We had a wonderful time in Ecuador, but had to make our way (quite swiftly now) to Cusco, in Southern Peru. This involved a fun filled 40 hour journey to get us to Huaraz first (Vilcabamaba-Loja-Chiclayo-Trujillo-Huaraz) , with the intention of doing another trek. After all that effort, I decide that now would be a great time to get sick. Brilliant! Fortunately, Chris played a fabulous nurse, while the hostel owner played in the garden and kept picking 'healing' leaves out for me. I have to drink 2 grassy teas that are supposed to cure my symptoms-mmm! But it was ok, as my heaven sent Nurse Hollins brought me chicken soup and pizza, when I was feeling better!

Thankfully I was recovered enough for the next day's 'fun bus' tour. Surprisingly we are the only gringos amongst many Peruvians, and for the first time in South America I am relieved that I don't speak any Spanish, because our guide can really, really talk! Unfortunately for him, I'm not the only one who's a little less than interested, and he struggles to keep any control of the group as we arrive in the devastated town of Yungay. This place was wiped out after an earthquake in the 70's caused a huge avalanche that took out nearly all the 18 000 population. The site has been turned into a memorial, and the new town built out of the avalanche path.

Our next stop is the lake Llanganuco and we can feel the altitude, but the lake is well worth seeing, as its bright blue and surrounded by mountains and glaciers. There's a short walk to ready to do then it's back on the bus. By now it's about 3pm, and we still haven't had the lunch stop. Anyone who knows us will realise that this is not a happy situation. To add to our hungry impatience, the bus breaks-as in the wheel basically falls off! So it's 5.30pm before we get lunch, and we don't even have enough money for a full meal each! Our trip traumatically ends with an entire album of Rick Astley, I mean seriously, who knew that guy got beyond a one hit wonder? Just Peru I now understand. Lucky us!