Hey folks,

Well we have just returned from our trip to Machu Pichu. Our first stop was Cuzco which is 3400 meters above sea level in the Andes. We were on altitude sickness pills just incase we got sick with the height which gave us pins and needles in our hands and feet which was weird. On arrival at the airport, you were greeted with oxygen tanks which you could purchase if you were struggling! Our hotel was nice... found it really tough to climb the 4 flights of stairs with the altitide! We were struggling to breath! The local dress is interesting - the women wear bright clothes, pigtails and carry their baby´s on their back in a rug (or a baby lama). We had half a beer on our first night here and got drunk which was funny. Coca tea is apparently good for the altitude and helps with stomach bugs so we have been drinking lots of it.

After Cuzco, we travelled by bus then train to Machu Pichu town (Aguas Calientes). The first thing we noticed was it is always happy hour - 4 for 1 drinks - although you would be silly to drink too much being so high up. We didn´t want to miss out so shared and had 2 each. We took a walk up to the thermal baths... they looked like small swimming pools. It was pretty amazing relaxing in these hot baths with mountains at either side and amazing views.

We were woken at 4am the next day to prepare for our Machu Pichu trip. We queued for the bus and thought of the poor people who chose to do the Inca Trail (the 3-day walk to Machu Pichu). Machu Pichu was amazing. We climbed Wynapichu (the mountain beside Machu Pichu) which was very tough but were glad we did it. The views were out of this world. It took an hour to climb and was all steps uphill. Although the Inca people were small (well about my height), they seemed to make steps double their height! What was a step to AJ, was a climb to me! We never saw any wild chinchilas which was disappointing but we did see lamas and lizzards.

We headed back down to Cuzco and were exhausted. They really celebrate Mothers Day over here so there were lots of festivals and celebrations. We then took a horseride up through the hills surrounding Cuzco. Apart from the horses breaking wind a lot, it was a pleasant, relaxing horseride.

The next day was our trip to the Amazon jungle. After a dodgy flight with the worst turbulence in my life, we stepped off the plane... the height and humidity was almost unbearable (for me anyway!). We took a bus, a boat, then walked through the jungle to our eco-lodge and were greeted with a cocktail. We were shown to our rooms which had no windows, doors or electricity. We went for a walk to the canopy tower with views above the jungle. On walking, you are surrounded with animals and we saw monkeys, birds, ants, snakes, spiders (huge ones) and butterflies. Each time you go for a walk you have to wear wellies because of the mud.

The first nights sleep was eventful. Instead of the usual shouting on AJ "there´s a spider in the bathroom" it was "AJ, there´s a snake in the bathroom"! Yes... we had a "pet" snake in our bathroom which came out at night through the wall (no more than the first half of its body though). The only light you have is a keurosen lamp and all lights are put out at 9pm. The noises of the jungle you hear are amazing (especially in the darkness).

We were woken up at 4am to go for a walk through the jungle with our torches and wellies on to the port. We took a boat to a billabong to spot the wildlife and watch the sun come up. We then went fishing for piranas and AJ was lucky enough to catch one... I wasn´t. On return back to the lodge, we had some free time so lounged around on our hammocks. We were running out of clothes fast by then because of the sweat! Also, all my clothes are too big for me already as I must have lost some weight. The cold showers were fantastic and can see why we didn´t need hot water.

After relaxing (well I did, whilst AJ played a football match with the locals), we took a trip to visit the Medicine Man or sharman and learnt about plants that can help certain problems (including a love potion called follow me follow me and viagra called get up get up!)

That night, we not only had the snake in our bathroom, but also a toad. I had got used the snake by now. We had an early night as we had to rise at 5am for our flight back to Lima.

Check out the photos...

Lee-Ann and AJ