It's finally time to leave Cuzco...and, I fear, not a day too soon.

I eventually joined Caro at the legendary Loki hostel a few days ago - and it has been nothing but parties ever since. The hostel is quite incredible, set high in Cuzco overlooking the plaza with views to die for as the sun sets. It's also very obviously run by backpackers who have established a hostel that actually provides what backpackers want - a relaxed atmosphere, good communal spaces, a great bar, and comfy beds! I've now experienced the weird and wonderful parties of Bar 7 (everything you hear is true) and the boogie nights of Mama Africa's, and firmly established Jack's as the best food in Cuzco, though not by any means the cheapest! And once again there have been a bunch of people we've met here that have helped to make Cuzco very hard to leave - thank god most of them left yesterday or we might find ourselves still here at Christmas!

Cuzco for me wasn't quite as "huge" an experience as it was for Caro. We both got exactly what we came for though - for me, this part of the world has been about the Inca Trail, an experience that I could not have loved more if I had tried. For Caro, it's been about short days that start around 2 with a hangover, and long long nights - I was impressed if she got back when it was still dark, before the sun rose over Cuzco, which didn't happen very often! And although thanks to something that I'm hoping is altitude sickness but we'll have to see (my insides are a little bit of a mess!) I never quite hit those giddy heights of partying - but nonetheless I have very very fond memories of Cuzco, Loki and - as usual - the fab people we've met here.

Now it's time to get down to a sensible altitude.