After the Inca Trail, I had no idea where to head next. I thought of Ecuador, but ruled that out because it was too expensive.
Best choice would have been Rio, then I could have travelled down the East coast to Buenos Aires. (I fly to the UK from Buenos Aires, so that has to be the destination city for South America)
But for some reason, most flights from Peru are quite cheap, except Brazil! Cheaper to fly to New York!
And everywhere else seemed to leave me too far from Buenos Aires.
But as I was doing the rounds I found a US$61 dollar flight to Ecuador, so suddenly that came back into play.
That kinda still leaves me on the wrong side f the continent, but I'm hoping that flights will be cheaper from Ecuador, and if I'm really lucky, I might find a fantastic deal for the Galápagos Islands

Jordan's sister Chole played for Bristol Rovers under 10's. Looks like I am going to have two internationally famous cousins playing footy. (One for City and one for Rovers!!!! - I'd like to listen in on tea-time conversation if that happens!) I think it might be a good idea that girls don't play boys, who would you support!!!!
Good Luck Chole

All the planets lined up and both my trip and that of Narelle and Bob's crossed paths, here in Cusco.
On Saturday we met for dinner, Sunday we bumped into each other of a 'Scared Valley Tour' atop some inca ruin, and Monday and Tuesday we met for Lunch and dinner in between my Spanish lessons.
It was great seeing some familiar faces. I haven't seen anyone I know for over 3 months.
It's kind of sad now, because I don't think I will get to see them for quite a few years. For the last seven years I have periodically been turning up at their Sydney home and staying for weeks/months on end.
They have always made me feel like part of the family and helped make Sydney feel like my second home.
But I'm afraid they can't let out a sigh of relief yet, as I will be back... one day!

I have just been on the most hideous overnight bus journey EVER (and I have done quite a few now, including one where we were stopped by masked men in the middle of the night)

For the first time in the whole of South America the bus was heated. Brilliant I thought, until the heady, hot and sticky atmostphere stopped any chance of sleep.

On top of this two children managed a world-record-breaking 14 hour cry and whinge session. They were in the seat in front and across the aisle. At one point one of them did puke all over the aisle, which created a very sticky walkway.

Anyway, after 14 hours of no sleep, I arrived in Nazca at 6am. By 7:30am I was sat in the front seat of a four-seater Cessna and taking off for a half-hour flight over the Nazca Lines.

I saw the Spider, Monkey, Condor and the Humming Bird as well as about a dozen other animal and plant glyphs. These were all criss-crossed with triangles and long lines.

It's an amazing site, and now I start my journey back to Cuzco, it's the longest round trip to see one site I think I have ever made.

But as I've wanted to see the lines since I was about 7, I think it was well worth it.

But you may want to ask me 'was it worth it' after my second sleepless night on the bus!

9 New Albums in New Zealand 2 - Including Matts Leaving, Katt and Petes Return, the Halloween Party and Christmas dinner at Halston as well as others.

7 New Albums in New Zealand 3 - Including Carlton Gore Flatmates, Tongariro Crossing and travels on the South Island.

A total of 224 new photos!

View All Photos - There are now 1071 photos online!!!

The award goes to: Iain Sutherland

On return to La Paz (3600m(ish) above sea level) from Rurrenbaque (the Amazon Basin 500m(ish) above sea level) my body decided to take real offence at the difference in altitude.

You can suffer lots of different things with altitude sickness. I was dizzy, feverish, massive blinding headache, very dehydrated and had uncontrolled shivers.

Both Kristin (Iain's Aussie Novia) and Iain looked after me very well. They plied me with drugs, snacks and took care of all travel arrangements, hotel bookings and trip organisation. They even carried my bags (I was basically a shivering useless blob)

But... Iain, in the middle of a very cold night, went off and got me a glass of hot water. It may not seem much, but it was exactly what I wanted and needed and couldn't get myself. He not only had to buy the water, but go to another street vendor and buy the cup!

It was unexpected and most most welcome.

All I have to do it make sure that both Iain and Kristin will wait for my return to Cuzco, so they can look after me again... ha ha ha

Cheers Guys

I have finally arrived in Cuzco after some very scarey bus journeys. The Inca Trail is fully booked until 29th May. So I have booked it for then and will buzz off to the Galapagos Islands if I can safely fit it in before returning to Cuzco (and having to suffer altitude sickness again) to do the Inca Trail.

Everything takes time to arrange here, it's not a simple thing to do, so I might not be able to risk flying to another country in case I can't make it back to do the Trail.

Good luck to my cousin, Jordan, who is going to be the next international football superstar.

Well, actually it's a rain forest and the are no lions here, but sing along if you know the words.

Tomorrow I head in to the rain forest for a three day Pampas (swamp) tour. We will be looking for Allies, Annies and Aracnies (Alligators, Anacondas and Spiders). There is loads of wildlife to see, including a swim with the Amazon Pink River Dolphins. I'm still not too happy with the Anaconda hunt, where you go waist deep in water. Who's hunting whom?

I have one night in the village (...the quiet village...) before heading out for a three day jungle tour. This is more to do with the plants, learning about medicines and toxic plants, than with animal sightings. We learn about traditional crafts and life in the remote villages.

The upshot is I'm off line for about a week. As long as I'm not eaten by a snake I will bore you all with the stories on my return.