Hola,

Since writing to you last we all had an amazing 12 hours sleep- definately what we needed to recharge our batteries for the 2 nights of partying that were awaiting us in Lima. Then we treated ourselves to a nice breakfast- sophie had a massive pancake stuffed with fresh fruit and dribbled in chocolate sauce- possible one of the best breakfast I´ve ever seen. Miranda and I just settles for the paliun fruit salad topped with yogurt, granola and honey- also very good but we did suffer major food envy! We then took on the offer a free boat road which involved us rowing around the tiny lake and colliding witha family who were water pedalling- woops!! As we rowed we sang songs and reminised of durham rowing trips.

We then caught a taxi to Ica and then a bus to lima. As we sat there staring out of the window we watched the sky change from birght blue, to bruight blue with clouds to eventually just dull grey with rain when we got to Lima...a depressing change indeed. Nevertheless, we were excited for the evening ahead as we were goin out for one of the groups 30 birhtday. We had reserved a hostel (well THOUGHT we had) so got a taxi there to find that in fqct they hadn´t received our reservation and were completely fully booked. Thankfully they recommended another one to us which is fantastic. They have comfy beds, hot showers, english speaking and the best bit of all BREAKFAST TILL 1PM!!!

After a delicious (yet expensive as we are now used to cheap set menus!) meal and THE MOST DELICIOUS moist chocolate cake EVER we ventured off to find some bars to party hard. We danced among the peruvians who were all out celebrating their independence today, so the bars and streets were decorated with red and white balloons. Having no luck witht he taxis we ended up jumping on a random litle bus that claimned to be going to our hostel (easy because it is opposite the MASSIVE mcDonalds!) and arrived back to the hostel at about 4 with our first experience of dorm sleeping- sharing it with 3 others. Had a great night sleep, but unfortunately for me being a light sleeper, I did wake up every time someone got up and moved their bag out of their locker. O well I had the prev 12 hours sleep as back up so haven´t suffered too much today. Got up around 12, had our very late and FREE breakfast and met up witht he group to go shopping. Soph and Miranda both bought a new pair of LEE jeans for bargain price and I treated myself to a new raspberry coloured dress...new outfits for tonight!!!

ABout to meet up with the group to go out for some food and more dancing- will probably be a big party because many peruvians are still off work because of independence day. So yes that´s all for now. We are flying to Buenos Aires tomorrow so are very excited for our adventures on the other side of SA xx