Its been a while:

Well two weeks have passed since the last update so here goes. After arriving in Nazca after a short bus trip from Ica, we proceeded to book a flight over the Nazca lines for the following day. As it was an early rise the next morning, bed was due. The next day we got up early and headed to Nazca airport to wait for our flight. 6 hours later and we were finally aboard. The lines were pretty amazing, minus the fact that some idiots had driven over the top of them 50 years ago, and the fact that a German on board our flight was being a tad sick, i didnt mind though as I was co-pilot for the day.

After Nazca, we booked a bus to Cuzco the same day as the flight over the lines. Now the buses over here are pretty amzing, they certainly put Easyjet to shame, however, 15 hours on a bus is enough to drive anyone insane, never mi9nd to onset of altitude sickness as we had accended over 2500m. Once in Cuzco we proceeded to our Hostal, and tried to recoperate a bit by drinking some coca tea, although I was convinced as we were still feeling the sickness 2 days later. However, Lauren convinced me i would be a good idea to get some fresh air, so we headed off on the back of 2 smelly horses up to some Inca sights. The Inca's really knew how to build and I think they could teach todays cowboy builders a trick or 2. We had 3 more days until the Inca trail, so we just sightseed around here and tried to get used to the altitude as best as possible, however alcohol and 3200m do not mix, as the next day after only a few beers, we both felt sick as dogs.

Saturday arrived at last and it was time for the infamous Inca trail. It was a 4.30am start, and a 3hr bus ride before we even got there. When we did, Lauren felt sick as now was becoming the norm, but a hearty breakfast was due to give us 'superhikers' some much needed energy for the first day. We packed all our gear, and Lauren and I soon realised we were the only ones carrying our own sleeping bags and mats, not to mention that my bag was 3times the weight of anyone else's on the weight in, sometihing I would later come to regret after the initial gloat.

With the first day over, and a few steep hills later, it was time for some top notch food made by our personal c*** and porters. They really put alot of resturants to shame, as presentation and taste was amazing, given the fact we were 2500m up and in a tent. Bed was calling for our sore limbs, and the fact that we had an 18km hike up to 4200m looming the next day, was only encouragement for some shut eye. The second day was probably one of the toughest things I have ever had to do. Step after step, in the blistering heat, with 15kg on my back, and the thin air, made a recipe for hiking hell, but we all made it to the top of dead womans pass in our own time and at that moment i felt on top of the world, however it soon crept back into my mind that i had to go back down 600m then back up anoher 400m after lunch, all in a days work really. The 3rd day was easier, and at the end we had a welcome break with showers and a beer, something of a luxury. Also their was a proper toilet, and not one of the squat jobs we had become used to, who's decription and smell i will spare you with just in case you are eating.

The fourth day arrived, and finally we would get to the holy Inca grail of Maccu Pichu. It was a tough 3hr trek in the morning, but we made it to the Sun Gate where the clouds cleared in time for us to catch a glimsp of the great Inca Sancturary. We explored all its nocks and cranies, and to try and describe it would take a day or two with sound!! It was amazing, just check the pictures.

After the trail, we got back to Cuzco to rest for 1 night, then it was back on the road to Arequipa. I thought we would be taking it easy now after our ordeal, however Lauren had other things on her mind. We booked onto a last minute trek of the Colca Canyon, where Lauren wantede to see giant Condors, even though she has a massive fear of birds, strange I though also, but off hiking we went. The Canyon was beautiful, but hiking in the hot sun is never a good idea, so after a 1200m decent, we had lunch and got ready for bed after a bit og nights craic. The next day we hiked along the bottom of the canyon, tasting life as a local in more ways than one, including doing some old fashioned hand ploughing, and drinking some local medicine which im sure was just licor, but fair play to them. After a night in an Oasis, and a randy dog later, we hiked back up the Canyon, remember 1200m, very hard, and went on to see the Condors. I didnt even realise birds this size existed, but it was lovely to see, they were soo graceful given their size, and i dont think Lauren was too scared, to tired to care me thinks.

Back in Arequipa, we booked a bus to Puno for the next day, and just rested the night away. After a short bus ride, we ended up in Puno, which is the jump off for exploring Lake Titicaca and crossing the border to Bolivia, all of which will foloow in our next report, so for now ciao and beunos tardes amigos.