3 Day bus journey was not as bad as first though, although full of dirty local men. Scenery was stunning. It took us BA to Mendoza, across the border into Chile, through Santiago and then straight up north into Peru. The views were snowy mountains one minute and then desert the next. The boder into Chile was no easy task. We were lined up like criminals while sniffer dogs went over our belongings and right through the bus. I was asked to open my rucksack (took me ages to pack in first place) They thought my beads were berries - big on food! Kat and Char were in touble for their bananas on the bus after signing a declaration of no fruits / food across the border etc.... The bus also stopped at the randomess places to eat, food was crap and expensive and toilets were disgusting.

Finally we arrived in Lima at about 7pm. Bus pulled into some dark alley while unlaoding our bags, very scary. Caught a fairly normal looking taxi to a hostel recommended by David - Kocopelli. Held our breath all the way in the cab as most the taxi drivers are corrupt.

Had email from Shem that night saying they had arrived in Lima, so arranged to meet at 10.30 next morning, well excited.

10.30am next morning and Shem and Al had still not arrived at the cafe! Me and Char could not sit down we were so excited. They have been travelling since Feb, so it had been a while since we had all seen each other. Finally they arrived at about 11.15am and i actually jumped on Shem that hard that we fell flying in the street. Massive catch up before taking a walk on the front, few drinks on the roof terrace of hostel and chilling. Barman in hostel was a right cock!

Lima itself was not that great so chilled for alot of it. Went to a photography exhibition that told us all about the history / shiny path war within Peru. Really moving photographs that explained how the shiny path masacred the Peruvians with their communist ways.

Had a night at Tony Romas! Tony! before a bit of cosmic bowling (injured my arse). Al made some cocktails another night in our room, illegally of course. Funny drunk on his views about the world and everything else inbetween.

Also checked out the zoo, not that exciting but Barney was there so it was well worth it.

The happy couple also made me watch the inbetweeners, so funny!´he touched me here and here´.

Shem and Al were staying in Lima to meet Bruce but we made reservation for bus to Cusco on the Thursday (21 hours - Cruz De Sur) to start the Inca Trail but arranged to meet up again in Bolivia.