So here we are in Puno, our last stop in Peru before we cross the border to our 9th and penultimate country... Bolivia.

A total of 45 days spent in this wonderful country makes it our longest residency to date. And it has been a very varied, exciting, inspiring time, and life changing!

So what are our observations?

First of all, we got engaged!

1) Since then Emily has spent far too much time looking up wedding venues whenever she gets the opportunity. Everytime Dave looks around he catches her staring at her ring.....so you can all rest assured that she is a very happy traveller at the moment. (Emily suspects that Dave only proposed so that she wouldn´t moan at the amount of time he likes to spend on the internet as now she has multiple bridal forums to explore!)

2) Peru has taken us higher than we have ever been before, 3400m in Cusco (with harsh effects on your two weary travellers) then up to 4200m on the Inca trail, and then up to 4900m near the Colca Canyon. To give you some perspective that is 4.8km higher than our homes in Maidenhead and Banbury. That´s rather high up and the air is a lot thinner, dehydration is a problem and breathing is harder. But an interesting experience!

3) It was a pleasure to spent 2.5 weeks doing our bit for the unfortunate people in Pisco still recovering from an earthquake 4 years ago. Helping to build a hosptial was a very humbling experience.

One day when Dave was working away the sheet that seperated the building site from the existing waiting room fell down, 2 men who were sitting there waiting for the doctor both turned around, smiled big wide grins and put their thumbs up in appreciation of our work. Was a very nice moment and a pleasure to help in a small way.

4) I know we have expressed our shock at a lot of the drivers along the way, but... Peru definitely wins hands down for the worst, most insane driving, particularly the guys who took us to site everyday. They loved to cram 7 to a car (2 in the boot), slap on some tunes and then race each other (and everyone else) back to the hostel. Dave suspects from their smiles and glances that they were trying to impress the females with their driving prowess.

5) Although we had a great time, after over 4 months on the road our imune systems seem to be weakening and we have suffered a bit with colds, bad skin, headaches, toilet issues and a severe case of laziness. We suffered in Lima, Cusco and Arequipa (although the altitude surely played a part in our demise), but we appear to have escaped the epidemic of Typhoid and Parasites rife in Pisco.

6) If you are looking for a quiet, peaceful hoilday destination, then Peru may not be for you. It is NOISY!!! Some places are nice and quiet but the overwelming majority of places have a 24 hour soundtrack of shouting, over loud music and uninterrupted horn beeping! The Peruvians do love the horn!

7) Peru out of anywhere we have been has to most varied and wonderful landscapes. From bleak desert ´nothingness´ to awe inspiring mountain ranges, deep canyons, amazing sculptured sand dunes and the beautiful Pacific Ocean with is spectacular sunsets

8) The Peruvian people and their traditional dress is a joy to see. All over the place you see woman in their colourful clothes, with beautiful blankets that hold their children on their backs. They are a nation of weavers and their handy work is stunning

9) Last but not least we have to mention the food. Guinea pig has already been discussed but we enjoyed such delights as Alpaca meatballs, Pollo Chicharone (bascially kfc heaven on a plate, but in a restaurant, Dave´s favourite!) Ceviche (Emily´s favourite) Lomo Saltado (beef, chips, tomato and onion mixed together) to name a few. The only bummer is that you have to drop your first bite on the floor for Pachamama (mother earth)

So there you go, 8 countries down. The end is drawing closer and Dave and Emily are still hanging on and enjoying themselves. They suspect they may be getting too old to be on the road this long but nothing worthwhile is easy.

So off to Bolivia next, a bonus country due to many recommendations. Here we will spend Christmas, which should be an interesting experience!