The first thing about Mancora we notice is it really hot and second that there are loads of sandflies (not again). We're early for check-in so we set up camp by the pool and take in the early morning rays and let the sandflies have their first sniff. I bet they just love fresh meat. Well they weren't disappointed. There is an inter hostel game of beach volleyball and I'm roped in for a game. Turns out Jay who we met at La Senda Verde is working at the rival h...

Miraflores is one of Lima's nicer, safer and more touristy areas. It's easy to see why. Large colonial buildings, clean tree lined streets, casinos and nice up-market restaurants. Fortunately for scum bag travellers like us there are cheap hostels and eateries too. The hostel is in one of these lovely colonial buildings with super high ceilings and thin high double doorways. Also, and maybe we were thinking about sleep here, the advertised orthopaedic mattresses...

We're not sure exactly why, maybe it was the seats, the driver, the roads or just the chance alignment of some far off planets but we arrive into Arequipa on an overnight bus having endured the worst nights sleep ever. We are tried and grumpy. Me more than usual (hard to imagine huh?). We take the first hostel we're offered and get a taxi. We don't care if we're robbed we just want to sleep. It turns out the hostel is in a nice neighbourhood run by a lovelly bl...

We arrive at Aguas Calientes around 9.30pm. It's dark and busy with people trying to find their way. We exit the train station gates through a gauntlet of people shouting and holding name signs. There is chaos. Towards the end of the gauntlet we find a board with Andrew's name and a x2 sign. Phew. The sign holder guides us to our hotel and then advises us on how to get to Machu Picchu and the best times to set off. Our room is simple but nice and backs onto a roa...

The next morning we are up and ready for a 8am departure for the Sacred Valley. By 8.30am we are wondering if we have been sold a duff one and ask for the hostel to call the tour company. We are told that they will pick us up at 9am. At 9am a man comes with our tickets for Machu Picchu and the tickets for the train but no mini bus to start our tour. The tickets have my passport number and my name written incorrectly but the man assures us it would be fine. Just ...