It seemed like things were going from bad to worse on Thursday night as the hostel we wanted to stay at had no room but the manager hooked us up with beds for the night with one of her friends, and after cancelling all my bank cards we had chicken and chips as a quick but bargain of a tea and then got to bed, though I was still going over everything in my mind whilst trying to forget about it and learn for next time.

On Friday morning whilst Heather and Becky went to the airport to pick up Claire, Heathers cousin who is now joining us, Riggers and I spent a fun couple of hours in the local police station getting my police report. The phrase involving rocket and backside sprung to mind to describe the whole process, but eventually we got it sorted.

With it being Claires first night we decided that a good night out was in order and after getting stung repeatedly by my own stupid, made-up-on-the-spot drinking game in the hostel bar we headed out into Cuzco and were soon taking advantage of the drinks offers. Imagine my delight when we realised that the first bar we pitch up in is a salsa bar and so, stupid drinking game to blame, I was soon cutting some dangerous shapes on the dancefloor even though my footwork was way off (sorry Hutch!!).

Later in the night and by pure chance we bumped into Ana and Virginia, the two girls who we had got on well with on the salt flats trip, which was really good and so we all headed to a couple of clubs - the first one where we were literally the only gringos and ´Blondie´Heather seemed to be viewed as a celebrity! Apparently I got in at 530, and so needless to say that Saturday was a write off - good for nothing other than lazying in the hammock in the sun!

And so, with a 4am start that would become the norm, Sunday was the first day of our 3 day Lares Valley trek, an alternative trek to the Inca Trail but which still ends at Machu Picchu. It was very different to the Inca Trail, but still really good - instead of seeing Inca ruins during the first 3 days you pass through remote villages that still live in traditional ways and speak Quechua rather than Spanish. Day 2 in particular was an absolute grueller involving 11 hours of walking up steep hills, reaching the highest pass of 4680m which really pushed the calf muscles!

We were lucky in that there were two American guys in our group, Dan and Drew, who were totally sound guys and who we had loads of banter with, and for me especially it was nice to have a bit of male company for once!

The trek gave some amazing scenery which at times the photos just did not do justice to and despite the extreme temperatures, ungodly hours and physical test it was a great few days, helped by the really professional outfit (SAS Travel) and our brilliant guides Orlando and Dolmeiro.

After spending the first two nights in a '3 man´ tent it was nice to get to Aguas Calientes on Tuesday night and have a proper bed in the hostel there, and to be able to take a shower even if it was only a trickle. The standard 4am start on Wednesday morning meant that we were one of the first busses up to Machu Picchu, and as the early morning mist cleared during our accent to reveal the spectacular setting that the site lies in I began to remember just how incredible it is.

Once there, I allowed myself a quiet moment to call on the Inca gods and sent Hucth a few thoughts as she was literally doing her exam at the exact same time - surely a good omen?! Orlando gave us his tour of the site, then whilst the others climbed Wayna Picchu I set off for the Sun Gate, which I had been unable to do last time due to a land slide.

It was a knackeing few days all in all, but great fun and although I was ratty and didn´t really feel like it we somehow mustered the energy to go out with the American guys once we made it back to Cuzco, and it was another quality night out which ended a full 24 hour day with us smuggling Dan into our dorm!

A well deserved massage for my aching limbs and to help cure the hangover was, other than speaking to Hucth(¡) the highlight of Thursday, though I did wonder what the hell was going on when my masseuse literally mounted the table to shove her fists into my back! I guess it was the "Inka" version of a massage, and overall it was definately a fiver well spent!

For Friday Riggers and I did a spot of cultural sightseeing during the day and then our time in Cuzco, if starting on a low with the bus incident, ended on a high with the sweet taste of the local speciality - Guinea Pig!!!