before it got warm.

I then went to breakfast and most people had a poached egg - very runny!  I almost got sick then.  I tried to eat my scrambled eggs but just could not eat them.

I was starting to feel ok by our first stop, but the bumpy roads got the best of me - oh ya - so did the Altitude!  By the time we stopped for lunch - that was it.  My head was spinning and I had the worst headache I have ever had.  I spent most of my time in the bathroom while everyone else ate.  The nausea was almost unbearable.

The highlight of the day was seeing Condors at the deepest point of the Colca Canyon - 3000 meters (9840 feet).  They were magnificent birds.  By the time we hit the highest point again - 4800 meters (15744 feet) - I thought I was going to die.  I had to keep my eyes closed as I was terribly dizzy.

Finally as we descended I started to feel better.  By the time we got to the hotel I was hungry and went to get some soup.

I've stocked up on my medications, making sure I get better.  I'm gonna head to bed early.  Thank goodness I don't have to go anywhere until 15:00 tomorrow.

Don't get me wrong, the views were again incredible - especially the terraces.  But I would have enjoyed it a lot better if I wasn't so sick.

Thank goodness the rest of the trip I won't have to worry about Altitude Sickness.  But I'll be prepared if I do get it.  Immodium is my best friend today.