March of Death

Just a quick note to say that I returned from the trek in one piece! The whole thing was absolutely brilliant: the scenery was amazingly lush and diverse, and the group we were travelling with was fantastic. Many good memories. Machu Picchu was a revelation... it has to be seen to be believed, and words cannot accurately describe the sense of awe that dawns on you as you walk through the place. A rewarding sight after 4 long days of hiking. Details yet to come. It seems as though the trek and a few heavy nights of drinking since our return to Cusco have really taken a toll on our immune system - Cat and me are both suffering from some sort of near-bronchital cough. It's all part of it I suppose. Nightlife in Cusco is a bizarre experience - at every corner of the main plaza you get bombarded by groups of promoters for certain bars who hand out free drinks tickets. Which essentially means that if you play the 'circuit' right, every night could be an incredibly cheap one. There's an all-around friendly vibe - backpackers looking for a good time are never in short supply.

Plans for the next few days: we're departing for Arequipa tomorrow (another overnight bus journey) where we hope to do some white water rafting as well as venturing into the Colca Canyon. Apparently it's twice as deep as the Grand Canyon. Just imagine. After that it's onwards to Puno, a Peruvian town which borders on Lake Titicaca.