And we are back in Cusco for a day before heading to Bolivia.

After a good flight back to Cuzco (although it was delayed) we were met by the driver from our Hostel and quickly taken to the taxi. Here is where it got wierd. He left us to wait for other people whose plane had been delayed and was supposed to arrive about an hour before ours but still hadn't arrived. After 20 minutes of constantly watching people Phil got out and the driver got us someone else to take us to the Hotel. We had no problems with waiting it was more the fact we weren't told anything.

Anyway the Hotel itself is lovely. After organising via email to meet up with Helen we wandered down to Muses, a coffee place. Phil had a hot mint chocolate and I ended up wishing i'd had the same. He only gave me a sip but it was divine. One to remember for home. I think it was just a dash of mint alcohol but it just made it amazing.

Here we found out that Helen had the unfortunate experience of having to turn back on the Inca Trail. I felt so sorry for her but she got to get the amazing postcard pictures of Machu Pichu that we missed out on so at least she got that consolation. We were also glad that we went with Llama Path. Sounds like we had a better group of trekkers, but then I loved it so maybe i'm a bit biased.

We had a massage, which was nice but nothing to rave about before a quick tea at Frogs (they have a person walking around in a freddo frog costume promoting the place!) before an early night.

The next morning we decided to do a tourist thing and decided on the San Christobal Cathedral. We have decided to forgo the touristica boleto as most of what we want to see isn't on the ticket anyway. Some sort of parade was going on around the square and we still don't know what it was. However we know they were setting up in front of the cathedral to celebrate the 100 years since Machu Picchu was found.

Entering into the cathedral and paying 25 soles ($10 each) for the joy of entering yet another church we probably shouldn't have been surprised to find that no cameras were allowed.
This seems to be a very common thing in South America and we cant really think of a reason why other than they get people to buy the postcards after perhaps. The church itself was pretty spectacular. It was seperated into three different areas each covered in painting, other art works, gold and silver artefacts and immense structures covered in gold leaf.

The sad thing about this place is they have spent astronomical amounts of money renovating it and yet there are so many local people who are literally starving. Kind of makes you wonder about the churches motives at times.

We wandered down to the post office to offload some stuff and we were pretty shocked at the price (2.5kg for 128.90 soles). Although it does have to go to the other side of the world so can't complain too much plus we don't have to carry some stuff now. It will be interesting to see if:
1. It gets home
2. How long it takes to get there and
3. If it all makes it

A very cool mural was on the side of the road as we walked to the post office. Funnily enough we missed it on the way there. No idea how as it was massive. We should have this sort of stuff more often at home. We said bye to Helen after lunch at Jacks (the meals were as good as previously - definitely recommended) and off for some shopping to try and pick up some souvenirs and gifts for people back home.

Phil bought me a very lovely hummingbird pendant for my birthday. I loved it on first sight and I must admit was more impressed that it was the only thing we saw like it in all the different jewellery stores and there were stacks of shops selling jewellery.

We then met up with Helen again before heading to Inka Grill for tea. Inka Grill is quite a flash restaurant right in the Plaza de Armas. In Australia if oyu were to walk into a place like this it would be a suit and tie place however in South America anything goes.

Here we decided to try the local delicacy of Cuy - Guinea Pig. Well since we were here we figured we had to and it turned out to be a good choice and was really nice. Tastes kind of like rabbit, phil thinks. Not as gamey as some meats but not like chicken for a change! They are also a lot bigger than guinea pigs we have at home.

After a lovely dessert of 'Barra de Chocolat', a chocolate tart of sorts and a nice bottle of wine it was back to the hotel to pack and sleep before heading to La Paz.