\"HIKING IN STILETTOS\" Rachal thought up this great name for our little hike today and it proved to be so true as us four girlie headed off at 8am this morning for our 2 day hike in the mountains. Got a two our mini bus to Pampa Linda. It was raining when we got up, but we were hoping that it would calm down, but instead it just got worst and worst. Going up the mountain it was getting colder, and wetter. But we were still hoping that once the bus stopped it would improve. None of us had the correct clothing or footwear. I thought up the great idea of putting plastic bags in my traininer to make them water proof. (must have remembered this from my Scout days!) So Tina and I thought we were prepared. We all had our waterproofs and everything in out bags were in extra carrier bags so we thought we were set. Rachel and Nina had to scrap some gear together as all their stuff was in the Laundry. It closed last night before they had chance to pick it up - whoops. But we had already made the booking for the trip so we were not going to give up now. Not because of some rain. So we got to Pampa Linda and an experienced hiking told us that there was no way we were going to make it to the Glaciers. But showed us a small hike that we could do where we could see a nice waterfall and a glacier at the top. Sounded good to us. We checked into the mountain hostel which was so basic. And very cold. Inside seemed to be colder than outside. Like true british girlies we had a cuppa tea before we left to warm us up. We met another girl, Kate, who was brave enough to join us, so our new name is now the "famous five", and we did look like them with out rain macs on. So off we set in the pooring rain. The hostel dog decided to come with us. It was as if he was guiding us (or looking after us). He stayed with us all day. 2 and a half hours later we had been through little puddles, big puddles, and now rivers. As it was raining so much the root was now turning into a river. We were balancing on logs trying to not get out feet wet. Climbing over large tree trunks. (I would have got a badge for this if i was still in the scouts!). We still had not found the water fall and slowly we were getting disheartened. We were all thinking of turning back, but decided to give it another half hour. 30 seconds later, just through some tree we saw the most amazing sight - a large waterfall with a big white glacier at the top. Yippee. We were all so pleased and it was so worth the walk. We all couldn't beleive that we nearly miss this sight. The walk back took only 1 and half hours. We were so cold and was dying to get back. Just as we got back the mini bus was taking people home. We jumped on as we had no dry clothes and there was no way that we were staying in that cold hostel. And no way we were doing another hike tomorrow in the rain. Got back to town and our original hostel was full booked, but I think we looked such a sight and they fell sorry for us that they let us have the common room as our bedroom, which was cool as it has 2 computers, tv, music. It was like having a PJ party. :) I was so pleased to get in my sleeping bag tonight, and I even had a another thick blanket on us well. I never thought I would be this cold in South America. I am going to keep to the warmer places from now on. Tomorrow night the girls are off down south even further, sod that, I am going back up to the sun!