Firstly, sorry for no blog update in the last few days - having some phone issues! However what a crazy few days, I shall start at the beginning! At 10am on Tuesday morning we were picked up in a minibus and driven 2 hours to olytatambo, a village in which you catch the train to aguascalientes (at the foot of macchu picchu). This minibus and train journey Turned out to be very amusing as we met 4 crazy columbian guys on the same tour as us. They had started drinking at 10am, plus our limited Spanish led to some interesting conversations!
Once we arrived in Aguascalientes we checked into our pre-arranged hostel, mould covered Walls and damp bedsheets, nevertheless it was only for one night. In a rush to get out of the hostel we went for a wander around this very 'gringo' but pretty village and found a nice local restaurant for supper. Aguascalientes which means 'hot water' in Spanish has an amazing set of hot springs, so fully stuffed on peruvian delicacies we heading to the springs to unwind. A couple of hours relaxing and a couple of drinks in the inca themed bar, it was time for bed ready for our 3am start to visit the lost city!
3am was a struggle, but hell was it worth it, we managed to secure 2 of 400 daily passes to climb wyanapicchu, the mountain that overlooks macchu picchu. A bus ride up to the lost city took around 20 mins on twisting alpine esque roads. By 4am the entrance of the lost city was buzzing 100's of tourists in line to be stamped and let in. We met our guide David at the meeting point, all went through security and enjoyed a 2 hour guided insight into the inca's and there mysterious city.
Our ticket for climbing wyanapicchu was for the 10am slot so a quick wander round after the tour and it was ready to scale this beast of a mountain. Charlie made light work of it, however I found it never ending!!! But wow was it worth it went you get to the top, truly spectacular views overlooking the 500 year old city.
Once we got back down to aguascalientes there was time to pick up our rucksacks and grab a bite to eat and then head back on the train. Our minibus back to cusco from olyatatambo was shared with a load of people from newcastle uni, what a small world and even a girl from Eastbourne college! The bus driver decided to take the scenic route' across the Andes on what seemed a never ending dirt road, you could tell everyone was getting increasingly nervous. But we made it back at 1am, a quick check in at our hotel and a good nights sleep was in order. Yesterday was a complete day of relaxation! A nice beer with Charlie in the evening overlooking cusco plaza de armas and then room service (gotta make the most of the rare luxuries). Up this morning ready for our 8.30am bus to puno. Hope all is well with everyone back home, missing you all! Update in a couple of days! Love Sam