22 Oct
Arequippa, great day, visited the convent, Jim took loads of pictures and then went to the museum to see Juanita the oldest mimmy found a couple of years ago in the mountains near here.


Thursday 23rd
Left Arequippa early, headed for the Chivay area and Colca Canyon. Went through some lovely national parks, saw llamas and alpacas as well as the usual cattle sheep and chickens and farming terraces. We are going to be at 4,900ms high, our highest part of our journey today. Our guide kept saying that the Colca Canyo is the deepest and biggest in the world but its not as wide or long as the grand canyon usa. We arrived at a nice hotel about 3pm and went for a walk in the mountains and met some local children who sang for us. Saw loads of donkeys and baby donkeys here and got a bit homesick. Kept thinking of Paulina, donkeys and shrek. But it was a lovely evening spent in front of a log fire.

Friday 24th
Left Colca Canyon very early and went high into the mountains to try to spot andean condors. We saw 3 in the distance but the weather was quite bad so we set off on the bus for our next sight and we had to stop for one girl to go loo (you will be glad to know it was not me) Well as we stopped there was a condor flying very low and near the bus. The bus driver went to open the door for me but our Toucan Rep told him to shut it so i had to force it, but it was so worth it to get close to the condor, it was breathtaking. We saw may sights, salt mines, mountains, terraces, glaciers but nothing that blew me away quite as much as the condor. Went back to Arequipa for the night.
ps if anyone is thinking about a trip the toucan rep we have is the most miserable guide ever and is you should dare to ask a question she says ´´´look at your sheet´´most helpful.

Sat 25th
Flew to Cusco, felt so ill (tummy) that i just went to bed when we arrived in hotel. Immodium not working and start the Inca Trail tomorrow. Will do it though ad finish whatever. Missed Cusco completely though Jim and Robin went out and saw some sights and a festival with lots of fireworks.

Sunday 26th

Got up very early and got a bus to the kilomenter82 or the start site of the Inca Trail. Arrived about 10am and had our bags weighed ad passports checked then we were off, eager and excited though i was still fragile as had not eaten for 24hours. Up we went and up and up, short of breath we got and shorter and shorter and up and up until we started to wonder what we had let ourselves in for. We were determined to make it and the weather was kind, a beautiful day so the views were great every time we got to the top of a hill but there was always another top to get to. Everyone was in a happy mood, loads of photos and chatting early on but we started saving our breath later as oxygen is in short supply at altitude. Getting to the campsite was great and its amazing how the porters have lunch ready then pack everything up and then go the campsite to get supper ready. The guide gave me a magic pill and I tried to eat that evening and kept it down. The tents were little 2 men things and we dined with tables and chairs in a big tent. The poor porters carried unpacked put up and packed and carried again but we were so grateful we did not have to carry much as the altitude really takes it out of you. Great day, tiring, will sleep well even in a tent.

Mon 27th
Met all our porters this morning in a nice little ceremony. Were told that today would be the hardest day and we would pass the point of no return. Also the highest point. It was hard but not as hard as the day before. Saw deer birds plants trees and the views and it kept your mind off the lack of o2. When we reached the highest point Jim wanted to take a picture with his ´flag´but i had taken it out of the day bas (as it was too heavy the day before and i wanted to lighten the load) Jim was so upset when we got there arnd he found out he did not have the flag I really really wished i had carried it. The views were tremendous and well worth the energy of the walk. Can´t believe how the porters were running past us carrrying such heavy loads. When we finished for the day we were exhausted but happy. Robin had not walked with us he was up the front with Conner and Andrea who looked after him so well. A really lovely couple.

Tues 28th
Slept well, so tired, up early and walking. The rain started and got steadily worse all day but there is not stopping. By midday every bit of us was wet through and we had to keep walking. As we put our feet down water was streaming from the rocks abouve straight into our boots from the back it went inside poncho, hats and knickers everywhere was wet, there was no let up. We saw no birds or animal as they obviously did not want to be out in the torrential downpour. We had to look at the floor as the path was uneven and the drops off the mountain sheer, sometimes the path was only 6 inches wide and had overhanging rocks at head hight and a sheer drop to the right. Its a wonder they do not have more accidents. There is no such thing as health and safety here... Jim struggled with his knees today and we both wondered why are we doing this. Especially at 5pm when we arrived at camp soaking wet and freezing, cold and shivering. I had to go to bed with Robin straight after tea there was no way i wanted to leave the tent and get wet again.