Day 23 April Sun 16th. Up at 5.30am for the Start of 8 hours of hiking, which after yesterday we were all a bit worried about, but it turned out to be a lot more gentle incline wise, but all of us had pins and needles in our hands feet or faces and felt a bit dizzy and definitely out of breath. We gave fruit to the cute local kids who ran up the mountain to see us and were so pleased when we gave then something. One little girl couldn't keep up with her brothers ...

Day 22 April Sat 15th. Up at 6am for the bus ride up the hair pin bends with fabulouis views as we rose higher and higher. We had bought bread and fruit at the local market so we could stop when we saw any local children and give them some as we drove by. Arrived at the village of Qeshwarani and watched our mini bus drive away knowing that we wouldn't see it until the end of the trek!!!! We're on our own now, with our guide David and our cook and 3 porters with t...

Day 21 April 14th. Despite best intentions ended up in a great bar and got a bit drunk so nursing a hangover and helped me to sleep as I had bugs biting me in bed last night. Went to a Lama farm and saw Lama's Alpacas and Alcunias, some long haired the Pisac ruins and the steep walk at altitude on a narrow path gave us a taste of things to come on the Lares trek. Had lunch at the colourful local market. Travelled to Ollantaytambo another large Inca ruin, with hug...

Day 20 Thurs 13/04 Up at 6am for the 7 hour bus journey from Puno to Cusco on the Gringo bus. Great views on the way in between sleeping and they even gave us all a slice of cake :o) Our guide is a real superhero and has been in the Venezualen special forces, so we all feel in very safe hands. Cusco has a real buzz to it, maybe because it is where most people start and finísh their journeys to Machu Picchu. We have a briefing tonight at 7pm and then off t...

Day 19 Wed 12/04/06 Said goodbye to our Mamas, it was a wonderful experience to stay with the families, they have a very tough existence, but are so friendly and happy. Sailed for 3 hours to the reed islands, which are entirely made of reeds and float in 18m of water, take up to a year to build & have to have new reeds added constantly or they sink, but can last up to 10 years. Then sailed to the next reed island on a reed boat, which they let me have a go row...