Well we had a really early start this morning. Out on the road by 5.45 heading to Alausi to ride the Devil's Nose train. On the way there we skirt the flanks of the Andes through twists and turns along ravines and river gorges. We have gone through many Indian villages and see the locals dressed in the native clothes, bright and colourful. It's amazing how many people seem to be out walking in the middle of nowhere, but it's all their land where they farm and grow crops of cereals. this is how they make their money or trade for supplies. There are lots of road dogs... just dogs that live from scraps from people, they travel the roads sometimes wandering in front of cars and buses.

After about 2 hours we arrive to the Ecuadorian railway company. The 100 year old train and lines have been restored. The highlight is the great 800 metre descent on the zigzag cuttings on the rock of the Devil's Nose Mountain. At the bottom is a new station of Sibame where there are locals dancing and some handicrafts for sale. After a short stay we go back up the mountain and off the train to continue our journey. Now that was just half the day!!!

Next stop on this long day is to the Inca Fortress of Ingapirca. This place is our first encounter with the Inca Empire. Here is a fortress built by the Inca a few hundred years after Macchu Picchu and I know it will look small compared to it but it was still awesome to see and touch. Ray has finally had the first part of a long wanted wish come true.

After a history tour of the area and many pic's later we continue on with our small (5) tour group to Cuenca where we will be spending a couple of nights. It's also here we say goodbye to a couple of great people we have spent the last few days with. Good luck with the rest of your journey through South america Hayley and Ruben.