Arequipa – Mollendo, Peru
I’m way too wiped out for a full report.
So, in the immortal words of The Princess Bride:
Let me explain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up.
After raining most of the night the sun came out in Arequipa this morning. With that, we saw what the big deal is with that town. Snow-covered volcano skyline – worth the price of admission.
The ride down to the coast had three distinct parts:
- Kind of up and down in the beginning – with a huge mining operation along the way.
- Then flat – but with a fierce headwind for quite a while. (Battling that headwind is, I think, why I am so wiped now . . .)
- Then down to the Pacifico.
It was definitely a net-downhill day – but we biked like 78 miles – and I’m exhausted!
After arriving, we hit the beach. It was hopping. But the ocean was angry – with huge waves crashing the whole time. Absolutely unswimmable – even for Diana. And it was cold! This water is straight from Antártica. It must have been 45 degrees. Like Lake Superior.
The good news there . . . like Lake Superior, the ocean should help moderate temperatures from here on out. No more hot and humid coastline!
We talked to DHL again today. Does not sound good. They continue to “provide updates” – but the updates are always the same. The customer service person we talked to – Agnes – finally told us that it is summer break in Chile. The upshot is, I guess, that everyone is on vacation and no one has time to attend to our package.
Who knows when we’ll get our camping stuff?
Meanwhile, Diana read up on the Atacama Desert, and there is at least one 150+ mile stretch with no hotels.
Putting two and two together it became clear that we needed another solution . . .
Turns out that when you do a Google search for “camping gear in Mollendo Peru” there is a store that comes up . . . La Tiendita de Mollendo. And when you send them a WhatsApp message they respond right away – confirming that they have both tents and sleeping bags.
This was the place:
Miraculously, we were able to purchase a tent, two sleeping bags, and a camp pillow from La Tiendita. Total price – 200 soles – or about $56.
They didn’t have sleeping pads – so we’re thinking about getting two of those inflatable beach floatie things.
Definitely not a perfect solution.
But feeling pretty good about this acquisition.
So when Wesley asks what our assets are we can now say something like: “Old Dan and Little Ann, Diana’s fortitude, my . . . hmm, what do I bring to the table? – oh, I know, my blog . . ., and a $20 tent.”
I’m pretty sure we’re ready to storm the castle now . . .
And that’s all you get . . .
Topics that you missed out on . . .
- The mine that we saw may have been a copper mine. Might even be the same company that is trying to build a copper-nickel mine in Northern Minnesota. Will have to do some research – but may have some thoughts there . . .
- The selling of lots in the middle of the desert. I can’t imagine anyone has ever bought one of these lots. No water. No plantlife. The definition of desolate. Come on . . .
We’ll see. If I’m in a good mood I may come back to these points later.
Tomorrow – we head down the coast. 183 miles to Chile and the Atacama. Though it’s not exactly rain forest here . . .
Discover more from Diana & John's Biking Adventures
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Diana & John's Biking Adventures 
Wow – Two observations: One, John you are a very talented and entertaining writer, but you know that! Two, both you and Diana are amazing!! I am tired just from imagining your biking in the conditions you have faced!! Go Mungers!
LikeLike
Well, of course I love your observations. Always like to hear that people are enjoying the blog. 😁 Not sure who this is, but I’m sure after a few days of adjustment you would do just fine… 😁
LikeLike
I love reading about your progress. You are so far away from Ushuaia, but when you get there I know you will enjoy it. Make sure you bike into the mountains and National Parks. I have been thinking about Peru and the Medical School’s connection with the high deserts. Arthur and Mary Aufderheide worked at high altitudes for years, recovering samples from mummified remains all over the world, some coming from Peru. Art essentially established the field of paleopathology. I occupied Art’s office after he retired and inherited his wall of slide boxes. Art and Mary established that the tuberculosis bacillus was present in prehistoric Peru, so can’t be blamed on Spanish conquistadors (although so much else can be blamed on them). Slog on, John and Dianna. I love your updates. Jane
LikeLike
Thanks Jane! Great to hear from you. Yes, Ushuaia is a long ways but we’ll keep slogging along.
LikeLike
You really don’t want to be in Ushuaia in their winter…unless you have chains and snowmobile suits for biking. Springtime was great. If you can hop a boat to Antarctica, I highly recommend. My trip was a game changer for me and you could ride exercise bikes to keep the streak alive.
Jane
LikeLike
Hi! So jealous you will be traveling to the Atacama desert. Have been fascinated by the place ever since I started watching the videos of self-taught botanist Joey Santore. He’s got some great videos of the flora and fauna there – if you are so inclined:
https://www.youtube.com/@CrimePaysButBotanyDoesnt/search?query=atacama
Your camping gear adventures reminded me of the gear I purchased to hike the Kathmandu valley when I was a “kid” – purchased an old Russian camping stove that burned any sort of fuel, and a used Lowes backpack the size of a small mountain to carry my not-very-packable sleeping bag. Got me through in a pinch. Who says you need to spend $$$$ to have an adventure?
Still greatly enjoying your travel blog – stay healthy and stay safe! -Kari
LikeLike
Sounds like you have had some amazing adventures Kari! We don’t have a new cook stove yet – the old one’s still stuck in customs. I’ll take a look at the Atacame stuff. It’s funny because there is not much vegetation of any kind out here… 😁
LikeLike
Nancee Gearhart checking in again from NE Iowa. Still love following your adventures. Learning new things all the time!
LikeLike
Great to hear from you Nancee! Hope it’s getting nicer there soon!
LikeLike
well, those lots might be lottery tickets?? Ride on. We LOVE the blog.
LikeLike
Oh, you mean people who win the lottery win one of those white elephant lots??? Terrible. 😁😳😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
I actually bought a lot in a desert, in New Mexico! Still own it. Other desert land owners are slowly beginning to establish homes, barns, or just shade, etc.
It is fun to watch your travels. I always wanted to travel from Minnesota through Latin America. But I’m not as ambitious as you, and I would have taken public transportation I.e buses trains etc.
But life gets in the way. I suppose I could still do it
LikeLike
Not sure who this is, but you could do a trip for sure. The buses are definitely interesting… 😁
Lot in New Mexico desert. Interesting. Is there water at all or do you have to have that shipped in?
LikeLike