Now then.

So we are on our last day in Lima before heading off for Easter Island which we're pretty excited about - not in the least because it'll hopefully bring and end to being hassled by strangers to either spend or give money. Someone even stole a hug from me today! Outrageous! (a slightly mental woman dancing at the changing of the guard at the presidential palace and waving like she was the Queen).

I think we were slightly spoiled by our time in the amazon where the only things that bothered us were the creepy crawlies - no asking if we wanted a taxi, some tat or generally to just give money away.

Anyway whinge over.

The Amazon was absolutley amazing. A 4 hour motorised canoe ride meant that we saw loads of wildlife including caymens, some things that looked like massive guine pigs (Stacey - can't remember what they're called, Sam - Ronsocos) and lots of other things! The research lodge was like nothing we'd expected. We arrived in the dark (slightly scary walk through bushes from the boat) then out of the darkness came this amazing place lit by candles and lamps. It looked like a 5 star palace of wood. Our room was amazing too completely open to the wildlife, only protected by a mosquite net and a hammock to laze in. Which we did for one whole afternoon accompanied by some vodka and torrential rain, I really could´ve stayed there for ages although I paid for it later with over 20 bites! ouch! bloody mozzies!

Anyway we did a night walk and a day walk including seeing sunrise form a 30 meter high bird watching tower which was lovely. We saw a tarantula, numerous other dangerous spiders, massive ants, yellow snakes, piranhas, eagles and macaws among other birds and loads of beautiful butterflies. I thought I would hate the jungle and despite it being the hottest and most humid place I´ve ever been I loved it I think we will definitley be making a trip back at some point.

Next up was the Nasca Lines. Weirdly we ended up on it with another couple from Leeds one of whom is the brother in law of somone I know (Rah this is you). The trip involved 2 7 hour bus journeys and some weird film about midget babies. Nasca is a tiny place but we saw the necropolis, the aqueducts and obviously had the flight over the lines. They are amazing to see - although I didn´t see much more than the inside of a plastic bag as about 2 mins in travel sickness struck as the plane was super tiny and the pilot was making some serious turns. I have however, looked at the pictures expertly taken by Sam and did manage some brief glances. It looked awesome, although not an experience I ever want to repeat!

Oh and just to keep you informed Sam has now lost the beard but I think it will make a reappearance once we get to SE Asia.