Peru 🇵🇪 | Arequipa - This Damn White Romance 🤍

Picking up from my last post—finally arrived in Arequipa and came back to life! Founded by the Spanish in 1540, the old town is built entirely of white volcanic stone (sillar), earning it the nickname "The White City." No matter where you go, you’ll see three towering volcanoes: Misti, Pichu Pichu, and Chachani. Day 1: City Walk 🚶‍♀️ Must-See Spots! ✅ Cathedral Museum – A guided tour showed off the bishop’s ornate robes and crowns. Climbed to the second floor for a panoramic view of Plaza de Armas. ✅ Museo Santuarios Andinos – Learned about Inca sacrificial rituals and saw a replica of the famous frozen mummy Juanita (the real one’s in a university lab). The guide "deciphered" a quipu (Inca knot-record) with such conviction—felt like I could’ve aced that "reading comprehension" too. 🙋‍♀️ ✅ Santa Catalina Monastery – This place is massive (once home to 500+ people!). Countless kitchens inside—guess how many? Fun fact: Nuns had to pay an "entrance fee" (yep, a key revenue source for the monastery). ✅ Yanahuara Viewpoint – Breathtaking 360° views of the city. Day 2: Salt Lake Tour Joined a 6 AM tour (50 soles per person) that dragged on till 4-5 PM. The salt lake was stunning, but the other stops? Meh. 😐 Day 3: Outdoor Rock Climbing 🧗 Chose climbing over a 2:30 AM tour (because, breakfast!). Though I can handle 5.9 indoor top-rope, outdoor climbing was a whole new game—why are these rocks so slippery?! #WallCrawlersUnite The routes ranged from 5a to 6a; finished all four and felt pretty proud. Some folks went rafting afterward—I, however, needed a nap. 😅 Food & Drinks 🍽️ ☕ Kafi Wasi – Ordered their Flowery Coffee (fruity and aromatic) and a forgotten-but-amazing specialty drink. 🍖 Zig Zag – Got their three-meat platter sizzling on a volcanic stone—juicy and fragrant AF. 🍴 Chicha por Gastón Acurio – A restaurant by Peru’s celebrity chef Gastón Acurio (more on his empire later!). Highlights: Queso Helado (the BEST I’ve had) El Adobo Taco – Perfectly braised meat. Sea Urchin Pasta – Pure bliss. Lomo Saltado – A Sino-Peruvian fusion stir-fry with killer sauce. 💸 Pro tip: Show your receipt at Kuna for discounts! Next stop: Lima! 🌆 #PeruTravel #ArequipaAdventures #ArequipaEats #WhiteCity