Doing the Inca Trail is one of the must do things in South America. We had booked the trip four months early as only 2000 people are permitted on the track at any one time. The three days prior to begining the walk I unfortunately came down with a bed ridden illness. This meant no eating or moving for three days. Not the best preparation for a strenuous walk climbing to 4200 metres above sea level!

We decided not to hire extra porters but to carry our gear instead. My tramping pack was 16kgs while Julie´s day pack was 7kgs. The porters are allowed to carry 20kg, not in packs I might add, more like tarps and string with only jandles and straw on there feet. Their loads look akward and uncomfortable and many times we sat there staring in disbelief at what they were carrying, like gas bottles for instance, that can´t be good for your back! Here is an example of the insanity of their loads...

The start of the walk was pretty flat following the Urubabmba river for about ten kms. I felt good and Julie being in full health felt even better only struggling to adjust to the slow pace of our 5 foot guide. After a realaxing lunch in the sun we started the hardest part of the four day trek. I began the 700m climb with a bullet proof attitude!!!! I am from New Zealand where trekking is in my blood. It was going to be a breeze compared to other walks I have done carrying more weight in colder weather for twice as far.

Mmmmmmm well!!!!! I lasted about ten minutes until I was using my walking stick as a paddle to try and raft up the mountain. My lungs were burning, my muscles screaming and my head pounding from altitude. My male ego had to face facts, I could not go on this way. Julie kindly offered to swap bags and lighten my load. With a bag almost the same size as Julie now on her back she set of at a blistering pace summiting the mountain still ten minutes faster than me and an hour and a half faster than the last group members. Without Julie I would have taken days to get to the top (thanks Julie)!!!!!!!!! I began to get my appetite and strength back and on the third and fouth day and was able to once again carry my pack.

After a very VERY chilly first night in the tent trying to recover from the day before we did wake to a beautiful view which boosted the spirits which is what we needed to reach the summit as our first spot in the morning, this was helped by one of the many mammoth breakfasts we were served, in fact all our meals were mammoth, you certainly dont go hungry. Fortunately the climb to the summit was nothing compared to the challenge the day before so we motored up it and celebrated with the classic high fives and summit photos...

The walk itself was amazing. We saw heaps of old indian/inca ruins and were given an insight into their culture, beliefs and way of life. On the final day we woke at 3.30am to be the first group to the sungates and into Machu Picchu. It meant a bit of night running but everybody in the group were keen to try and miss the crowds. Machu Picchu was all it claims to be and more. Coming from New Zealand it is both fascinating and amazing and a must do for anyone thinking of coming here. We decided that 4 days of solid walking wasnt enough so climbed the iconic backdrop mountain of Wynapicchu to get a different outlook of Machu Picchu and again it was well worth it. By 1pm droves of tourists (mostly American) had entered the park on a day trip pass so we said goodbye and returned to Cusco. Here is the view and I promise even though we look superimposed we were actually there!!!

After a short flight from Cusco to Lima we have said goodbye to altitude. Goodbye nose bleeds, racing heartbeat, dry cracked lips and piercing sun. We are not going to be in Lima long as it is another huge city. So big that you could be anywhere in the world and you wouldn´t know it - Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hutt, Casinos, smog, theft its all here, we even went to the movies! We are going to check the surf report and then head down to Ica (Huacachina) to do some sand boarding and celebrate my successful quarter century (a forwarding address for my presents will be sent at a later date!)