I seem to write a lot about bus journeys in these blogs and the bus from Arequipa to Cusco definitely requires a mention.. My god it started out so well! We were 'lucky' enough to bag seats 1 and 2 on the double decker bus meaning we had panoramic views and extra leg room. The seats were the comfiest yet and before long we had a lovely little lady come round and bring us a complementary dinner of rice, chicken and potato (they love a bit of double carbs here) followed by coca tea. Life couldn't get any better. Until that is the bus driver starts making some interesting overtaking decisions involving multiple vehicles and blind bends. And of course, in our prime seats we have the full view of this rollarcoaster ride. I try to sleep to forget about it whilst Becky ties up her hair and gets out a plastic bag just in case she had bus puking experience numero 2. The sleep was far from comfortable due to the constant kicking from the child behind and too little room to stretch out our legs. We thought the free breakfast might make up for the lack of sleep but all we were offered was stail bread and coffee that had what tasted like 7 tea spoons of sugar in.

After the disappointing bus journey we arrive in Cusco and nap. After the free breakfast (of, wait for it....bread and jam) offered by Wild Rover, the hostal we were staying in, we head off exploring and before long end up in a cafe for real (sugar free) coffee and our third breakfast of the day. We then head to the chocolate museum where we learnt lots of fun facts (no chocolate does not give you spots, yes it is an aphrodisiac and in the uk we are light weight consumers of chocolate compared to the Swiss who each eat (on average) 12kg of choc every year) and of course in take more calories by sampling their fondue and hot chocolate. After such a stressful morning, we treat ourselves to hour long body massages. Bex opts for the more exclusive spa option whilst I go with one of cheaper, less professional street sellers who for £12 not only gives me a good going over but throws in a hair cut! not surprising, the left side has ended up somewhat shorter than the right...

Along with all the culture and history Cusco has to offer, it also provides some much needed nights out. What started off on several occasions as "a quiet drink in the bar" finished with us rolling back to the room at in the early hours of the morning, missing pairs of shoes, a humongous bar tab and memories of dancing on (or in Becky's case, behind) the bar. There were also special guest appearances from Si and Liana who showed huge commitment to sampling Cuscos nightlight even with a 6am wake up call for their Machu Picchu trek.

We wake up after such fabulous evenings out with nothing on the mind but food. We therefore roam the streets of Cusco searching for the towns biggest portions and best hangover cures (which definitely did not include the restaurant in which a dead pig was carried through the bar!) We did however stumble across one awesome little restaurant lounge called Los Perros (which is an absolute must for anyone visiting Cusco) which served what were potentially South Americas largest burgers! When our two burgers (and side!) arrived, we attracted much attention from nearby customers who all offered their own suggestions as to how we should approach such a ginormous portion! Clearly they were not aware of our love for and experience with such feasts and were all hugely impressed when they saw our empty plates (although such greed came back to haunt us when we ended up having breakfast with some of the spectators a few days later...)

All in all, we had an awesome few days in Cusco eating, drinking, making friends... The perfect preparation, some might say, for our upcoming 3 day Machu Picchu trek.... Hmmm.