Thursday 30th August We have a free day today so we all have a long lie-in. I book a horse trek for the afternoon and try to sort out my onward flights at Lan Peru. I sit in a cafe looking out over the Plaza and watch a parade leave the Basilica carrying an efigee of the Madonna accompanied by a marching band and lots of men in uniform. Next it's off to San Blas which is the artisans district. It's a lovely area with lots of arts and crafts for sale. I head of...

Friday 24th August We get on the bus to Cuzco which takes around 6 hours. The scenery in the Andes is stunning. It's arid and dry here and the houses remind me of Africa. The buildings are unfinished so they can avoid paying tax on the property. Our hotel in Cuzco is just of the Plaza de Armas with the most gorgeous courtyard in the centre and mezanine floors that look down over it. The city is a pretty place and also pretty touristy. But it has a warm feel to ...