Wednesday 18th june 2008 we took a Crus Del Sur bus for a cheeky 15 hours upto Lima. Compared to our last little bus journey this bad boy was like a Rolls Royce. Front row seats up top to boot. Now whilst extra leg room is a bonus this in fact will be the last bus ride we have sitting at the front. This is due to the fact the driver thought he was Nigel Mansel on steroids. There is nothing this man wouldn't overtake. A lorry in the fog with zero visability. Overtake. 4 Blind corners in a row on the edge of a cliff top with not knowing what's around any of the bends. Overtake. 8 Lorries in row whilst raining. Overtake. Having front row seats to your own funeral doesn't do the most for your nerves. From now on it's towards the back! After the journey and a slight rucas to get the packs back we headed for a taxi. Hostel World hjadn't done us too many favours by sending us the wrong address so it was off for a 45 minute cruise round Lima, watching the taxi driver ask locals for a place that doesn't exist! After a phone call however (James is probably going to have to put that bill on his credit card) we finally found it. This hostel had been raved about by many a traveller, however if we are to be honest, Family Backpackers Hostel is not our cup of tea. Dale Winton and Michael Barrymore running the place gave it a bit of a creepy feel as did some of their pandering looks. The door was locked at night. Not to worry we headed off down the sea front to see what was happening. Some pretty nice shops were kicking around, however after lunch we decided to catch a flick and watched the Incredible Hulk. Not bad at all! After the cinema is was back to the hostel. Now the lads had been keeping it on the down low however for the last few weeks they had all been growing moustaches. Oh how good we all looked. Wet shaves all round and they were revealed in all their glory. Bushy, ginger love weapons. They were imense. Not being able to look at each other with straight faces and also ressembling something that will be hitting a prison near you soon they were simple embarrassing. However it was time for the test. Hooters. Chris, still feeling like a steam roller had hit him crashed out, however James and Luke went out for the team. Now you can put the night down to a success as neither were arressted, although when Dale Winton asked them when they got back if they wanted to try some of his home made Pisco Sour, we pray to God that man was not talking in some sort of code.

The next morning it was up early(ish) for our official tache photo shoot and then it was time to say goodbye to our bushy friends. Well they had served us. Older they made us look. Woman and children they had frightened. Lads. We will never grow one again. We are cleary not men who can pull one off. Checked out the hostel. Well checked out is a bit strong as it was more like walk past Barrymore who was asleep on the sofa, still pissed and with his hands down his trousers. We're not going back. Flagged down a taxi and then it was off to start the Inca. Or at least check into the included hotel! Like our previous taxi driver he had know clue as to where it was. Finally arrived to a rather swish hotel. Our favorite! Checked into the hotel, dumped our bags and headed off for some breakfast. Really nice little quirky cafe. After that we headed off around the city for a look. Checked out the Indian markets as well as putting in a mammoth stint on the internet! Afterwards we cruised back to meet our Inca Group. The intro was mental (or the woman giving it was), however it seemed we had landed a pretty solid group. Mike and Jen the americans. Alice and Becca the Scottish. Katie the Manc. Banderas and his Mrs' the non couple whilst to folllow was the pro hiking twins James and Joe, American Mum Daughter Combo and finally the loaded Finish couple. After we met our group it was off for a steady meal before bed. An early flight to Cusco awaited!