When we got to Lima it was about 7pm and so we encountered a bit of city traffic. We caught a taxi to where we were staying in the area of Miraflores, closer to the coast and a bit safer than central Lima. Our hostel, Pirwa Backpackers, had not received our reservation but were still able to sort us our with a 4 bed dorm. We went in search of Japanese food but got a bit lost and settled for a cheaper chinese version! Unfortunately they had run out of wine...and w...

We were still dozing when we arrived in Paracas after taking a night bus from Arequipa. The bus was continuing onto Lima and so we needed to be semi alert for our stop and to ensure we didn't miss it. When we boarded the bus I was talking to Mark about Wheelers Hill (where I grew up) and the girl in the seat in front turned around and asked if we were talking about Wheelers Hill in Melbourne. When i said yes she commented that she had attended Wheelers Hill High ...

We had a very hot overnight bus ride to Arequipa...the heating was on all night and we were all dressed up in our llama fashion. We arrived very early at 6.45am and when we caught the taxi to our hostel we woke up the owner. He came stumbling down the stairs half dressed and bleary eyed to greet us. His name was José and the hostel, La Posada del Casique, was a small business that he ran with his father. José was incredibly kind to us and very hospitable. We we...

Hi everyone, I hate to disappoint Mark´s fans but his promises to update the blog come Machu Picchu were a little hollow. He is currently engrossed in a Man Utd v. Arsenal football match and sends his regards. I am sure most of you will accept his choice! So on the morning of our 2 day tour to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu we were up early and keen as mustard. Our tour operator (remember the eccentric lady) told us to be ready at 8.40am. By 9am we were a ...

We arrived in Cuzco just before the Easter weekend started. We had a long bus ride of 11 hours throughout the day from Copacabana and we all agreed that night buses are so much better. When we arrived it was about 8.30pm and we caught a taxi to our hostel, the Pirwa Colonial Backpackers in San Francisco Plaza. The taxi driver tried to rip us off but thankfully we didn´t have enough money to get stooged. He took the only schrapnel we had albeit a little disgruntl...